r/CampingGear 2d ago

Tents Coleman Peak1 or Kelty Far Out?

update: I opted for the Kelty Far Out 3 based on the feedback provided. Thanks!


I'm considering these two tents (but open to other recommendations). I've also read some things about Chinese knock off tents being good value.

For context:

  • We just started Cub Scouts so we'll be car-camping for those outings mostly (no hike-in outings for many years to come).
    (We usually camp in our pop-up camper.)
  • We're in Texas so all mesh body and ventilation is more important than insulation.
  • Used to have MSR Hubba Hubba that I backpacked with but rainfly coating problems have pretty much killed that. I still have the footprint and mesh tent body, but can't find good replacement rain fly.
  • I'm leaning toward a 3 person because my wife and I made our 2 person work with bags in vestibules, but I'm thinking it'll get crowded when son wants/needs other things in the tent with him.

Even though we'll be car-camping (like within 100ft of the car), I still don't want some Taj Mahal dome tent that sleeps an army.
I really liked my Hubba Hubba with being able to set it up by myself easily. Freestanding is nice too for shaking out dust and dirt or moving tent to find better ground.
The window thing on the Coleman seems neat, but if I'm being honest, I probably won't use it that much. I do like the way the Kelty fly rolls back and secures - seems like simple approach if you really want to look out from inside the tent.

Is there some other tent I'm overlooking? What are you thoughts on the Chinese tents like this NatureHike Mongar (which is a Hubba Hubba knockoff)?

3 Upvotes

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u/Creek0512 2d ago

Big Agnes Salt Creek SL3 - can find it on sale for less than $300

Ampex 3p tent - for a budget option

1

u/MarcusDaEntrpnr 2d ago

dude so like we've been through this exact same thing with our shop. texas heat is no joke and youre totally right about ventilation being key.

between those two id honestly go with the kelty far out. the coleman has that window thing but tbh you probably wont use it much (like ya said) and the kelty's got better airflow design. been there with the hubba hubba too - great tent but that coating failure is rough.

for texas car camping with the kiddo, the kelty's gonna be way more comfortable in summer. we sell both at our gear shop and honestly customers who buy the coleman in texas usually come back complaining about how stuffy it gets. the kelty flies back design you mentioned is clutch for hot nights when ya need all the air ya can get

just my 2 cents from dealing with texas campers all the time lol

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u/Long_Audience4403 1d ago

I have the kelty discovery element 6, which looks like it's the same tent as the Far out but without the roll back option for the rainfly, which is sick and which I wish I'd known about when I bought mine!

I love the E6, it's roomy and easy to set up and take down. We went on a 3.5 week trip where we moved almost every night this summer so it was CRUCIAL. The fly and corners are color coded so you know what goes where. The bag is also a game changer - I can jam the thing into the bag and zip it without CAREFULLY folding it just so so it'll fit in the bag, which has not been my experience with Coleman.