Kelty Daydreamer 6 Review | CleverHiker

Bottom Line

The Kelty Daydreamer 6 is a front-country camping tent designed with families and larger groups in mind. What really makes it stand out—especially for parents with little ones who still nap during the day or go to bed before sunset – is its Twilight Tech Fabric rainfly. This special material blocks out sunlight and other external light sources, making it easier for kids to sleep no matter the time of day.

With a spacious floor plan and a tall peak height, you’ll need a good amount of space to pitch this tent. It’s also easy to set up and take down, which is always a plus for busy parents. The medium-sized front vestibule provides a convenient spot to stash extra gear and toys, freeing up space inside. The inner tent is almost entirely mesh, which is great for airflow on hot days and stargazing when you leave the rainfly off.

That said, we found the Daydreamer 6 doesn’t vent as well as we’d like when the rainfly is deployed. The Twilight Tech Fabric seems to trap heat, making the interior feel stuffy if it’s pitched in the sun. The poles also feel a bit bulky, and the shock cords are looser than we’d prefer—something we only noticed during setup and takedown. While we haven’t had any durability issues yet, the fiberglass poles don’t feel as robust as aluminum options typically found in tents of this style. We also found the floor material to be on the thinner side, and it allowed some water to seep through, so using a footprint or ground tarp is a must.

Overall, the Daydreamer 6 offers some useful features for its price point, making it a solid choice for families who prioritize a dark interior for better sleep.

If you like the look of the Daydreamer 6 but want to explore other options, check out our in-depth camping tent gear guide for more recommendations.

How We Tested

We tested the Kelty Daydreamer 6 over several months in the mountains of Colorado, camping in a mix of warm, sunny days and cold, breezy nights. We set it up on rocky ground, packed dirt, and grassy campsites to see how it handled different surfaces.

Since this tent is designed for families, we also put it to the test with young kids in tow, paying close attention to its blackout capabilities for naps and early bedtimes. We also evaluated ease of setup, airflow on hot days, and how well it handled light rain and condensation buildup.

Comfort

The Daydreamer 6 is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to comfort. It’s quite spacious, but under certain conditions, it can feel less comfortable. At 89.2 square feet, it has the largest floor area of any 6-person tent we tested, which helps when camping with a full house. While we generally don’t recommend maxing out a tent—meaning six people in a six-person tent—it is possible here. However, it’ll feel pretty cramped unless it’s two adults and four kids rather than six full-grown campers.

Our lead tester, who is 6’2”, usually struggles with low peak heights, but at 77 inches, they appreciated the extra headroom. That said, the tent’s peak height drops off quickly toward the walls, which makes moving around more difficult for taller campers. While it’s tall enough in the center, the sloping sides mean you’ll likely be ducking as you move toward the edges.

Ventilation is the biggest comfort challenge. The inner tent is almost entirely mesh, which is great for stargazing or lounging when the weather is nice. But once the rainfly is on, it gets stuffy—fast. We tested the Daydreamer 6 in late February in Colorado, a time of year we fondly call “first spring”—right before “second winter.” The first time we pitched it, the temps hit 68°F at 8,000 feet, and in direct sun, the tent started to bake us. A light breeze could have helped, but we had the tent oriented the wrong way. Ventilation is strongest from the front and back, so it’s crucial to pitch it facing the wind. Otherwise, things can get uncomfortably warm in a hurry.

Durability

The Kelty Daydreamer 6 is a medium to medium/light-duty tent, meaning it’s built to handle regular use but isn’t designed for heavy abuse. It’s best suited for casual summer-to-shoulder-season camping, making it a solid option for those who camp a few times a month during the traditional camping season (late spring to early fall).

Overall, the materials feel decent, but the tent floor is noticeably thin. A footprint or ground tarp is a must to prolong its lifespan. We always test zippers and inspect stitching on every tent we review, and the Daydreamer 6’s zippers performed surprisingly well—smooth-sliding and snag-free throughout testing.

The Twilight Tech fabric used for the rainfly makes it easy to see imperfections from the inside. We noticed several small spots where light was coming through, but we’re unsure if these are defects or just part of Kelty’s stitching process. We’ll monitor this during long-term testing and update accordingly.

The tent poles feel sturdy but have some drawbacks. They’re made of fiberglass, which saves weight but isn’t as strong as aluminum poles. Additionally, the shock cord inside the poles felt a little loose. This wasn’t an issue for us during testing, but it’s something to keep an eye on during setup and teardown.

Overall, the Daydreamer 6’s durability is just okay. It’s on par with its price point, making it a fine choice for casual campers sticking to established campgrounds. With proper care, it should hold up well for seasonal family trips and weekend getaways.

Weather Resistance

The Kelty Daydreamer 6 provides decent protection from mild rain and wind, but it’s not built for extreme weather conditions. The Twilight Tech rainfly does a solid job of blocking sunlight and external light sources, which is great for keeping the tent dark for midday naps or early bedtimes. However, its waterproofing is a bit of a mixed bag.

During testing, we encountered light rain, snow, and moderate wind in the foothills outside Golden, Colorado, and the Daydreamer 6 held up fine—water beaded off the fly, and the tent stayed dry inside. However, in heavier rain or prolonged wet conditions, we’d be a little more skeptical. We noticed small pinpricks of light in the stitching on the inside of the fly, which could eventually lead to minor leaks. We haven’t had a chance to test this tent in Colorado’s summer monsoons, but we’ll continue to monitor this during long-term testing.

Ventilation and condensation management are also big factors in weather resistance, and as noted above, this tent has some limitations. The mesh-heavy tent body allows great airflow, but once the rainfly is on, ventilation suffers. The fly has vents, but they aren’t as effective as we’d hoped, and on warm days, the interior gets stuffy fast. 

Wind resistance is decent but not great. The fiberglass poles aren’t as strong as aluminum, and the tent is quite tall, so we wouldn’t trust this tent in high winds or exposed locations. We also found that fully staking and guying it out is critical for getting a taut pitch and keeping rain out. Luckily, Kelty includes enough stakes and pre-attached guylines, so you won’t have to buy extras.

Bottom line? The Daydreamer 6 is fine for mild weather, but if you expect prolonged exposure to heavy rain, strong wind, or colder conditions, a more weatherproof tent would be a better choice.

Ease of Setup

Ease of setup is definitely a strong point for the Kelty Daydreamer 6. Our lead tester, a busy dad of two, set it up solo multiple times and found it surprisingly straightforward. That said, being tall helps—at 6’2”, he had an easier time reaching the peak, which could be trickier for shorter users.

The pole structure is simple and user-friendly. The two long poles slide into dead-end pole sleeves, which helps guide them into place without frustration. The tent body clips directly to the poles, making setup quick and intuitive. The rainfly is also color-coded and clips into place easily, eliminating guesswork.

It’s not perfect, though. The included stakes are pretty flimsy, and we bent a few while setting up in half-frozen, half-loose rocky Colorado soil. Depending on where you camp, you might want to upgrade to sturdier stakes.

Tear-down is also fairly painless. The tent packs up without much struggle, but like most large tents, rolling it neatly back into the stuff sack takes some patience. If you’re packing up in a hurry, expect a little wrestling to get everything back in the bag.

Features

The Kelty Daydreamer 6 has a couple of standout features, the biggest being its Twilight Tech fabric rainfly. This material blocks sunlight and external lights, making it a great option for families with kids who still nap during the day or go to bed before dark. In our testing, we found that it noticeably reduced brightness inside the tent, which could be a game-changer for light-sensitive sleepers.

The tent body is almost entirely mesh, which is great for ventilation and stargazing on clear nights. Just keep in mind that once the rainfly is on, ventilation becomes more limited. The front vestibule is medium-sized, giving you a decent amount of space to stash gear or keep muddy shoes outside without fully exposing them to the elements.

Interior organization is solid. Four mesh storage pockets help keep small essentials off the floor, which is always a plus when camping with a group. The detachable gear loft is another nice touch, perfect for hanging a lantern or stashing late-night snacks (just don’t let the kids find them).

Overall, the Daydreamer 6 has a solid mix of practical and family-friendly features, making it a great choice for casual campers who value comfort and convenience.

Should You Buy the Kelty Daydreamer 6?

The Kelty Daydreamer 6 is a great option for families and casual campers who prioritize comfort and convenience. Its spacious interior, simple setup, and Twilight Tech fabric rainfly make it a solid choice for parents with young kids who nap during the day or go to bed before dark. If you’re looking for a tent that offers plenty of room, decent weather resistance, and an easy setup, this one checks a lot of boxes.

That said, ventilation could be better, and the fiberglass poles don’t feel as durable as aluminum alternatives. It’s also not the best choice for those who frequently camp in extreme weather.

For the price, the Daydreamer 6 delivers good value for campers who stick to established campgrounds and fair-weather trips. If you’re after a spacious, family-friendly tent that makes sleeping in a bit easier, this one is worth considering.

What Other Camping Tents Should You Consider?

If you’re considering the Kelty Daydreamer 6, there are a few other great camping tents worth checking out. Our guide to the best camping tents covers a range of options, but here are some strong alternatives:

Kelty Wireless 6 Review: If you like Kelty’s price point but want a more traditional rainfly design, the Kelty Wireless 6 is a great option. It offers similar livable space but with better slightly better ventilation. It also has two large doors and vestibules, making it a good choice for campers who need extra storage space and improved weather resistance.

Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ Review: For those looking for a spacious and more durable tent with excellent storage, the Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ is a strong alternative. It has a massive front vestibule, a secondary rear vestibule, and plenty of interior pockets to keep gear organized. While setup is a bit more involved, it offers significantly better ventilation than the Daydreamer 6 and is a great fit for families or groups who need extra space and storage options. It’s also quite a bit more expensive. 

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4 Review: For a more premium tent with standout livability, consider the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4 (which also comes in a 6-person version). It features steep sidewalls for extra interior space, huge windows for ventilation, and high-quality materials that feel more durable than the Daydreamer 6. If comfort, durability, and a more open feel are your top priorities, the Aurora Highrise is a great pick.