Kelty Late Start 2 Tent Review

Bottom Line

The Kelty Late Start 2 is an affordable option on our guide to the best budget tents with features that appeal to those who value ease, durability, and an extremely fast tent setup without compromising interior living space.

Despite only having one door and vestibule, the Late Start 2 has a decent 30.6 square feet. of space with a length of 7.4 feet and a peak height of 3.5 feet. The head and toe of the tent taper slightly in width but it is not overtly noticeable. We were able to fit this tent in a smaller campsite, snug between two boulders, when camping in the Los Padres National Forest.   

The inner tent is mostly mesh with a deep bathtub that rises up to about 13 inches at its highest point, which contributes to increased warmth and protection against wind gusts. The rain fly is made of a durable 68D polyester material and has a collapsible strut vent. The outer four corners of the fly have high-quality guy lines assembled and ready to use. Each of them also comes with its own stow pockets with a velcro closing to keep them secure when not in use.      

The vestibule has 7.4 square feet of storage area and the doors can be individually rolled back for increased ventilation or an enhanced view. This proved to be very useful when the sun came out and temperatures started to rise at our exposed campsite. Overall, the Kelty Late Start 2 offers a compelling combination of affordability, practicality, and impressive living space for a one-door tent, making it a strong contender as a reliable and quick easy-to-pitch shelter.

Comfort

When it comes to interior comfort and spacious livability, the Late Start 2 is not lacking one bit. The pre-bent poles boost the interior space by adding tension to the corners and bathtub walls, making them more vertical and less slanted. The clips that attach the mesh body to the poles do the rest of the work by pulling the side walls out to maximize shoulder space and increase headroom. On our 6’ long air mat we had about 6-7 inches of extra toe and head space, allowing for a comfortable night’s sleep without constantly making contact with the edges of the tent. 

When sitting up and organizing gear, we also measured about 6-7 inches from the top of our head to the top of the tent. This provided plenty of room to move about and arrange the interior. There are also two large hanging side pockets with an angled-cut top and an upper gear loft for added storage. There are even five loops on the interior, where we were able to hang small items including our headlamps for a convenient overhead light. The outdoor vestibule storage area measures 7.4 square feet. and has plenty of space for a couple sets of shoes or a pack. Two air mats do fit inside of the tent, but there is more space at the head and toe than there is in between them. Two people and a little bit of gear would fit, but it would definitely feel snug, especially noting that there is only one door.

Weather Resistance

The Kelty Late Start 2 may come at a lower price, but that is not an indication of low quality or lack of features. Testing revealed that the 68D 1200mm polyester is indeed very waterproof, showing no signs of seepage on the inner seams or moisture dripping onto the inner mesh. There were no signs of pooling or leaking onto the bathtub either. The double wall feature of this tent is crucial in preventing any condensation from forming. 

One small detail that we greatly appreciated was the positioning of the fly vent. Since the opening of the rear vent faces downward, it is more protected from blowing rain. Even when facing the ground, the vent is still able to catch cross breezes nicely and help aerate the tent when the fly is fully or partially zipped up. Ventilation can be increased by simply rolling back one or both of the fly doors. 

Wind was not an issue in Southern California’s coastal mountains nor in the higher areas of the Los Padres National Forest. The Late Start 2 comes fully equipped with four pre-attached, ready-to-use reflective guy lines, each with their own stow pocket. This feature was particularly helpful when the winds subsided. We could easily roll up and stow the guy lines before nightfall, allowing us to open up our campsite without the hassle of stepping over them. The fly also has underside velcro straps to further fasten it to the poles, if high winds did persist.

Durability

With a 68-denier polyester fabric rainfly and floor, the Kelty Late Start 2 is a sure-fire choice for a strong, long-lasting tent. The tent floor and rainfly feel very tough and are able to withstand considerably rougher surfaces. Since the fly and floor are made from the same thick polyester material, you get the same caliber of protection against the elements from floor to roof.

While it’s still advisable to always lay down a ground sheet for pets, you can have confidence that this tent will hold up to their claws if you forget or decide to leave it behind. The aluminum poles feel strong and have short segments for easy packability. They showed no signs of stress or cracking during or after a bend test.

The zippers function smoothly and open easily in both directions, even before staking out the tent. The adequate pole tension prevents sagging, allowing for opening and closing the door one-handed. This ease of use, thanks to the proper pole tension, is especially valuable given the Late Start 2’s potential for accommodating less-than-perfect campsites. Choosing where to camp is always important, but with the Late Start 2, you might be able to get away with a more prickly site if need be.

Portability

If splitting weight with a backpacking partner, it might be feasible to take the Kelty Late Start 2 on a short backcountry jaunt. Though weighing in at just over five pounds, it’s much better suited for car camping in the frontcountry or using it as an overlanding shelter when carrying it long distances isn’t necessary.

Most of the Late Start 2’s weight is derived from its heavier 68D polyester material. Although it does not weigh as much as other tents in the Budget Tent Category, it is still likely too heavy for solo backpacking or longer treks even if you’re splitting weight with a partner.  

Further, the tent’s carry bag features a shark-mouth opening and a pinch-lock cinch top for easy and convenient storage. It also accommodates extra space for looser pack jobs, which is handy for when the tent needs to be quickly taken down and stored away.

Ease of Use

When it comes to setup speed, the Kelty Late Start 2 easily outperforms most of the tents in this category. After you assemble the aluminum poles and insert them into the pole pockets, the tent essentially stands on its own. You just have to fasten the remaining eight pole clips. 

If the weather and temperature permits, the freestanding design allows for a pitch on most surfaces, eliminating the need for stakes, guy lines, or a rainfly. However, if you are using the fly, it is color-coded for a quick and effortless pitch, which only contributes to the seamless setup of this tent. Along with adding increased interior space, the pre-bent poles also bolster the overall tautness of the tent once the clips are fastened and the four corners are fully staked out.

Should You Buy the Kelty Late Start 2?

If you’re prioritizing lower cost tent options but still want something spacious with a quick and easy pitch on weekend car camping trips, then this Kelty model might be what you’re looking for.

This tent can still be considered a crossover if you’re splitting weight on a short backpacking trip and don’t mind sharing a single door with your partner. The features are enough to sway anyone looking for a tent that is durable and user-friendly with an incredibly fast setup. From its spacious interior space and headroom to adequate storage options for layers and gear, the Kelty Late Start 2 is a perfect frontcountry option for dog owners, a roomy solo shelter, or a cozy shelter for two. 

However, we wouldn’t recommend this tent for longer distance backpacking because of the weight and heavier materials; there are lighter options and other tent styles better suited for backpacking.

What Other Budget Tents Should You Consider?

REI Trail Hut 2 Review: Weighing in at 5.7 pounds, which is a bit more than the Late Start 2, the REI Trail Hut 2 utilizes the same familiar dome-style design and unified X-pole structure. The dimensions are slightly smaller, but unlike the Late Start 2, the Trail Hut doesn’t have a tapered floor plan. It also comes with better stargazing capability because the fly can be rolled back over the roof for ventilation and views.  

Clostnature Polaris 2 Review: For around the same price, and weighing only 5.34 pounds, the Polaris has a bigger interior square footage than the Late Start 2. Users will still appreciate the familiar and simple to use X-pole design and clip system. The fly also comes equipped with a deployable shade awning for those extra sunny campsites with no shade.   

REI Half Dome SL2+ Review: If you find yourself with a larger budget for lighter materials and more interior room, check out REI’s flagship tent model. At 4.94 pounds and 33.6 sq ft. of interior space, it’s popular for a reason. The Half Dome SL2+ has near vertical sidewalls thanks to its hubbed pole system and utilizes a ridgepole for increased shoulder and head space. Its floor and canopy are constructed of a strong 40D ripstop nylon, a 30D DWR nylon fly, and 20D nylon mesh. This is a great pick from a trusted reliable brand.