Gear Review: Kelty Carport Deluxe

Last fall I decided that it would be really nice to have some sort of outdoor shelter to extend my camping season year-round. I sleep dry in my camper shell, but what about cooking and guitar playing? Also, in the summer months, shade is critical in areas with less trees. 

I discovered several options. One was the simple tarp and poles, which is great in the sun and cheap, but come a heavy rainstorm with wind, you'll still be wet. Then there is the screenhouse or dining fly, which is great for bugs and weather, but then you feel like you never got out of your tent. There are a hundred variations in between these two extremes, but when I found the Kelty Carport on clearance at REI, it seemed like the best compromise and the most versatile.

First, the thing is expensive as heck. $320 is the MSRP tag. That's a lot for anything you won't be using every day. But I have a theory that if you (and especially your spouse) feel like you won't be comfortable on a camping trip, you probably won't go. And what is life worth if you don't go out and live it?

The Carport takes a fair amount of effort to assemble, and the first time you do it you will be scratching your head. It's trickier than a backpacking tent, so read the instructions. In the picture below you can see that I set it up inside-out the first time. Once you get the hang of what all the poles and weird connectors do, it only takes a few minutes and you have shelter. One end attaches to your car's roof rack, so that's two less poles and guy lines you have to set up. 

The versatility of this shelter comes from its ability to set on the upright poles for shade and light rain, or remove the poles for heavy rain and wind. When in the down position, there are side flaps that can be staked to the ground to stop weather from blowing in. This mode turns my campershell into a suite with kitchen--crawl out of bed, flip down the tailgate, fire up the campstove and coffee is on the way while the nasty weather stays outside.

When the carport is in the up position, it's particularly vulnerable to high wind as it becomes a huge sail. But with the side flaps down and tethered to the ground or the vehicle, it has a much more aerodynamic shape. 

Since I got the Carport I haven't cancelled any trips due to the weather report. Often I'll get to my campsite and find that I didn't even need the Carport, and I'll have a campground to myself because everyone else was scared off by a little rain.

For more information