I love solo camping, but it’s really difficult to find a 1-person tent that is going to perform as good as you want it to.
That’s why I’m writing my very own Kelty Salida 1 Tent review, to discover the true quality of this product while providing my honest opinion on it so you can see whether it is right for you or not.
Basically, so no one has to wake up in the middle of the night with their tent full of rain water!
Not Enough Ventilation!
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Functionality
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Waterproof
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Strength
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Value
Summary:
This tent is lightweight and capable of keeping the rain out. However, if you don’t want condensation getting built up inside of it, you’re going to need to keep the rain fly off – but then you’ll risk getting rained on. It is entirely up to you, but this tent is a much better option..
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 Cons |
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Specifications
Product name: Kelty Salida 1 Tent
Cheapest place to buy: Amazon.com
Color: Grey/Green
Size: 1-person
Rating: 3-season
Minimum Weight: 3 lbs. 6 oz.
Packaged Weight: 3 lbs. 14 oz.
Center Height: 3.6 feet
Floor Size: 7.1 x 3.1/2.4 feet
Floor Area: 20 Sq. ft
Vestibule Area: 6.5 Sq. ft
Packed Size: 11 x 14 inches
Quick Overview
Kelty have taken the minimalist approach with this 1-person tent. It is on the lighter side of solo tents, which is why this one is best used for backpacking rather than camping.
It contains a spacious interior so you can move around the tent (toss and turn) without feeling like you’re going to take entire the tent down.
In addition to all of this, the walls are a lot higher than usual, so you can have the best comfort possible while you are out camping in the wilderness.
The freestanding design and color-coded clips make this tent really easy to set up.
And just like most tents, this one also comes with internal storage pockets and gear loft loops. However, and sadly enough, the gear loft is sold separately.
Key Features
Compact Folding Poles – These folding poles allow the tent to be compacted down to a small package so it’s easier to go backpacking with
Mesh Walls For Ventilation – Okay, so it does have mesh walls to provide adequate ventilation. There is roughly 40% mesh material, which is located on the top of half of the tent. Also, the bottom half of the tent gives you privacy just in case you want to remove the rain fly
Advanced Waterproofing – Kelty always provide the best rain protection, and that is the same with this tent. They have gone and fully taped the seams, while they have provided this tent with the ArcEdge feature as well, which is designed to LIFT the seams up off the ground to stop ground moisture seeping through and into the tent
Kelty Hug Clip – Keltys unique hug clip design allows their tents to stay standing in high winds, and as a lot of users have claimed, it performs admirably well in strong wind conditions
Noiseless Zippers – I don’t find noiseless zippers to be that great if there’s only one of you sleeping in the tent, but I guess they still work fine, and just another great feature that this tent provides
What I Find Interesting
What caught my eye the most was actually the amount of interior space this tent provides.
The center height is higher than most solo tents, AND it’s wide enough to fit bigger campers.
Also, I couldn’t believe how light it is due to the price of it, but it is definitely on the lighter side of solo tents – for this price bracket anyway.
Who Should Buy This Tent?
The Kelty Salida 1 Tent would work great in the summertime since you can just remove the rain fly and have maximum ventilation.
It doesn’t offer the best air flow, so you’ll get condensation built up if you keep the rain fly on.
And that is why it is best used for summer – because in the other seasons, you’ll be way too cold.
So if you are DEFINITELY using this tent for the warmer months, then you can enjoy the benefits that it offers.
But if not, this one is much better because it provides a lot more ventilation.
Best Place To Buy?
Amazon.com is the best place to purchase the Kelty Salida 1 Tent, and that’s because they offer the best deals/prices.
The 30-day return policy is by far my favorite out of all of them.
You can send the tent back for a full repair if you notice any defects on the product within those first 30 days.
Furthermore, even if you don’t like the tent (if it wasn’t up to your expectations), you can also get a full refund!
Find The Best Deals Here
Do I Recommend This Tent?
No, I do not recommend this tent, not 100% anyway.
Even though it’s great at keeping you dry and not going to blow over in the wind, there is too much condensation that gets built up inside of it.
I’m 50/50 on this tent, but that is just my personal opinion, as there are MUCH better alternatives in the same price range.
The Kelty Salida 1 Tent is not recommended!
Alternative Tent
The Eureka Apex Solo Tent has MUCH better ventilation, stopping condensation altogether! However, it is almost doubled in weight and in the same price range.
Otherwise if you want the best of both worlds (a lightweight tent with great ventilation), then you’ll absolutely love the ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 1 Tent.
My Final Opinion
Even though I don’t recommend this tent, it is clearly still a viable option for ultralight backpackers and summer campers.
It is very lightweight, while it gets the job done as well, which is to keep you safe from the elements so you can stay bone dry even in a harsh rainstorm.
But the decision is entirely up to you.
If you want a lightweight backpacking tent to use during the summertime (so you can remove the rain fly), then by all means give it a go.
But if you are expected to see rain and don’t want to take the risk of keeping the rain fly off, you’ll have a much better time if you just get a tent that doesn’t get any condensation buildup.
Find The Better Alternative Here
Not Enough Ventilation!
-
Functionality
-
Waterproof
-
Strength
-
Value
Summary:
This tent is lightweight and capable of keeping the rain out. However, if you don’t want condensation getting built up inside of it, you’re going to need to keep the rain fly off – but then you’ll risk getting rained on. It is entirely up to you, but this tent is a much better option..
I love Kelty Back packs. They are high quality and I would suspect this tent to be high quality also so. Being a Minimalist I love the idea of a one person tent. You state this tent is great at keeping the water out but also keeps the water in as condensation. That can be a deal breaker for me. I will need to check out your other recommendations.
I agree with you, Tony. Usually their products are near flawless. But sadly, this one isn’t as great as their other tents.
That doesn’t mean that you should let one bad apple ruin the rest though, because they do have some great products available.
Thanks for reading 🙂
Hi brandon,
very informative review, you have captured all the aspects clearly and this has made very easy for us to make our buying decision.
No worries. I’m just glad to help 🙂
This is a great review! I restarted camping last summer and went with the tent that my parents used when I camped with them when I was a kid. It gets the job done but it’s so old that there are all these plastic pieces coming off from the floor and it gets everywhere on all me and my fiance’s stuff (plus it smells funny)…so yeah we are thinking of getting a replacement.
I’m wondering if bigger tents for two people from this brand also have problems with condensation? I get sick easily so if there’s condensation and a breeze, I’m done for. I’m sold on this brand being good at making waterproof tents.
Do you have any recommendations that you can link me?
That sucks to hear about the old tent you use, you definitely need an up-to-date one – in my honest opinion.
And no, this typical model from Kelty is the only one that I’ve found to get condensation.
If you want something with MAXIMUM air flow, the Kelty Grand Mesa 2 performs almost flawlessly!
I have an old tent that I don’t use as much anymore, but I remember the condensation would build up and make everything damp inside the tent. I absolutely hated that feeling of my sleeping bag being damp. This summer the wife and I were hoping to do a bit of camping and I will be steering clear of this tent. I will be taking a look at some of your other reviews.
Thanks for your feedback, Eric. And I too know how it feels to have the feeling of being rained on as soon as you touch the walls of your tent. I’m glad you made the right choice 🙂