The new Kelty Backroads Shelter is a tent-like awning that leans against your vehicle. It provides roomy sun, rain and wind protection. It packs down small and goes up fast.
I bought the Kelty Backroads Shelter in September specifically to use for fast and easy off-grid camping out of the back of my pickup.
After putting the Kelty Backroads Shelter to the test in Idaho, this is what we learned:
Kelty Backroads Shelter Review
The Kelty Backroads Shelter has an easy, universal attachment system that makes it easy to attach to most any vehicle in multiple ways. In this photo it’s positioned farther toward the cab of the pickup for enhanced rain and weather protection.For most of the camping I do, I usually sleep in a tent. Occasionally, however, I also explore from my pickup — as well as hunt — and I end up on rugged ground that doesn’t have great tent-pitching spots. Sure, I could pair all sorts of tents with a camping cot and deal with rocky uneven ground (and I do) . . . but sometimes it’s faster and easier to sleep in the back of my pickup.
If you’re camping out of the back of your pickup or SUV, it’s nice to have a tall easy-up sun shade like the Coleman Instant Canopy, which is what I used for years. The sun shade system keeps the rain off, blocks cool downdrafts from the open sky above, and provides shade and a great place to attach a lantern — but typical easy-up sun shades are very bulky to pack around.
For me, I wanted something more protected, as well as something I could drive away from and leave unattended like a tent. I figured the Kelty Backroads Shelter would fold over and remain visible to save my camping spot if I needed to drive away from camp at some point without it.
The Kelty Backroads Shelter is ridiculously versatile.
The Kelty Backroads Shelter has far exceeded my expectations for both utility and quality. In fact, because it’s so usable, I think it’s the kind of gear that makes great gifts for outdoor lovers.
Compared to most vehicle awnings or tarps, the biggest benefit of the Kelty Backroads Shelter is that it has three closed sides that give you excellent weather protection as well as privacy when needed. Better yet, you can pull up the sides of the Backwoods Shelter, making it less tent-like and more sunshade like.
The zippered door increases your access options.Plus, it has a zippered door, which increases your access options. Keep it closed for cocoon-like privacy or leave it open for tunnel-like access. In some ways, the Backroads Shelter turns into a massive garage-like vestibule for your vehicle where you can store gear out of the rain while sleeping in your vehicle.
Of course, you don’t have to sleep in your vehicle — you can set up the Backroad Shelter to extend access to your vehicle’s contents while protecting it from rain and wind. You could cook from the tailgate of your pickup or get gear together before going fishing.
Key Design Features
The shape lets you change the height as needed. And the sidewalls toggle up for side-entry or extra airflow.The Backwoods Shelter takes it core design from a typical dome-style tent. Two long fiberglass poles cross to form an X while a third arcs over the top to provide additional rigidity and support to the sides. The resulting dome sheds rain and deflects wind.
The height of the pole structure is versatile: Kelty reports that its peak height can range from 80″ to 108″. From my experience, you can adjust the height of the vehicle attachment point even lower or a bit higher to fit your needs.
The fabric is a typical camping tent-like 68D Polyester with a 1200mm waterproof rating.
You can stake the sidewalls down or roll them up with a toggle.
The Backroads Shelter doesn’t have a floor, so while it is tent-like, again, no floor. While I would not want a sewn-in floor anyway, I do like to throw down a camping mat or outdoor camping rug to cut down on dirt and debris.
Side Note: I most recently used a White Duck 18 oz 100% Cotton Canvas Tarp as a floor in the Backroads Shelter and was astounded at how much I like it. The canvas material is far better than plasticy tarps, and the price point compared to rugs or mats is compelling.
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How do you attach the Kelty Backroads Shelter to your vehicle?
Kelty includes two attachment methods. One short set of nylon webbing loops (at right) secure the end of the poles to roof racks easily. An extra extension section of material lets you cover any gaps. Plus, this section includes two very long straps on the corners (one partially shown at left) that go down to wheels or extend over the top of the vehicle.While the poles give the Backroads Shelter a lean-to roof and sidewall structure, the top needs to attach to your vehicle. Kelty provides short nylon webbing to loop around vehicle roof racks, as well as longer straps. These longer straps work in two ways.
For a side attachment, you can throw the straps over the top of your vehicle and attach to a wheel or something solid on the other side. They’re long and adjustable.
For attachment to the back of your vehicle, which is how I like to use the Backroads Shelter, the straps attach to the rear wheels.
The ends of the long straps have easy-to-use clips for attaching to your wheels.For stability, you’ll want to stake down the ends of the Shelter. Sidewall stakes are included but are optional depending on how you want to configure the side walls.
Setup is remarkably fast and easy. Kelty’s ‘Quick Corners’ make the initial pole setup easy (we first ran into ‘Quick Corners’ when we reviewed the Kelty 4 Wireless Tent).
Backroads Shelter vs Sideroads Awning
The Kelty Sideroads Awning is the same size as the Backroads Shelter. The key difference is that it doesn’t have side walls or a zippered door.Kelty actually makes two similar vehicle-based shelters: The Backroads Shelter and the Sideroads Awning. The key difference is that the Sideroads Awning doesn’t have walls or a door like the Backroads Shelter.
The Backroads Shelter and Sideroads Awning area the same size. They have the same variable height options and the same width and pole structure. Choose the Sideroads Awning if you just want the awning protection. Choose the Backroads Shelter if you want to be able to close the system like a tent.
It’s important to remember that both the Sideroads Awning and Backroads Shelter are large enough to fit a couple of cots underneath for sleeping — but they’re not 100% enclosed like a tent. And they don’t have fully enclosed mesh walls for total insect protection like the best screen house shelters.
Key Specifications
Here are the important Backroads Shelter specifications:
Packed Weight: 8 lbs 14 oz
Peak Height: 80-108″
Fabric: 68D Polyester w/1200mm waterproof rating
Poles: Fiberglass
The rear wall with the door is slightly wider than typical full-size pickups. Kelty doesn’t report the exact width but it’s about 7′ wide.
The interior is roomy and creates a hangout space or protection from the elements while your vehicle is open for sleeping or meal or gear prep.Shop the Kelty Backroads Shelter at Moosejaw and get FREE Shipping on orders over $49!
Competitive Alternatives & Options
With the rise of overlanding and car camping on public land, there are many sunshade and vehicle awning options. If you’re considering the Kelty Backroads Shelter, these competitive alternative options might also fit your needs:
Kelty Sideroads Shelter — The Sideroads Awning has the same basic size and construction as the Backroads Shelter. The key difference is the Sideroads Shelter does not have the sidewalls or rear zippered door. The benefit is faster setup and a smaller, lighter travel package.
SJK Roadhouse Tarp — The SJK Roadhouse Tarp is much larger than the Backroads Shelter, but it doesn’t have walls. Setup is similar, but instead of a dome-style pole system, the SJK Roadhouse Tarp uses 1 or 2 poles with staked guylines for support. (Read our full SJK Roadhouse Tarp Review for more detail.)
REI Trailgate Vehicle Shelter — The REI Tailgate Vehicle Shelter provides a combination of sun protection as well as a tent-like vestibule. One benefit is the ability to raise the rear wall like an awning to increase coverage for more camp chairs than the Sideroads Awning. The Backroads Shelter tucks up closer to your vehicle to provide its tent-like add-on room while the REI Tailgate Shelter is a bit more open to the elements.
The Bottom Line
All-in-all, the Kelty Backroads Shelter is ridiculously versatile with an outstanding design. I had no idea I would be so pleased with how well it comes together out in the field. The price-to-value ratio is outstanding. Very highly recommended.
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