Two coleman instant tent run diagonally between corners to give the body of the tent it’s dome-shape. We reached out to Coleman for more information and their advisor told us that their tents “don’t stop water but will stop UV”. So if you’re looking for a tent guaranteed to keep you dry, the sundome 4 man model might not be the best choice. Even for more seasoned campers, perhaps looking for a second versatile tent for storage space, this Coleman offers amazing value to meet their needs.
From car camping with your family to base camping at the foot of your next serious adventure, you’ll want to have the right gear for the occasion. Below our staff at Switchback Travel breaks down the best camping gear… For retail purchases returned with a receipt, please return the unused and unopened item, with the original sales receipt, for a full refund or exchange.
However, coming in at 9.8 lbs with 63 sq ft of tent space, a family of four can certainly make due. Before Mike and I’s recent camping trip to Letchworth State Park in Upstate New York, I was looking to purchase an affordable but durable tent for us to use. After some heavy research, I landed on the Coleman Sundome tent.
A small flap zips open to allow air to pass through a mesh screen into the tent. With 1 door, this tent should comfortably sleep 3 to 4 adults, or a family of 4 to 5 with small children. This tent is large enough to be a main camping tent for a small family.
pockets help keep small items like your phone, keys, or a headlamp stored away and organized. The Coleman Sundome has capacity options for 2 people, 4 people, and 6 people. The 6 person tent measures 10 x 10 feet and has 100 square feet of floor space. The polyester 6 person tent comes with large windows, plenty of headroom with a 6 foot center height, and a ground vent that is designed to push heat up. That means you’ll be comfortable even if you’re out in the summer.
And finally, the robust and quick-deploying frame of the coleman ice chest adds significant weight—it clocks in about 10 pounds heavier than the Sundome. While we love the idea of setting up a tent super fast, we’re not convinced the Instant Cabin is worth the extra cost and questionable rain protection. Another Kelty tent to have on your radar is their Tallboy 6. 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 . The Kelty uses slightly higher-quality materials than the Sundome, but we find it hard to justify spending more for less space and similar overall performance.