New products from Kelty for Spring 2011

Kelty, the Boulder, Colorado-based outdoor company has been making backpacks, tents, and other gear (including gear for kids) since 1952. Last week at Summer Market they showcased a few new products, as well as a new line of portable lighting. Here’s a sneak peak at what’s new from Kelty for the Spring 2011 season.

Kelty already has a extensive line sleeping pads for camping and backpacking, but they added a new sleeping pad to the line for the upcoming Spring season. The Recluse sleeping pad, available in both insulated and non-insulated models is an inflatable sleeping pad that provides 2.5 inches of comfort and support. However, what sets the Recluse apart from other pads is the integrated hand pump on the side of the pad, a feature that will be worth it’s weight if you are camping at altitude. The Recluse 2.5i (insulated) weighs 2 lbs., 6 oz. and will retail for $79.95. The Recluse 2.5ni (non-insulated) weighs in at 1lb., 15oz. and will retail for $69.95.

Added to Kelty’s line of tents is the new Hula House. This tent is by no means an ultralight backpacking tent, but rather a basecamp-style tent designed to provide the most amount of room and comfort possible. It’s name comes from the unique, tilted “hula hoop” pole that encircles the top of the tent, increasing space at the top of the dome significantly. This feature also allows for a taller door opening. The tent also comes with a rainfly featuring a roomy vestibule for keeping gear dry (but out of the tent. Specs for each model (available in 4-person and 6-person sizes):

• Hula House 4
  Weight: 11 lbs., 15 oz.
  Vestibules: 1 at 22.5 square feet
  Dimensions: 96 x 96 x 72″
  MSRP: $299.95
• Hula House 6
  Weight: 18 lbs., 5 oz.
  Vestibules: 1 at 50 square feet
  Dimensions: 126 x 126 x 76″
  MSRP: $399.95

As mentioned earlier, Kelty also introduced a new line of portable lights for Spring 2011. The Luma series is made up by five lighting styles and sizes: the LumaTwist, LumaPivot, LumaCamp, LumaTech, and LumaTrail. All feature LED panels that twist and rotate to provide light exactly where you need it. The ability to provide direct or indirect light (or a combination of both) is one of the main features that sets these lights apart. The LumaTwist has 13 LEDs that put out a max of 350 lumens of light (on the brightest setting). It runs on four D-cell batteries, which on the low setting (125 lumens of light) will last you 50 hours. The more compact LumaPivot has two panels of 15 LEDs that run on six AA-cell batteries that will last about six hours on the bright setting (210 lumens) or 12 hours on the low setting (112 lumens). The LumaTwist will retail for $59.99 and the LumaPivot will retail for $49.99.