Note that they sell a partial coverage fly extra, if you think you need it. The mentioned two variants imply options with and without a waterproof porch. This Coleman Ridgeline 6 Person Tent is a typical extended dome tent. From the picture you understand its structure, there is a central dome part and two extensions supported with extra lops.
We timed the one-person setup for each tent, and we later clocked the time one person took to break down the tent and get it back in its bag. We also repeatedly zipped and unzipped doors and windows, looking for annoying snags. In spring 2017, we put up our three new contenders in the same neighbor’s yard and left them there for a couple of weeks, during which time we had the chance to see how they responded to two smaller rainstorms. In 2020, we tested the updated version of the Eureka Copper Canyon 6—renamed the Copper Canyon LX 6—to make sure we still thought it was the best.
Although we wanted to understand the pros and cons of various tent materials, we didn’t want to get stuck in a “best is always better” philosophy, especially with regard to our picks for family tents. Both Olsson and Howe emphasized that a great family tent is one that gets more kids outside—which means one that’s affordable for most families. A difference in floor quality, however, will become obvious quickly as you use and abuse the tent.
A groundsheet is specifically designed to fit a tent’s footprint, which is why different tents have different-sized ground sheets. In most instances, a ground sheet is manufactured with a heavier-duty material akin to shade cloth. However, although they don’t post the hydrostatic ratings, they state that their tents utilize their patented WeatherTec System. That’s why, since there aren’t too many differences between ripstop fabric and nylon and polyester, many people on a budget choose Coleman tents made with the latter fabrics.
The tent weighs 18.34 lb (8.3 kg), and its total floored space is 125 ft² (11.6 m²). Typically, there are 4 types of materials used for manufacturing of tent poles – fiberglass, steel, aluminium and carbon fiber. The price, durability, weight and strength of these materials is very different, as well as their intended use. The Coleman Hooligan™ is designed for rugged weather conditions in the backcountry. Unlike most of the other coleman tents, the Hooligan comes with a full rainfly which protects the tent and vestibule area from intense rain and wind.
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.
Coleman doesn’t make the flashiest, most sophisticated, or highest performance tents on the market, but few (if any) brands can beat their combination of value, quality, and customer support at this price point. The Coleman Company is one of the most well-known and widely recognized names in the outdoors industry. They invented the modern gas lantern, set the standard for portable camping stoves, and revolutionized the modern portable cooler, all of which happened before they ever sold their coleman cabin tent first tent in 1960. The Skydome won’t be everyone’s first pick though, which is why we’ve also listed the best models out there for every sort of camper in the outdoors from large family gatherings to solo backpackers. Starting of with the cheapest of all, we find the Kids Wonder Lake Like suggested in the name it is designed primarily for children. In the “picture below” you can see it is not a toy tent, it can be used outside just like any other Coleman tent and comes with a half fly.
The weight is 20.5 lb (9.32 kg), and the floored area is 100 ft² (9.3 m²). When it comes to iconic tent designs, the Instant Up from Coleman is one of the most popular and well-known tents in the family camping category. Core tents are mostly cabin-type, see one great example below, and dome or extended dome tents. With the exception of backcountry tents, some Coleman tents are designed without a full rainfly. Both my high performance tents come with anodized aerospace-grade aluminium poles. These “featherlite” aluminium poles have a very high strength to weight ratio, which is why it’s used for most backpacking tents.
The Tungsten 4 is also bigger (by about 10 square feet) than the Mineral King 3. This accounts for a slightly higher price tag (it will run you about $40 dollars more), but the larger size makes the Tungsten 4 a great choice for campers who would like that extra bit of room. But we’d be just as happy to find ourselves in the Tungsten 4, particularly if we were anticipating soggy or inclement conditions. The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Tent is the best car-camping tent choice for couples. It has everything you need for three-season camping, with the bonus of being light enough to double as an occasional backpacking tent.
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 coleman cabin 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.