Every camper needs a good tent that will be their trusted sidekick on each trip. Most good camping tents come from manufacturers like the North Face, Marmot, and others. The Coleman tent is an equally good but more affordable option that all campers should know about!
Coleman is a brand that has been around for years. They do not create tents only but a lot of other kinds of camping and hiking gear. There is no denying that their tents are some of the most versatile, feature-packed tents out there. This is why I will dedicate this guide exactly to this type of tent!
If you want to learn more about Coleman tents, what they are all about, the materials used in the making, and the features they come with, stick around for this guide.
Towards the end of the article, I will also mention some of the best Coleman tents currently available on the market, so make sure you check that out as well. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it!
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Is Coleman a Good Camping Brand?
I have been a camper for a while now. I can say with certainty that there has been at least one Coleman tent on all my camping trips at the camping site. That made me want to look into Coleman tents more, and as I read about them, I realized that these tents are awesome! Here is why they are awesome:
Versatility
Coleman has had years to create their tents, and thus, all their tents come with great features and a quality build. This brand sells all kinds of tents – from backpacking tents to camping tents, cabin tents, family tents, and many budget tents.
Most of the tents the company offers come in different sizes and different color options, allowing you to choose the one you like best. So, in short – Coleman is not a good camping brand; it is a great one!
Quality fabric
Aside from the fact they offer a ton of tents that are also quite versatile, a few other things make these tents even more impressive. For example, all tents feature durable, breathable fabric that is also lightweight. This means that you can take the tent with you on all your hikes and not worry about it weighing you down.
Quality tent poles
The tents come with polyester tent fabric, while the poles can be aluminum, steel, or plastic. Whatever the case is, all tent poles from Coleman have an elastic pole inside of them. This allows you to fold them and make them smaller, perfect for people who like to hike to their campsite.
Easy setup
Yet another thing I would like to mention about Coleman tents is that they have an easy setup. You will be able to set up the tent yourself, without needing any special equipment or help. The setup takes less than 10 minutes, which is also a great feature!
Intended use
The only thing to check on Coleman tents before buying is whether they are suitable for year-round camping or not. Even though most of their tents have good waterproofing, they are not suitable for rain or winter weather. Keep that in mind when deciding which tent you want to buy!
Are Coleman Tents a Good Choice?
Coleman tents are a great choice for all campers, but I would say they are the best choice for first-time campers. I would recommend these tents for first-time campers because they do not come at very expensive prices. You can choose between 50+ models for the one you like best and get it without worrying about your budget.
But then again, I love these tents not only because of their affordability but because of the many great features they come with. I mentioned a few of these features in the section above, but I want to mention a few others as well.
Great ventilation properties
Most campers know that it is essential to have a tent with good ventilation. When it comes to most of Coleman's popular tents, most of them allow maximum airflow at all times. The fabric and the design of the tent allow air to flow through it at all times.
This is a great feature you will enjoy during summer, as the airflow will keep you cool. If you want to limit the airflow during autumn or those cold spring nights, you can do that by putting a special fabric piece over the material. That will offer excellent protection from cold weather at all times!
E-ports
Yet another great feature that you can find in many Coleman tents is the e-ports. These ports allow you to put an electric cable in your tent and use it to power anything you need. It can be a smaller cooker, a heater, or even a computer. If you end up using a power cable in the tent, make sure that you are safe because you do not want to start a fire in your tent!
Extra storage space
When you visit the great outdoors, there is no telling when you will need an extra pair of socks or a map or a flashlight. You need to have all these things available to you at arm's distance. In a Coleman tent, you can find multiple storage pockets on the sides that you can use to store all the things you need!
Make sure that you purchase a map, flashlight, and first aid kit to put in your pockets. You can also put in an extra water bottle, some granola bars, or even a container with trail mix. Who knows, you could need any of these things sooner or later!
Are Coleman Tents Waterproof?
Most campers love Coleman tents because of their waterproofing. Some years back, Coleman introduced its patented waterproofing system called the WeatherTec™ System. A tent that comes with this waterproofing system will offer a great level of waterproofing even in heavy rain.
It will also come with patented welded corners and inverted, covered seams. On top of that, the tent itself will have a bathtub floor design that helps keep it waterproof at all times. When you combine all these things, you will conclude that this is one quality tent you have on your hands!
But there is something else you should know.
Before you buy a tent, I recommend that you check the label for the type of material used and the waterproofing level on it. You see, a material like polyester (which is the material used for most Coleman tents) is not waterproof in itself. It needs an added layer of waterproof coating to resist rain and water.
While Coleman adds this waterproof coating on most of their tents, some tents come without it. In that case, you can always get a full-coverage rainfly that will protect your tent from rain. You can also try to waterproof the tent yourself, but make sure that you read exactly how to do it before you do it!
Types of Coleman Tents
If you check the official website of Coleman, you will see many different tents advertised there. To make it easier for you to choose the perfect tent for you, I will tell you what types of Coleman tents you can find on the website. Let’s divide them into groups!
Tents divided by size
First of all, you will find that most Coleman tents come in different sizes that you can choose from. A tent with the same design can be suitable for anywhere from 2 to 10 people. It is essential to know this and get the right tent depending on how many people you expect to have.
There are tents for 2 or 3 people, 4 people, 6 people, 8 or 9 people, and 10+ people. If you tend to camp alone most of the time, you will need one of the smaller ones. If you tend to camp with family or many friends, go for the larger tents!
Tents divided by style
Another thing you should know about Coleman tents is that they come in four different styles. There are dome tents, modified dome tents, cabin tents, and specialty tents. These groups all come with various features and qualities, so make sure you check them all before deciding on your favorite group.
Other types of tents
Besides the tents mentioned above, there are several other groups you should look into. There are the OneSource tents and shelters that are amazing and the easy set-up tents that are very convenient. The famous ‘Skydome’ tents and ‘Skylodge’ tents are also options to look into, so do not hesitate to look into them as well!
Top 3 Best Coleman Tents:
Now that I have shared everything I know about Coleman tents in general, I want to make this guide a bit more specific. So, next up, I will talk to you about my three favorite Coleman tents for people with limited budgets, people who camp with family, and people who tend to backpack often.
All tents that Coleman has to offer come with many great options and features, and I encourage you to look into them when choosing one for yourself. I hope that the detailed reviews given below will help you find the perfect one or at least find out more about Coleman’s top tent choices. Let’s get into it!
- Made in the USA or Imported premium polyester taffeta 75D material
- Weatherproof: Welded corners and inverted seams keep water from getting in; Included rainfly offers extra weather protection
- Roomy interior: 10 x 9 feet with 5 feet 11 inch center height; Fits 2 queen-size air beds
Budget-Friendly - Coleman Evanston Camping Tent
You will not find a lot of tents that come at affordable prices but are still high-quality tents. Most tents from well-known companies are quite expensive, but the Coleman Evanston Camping Tent with Screened-In Porch is both a quality and an inexpensive tent!
The first thing you should know about the Evanston tent is that it comes in two sizes. Depending on how large a tent you need, you can go with the 6-person option or the 8-person option. Of course, the 6-person one will be more affordable than the 8-person one, but the price difference is not that big.
When it comes to some of the benefits of this tent, I would like to start by mentioning that it comes with a space for sleeping and a separate area for lounging. A mesh, the bug-free screen divides the two. So, no bugs are allowed in any room of this tent, and that is final!
Remember the WeatherTec™ system I mentioned above? Well, this tent has it! No matter what type of weather you encounter on your trip, the tent will stay dry at all times. Thanks to the tub floor, no water will enter the tent from the ground as well.
This tent is very easy to assemble and disassemble. It will take you anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to set up the tent. There are color-coded poles that you can use to set the tent faster. The only thing to worry about is finding a flat space where you can set it up!
The tent comes with a durable polyester fabric that will last for years without tearing or damage. Inside the tent, you will find storage pockets that you can use to stay organized. There will be an extra rainfly coming with the tent as well, in case you need it!
So, to sum up – here are some of the pros that this tent comes with:
1) WeatherTec™ system protection
2) Bug-protection screens
3) Durable build and quality, durable tent material
4) Color-coded pin-and-ring system
5) Easy setup
6) Window awnings, storage pockets, carry bag included in the price
The only con of this tent is that its intended use is not for winter camping. The material might not withstand that much heavy rain or snow. At the same time, the tent's material is not that good at keeping you warm. So, you should stick to using this tent during warm summer nights, late spring, or early autumn.
- Illumiline reflective guylines for greater visibility at night
- Instant setup: In as fast as 1 minute
- 1-year limited warranty
Family Friendly - Coleman Instant Cabin Tent
If you look up instant cabin tents on Coleman’s website, you will find the Skylodge tent that comes in various sizes. You can choose between the 6-person, 8-person, 10-person, and 12-person tent, as well as a 10-person tent with an added screen room.
But a more family-friendly option is the Coleman Instant Cabin Tent. This tent also comes in several sizes, including a 4-person, 6-person, and 10-person option. Let’s see some of its features, pros, and cons.
One of the first things I have to mention about this tent is the Dark Room technology. Only around 10% of sunlight will enter the tent thanks to it. This makes this tent a perfect choice for summer hiking because the tent will not be that hot on the inside.
This tent comes with an instant setup option, meaning that it will take only a few minutes to set the tent. The poles are previously attached to the tent, so you do not need to worry about them at all. Find a place where you want to set it up, and you will be good to go!
Like the previous tent, this one also has a room divider. You can use the patented hinged door to enter the lounging area and from there, you can enter the sleeping area using another door.
So, if I had to point out several more pros that this tent comes with, those would be:
1) Patented welded floors and inverted seams
2) Integrated vented rainfly
3) Improved airflow
4) Thick polyester tent fabric
5) Packs easy and small
A notable con of this tent is that the windows are awkward and do not come with window awnings. If it is raining, you have to close the windows, which will prevent proper ventilation. Keep this in mind when deciding if you want to get the tent or not.
- Spacious interior: Room for 2 queen-size airbeds and ample storage pockets to keep items organized.
- Easy Entry and Exit: Hinged door for fast, hassle-free access.
- Bug-Free Lounging: separate floorless screen room for insect-free relaxation.
Backpacking Friendly – Coleman WeatherMaster Tent
To finish this guide, I will talk about yet another great tent you need if you are a backpacker. Not every campsite is accessible by car, meaning that you will have to carry your things there by yourself. In that case, you will need a backpacking-friendly tent like this Coleman WeatherMaster Tent with Screen Room.
You can find this tent in two sizes – a 6-person one and a 10-person one. Depending on how many people you are backpacking with, go for one of these options.
This tent has the same features as the two tents given above. It has a hinged door and a screen room separate from the sleeping room. There is a bug-free screen that divides the two and keeps bugs from your tent at all times.
In the sleeping area, you will find storage pockets that you can use to store all your things. Thanks to the WeatherTec™ system, there will be no rain or water coming into your tent.
So, all in all, I can say that these are the pros of this WeatherMaster tent:
1) Increased performance due to quality build and materials
2) Wind strong frame
3) Weather-resistant tent fabric
4) Durable steel poles
The only con I would like to mention is that some people can have difficulties setting this tent up. Unlike the other two, this tent does not have a quick, easy setup. So, whenever you are backpacking somewhere in nature, make sure to take the tent manual with you!
I hope that you enjoy this site and find it inspiring and who knows, maybe we’ll bump into each other on a campsite somewhere in the wilderness and share a story or two.
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