Kelty Cyclone 2

Review Date
September 5, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Grant B(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Macon, GA

Price Paid:  $198.00 at rei-outlet

Summary:
This is a fantastic tent. It is incredibly roomy, the doors are huge and easy to use, and the rainfly with the vestibules on either side is fantastic. Other reviews mentioned performance in the rain, and I can vouch for the tent and say that even in reall downpours, it has been water tight. Like any Kelty product I have used, the tent is way cheaper than comparable products from other manufacturers and never lets me down. though it may be a little on the heavy side, I recommend it for any recreational backpacker.

Review Date
August 21, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Yuri(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Mukilteo

Price Paid:  $180.00 at REI-OUTLET

Summary:
Spent 4 nights 5 days in Banff, Canada in this tent. 1 night with down pour.
Everything about this tent held up to par. The dual entrance/exits on the tent and fly can be really convenient. Easy setup/disassemble.
My only minor complaint is that the stakes can be bent easily on semi-hard soil.
Overall value is good.

Review Date
April 21, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Jim Meerpohl(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Naples Florida

Price Paid:  $99.00 at Outdoor Outlet.Com

Summary:
Good Value, though I have ahd to have a friend in the awning business restich some similar material over the stress points to fortify the places where the tent is staked to the ground. I did this repair on my own since the repair was free but would have sent it back to Kelty had the freebie not been available. I like the light color fly and tent, double doors, double and roomy vestibules and the overall roominess even for my 6'3" frame. Pack weight and size is certainly acceptable given the three pole stability and strength. The windows are novel and ventilation even in Florida humidity is ok. First night was a rainy one and the Cyclone passed with flying colors.

Customer Service:
Kelty has been responsive.Over the last 3 years I purchased 30 Kelty tents for our Scout Troop. In every service instance Kelty has responded to make things right.

Similar Products Used:
Kelty Canyon Ridge 3, Kelty Streamside 2, Kelty Domolite 4, Eureka Timberline 2 & 4, Camel Dome for 6, Eureka Backcountry 2

Review Date
April 10, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Jersey(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Fayetteville,AR,USA

Price Paid:  $170.00 at Reioutlet.com

Summary:
Great tent. Awesome prices can be found. Can't beat the value for the price.

I lived in this tent for 40-50 days last year. 10 were in a row. Have not had one problem, ever. Sets up real easy. Breakdown is also easy. If you set it up correctly with respect to the wind, ventilation is outstanding. The windows in the fly rock. They make getting started in the morning easier, and if things do happen to get clammy inside, they let in the sun, so it dries quicker!

Overall, the best tent value I have seen for the money. If some people have paid too much, that's their fault. Even at the suggested retail price, this tent compares with all the other 3 seasons I have had experience with. Some of my friends have had some fancy hardware, and a lot of it was not as stable as this tent. Find it online for a cheap enjoyable investment.



Also, in response to the guy who needed a new fly: Seems like you overstressed the guy-out points a little too much, and they replaced it. What's the problem with that?

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
July 12, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Lee McKenzie(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Calgary, AB, Canada

Summary:
So far I'm very pleased with my Cyclone 2. I've only had it out on 4 long trips but I can say the functionality and design of this tent rocks.

The inside mesh pockets and gear loft are a real treat at the end of the day when cleaning out your pockets and drying light items.

In the store I questioned the salesman's claim that the vestibules would harbour all my gear and keep it dry. After 2 trips where it rained more than 2 days straight I can say not one item of my gear - inside or out in the vestibule - got wet. In addition and even more impressive is the ventilation. After 2 days/nights of rain in high humidity (about 100 feet from the ocean) there still was minimal condensation in the tent with 2 guys sleeping in it. Awesome! Should be extra cool in the summer too.

I hope that over time the material holds up. Although until I read the other reviews here I had not even considered that. The fly materials seem extra tough and the stitching is well placed. I only had to seal one seam where I saw it getting darker after the second day of rain.

Don't let some other reviews scare you off it's a great tent!

Similar Products Used:
Coleman car camping special. Garbage. (I'm still drying my gear out.) You get what you pay for.