I am looking for a 1-2P tent as well, and currently leaning
towards the KIKILIVE 2 (and similar). Almost 500g lighter than this UL Tungsten depending on which specs you believe and even cheaper if you go through Ali Express.
I have some serious reservations about this tent, along with some suggestions to make it better, which will make it less likely to be a problem.
The Kikilive appears to be a Chinese knockoff of the 3F ULGear LanShan 2. There are some claims, based only on cited appearance similarities rather than direct inspection, that these are the same tent, only rebranded. I find that the few reviews and comments making those claims have all the earmarking's of 'fake' and paid submissions from interests directly benefitting from sales.
Fake reviews have become well documented as a problematic issue on sites like Amazon; they definitely make it difficult for consumers who are trying to figure out a product's quality with real-world usage
It also seems to me that there are deceitful mentions of the LanShan tent in Q&A and reviews about the Kikilive tent which are designed to create a false association in the minds of buyers.
From the little relevant info in the descriptions of the Kikilive product, there does seem to be some key differences between the two based on what I know and have read about the LanShan. You can find information that I posted earlier this year about the LanShan tent
HERE
I will not rule out the possibility that the same factory is producing the same tent design, but under different brand names. My bet would be that
IF such is the case, the Kikilive is a corner-cutting version of the LanShan branded model.
In terms of sheer durability and wet-weather resistance, a good comparison to the Kikilive is the TarpTent brand of silnylon tents; TarpTent is the standard-bearer for silnylon tents. An example is the 30d weight fabric instead of the 15d used by the Kikilive, and the double amount of impregnated waterproofing material in the fabric.
Some will argue that the price difference between the TarpTent (I like the MoTrail) and the Kikilive means more money in the pocket, but that is cold comfort at 2 a.m. when wakened by a stormy, wind-driven rain which has left one with a tent floor of water and a wet sleeping bag.
If I were to purchase the Kikilive, at the very least:
- I would replace the rainfly with one made from at least a 20d fabric and with a better waterproof index rating. Myself, I would save some weight and use a polycro plastic film as a rainfly, replacing the fabric one altogether, which would also eliminate seam sealing issues with the fly.
- I would always use a footprint/ground sheet under the tent. This plus the better rainfly will add a ew more ounces and some moderate expense but would make the tent a much better product and increase its durability.
- I would also re-do all seams by painting them over with a liberal amount of seam sealer.
- I would look at the quality of any included accessories. . guy lines and stakes, etc. These are inexpensive to replace - if needed - with counterparts that are ultralight and durable.
As a Camino tent
with modifications, it has promise as a budget tent. As a backpacking tent or for multiple caminos I would view it as a disposable commodity, rather than as a long term piece of gear.