Three or four versions in, the Kelty Wireless 6 is still the tent our kids are allowed to wear out. It’s a budget six-person dome tent with a full rainfly, two vestibules, and guylines that come already attached, and it costs roughly half what premium six-person tents do. It’s been to Grand Teton and Yellowstone with us, but most of its nights have been in our own backyard. The catch is simple: it’s a fair-weather tent that runs hot.
Take me back to the family tent full guide
Best budget family camping tent
Kelty Wireless 6
A starter tent that does more than its price suggests, as long as the weather cooperates.
Capacity: 6 | Floor: 86.5 sq ft | Vestibules: 19.5 + 19.5 sq ft | Peak height: 74 in | Packed weight: 19 lb
Good for: First-time campers, families on a budget, and backyard campouts where the kids can put some miles on it.
Skip if: You camp a lot, camp in rough weather, or camp in direct sun.
Is the Kelty Wireless 6 waterproof?
Mostly. It has a full rainfly, and in normal rain it did fine. In one intense, driving rainstorm, a corner of the floor leaked a little. That rain was pretty extreme, and we can’t say how every tent would have handled it, but it’s why we call this a fair-weather tent.
Where we tested the Kelty Wireless 6
Mostly in our backyard. Cypress (5) and Oren (2) run around in the dark with headlamps, crawl into the tent, and fall asleep. It’s low stakes: if the weather gets bad, everyone just goes inside. That’s exactly why we don’t need an expensive, heavy-duty tent back there.
It’s also been to Grand Teton and Yellowstone with us, and we’ve been testing it through several updates. This newest version has more mesh in the body and two kickstand vents in the fly, which helps.
Kelty Wireless 6 features that actually stood out
The guylines come pre-attached, and each one tucks into its own little Velcro pocket on the outside of the fly when you pack up. It adds a bit of weight and bulk, but it keeps things from tangling, and that’s great for new campers. For a tent at this price, that’s a nice touch.
Setup is intuitive. The color-coded corners make it obvious, and one of us pitched it solo, fully guyed out, in 8 to 10 minutes. Headroom is impressive for the price: a 6’2″ camper can stand up at the center.
What doesn’t work on the Kelty Wireless 6
It gets hot. The fly is dark green, and even with the added mesh and vents, it doesn’t vent well once the fly is on. Storage is the other weak spot. Kelty lists six interior pockets, which isn’t much when kids bring in rocks, toys, and every little treasure they find.
The materials feel budget when you pitch it, and the poles are fiberglass. We have some long-term durability concerns, though ours has held up well despite a lot of use.
How to care for the Kelty Wireless 6
Kelty recommends cleaning by hand with a non-abrasive sponge, cold water, and a non-detergent soap, taking extra care on the coated floor and fly. Avoid strong dish soaps, bleach, stain removers, and pre-soak laundry products. Let the tent air dry completely before you store it so it doesn’t mildew.
Tent care tip: Backyard nights leave grass and dirt all over the floor. Knock it off with a leaf blower before you pack it away, since dirt holds moisture against the fabric.
Does the Kelty Wireless 6 pack down?
For a big tent, it’s surprisingly easy to pack up. The guylines go back into their pockets, and the tent slides into Kelty’s duffel without a fight. The bag zips along its length and has a shoulder strap. It’s still a 19-pound tent, so it’s a car camping tent.
Kelty Wireless 6 sizing guide
For us, the Wireless 6 is luxurious for two to three people, comfy for four, tight for five, and pretty tight for six. The 117.5 x 106 inch floor is big for the money. The vestibules help, but they’re not huge, and with few pockets, gear ends up on the floor.
Who is the Kelty Wireless 6 best for?
This is a great budget-friendly starter tent, and it’s the one we’d hand to a family buying their first tent or setting up backyard campouts. The design is nicer than the price suggests. If you’re planning to camp a lot, in rough weather, or out in full sun, spend more.
Pro tip: Tuck each guyline back into its pocket as you pack up, and your next pitch takes minutes instead of untangling.
How the Kelty Wireless 6 compares to other family camping tents
| Kelty Wireless 6 | REI Co-op Base Camp 6 | NEMO Aurora Highrise 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.95 | $569 | $499.95 |
| Floor area | 86.5 sq ft | 84 sq ft | 83.3 sq ft |
| Vestibule area | 19.5 + 19.5 sq ft | 27 + 17 sq ft | 23.6 + 23.6 sq ft |
| Peak height | 74 in | 74 in | 77 in |
| Weight | 19 lb (packed) | 20 lb 11.5 oz | 18 lb 10 oz |
| Pole material | Fiberglass | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Footprint included | No | No | No |
| Overall rating | 4.1/5.0 | 4.5/5.0 | 4.7/5.0 |
Ben Dawson
I'm Ben Dawson: dad of two, former full-time van liver, and co-author of three Falcon Guides, including Hiking with Kids: Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks. I've worked in outdoor media for more than a decade, and I've been testing gear with Roxy since 2017 as a gear reviewer and analyst. These days most of my testing happens with a kid on my back or a tent full of them. I've carried and hiked with my kids more miles than I can count, from Canada to Mexico and plenty of places in between. My rule is pretty simple: if the kid is uncomfortable, or you are, nobody's having a good time out there. I tell you what works, what doesn't, and who it's actually for.
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