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In my humble opinion, the Salida 2 is a compelling choice for backpacking enthusiasts and newbie campers. Its compact, lightweight design and ease of setup are definite selling points. With its 3-season functionality, it’s ideal for those who enjoy camping in the spring, summer, or fall. However, it may not be the best fit for winter camping enthusiasts, solo trekkers, or those who desire a more roomy tent. The tent also may not be ideal for those who need ample storage for their gear, despite having some storage solutions available. Overall, based on its features and specs, I believe the Salida 2 offers a decent balance of portability, durability, and comfort for its intended users. But remember, this is only my opinion; your needs and experiences may differ. Always conduct thorough research before making a purchase.
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Kelty Salida 2 Tent Review: Who is it for?
In my humble opinion, the Salida 2 is a real gem for those who are into the great outdoors, particularly backpacking enthusiasts. Its main allure lies in its compact nature, as it features backpack-friendly folding poles. This means you can easily pack it away without it consuming much of your backpack space, which is a big plus in my books. It’s also worth noting that it comes with a roll-top cube carry bag, which further adds to its portability.
One of the standout traits of the Salida 2 is its freestanding design with color-coded clips and fly attachment. This makes it an excellent option for those who may be new to camping and are looking for a tent that is easy to set up. I’ve found that freestanding models are typically less complicated to pitch compared to their non-freestanding counterparts.
The Salida 2 offers accommodation for 2 people, which makes it a suitable option for couples or two friends embarking on a backpacking adventure together. But besides its sleeping capacity, what got my attention is its weight. With a minimum trail weight of just 3 lbs. 14 oz., it’s a lightweight option that won’t weigh you down during your trek.
If you’re someone who likes to have their gear organized, you’ll appreciate the internal storage pockets and gear loft loops of the Salida 2. This tent will allow you to neatly tuck away your essentials so that they’re within easy reach when you need them.
One thing I would draw your attention to is the Salida 2 is a 3-season tent. This means it’s ideally suited for spring, summer, and fall camping. It may not be the best option if you’re planning a winter camping trip, in which case you might need a 4-season tent.
Another intriguing feature of the Salida 2 is its peak height of 43 inches. This suggests that it offers a decent amount of headroom, which can be quite convenient for changing clothes or simply moving around inside the tent.
The Salida 2 also boasts a floor area of 30.5 square feet and a vestibule area of 10 square feet. This indicates that there’s ample space inside for your sleeping gear, with the added advantage of a little extra room in the vestibule for storing your boots or backpack.
Finally, the Salida 2 is a model that features 68-denier polyester canopy fabric, 68-denier nylon floor fabric, and 68-denier polyester rainfly fabric. While I’m not claiming to be an expert, it sounds like a pretty durable construction. It should be able to withstand some rough handling and adverse weather conditions.
In conclusion, while I haven’t personally tried the Salida 2, I think it’s a tent that would be well-suited to backpackers, particularly those who are new to camping or those who go for trips primarily in the spring, summer, or fall. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and from the specs, appears to be quite durable. Remember, this is just my opinion based on the features and technical specs I’ve analysed. Your needs and experiences may vary.
Kelty Salida 2 Tent Review: Who isn’t it for?
Now, let’s talk about who the Salida 2 may not be the right choice for.
Firstly, if you’re a solo camper who doesn’t like to carry anything extra, you might find the Salida 2 slightly excessive. Although it is designed for two people, and its minimum trail weight is quite light at 3 lbs. 14 oz., some solo campers may not want to carry the extra weight for space they don’t need. They might find themselves more comfortable with a lightweight solo tent instead.
Secondly, the Salida 2 might not be the best choice if you’re a winter camper. As I’ve mentioned earlier, it’s a 3-season tent. It’s designed for spring, summer, and fall camping. For winter camping, you would be better off considering a 4-season tent that’s built to withstand harsh winter conditions.
Thirdly, for those who value privacy and comfort, the Salida 2 might not be a good fit. The tent offers only a single D-shaped door. This means if you’re camping with a partner, one of you may have to crawl over the other to enter or exit the tent, which might not be the most convenient.
Another consideration might be for those who are taller or need more space. Even though the Salida 2 has a decent peak height of 43 inches, it might not provide enough room for taller individuals or those who prefer more spacious tents.
Lastly, if you’re someone who prefers to bring a lot of gear or needs a lot of storage space in the tent, the Salida 2 might not work for you. Even though it has internal storage pockets and gear loft loops, with a floor area of 30.5 square feet and a vestibule area of only 10 square feet, it might not have enough space to comfortably store all your gear, especially items that you wouldn’t want to store outside.
So, while the Salida 2 appears to be a great tent for backpacking and 3-season camping, it may not be the best fit for everyone. It might not be the right choice for solo campers, winter campers, those who value privacy and comfort, taller individuals, or those who carry a lot of gear. But again, this is just my humble opinion based on the features and technical specs I’ve reviewed. You might have different needs and preferences, and I always recommend doing your own research before making a decision.
Kelty Salida 2 Tent Review: Conclusion
In my humble opinion, the Salida 2 is a compelling choice for backpacking enthusiasts and newbie campers. Its compact, lightweight design and ease of setup are definite selling points. With its 3-season functionality, it’s ideal for those who enjoy camping in the spring, summer, or fall. However, it may not be the best fit for winter camping enthusiasts, solo trekkers, or those who desire a more roomy tent. The tent also may not be ideal for those who need ample storage for their gear, despite having some storage solutions available. Overall, based on its features and specs, I believe the Salida 2 offers a decent balance of portability, durability, and comfort for its intended users. But remember, this is only my opinion; your needs and experiences may differ. Always conduct thorough research before making a purchase.