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Review of Kelty Vortex 4 Tent
By Matt Smith
The Vortex 4 is an awesome tent for the price. The Vortex 4 is big enough for two plus all their gear inside the tent, or four with just pads and sleeping bags. Although it only has 2 poles, I would consider it to be a 3 season tent. In moderate winds, the Webforce system really did make a difference. The fly didn’t flap much, and there was very little deformation of the tent body.
The tent was very easy to set up, even in the dark with the wind blowing, in the parking lot of a deserted gas station somewhere in the high desert of Nevada. One end of each of pole sleeve is sewn shut with a cordura patch so you don’t even have to run around the tent to put the poles in the grommets. You just put them in and push!
The little skylight in the rain fly is a nice touch, as are the double doors and vestibules. There was plenty of room for muddy boots, rain gear and small packs in the vestibule.  Another nice touch is the reflective patches on the zip pulls and pole sleeves. It was easy to see the tent in the dark (with my headlamp), even in wooded areas because the reflective tabs are so bright. I was surprised just how little light it took to light them up.
But, even with all the neat features I have told you about, I still haven’t mentioned the best part. The tent breathes like you wouldn’t believe. With two people in the tent in 30-degree (F) weather, there was virtually no condensation inside then tent or fly. The secret is a series of small air vents at floor level, and mesh in the roof of the tent. Convection keeps the air flowing very well. Even with the slightest breeze outside, there was nice air movement inside the tent.
The Vortex is 59.5 square feet, with 31.2 square feet of very usable vestibule space. Weighing just over 8 pounds, the Vortex is about the same as 4 man 3 season tents from other manufactures. The floor is made of 2.3 oz. nylon, and the Fly is made of 2.3 oz. Polyester. The tent walls are made of 1.9 oz. taffeta nylon.
Summary: I loved the Vortex 4. It is a great car camping tent, and is perfect for scout camps. If you spilt up the weight between a couple of packs, it would work ok as a backpacking tent as well. The best part is the price. You can find the Vortex 4 online for $310
For more information contact:
Kelty
www.kelty.com
6235 Lookout Road
Boulder, CO 80301
800-423-2320
Matt Smith is the canyoneering specialist at GearReview.com, and spends a too much time floating in stinky, stagnant pools.
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