Kelty Trail Dome 4 Four Person Tent Review
Kelty makes great tents the Water Tight Wall construction keeps the doors and windows from leaking, even in driving rain.The position of the windows makes great viewing on a clear night,roomy and easy to put up without the fuss.I’ve put this review togeather to help you through the minefield of 
choosing a great trail dome tent.
Product Description
An ideal family-camping tent that offers a view of the stars at the campground or in the backcountry, the Kelty Trail Dome 4 features a simple pole design and clip-sleeve construction that make it a snap to pitch. Offering spacious room for four, the Trail Dome 4 has a 55 square foot floor area (but does not include a storage vestibule). It features internal storage pockets, mesh ceiling, gear loft loops, side-release buckle tent-fly connection, noiseless zipper pulls that resist jingling when it’s windy, and color-coded clip construction with DAC DA17 aluminum poles.
Specifications
- Seasons: 3 seasons
- Capacity: 4 person
- Floor area: 55 square feet
- Vestibule area: none
- Pole type: Two 12mm DAC DA17 aluminum poles + two 8.5mm fiberglass awning poles
- Number of poles: 4
- Number of doors: 1
- Number of mesh windows: 3
- Wall material: 68D 190T polyester taffeta
- Floor material: 1800mm PU polyester taffeta
- Fly Material: 75D 190T, 1800 mm PU polyester-taffeta
- Dimensions: 99 x 80 x 57 inches (LxWxH)
- Weight (minimum): 7 pounds, 10 ounces
- Weight (packaged): 8 pounds, 7 ounces
The Water Tight Wall (WTW) construction keeps the doors and windows from leaking, even in driving rain. All exposed walls are constructed of coated fabrics with the seams shingled downward to shed water. Exposed windows and doors have wide flaps covering the edges so they won’t leak at the zipper even in high winds. Kelty’s ArcEdge construction lifts floor seams up off the ground, preventing water seepage around the floor and wall seams. Taped seams on the floor and the rainfly ensure that the tent is protected from moisture and wet weather.
Product Features
- Three-season, four-person tent is ideal for camping trips with family and friends
- Freestanding design with color-coded clip construction
- Mesh side vents and a mesh ceiling for great ventilation
- Watertight walls will keep your tent dry
- Guy points for added stability in windy conditions and noiseless zipper pulls
Customer Reviews
Great tent. Went through a couple heavy rain storms and watertight as long as you keep equipment off the front and back upper portions. The tub is watertight, the fly keeps the sides dry, if equipment is touching the front or back above the tub floor water will come in. That’s because the front and back above the tub is breathable nylon. But nothing a few towels can’t clean up if you wake up in the night in a rain with equipment against that part of the front and back. As in most tents, this is hardly a 4 person tent. It is 6′x8′ afterall. (I guess each person gets 2′x6′) I used it for 3 weeks straight but as a one person with gear and found it perfect. If 4 people were to use it, they better be kids and have another place to store gear. It is indeed freestanding. I was in a sheltered area and never staked it out. But then again I was car camping and had plenty of gear in it. If I was at the beach or any other windy area, I would stake it down or find it rolling away I’m sure. Setup was easy but as in any tent, trying it at home first will make sure you have all parts and look smoother at the campsite the first time. I would suggest a ground cloth if car camping to extent floor life but that goes for any tent.
Not super light for serious backpacking but for an overnight or weekend trip where you won’t be carrying huge amounts of food and other gear and if you can share some of the other gear’s weight with another person, it would be one of my first choices.
I actually used this tent while working out of town while remodeling a house. Set it up on the patio and had access to electricity and used a radiator style electric heater in there on a week of record cold. Several nights below freezing and with the electric radiator style heater in there the tent stayed above 55F (60s for the most part) so with a electric radiator style heater it can be used in the winter as well.
The wind flap on the door zipper got stuck in the zipper often but this is common with any tent with a weatherproof door. Just be careful and use 2 hands when possible.
Seems to have classic Kelty Quality. (I used a Kelty frame pack hiking the AT years ago) Sad to say it was made in China, but quality seems to still be there.By K. Sayles
The tent is AWESOME!!! The poles are very durable and secure, the zipper is smooth, and it is very lightweight for its size. But I have not tried it in stormy weather. The only disappointment I had was the size. It fits 3 people quite nicely, but with 4 people, you need to have the people lay diagnolly. The floor size is actually about a foot smaller when setup. A portion of the floor is forced upward by the force of the poles. I would not reccomend this tent for any group over 3 people. This price is a steal when compared to REI prices! By Mike
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