CORE 4P vs Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4P
Quick verdict
Choose by your trip
- CORE 4P: Two adults and gear on fair-weather car-camping weekends.
- Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4P: Two adults and gear, or a family of four, in mild weather.
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Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4-Person Tent
amazon.com price: ~$130(last checked Jan 30)
CORE 4P review
Best for: Two adults and gear on fair-weather car-camping weekends
A plain 8 x 7 ft fiberglass dome with good headroom and room for one queen airbed; CORE says it is most comfortable for two, and the fabric is rated 1200 mm.
A traditional two-pole dome: fiberglass poles seat in ball-and-socket feet, over a 68D polyester body rated 1200 mm, a P.E. sheet floor, sealed seams and a taped rainfly. The 8 x 7 ft floor has 54 in of center height and fits one queen airbed; CORE rates it for 4 but calls 2 plus gear the comfortable load. Ground vents and a mesh ceiling move air. It weighs 10 lb and packs to 24 x 10 x 6 in.
Good
- 54 in center height and room for one queen airbed
- Ground vents plus a mesh ceiling to let warm air out
- Gear loft included; packs to 24 x 10 x 6 in
Watch for
- 1200 mm fabric and a P.E. sheet floor: low ratings for heavy rain
- One door for up to four people
Specs from CORE 4 Person Dome Tent product page and Amazon.com listing, checked Oct 26. We compare published specs and design; we have not tested it ourselves.
Check price on AmazonKelty Discovery Basecamp 4P review
Best for: Two adults and gear, or a family of four, in mild weather
A simple 4-person dome with an X-pole frame and Quick Corners, held back by fiberglass poles, one door and a partial fly.
The Discovery Basecamp 4 has a 97 x 79 in floor (53.22 sq ft) and a 58 in peak on three fiberglass poles in an X-pole layout with Quick Corners. The 68D polyester fly and floor are rated 1200 mm, and guylines come pre-attached. One D-door serves everyone, and the fly is a partial cover rather than a full one.
Good
- 97 x 79 in floor (53.22 sq ft) with a 58 in peak
- Quick Corners and an X-pole frame keep pitching simple
- Pre-attached guylines; 68D polyester fly and floor
Watch for
- Fiberglass poles are heavier and less durable than aluminum
- One door for four people, and a partial 1200 mm fly
Specs from Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 product page, REI Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 page and Amazon.com listing, checked Oct 26. We compare published specs and design; we have not tested it ourselves.
Check price on AmazonSide-by-side
| Spec | CORE 4-Person Dome Tent | Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4-Person Tent |
|---|---|---|
| Price (typical) | $100 | $130 (last checked Jan 30) |
| Capacity | 4-person | 4-person |
| Weather rating | 3-season | 3-season+ |
| Floor | 96 x 84 in, 56 sq ft | 97 x 79 in, 53.22 sq ft |
| Peak height | 54 in | 58 in |
| Weight | 10 lb | 7.5 lb trail |
| Doors | 1 | 1 |
| Poles | fiberglass | fiberglass |
| Setup | poles with ball-and-socket feet | not listed |
| Rain fly | not listed | partial |
| Packed size | 24 x 10 x 6 in | 23 x 6 x 6 in |
Green marks the better figure where more (or less) is plainly better. Weights and ice claims are the makers’ own figures.
Common questions
Which one should I buy?
The CORE 4P leads on price and floor; the Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4P leads on weather rating and peak height. The two are even on doors. Choose by which of those matter on your trips. CORE 4P: A plain 8 x 7 ft fiberglass dome with good headroom and room for one queen airbed; CORE says it is most comfortable for two, and the fabric is rated 1200 mm. Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4P: A simple 4-person dome with an X-pole frame and Quick Corners, held back by fiberglass poles, one door and a partial fly.
Where do these specs come from?
From each maker’s product page and retailer spec sheets, linked under each review. We compare published specs and design; we have not tested these products. Check the listing for the exact version you are buying.
Where do these prices come from?
These are recorded Amazon prices. Check the listings for current price and availability.
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