Review: Kelty Dart 2 [ 2-man 3-season Ultralight Tent ]

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For me and my dog it was just right. I love the huge vestibule and if you don't zip the mesh door, it feels real roomy.

I love the light weight

Customer Service:
I called to see if the seams needed sealing. The guy on the phone was real cool about getting me the info. Was real pysched not to have to seal them

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Sierra Designs flashlight
 

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I hiked 1300 miles of the AT with this tent in 2000 along with my wife. It is very cozy for 2 but the vestibule it large. It does get condensation, but not too badly and it dries quickly being a single wall. It can get a bit cramped and takes a little getting used to. It really is as light as they claim and it gains very little weight when wet.

I never had a problem with it in any weather except for some condensation. This is minimized by common sense use of vents, etc. It never leaked even in the worst rain and it survived some pretty hefty winds without incident.

Customer Service:
Get this over the Dart 1 if you solo, it weighs only slightly more and it is much larger.

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some Euraka I don't remember the model right now. Black Diamond Betamid.
 

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Got this at an REI garage sale for $110. Couldn't pass it up to replace my old, broken poled, 10 pound dome tent. Have had it out several times now by myself and with my wife. This tent is so light and compacts so small!

It's perfect for one and nice and cuddly for two lovers ;). I did notice condensation on the inside every morning except one but come to think of it, I have noticed condensation on the inside of every tent I have ever slept in so that's not an issue for me. I never awoke with my bag soaking wet in this tent unlike some of the reviewers even when both of us were in it near the ocean where it was really humid over night.

I like this tent a lot even though I had to reinforce it where the one pole attaches to the base of the tent after noticing a tear.

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old Kelty dome tent
 

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An overall good tent with little weight for lots of space. However, after completing a 14 day backpacking expedition in the southwest, I found my sleeping bag to be wet from condensation every morning. I would suggest the Kelty Clark instead.
 

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this is the best tent ever made
its so airy

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this tent is junk it leaks gets so much condensation
colapses all the time
 

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pick this tent it is the best tent it has air ventilation all over and very spacious for 1 person
 

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i love this tent it is the best and so is the dart 1 and the dart 2 that is what i got
 

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THIS IS THE BEST TENT
IT ROCKS
 

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this is the best tent i ever had
every thing is great on it
i was stuck a half mile away from a twister it was scary but the tent held up perfictelly and it was all good
you can fit you and your spouse in it and share a sleeping bag if you no what i mean
i do not no if i could of lived with out this wonderful tent

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i only choose the best thats why i chose the kelty dart2

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The dart 2 is a great little tent. Everyone else is talking about puddles of condensation which is just totaly untrue, there is a small problem with condensation but its not too bad. I was camping out in heavy wind with 4 other tents my my dart 2 was the only tent whose poles did not snap or break. It's perfect for one person and is quick and easy put up and take down.
 

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The positive reviews of this tent blow my mind! This is a single wall, non-breathable tent. Unless you are camping in an arid locale where it never rains you are going to be miserable in this tent. Doing most of my backpacking in the east, I am not dumb enough to own one of these tents. But I do know tents very well. I had a tent that was 95% screen and regardless how I vented it, the non-breathable sides of the floor always got condensation buildup when the fly was on. Even though the rest of the tent was bone dry. It’s simple physics. Warmer moist air hits a colder material and condensation forms. It’s inevitable. And being so small it would be impossible to avoid touching the soaked fabric.

Backpacker magazine gave this tent a score of 2 out of 5. They cited the condensation problem and also pointed out that all the vents leak. The flap over the roof vent will blow open with the slightest breeze and bouncing rain will enter the side vents.

Bottom line: A good lightweight tent if you live in the desert and never see rain. Otherwise, a condensation collector.

Customer Service:
Kelty makes value oriented products that preform well enough for most people.

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My current tents:
Walrus Zoid 1.5
REI Clipper
REI Taj
Moss Titan
Moss Stardome 2

My past tents:
Kelty Vortex 2
Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight
Walrus 360 Mountain
Sierra Designs Meteorlight
The North Face Nebula
REI Mountain 3
The North Face Mountain


 

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I own a kelty Dart II tent and it is one of the best tents I've had. Its a little confusing to set up when you first get it, but you'll get the hang of it. Weighing in at around two pounds it's an extremly good tent for backpackers and mountain climbers. I wouldn't try to fit 2 people into it unless your really attached to the person because you'll practically be on top of eachother if you do. I think that the vestibule is a very useful addition beacause its so easy to put your gear under it and make sure it doesnt get wet or stolen.

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A truley superb tent. Worth every penny.

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Mostly big family tents but none of them worked half as good as this one.
 

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Great tent, I don't know what you guys are talkin about with all this condensation stuff. My tent is perfect I love it. The first thing i did before I used it was water proof it. So that might be a factor to look at, But I do that with all my things. Its great for backpackers very light and I like the side vents. I use it every where great for one guy and extreamly easy to set up. You might want to try leaving the top rain cover uncliped but still shut.

Customer Service:
And I know another guy was talkin bout he wanted another hoop in the middle, i just wanted to point out that it would add weight and to fix that you should really pull on stake strings and crank on it.

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There is nothing else like it out there it has quality and it is really light.


If you have comments about my review tell me my E-Mail address is TheGuyTY20@Hotmail.com
 

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The Dart II two is very impressive as far as weight and living space. No other tent can fit two people at 3lbs. Its very easy to set up, and has a massive vestibule to cook and store gear. However, condensation IS a major problem. I slept in this tent by my self in clear weather, where temperatures dropped to 35 degrees overnight. I woke to condensation all over the tent (but not on my sleeping bag), even though I had the top two vents, the side vents, and the vestibule door all fully open. I had camped in a grassy area, but there was not a cloud in sight, or any fog or humidity. I did not use a footprint under the tent, but the condensation was still very excessive in such fair weather. I'm returning this tent and plan on trying out the Kelty Clark. I'm glad we didn't get hit by bad weather. I recommend this tent only in dry and warm/hot conditions when weight is important.

Customer Service:
all in all, Kelty makes great gear per dollar

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This tent kicks booty. I don't know what the other people are talking about with the condensation! I have yet to find any on my sleeping bag or anywhere else in my tent.It might build up with 2 people but for just me it is great. The rain does not come in through the small and perfect rain fly. And believe me I have been through my share of thunderstorms. This tent is lightweight and perfect. I recomend it to all boy scouts. I am a scoutmaster and this is the only tent we use and we loved it at Philmont.

Customer Service:
This price is a steal

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I was looking for a really lightweight 1-2 person tent, and this sure fits the bill. It's ideal for one, and not bad for two.

Major downfall, though, is the condensation factor. Sleeping bags are *soaked* by morning (especially at hip level), as the walls lay right on the bags with 2 people in the tent. If there were an extra hoop half way down the tent, it would help to hold the walls off the bags.

I've stayed in it a few times, now: the first, by myself, on a 25F night, with not much condensation. The second time on a 4 night, 10-20F Glacier trip with a friend, and our bags (but not us) were wet every morning. Several mornings, the condensation had frozen over.

The vestibule is large enough for two half-empty packs and two pair of boots, plus a lantern.

Super easy set up, wherever there's enough room.

I love the built-in rainfy (rolls up off the roof windows).

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I am definitely concerned with weight, efficiency and price. The Dart II offers a lot. I agree that condensation does build up on the inside and I question the 4 season rating that Kelty claims but other than that this tent is great. It sets up in minutes and the single wall is great for those rainy day setup/break down. I've slept two adults plus a 40 lb dog on a rainy evening. The vestibule covered both packs and the dog. We were pretty cozy but for under 3 lbs, that's what roughing it is all about. I've even seen the tent listed for about $120 which is a steal.

Customer Service:
I have 3 Kelty Packs and the Dart 2 and am considering a Kelty sleeping bag. I have absolutely no affiliation with Kelty. They just have great prices for quality gear with lots of features.
 

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Unfortunately the Dart 2 was somewhat dissapointing. The letdown started with short four day trip in cool (40F-65F), stormy, and wet conditions. The problem was extreme condensation on the interior of the tent. This situation did not improve even with the use of the vents and ultimately required toweling up the small puddles along the wall-floor junction. In addition, the main vents/fly on the top of the tent did allow a small amount of rain to blow in during one thunderstorm. As stated in another review this tent is more of a single than double. However, if your looking for a fair weather, lightweight single tent the Dart is worth looking at.
 

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Although they call this a 2 person tent, forget about it! I thought I would be too cramped in a Dart 1 so I bought the Dart 2. Just right for 1 person, 2 guys in this tent would be sick. The light weight (3 lbs.) and small package are a definite plus. Lots of storage space too. Only problem is that this tent needs a loooong flat area to pitch it and it's not free standing so you need some fairly soft, deep dirt to drive the stakes into which can be hard to find in some areas. A little on the expensive side too.

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