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 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.
The official capacity is only 6 people, but you have seen the numbers, so if necessary, this tent can accommodate twice more. In this Coleman Aspen 6L Tent you have a very typical tunnel type construction supported with 5 long fiberglass loops. You also have a porch visible in the picture with 57 ft² (5.3 m²). Under the shell you have two inner tents with 3 bedrooms, and this is what they call the BlackOut design that blocks 99% of the daylight.
It can be hard as Coleman doesn’t publish the same sort of information that other companies do so you’ll never know if you’re comparing the same features and quality between tents. William James Coleman started making tents in the late 1800s and since then Colemans has expanded and been making camping equipment of all kinds. Products in North America are meant to be labeled with their country of origin coleman tents or assembly but it’s hard to see that tag when you are buying tents online. Colemans makes no specific claim as to where its products are made. As a general rule of thumb, point-to-point hikers and backpackers are looking for the smallest, lightest tents around. Even the smallest Colemans tents are still quite big and quite heavy for that market compared to specialist hiking tent manufacturers.
Where the Montana gets the edge is livability with an included awning and taller side and end walls. However, neither design is particularly impressive in the wet—the Montana’s rainfly offers better coverage than the Sundome’s, but it still leaves the lower portion of the tent body exposed to the elements. In the end, we prefer the 8-person version of the Montana ($220 at the time of publishing) for families wanting to spread out, while the taller Sundome is the better budget choice among 6P options. Another relatively inexpensive alternative to the Sundome is the Alps Mountaineering Meramac 6. Both tents feature a simple two-pole design, similar floor dimensions and peak heights, and generous use of mesh for airflow. However, with its full-length rainfly (on the sides of the tent) and seam-sealed construction, the Meramac 6 is superior in the weatherproofing department.
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.
If more than 2 tablespoons of water leaks in, a tent fails the test. It’s a simple, yet efficient design which maximizes interior volume and minimizing overall weight. Interestingly, the Coleman groundsheets are made up of 450D PVC material to ensure you stay clean and dry while protecting the floor of your tent. Yet, it’s believed that every ten years of nylon coleman bbq exposure doubles the risk of a woman getting breast cancer after menopause. Additionally, according to the prestigious Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), polyester can cause cancer because this material contains polyvinyl cyanide. Unfortunately, numerous studies have shown that nylon and polyester can increase a person’s chance of getting cancer.
The doors are double-layer structures so they have windows on them as well. The Instant Up hub frame design features an integrated steel frame which is pre-attached to the inner. All you do is unroll it, lift and lock, then set up the waterproof fly, and you’re all set to camp! Available in a range of sizes and variations, there’s an Instant Up for every kind of camper. Large families require a lot more space when it comes to sleeping.
This design also ensures that all sand, grit, and dirt falls to the ground below. The WeatherTec System has many features that ensure campers stay dry, like their patented welded corners, tub-like floor, inverted seams, and zipper cuffs that all work together to keep water out during a drizzle or downpour. Unfortunately, Coleman does not post hydrostatic ratings for their tents on their website, so you will need to speak with their sales department to find out the true waterproof rating of a Coleman tent you’re interested in purchasing. The higher the waterproof rating, the better a tent can resist water penetration. A higher waterproof rating will make you less likely to experience cold and wet camping evenings. Some Coleman tents even offer a small screened-in porch area where you can sit in your camp chair and be protected from insects and rain.
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.