BWCA Kelty Gunnison 3.1 Boundary Waters Gear Forum


BWCA Messageboard

BWCA and Quetico Park Books and Magazines

Find Outfitters for the Boundary Waters Quetico

Boundary Waters (BWCA) photo gallery and individual photo journals

Boundary Waters Message Board and Forums.

username

password

Remember Me

Moose Track Adventures Guide Service
Site Search
	Contact Us
	Route Guide

Chat Rooms (1 Chatting) | Search | Login/Join

* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.

View BWCA Photo and Trip Report Contest Page

2012 BWCA Photo Contest Results

Boundary Waters Quetico Forum

Gear Forum

Kelty Gunnison 3.1

View Boundary Waters Map Locations

Route Guide

forum sponsor

Member: rharjes

Last Visit: 06/19/2013 06:35AM
Sort by

Author

Message Text

MrWalleye

05/04/2012 08:06PM

Happy Friday,

I'm looking to order a tent in the next 48 hours for a May 16th trip. I want a true 2-person tent with some inside gear storage space. Staying dry is Important and under 7.5lbs would be preferred. I'm trying to keep it under $300. I know about the Taj and Limelight. I'm leaning towards the Gunnison 3.1. Am I overlooking any other tents in this class? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You in Advance!

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

kanoes

05/04/2012 08:15PM

for sleeping 2 then?

i think bigfoot is blurry. (mitch hedberg...youtube it))

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

aholmgren

05/04/2012 08:51PM

I was recently gifted a Kelty Gunnison 3.1. I set it up in the back yard last night, tripping over opener next weekend. My wife, golden retriever and I fit well; I am 6'3" It has a door on both sides and seems light weight. Sets up quick with only 2 lightweight poles. Seems nice from my initial set up but haven't really used it yet. I love gifts because it takes the decision making out of it-which is great for me as I am cheap and often experience buyers remorse. I can report back, but by then you'll have made your decision. Who makes the Taj and Limelight?

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

LazyLefty

05/04/2012 09:17PM

I like my gunnison 3.1 I have probably spent close to 30 nights in it. Conditions varied from nice spring and fall weather to light thunderstorms. Always dry and holding up nicely. It's a breeze to set up with only the 2 poles and everything snaps together and adjusts tight in no time at all. I suggest using an outtie and innie for durability and such, like all light tents it's made with light floor fabric.

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

Sylbill

05/04/2012 10:00PM

Count me as another person who likes their Gunnison 3.1. My wife and I have used it on four different week long trips and it has served us well through some strong thunderstorms. We use an outie footprint and so far, no problems. I would buy another one for two people.

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

Jackfish

Moderator

05/05/2012 07:19AM

One of my regular tripping buddies has the Gunnison 3.1. It's a very nice tent. Plenty of room for 3 if you're so inclined and generous vestibules at both doors. If you buy it, I believe you'll like it.

It's only a spot on the map... until you go there.

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

MrWalleye

05/05/2012 09:07AM

Thanks for all of the reassuring comments. Yes, two people and some gear, seems like two person tents aren't made for two tall people with room to spare. Taj 3 is an REI tent and I believe the Limelight is Mountain Hardware. Does anyone else like a tent in this class more than the Gunnison and if so, why?

Thank You!!

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

Jackfish

Moderator

05/05/2012 09:44AM

I own a Taj 3 so have, obviously, camped in it many, many times. I've also spent a week in the Gunnison when we went with six guys and two tents. Worked out perfectly.

I like my Taj 3, but I don't see it as the end-all to tents. Don't misunderstand, the Taj 3 is a good, quality tent, but the larger doors and vestibules of the Gunnison make it a nicer tent, in my opinion. Plus, as stated above, the rectangular floor of the Gunnison can easily sleep three guys. Gives you some flexibility if your group size requires it.

The Taj 3 is a good "two people plus gear" tent, whereas the Gunnison is a spacious 2-person tent and very good for three.

Lots of good tents out there. Finding the perfect one is difficult. Weight, quality, price, features... they all come into play.

It's only a spot on the map... until you go there.

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

MrWalleye

05/05/2012 10:01AM

I found two different price brackets for the Gunnison 3.1, one of them says "PRO".
It looks to me like the major difference is the material quality which adds some weight onto the "PRO" model. Does anyone know anything more about this?

HREF="http://m.zappos.com/kelty-gunnison-3-1-pro-n-a" TARGET="_blank">Gunnison 3.1 "PRO" Kelty Gunnison 3.1

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

TriTodd

05/05/2012 02:00PM

I was interested in the same tent. But instead found a deal on a Mountain Hardwear Drifter3. I like it better and am glad I purchased it. It's lighter and cooler for warmer weather. Made my own ground cloth using tyvek.

Life is about being outside enjoying God's world...

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

MrWalleye

05/05/2012 03:35PM

I definitely like the drifter 3. I'm going to strongly consider this tent as well. Thanks for pointing that one out.

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

ff2204

Guest Paddler

05/06/2012 07:57AM

I have the 3.1 Pro and love it, only been out with it a couple times but it seems to be a great tent. IMO I think its worth the extra money for the pro version because it is built heavier and has welded seems.

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

bumabu

05/06/2012 08:04AM

Just my opinion, but Mountain Hardwear is the top of the class in tent quality. I have a Light Wedge 3 that is Bomb proof. It only has one door but that is not a huge issue. Their quality is fabulous. I would also consider ordering from backcountry.com. Their return policy is "lifetime, for any reason, no questions asked".

Who I am precedes what I do, not the other way around.

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

BWPaddler

05/07/2012 02:22PM

I would like to be inside a Gunnison and see about head room... maybe someone can speak to it?

The REI T3-Plus and Nemo Losi 3P seem like with the extra poles you get more vertical space than you would with Gunnison which has just the two (Gunnison was also on my short list for space to weight ratio in that size). I know they're different price points, but you CAN find very lightly used ones online for same price or less than the Kelty.

I own a Taj3 and now a Losi 3P. Still want to try a T3-plus and a Gunnison some day.

Good luck!

Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. -Thoreau

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

BearBrown

05/07/2012 03:12PM

quote MrWalleye: "Thanks for all of the reassuring comments. Yes, two people and some gear, seems like two person tents aren't made for two tall people with room to spare. Taj 3 is an REI tent and I believe the Limelight is Mountain Hardware. Does anyone else like a tent in this class more than the Gunnison and if so, why?

Thank You!!"
Just for everyones info, the limelight is a marmot tent not a mountain hardware tent.

Richard "Bear" Brown----- "I would rather give someone one photograph they can't live without than one hundred they can live with." anonymous

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

wolf4980

05/08/2012 08:36AM

I have used a kelty trail dome four on numerous trips over the last eight years never been wet and we have had some terrible weather, I would also add in the storms last year that were blowing trees down in central MN it was one of the only tents not blow down or wet!I watched the tents next to use just being folded flat in the wind. I picked up the gunnison two last year for bike trips and it has the same quality as previous kelty's but it is a bit small for a tripping tent. For this years bwca trip I think I will finally retire the trail dome and get the gunnison 3 to have the added space of the vestibules.

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

MrWalleye

05/08/2012 07:26PM

I went with the drifter 3 because I found it for $150. I'll let you all know how I like it when I've used it a couple of times.

Thank you!

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

BWPaddler

05/09/2012 02:57PM

Look forward to your review. Good luck!

Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. -Thoreau

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

fitgers1

05/09/2012 05:51PM

Congrats on the purchase. Looking forward to your review so I can compare to my new Limelight.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson...and...“Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

packslight9410

05/10/2012 11:20PM

I have a limelight and Absolutley it! Hope the kelty fairs well!

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

jwilson

05/11/2012 02:02AM

quote fitgers1: "Congrats on the purchase. Looking forward to your review so I can compare to my new Limelight. "
I've had a limelight for about a year, very happy with it over all. Great price when you factor in the included footprint/gear loft. And the gear loft is very handy. Very roomy, nice vestibules.

Do you have the new updated model or last years model? I've got last years and on mine a wet fly drips into the interior of the tent when you open the outer doors. I just bang on it a few times before unzipping to minimize the water. I don't care for the door fasteners to hold back rolled up doors nor do I find the little prop vents to be worth the weight of the prop up stick (both of these are on most all Marmot tents). With all the mesh inside and raised outer fly you usually get pretty good airflow without them anyway.

MrWalleye: Looks like you got yourself a sweet deal on a sweet tent.

Reply Reply with Quote Print Top Bottom Previous Next

BWCA Messageboard