Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Review, an inexpensive and reliable tent

This Kelty Grand Mesa 4 review is about a freestanding 4-person backpacking and camping 3-season tent. With the price of only around $170 it is hardly matched by any other brand on the market.

Description

Regardless of such a relatively low price, with Grand Mesa 4 you will have all the protection which you need with such a tent. It comes in a great nearly rectangular package bag which is big enough to put everything easily in.

There are 2 poles with this tent, made in surprisingly short sections for such a big tent, so that you can easily put them to various places in your backpack in the case when the tent is split and carried by several people.

With only 2 poles, the construction of this tent is really simple, it is x-shaped and easy to setup. Tent attachment to the poles is simple, with the Kelty-design clips. The most of the upper part of the tent is just a mesh, so a good ventilation and breathability is guaranteed. The lower part of the body is 68D nylon panel.

The same 68D is used for the floor and for the fly, polyester in both. Color coding is used for the fly and the tent body.

There are nice double pockets inside the tent. The door can be rolled up to the side and fixed to the fly with a toggle.

Guy out points are at 4 corners, and all stakes and guylines are included in the package.

Grand Mesa 4 is a free-standing tent, so you will pitch it easily on any terrain, regardless if it is a pure rock or anything else. I have one non-freestanding tent myself and I know only too well how inconvenient this may be.

Technical specifications and summary of features

• Minimum weight: 6 lbs 13 oz (3.09 kg).
• Packaged weight: 7 lbs 7 oz (3.37 kg).
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 98 x 80 x 56 in (249 x 203 x 142 cm).
• Floor size: 54.5 sq ft (5.07 sq m).
• Vestibule size: 14 sq ft (1.30 sq m).
• Packed size: 13 x 15 in (33 x 38 cm).
• Free-standing tent.
• 1 door; 1 vestibule.
• 3 season tent
• 4 people.
• 2 poles, aluminum.
• Floor: 68D polyester, 1800 mm.
• Wall: 40D no-see-um mesh.
• Fly: 68D polyester, 1800 mm.

I have made for you a comparison table, which contains Grand Mesa 4 tent and a few other models from different brands (all of them described within this site). It will be useful to make the right choice, have a look:

A comment about the rate is in order. If it is about some multi-day tours where naturally every gram counts, I would perhaps go for a lighter option like Big Agnes Copper Spur 4. But the tent elements can be carried separately, split by the group members so the weight should not be an issue. On the other hand, see the price, Grand Mesa 4 is half the price of the other two models.

Cons

• One door for a 4-person tent is not the best option.
• This tent is ideal for 3 people; 4 will be a bit cramped inside.

Summary

To conclude this Kelty Grand Mesa 4 review, this tent is ideal for backpackers, families, bikers, and motor-bikers, a truly great value for the price. It has a minimalist design, but it is made of very sturdy and durable materials, and it offers all the protection of elements that you need. I have included this tent on my list of top 10 backpacking tents for 2018.

From what I have seen so far, the tent has received great marks by users practically without exception.

My verdict:

 

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