Kelty Clark

Review Date
October 9, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Travis Russell(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $100.00 at REI

Summary:
I have a similar tent to the Clark which was a prior model called the microlite. I bought the on sale for $100 through an REI special marked down from $150. It has been a great tent for nine years.I have used it in the high deserts of Arizona where I grew up to the interior of Alaska where I now live. I Have used in on quite a few trails for backpacking both in Alaska and Arizona. I am very pleased with it and it carries very nicely on the trail. I was very impresed with how fast it sets up which can be under two minutes, even in the wind. It has plenty of room, even if you are tall, I am 6'3" and sleep comfortably. It also is capable of two as long as both are not excessively tall. Gear space is adequate for the weight and it does well in the rain and some unexpected snow. Condensation is not a major problem and it does dry out quickly. I have used much higher priced products in similar conditions and not found any great advantages for the price. I have used kelty products for years and am very satisfied with their equipment and prices. For the money this tent is a good deal for any backpacker on a budget and you will not be unsatisfied with the performance. Mine has lasted me nine years and still in use.

Customer Service:
Service has been good, but I have not had any real problems. Other Kelty products in the past have had efficient service.

Similar Products Used:
Eureka, Mountain Hardwear, North Face

Review Date
October 28, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: campingaddict(Unregistered User) ,  Snowboarder

Price Paid:  $90.00 at Out Door outlet

Summary:
I purchased the Kelty Clark after extensive research and field trials. The tent offers the solo hiker a good balance between weight and livable space. I have the 2002 model which has more mesh than the older models. This helped give good ventilation and kept condensation to a minimum even in my part of the country where humidity runs in the 80 to 90 percent range with high temps for weeks.
Set-up was easy even on my first try. Hard driven rain is no match for the Clark although some flapping is heard in high winds. The key is a good, tight pitch with guying as recomended by the manufacture. Over all I'm very pleased.

Customer Service:
None needed all summer after more than 30 nights of trail use.

Similar Products Used:
North Face Canyonlands & Roadrunner 2, Dana's A-Tarp

Review Date
October 17, 2001

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: Keith Serxner(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from La Canada CA USA

Price Paid:  $99.00 at REI

Summary:
I bought this tent as an alternative to a bivy, since it is only a pound or two more. On paper, it is as good or better than many tents of the same configuration. I particularly like its higher sit-up height. On my first outing to Mineral King, the rear hoop pole broke on the first night. It simply was too tight. I got by with repairs, only because the weather was mild. The tent sleeve was shredded by the broken pole. The poles are simply the wrong size. They would be impossible to set up in any kind of cold weather, or with gloves.
Kelty repaired (as opposed to replaced) the tent at no charge, but also with no comment. I have cut an inch off both poles and will be heading out to MT Charleston in Nevada to give it another try. I feel that this tent COULD NOT have been field tested. I was disappointed when they fixed it for me, because it was then impossible to justify buying another tent by another company (probably Sierra Design) to replace it. As a result of my experience with this tent, I will not buy another Kelty product.
I would recommend a similar design, but one with clips, as opposed to sleeves for the poles.

Customer Service:
The tent was repaired, with no comment, apology or inquiry. Postage was not refunded. I felt the company was indifferent to a problem which I see from other reviewers is consistent with this tent, b

Similar Products Used:
Sierra Design Cosmos CD, 2-man tent

Review Date
July 19, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Sean Brophy(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Mahopac, NY

Price Paid:  $115.00

Summary:
This tent is the best tent it beats the dart 1 , dart 2, and the zen. all of the tents i named suck badly.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
June 6, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Brad "Fluff" Barnes(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Somerset, KY

Price Paid:  $120.00 at Campmor

Summary:
Nice tent. I'm 6'3" and 240 lbs. 2 people..........yeah right. Still a great tent. Has weathered 3 severe thunderstorms and a real gusty cold night in South Carolina. No leaks no worries. I did notice some condensation one very cool night in South Carolina. But not enough to worry about. Yep the stakes bend *VERY* easy. Packs nice and small good bang for the bucks.

Now get off of your computer and enjoy the great outdoors!!!

Customer Service:

Similar Products Used:
None