Thankfully, Coleman has a wide selection of family and group camping tent options. As with most budget-oriented products, there are bound to be shortcomings, and the Sundome 6 is very coleman tents limited in terms of storage. In stark contrast to premium models like REI’s Base Camp 6 and its 14 interior pockets of varying sizes, the Sundome 6 features a paltry two pockets.
Although not the same as an Instant tent, the fast pitch design came together very quickly. For larger, family-sized camping trips, Coleman offers both Skylodge™ and “Instant” tent designs. Personally, my first camping tent was a two-person Coleman dome tent that I bought at a local hardware store (Canadian Tire). As a teenager with a very low budget, this tent was exactly what I could afford and lasted perfectly well for its intended use.
In particular, I believe that the Coleman Elite Sundome 6 person tent is going to give you the best bang for your buck. It’s got all the bells an whistles, including an e-port and LED lighting, without compromising on durability and waterproofing. In order to create an attractively priced tent, compromises need to be made somewhere. It can be hard to know if you are comparing apples with apples when you are a new camper. The other changes REI made in the 2018 models of both Base Camp tents include the addition of a low side vent and more stuff pockets on the walls and ceiling.
A groundsheet is specifically designed to fit a tent’s footprint, which is why different tents have different-sized ground sheets. In most instances, a ground sheet is manufactured with a heavier-duty material akin to shade cloth. However, although they don’t post the hydrostatic ratings, they state that their tents utilize their patented WeatherTec System. That’s why, since there aren’t too many differences between ripstop fabric and nylon and polyester, many people on a budget choose Coleman tents made with the latter fabrics.
They claim that this allows for climate and temperature control as well. The tents in the list are ordered by the floored area from larger to smaller, you will notice that the differences are huge. When Coleman launched their Darkroom range, it was a revolutionary moment for the brand, and for campers all across the country. As time has gone by, the Coleman name has become synonymous with having fun and crafting lifelong memories while enjoying the great outdoors.
Furthermore, we like that the Meramac features two doors as opposed to the Sundome’s one, making entry and exit easier should you need to get up in the middle of the night. And finally, the materials used throughout the Alps Mountaineering Meramac 6 are noticeably better. For us, the combination of increased weather protection and nicer materials make the more expensive Meramac 6 well worth considering. It’s a step up in price from the Discovery above at $230, but you do get a number of upgrades, including a lighter weight (14 lbs. 1 oz.), taller peak height (72 in.), and smaller packed size. However, the Tallboy boasts considerably less floor area at 86 square feet, and its rainfly only offers partial coverage (like the Coleman, it leaves most of the door and some of the lower tent body exposed to the elements).
The last Coleman tent we had made it through five years of regular use and abuse before it started leaking, and we probably could have gotten even more life out of it with a proper refresh of its waterproofing. Tent manufacturers make lofty claims about how quickly a tent can be set up. You’ll see a lot of “60 second” tents out there, but most folks find any tent coleman bbq takes about 5-10 minutes to set up properly. The added bonus included in the family model is the integrated screen room, which uses four full-zip windows to convert the second room into an open porch (that still keeps the bugs at bay) when the weather is at its best. It makes an ideal choice for families and those looking for a tent that will last many years.
Yet, should you want to be sure that you will be dry in a Coleman tent, you might want to use the brand’s seam sealer spray, which will increase your Colemans tent waterproofing further. Polyester Coleman tents are not as durable as nylon Coleman tents regarding sun exposure and damage. When exposed to sunlight and UV rays often, polyester Coleman tents break down faster, which causes them to lose their elasticity and strength. Which fabric is used for the tent you’re interested in will depend on the type of Coleman tent you buy and from which range.