tylerkat89

So I'm getting a new tent. I plan on using it for backpacking. I was left between these two choices and wanted an opinion from anyone whose had experience with either of these

mojo maestro

Depends on the rainfly and vestibules

Bones

I've used MEC's version of the REI and I've had several Kelty tents over the years.

Between these 2 I'd go with the REI simply for the more useful vestible size, the 10 sq ft on the Kelty is pretty much useless. At that weight, it probably doesn't include a footprint.

If weight is more a priority, then I think I'd look at an MSR Hubba series or something from Sierra Designs.

Regardless, $159 is cheap and these are 2 solidly made (if somewhat unspectacular) tents. hard to go wrong.

tigre

It's because it has two doors, and so two vestibules.

Tent choice depends a lot of what kind of trips you do, weather, who you go with, and so on. Personally I'd look for sales and try to find something better/lighter than either of those for the same price, but those are both perfectly serviceable. If you want two doors and a little more space for gear or a dog, go with the REI one, if you want a little less weight, go with the Kelty. Personally, just based on specs I'd go with the Kelty out of those two, because I pack light and generally only need room for my boots in the vestibule.

But it's a good idea to actually go to the shop and set them up and get inside them both. One may be easier to set up, designed better, or just more comfortable for some reason. I remember my friend's REI Half Dome had something annoying about the poles that I can't remember now, and would have been a dealbreaker for me personally, but it was fine for her. Vestibule and floor area specs can also be misleading sometimes, because the wall angles and other factors can make them seem larger or smaller than they are just based on a measurement on the floor. So the best thing is to go sit inside it with a couple of sleeping pads and a pack to see how much space you actually have in there. Most gear shops are pretty open to letting you do stuff like that if you go when they're not busy.

snowklinger

Although I scored it for a $100. Doing a side by side comparison it seems your Passage has all the same specs for half the retail price

The materials (poles and fabric) of the QDT2 are higher end even tho they weigh about the same; and setup is a little easier with the 1 piece hubbed poles on the same.

Everyone likes Big Agnes tents...also...I really like the look of the Nemo tents. Can't go wrong with REI on a product like this IMO, so easy to replace or whatever if any issues.

__________________
is it late october yet?

Treegreen

I switched to a tarp tent double rainbow, and will never look back. Screw carrying a 5lb packed up tent around the back country. Granted you have to be willing to do things like free-standing using hiking poles instead of actual poles, and seam sealing yourself.

Couple other lightweight options:

Big Agnes and Nemo are probably the best "traditional" manufacturers at cutting weight.

Golite depending on what you're willing to live without (also awesome annual fire sale. someday I'm going to snag one of their shelters for winter camping).

Six Moons Design is another home store like tarp tent.

Granted, you do have to pay a lot more for these things. I got my wife into camping by snagging a Mountain Hardware Hammerhead 3 for crazy cheap off of Steepandcheap and then sizing down as she got more familiar with what she actually needed vs what she wanted/thought she needed.

mojo maestro

Careful with the Golite stuff....zippers and some of the craftsmanship doesn't seem up to par. I've got a Black Diamond Megamid, no floor, but light as heck.

tylerkat89

One of the main reasons I was looking at these two is 1. It's REI... always good quality and 2. The Kelty won a backpackers award in 2011. I was mainly looking for a good quality tent that I could afford as well.

So far I'm leaning towards the Kelty mainly because I found it cheaper and I need it by next week for my College class. I think everything total including a foot print is somethin like $165 whereas the REI tent is gonna total $197.12

With that said, I'm not primarily focused on light weight, though its obviously always going to be a beneficial factor

mojo maestro

Sounds like your mind is made up. Had lots of Kelty stuff, don't think you can go wrong.

Bones

Yes, but I think the total vestibule area is only 10 sq feet. IE 2 x 5 sq ft, not 2 X 10 sq feet