Coleman Instant tents are designed to be erected very quickly (after some practice), hence the name. A hub at the center of the tent roof connects all the support poles. Once aligned, all the outer poles are simply extended to lift the tent into place.
The Coleman Instant Family Tent is a fast-pitching shelter of epic proportions. Its 14’x10’ floor plan packs enough space for a family of four to split two queen air mattresses, while its nearly 7-foot center height and vertical walls provide stand-up height for even the tallest dads in the campground. After testing and analyzing a multitude of Coleman tents (there are SO MANY), we finally decided that the Coleman Skydome 4 is the best option currently available.
In the 2018 update, the Base Camp 6’s base changed from a rectangular shape to a nearly square design, which adds even more stability. If you’re willing to spend top dollar for a tent that will stand up to the elements and keep you comfortable in rain and mud—as well as offer privacy at a crowded campground—the coleman tents REI Co-op Base Camp 4 and Base Camp 6 are the clear choices. That mesh also keeps the tent feeling more airy and cool in hot climates. But it’s one of the least expensive tents we found that will truly cover all the bases for three-season car-camping in most conditions you’re likely to encounter.
The two simple and identical poles were quick and painless to put together, and the lack of color coding between them and the tent body minimized any type of confusion or missteps along the way. Further aiding to the straightforward set up was the relatively small rainfly, which was easy to toss over the tent. Even assembling the Sundome 6 solo was a smooth process, which took less than 10 minutes from start to finish at a leisurely pace.
We did, but after hearing some complaints from our readers, we’re now retesting it against other options. On most tents, these components are made of either nylon or polyester. “A nylon tent coleman bbq is much stretchier,” he said, “and can absorb a lot more shock,” which can be an advantage in the backcountry, where your only option in a windstorm is to ride it out inside your tent.
Having said that, most casual campers who take decent care of their gear should see many summers of camping with the Sundome. Unfortunately, the lack of storage options continues to the exterior of the Sundome 6. Unlike most other camping tents, such as Kelty’s popular Discovery 6 model and its full-length rainfly, the Coleman’s partial design does not create any vestibule space. Typically, covered tent vestibules are a great place to store items like shoes, camp chairs, or anything else you’d like to keep out of the elements, but not so with the Sundome. This may not seem like a big issue as your car likely will be parked nearby, but we appreciate a good vestibule and it’s an unfortunate omission here.
The warranty ensures the product will be free from defects in material and workmanship [Reference]. But, the incorporation of “ripstop” fibers make the fabric much more resistant to tears. This small difference in fabric material can help prolong the life a tent. You are happy to spend the money but don’t want to end up with a tent that doesn’t do what you want it to do or doesn’t live up to your expectations. There are a few main features to look for when considering the right tent for your trip, experts told us. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
We don’t recommend the smaller version of this tent for couples who might actually take it on the road; it was just too flimsy in our tests. From within Coleman’s own lineup, we also like the Instant Cabin 6. Both tents can fit two queen-size air mattresses, feature a single door for entry and exit, and boast 6 feet of headspace.