Owner Review by John Musser

Owner Review - Kelty Crestone 1 Tent

Review Date April 6, 2005

Tester Bio

Name John E Musser
Age 47
Gender Male
Height 6' 0" (1.83 m)
Weight 205 lbs (93 kg)
Email address jembackpackerATsbcglobal.net
City, State, Country Pharr, Texas, USA

Backpacking Background: I've been a hiker and cyclist for the past 15 years, usually carrying a moderate weight (25 to 40 lbs, 11 to 18 kg). I occasionally will carry heavier items if I feel the comfort level is worth the weight. I usually plan on fairly long days hiking at a rate of 3 miles (4.8 km) per hour. I have confined most of my exploits to areas within 600 mi (950 km) to 800 mi (1300 km) of home and 1 to 8 days in length.

Equipment Statistics

Year of manufacture: 2002

Company website: http//www.kelty.com

Floor Space: 19 sq ft (1.77 sq m)
Vestibule: 7 sq ft (0.65 sq m)

Tent Weight: (Kelty listed) 4 lb. (1.81 kg), (packed) 3 lb. (1.36 kg)
Actual packed weight: 3 lb 4 oz (1.47 kg)

Length 106 in Width 41 in Max Height 37 in (2.69 m x 1.04 m x 0.94 m)
Actual Pack Size: 7 x 21 in (53 cm x 18 cm)
Tent construction: Nylon Taffeta

Price MSRP: $99.95 Tent US - Footprint $30 US

Introduction

I have found the Crestone 1 by Kelty to be the near perfect companion on a solo backpacking or cycle tour, when a little privacy is a much-treasured commodity. Measuring 21 x 7 in (53 cm x 18 cm) when packed, this tent comfortably sleeps one person and has a good sized vestibule for extra gear. Side doors provide easy entry/exit. Ripstop walls with mesh side and ceiling vents keeps things breezy even when temperatures rise. Head room is a maximum of 36 inches providing sufficient space to only raise up on my elbows. I estimate require at least 38 inches (0.38) in order to sit erect comfortably. The floor keeps seams off the ground and does result in a bathtub floor. A removable rain-fly keeps the tent and gear dry. Side doors provide relatively easy entry/exit.

Field Conditions

I've used the Crestone 1 at least once a month for the past two years. I use it often along the Gulf of Mexico, as well as on various 1 to 8 day trips around Texas and Northern Mexico.

The tent has withstood rain, small hail, snow, sticky heat, swarms of bugs and sandstorms (one hasn't lived until managing to lay through a 30 mph (48 kph) sandstorm).

Field Use

The Kelty Crestone 1 is easy to set up. I spread out the footprint then the tent, clip the aluminum segmented poles(with shock cord retention) in their respective grommets. Put in the footprint stakes, stretch out the tent and clip on the retention clips. The tent is moderately freestanding and does not need to be completely staked out. The pole near the door tends to bow inwards when stakes are not used. The tent needs to be staked all around (two on each side and one on each end for a total of six) if winds of any magnitude are expected (15 mph, 24 kph). There are additional guylines provided, but I have found them only occasionally useful when pitching the tent on rocky ground when they come in handy to tie the tent to a couple of heavy rocks.

The tent has a generous amount of no-see-um nylon mesh bug cloth for ventilation. There are 3 strips approximately 8 inches (20 cm) along the length of the tent along with most of the endfly. Even with the rainfly erected, I have found the ventilation more than adequate in all but the most sultry of conditions.

Entry into the tent involves unzipping the noiseless plastic zipper on the fly and tent and then slipping into the tent. I arrange myself feet first then twisting in my torso and lying down. There is only headroom to raise up on my elbows and for some that might be enough. I find it somewhat of a hassle, particularly in the rain when the ability to sit up would add greatly to the "creature comfort".

There are different setup configurations for the Kelty Crestone 1. I generally carry and use the footprint under the tent, frankly just to be done with it. I found that after a couple of times the tent had to be re-pitched when I figured out I should have used it to begin with. The rainfly is needed only if heavy rain is expected. Morning dew to light misting rain drain adequately from the Kelty Crestone 1.

Breaking camp is very simple with the arrangement of the clips and stakes. I can generally break camp and stow the component parts in well under 15 minutes.

When I originally bought the tent, I intended to use it a great deal. One month before its second birthday I was away from my campsite for a few hours climbing and came back to find two of the pole clips on the large hoop had mysteriously come out of the tent body. Then I noticed a fist sized cut at the base of the tent. The origin is suspicious. A lousy way to find a perfectly good tent. I have made expedient repairs and continue to use my Crestone 1 until I can make up my mind on a replacement tent.

Summary

I had a few days where the tent would reach saturation point while camping along the Gulf of Mexico. I've actually had fewer problems with the rainfly on than without. It seems to generate ventilation that stops condensation (my main problem is condensation rather than rain).

With the use of two years there was beginning to be problems. Only a few of the seams were adequately taped in the tent. I have begun to get major moisture incursions, particularly around the upper and lower hoops. I've solved most of the problems with generous application of seam sealer, especially around the hoop stays. In fact I would recommend that this tent be sealed when brand new particularly around the areas of most strain around the attachment points.

The Kelty Crestone 1 "no-see-um" mesh panels are laid out to provide great vision of nearly 360 degrees around as well as overhead. It really helps with the claustrophobia one can experience with such a low volume tent like the Kelty Crestone 1.

For those wanting a real tent as opposed to a tarp or hammock, for the money/use I would gladly purchase the Crestone 1 all over again.

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