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, coleman cabin 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.
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 coleman tents 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.
Similar to Skydome™, Coleman Skylodge™ tents are shaped so that there is more head room and an overall more spacious design. These tents are also more square-shaped, which is why most tents are also labelled as “Cabin” style. For many first time campers, purchasing a good quality, budget-friendly tent is a top priority and purchasing a Coleman tent might seem like the right choice. Compared to other tents, Coleman tents last as long as their competition regarding polyester and nylon tents. Many Coleman tent campers have stated that their brand-new tents last years.
But Coleman is far more present on the market with many of its tents in various shapes. They make everything for outdoors, from shelters, sleeping equipment, furniture, to lanterns, stoves, etc. In fact, I do not think there is a brand that could compete with Coleman regarding versatility of products they have. So in the US area, both brands are incredibly popular and some of the best-selling tents belong to these two brands. But Core has a smaller number of tents on the market, yet they tend to remain popular for many years.
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 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.
If you’re in the market for purchasing a good quality tent but only have a limited budget, a Coleman tent might be your best bet. A full rainfly covers a tent from ground level to the top, 360 degrees. This is to ensure when it rains sideways your tent is always protected. Steel and fiberglass tent pole are actually fairly strong and durable, however they are much heavier and less physically flexible than aluminium and carbon fiber. Over the past decade, tent poles have rapidly advanced in both design and material selection.
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. There are few things more important to consider than the material of your tent. After all, this is what’s going to keep you safe and protected from the elements – you don’t want something cheap, flimsy, and uncomfortable.
Car campers who plan to brave miserable weather will appreciate the extra strength and protection of the REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent. Our other dome-style tent picks are structured with two main poles with added support from smaller brow poles. The Base Camp, by contrast, has four full-size aluminum struts weaved throughout it, somewhat like a basket. The Base Camp also offers superior privacy compared with our other picks—with or without the rain fly. Wall Tents – Wall tents are designed to provide a more permanent and rugged shelter for camping, hunting, or other outdoor activities. They are typically larger and more spacious than other types of camping tents, and are often made from heavier, more durable materials.
Built using the same structure as the standard model (it’s only offered in 4P and 6P sizes), the design utilizes a special fabric on the tent body and rainfly that blocks a claimed 90% of light. For one, it has serious potential appeal among late sleepers or parents that are hoping to enjoy an uninterrupted cup of coffee in the morning. The dark fabric also helps keep the tent cooler, which is a nice plus in the hot summer months.
Even if you’re new to camping and not seeking any extreme-weather adventures, you’ll still need something that can withstand whatever the elements decide to throw your way. The tents we discuss here are designed to keep you comfortable in three seasons; as we touch on later, hardcore winter campers should invest in equipment specifically designed for those conditions. If you’re planning on family camping, especially with kids and pets, you’ll likely want to invest in a spacious, comfortable coleman cabin tent and durable tent. This type of camping usually overlaps with car camping, and a lot of the same priorities apply. However, camping with a family likely means you’ll need a lot more space inside the tent for standing and storing items, including multiple air mattresses and room dividers for privacy. Whether you’re backpacking in the wilderness or car camping with a group of friends, we’ve compiled some of the best camping tents at various price points to accommodate your specific trip.