Customer Reviews

Kelty Sunshade (Navy/Grey, Medium)

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

 

 

I bought this sunshade for our trip to Cancun. I expected the kids to play at the beach all day and this shade came in handy. If I could do it again, I would purchase the bigger size.

The Kelty Sunshade has been one of the best purchases I have ever made. Back in 1988, I purchased on for a river trip I was about to take. We found that on the trip, we were able to share this as a rain shelter by dragging it from tent site to tent site in torrential rain. After that trip, everyone in our rafting group got one. We have all used them on EVERY trip since then. I am talking about hundreds of trips! This last June, we managed to get permits for the Gates of Lodore on the Green River through Dinosaur National Park. At the put-in camp, we found ourselves in 50+MPH winds that flattened them out but they did not fly apart. As the wind died, we tied them together so that they had no chance to fly away. This was a mistake! The only reason it tore to pieces was because they ripped starting from where we tied them together. This was not a fault of the Kelty. It was our stupidity. I have used this as a sunshade, rain shelter, cot tent, to shade my raft on the beach, as an emergency group rain shelter and to just relax under. It has kept my dry in the worst conditions and has traveled many river miles. I do not leave for any camping or rafting trip without it.

I didn't realize that I could still get one so I started looking for a parawing or something else that would work. As I was looking, I discovered that they are still available so I purchased another one. I will always be in possession of one of these great little multi use shelters. Not everyone can say they have used one as much as I have but I know there are others out there. I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw mine all torn to pieces on the ground after that wind. I could only blame myself for the tragedy. Great design, a little heavy but very useful and every serious, happy camper should have one. I sure wish they would make one in the same colors that my first one was. Maroon and sort of a light Camel color was the combo and it made a great looking shelter

Lightweight so easy to unload and set up. Waterproof so when it's lowered really does quite well in a downpour. Light colored to reflects the heat. This with an aluminum woven suntarp to move as the sun moves is perfect for me. Takes a bit of practice (directions weren't that good) to set up alone but DEFINITELY doable after a few tries. My only problem is I have to buy new ones every few years due to the splitting of the poles. Using black electric tape helps repair for a year or so but eventually I just seem to have to purchase a new one every 2 to 3 years. But I use the sunshade almost every weekend in the spring/fall and even leave it up overnight.

The Kelty sunshade is a very nice product, but larger compared to my impression of a medium. Nice shade overall, easy to put-up, usable in many situations, and durable in an condition. I've used Kelty products since the late 1970's and am as happy today, as in the beginning. Cheers KELTY SUNSHADE