Customer Reviews

Kelty Quartz 1 Tent

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I tested this tent in my back yard on a wild night. It first experienced 30 mph gusts, which it handled with very little flapping. Then, we moved to extremely heavy rain, again no problems. Finally, the rain turned to about four inches of wet snow: again, no problems.
The roof is a bit flat, and this COULD create problems in the heaviest snowfall--but I wouldn't mind shaking off heavy snow from time to time, in exchange for all that useful room inside!
Weight is a problem at close to five pounds, but this tent has: ROOM to sit up and stretch out; a sturdy traditional inner-tent-and rainfly design; a vestibule big enough to store gear and cook in; a nylon (not mesh) inner tent; and a good ventilation design for four season climate control.
The only strange feature is the four places where you are supposed to anchor the rainfly to the tent poles: I couldn't get that to work, but it didn't seem essential, and maybe with practice...

I recently used my Quartz 1 on a backpacking trip in the Sierras. It was a good weight for the hike (on snowshoes). The tent set up very easily and with the help of three Snow Anchors, was extremely stable. I was impressed with the lack of condensation buildup with the upper vent open. I didn't use a footprint and the bottom still stayed dry as well. The only possible disadvantage I saw for heavy snow was a natural bowl the top that could cause weight to build up. Overall I was very happy with the tent and definitely recommend it.