Thoughts on the Coleman Instant Tent?

[Blaze12]

I saw a trip report on the instant tent, and it sounded great, and easy!

we are not big campers, but as the kids are getting older, we really want to start tent camping, especially in Disney or the beach (ah Floridians!).

I was thinking of maybe getting 2, one to sleep, one to hang out. Give me your thoughts, the good, bad, and ugly!!;-)

 

[angelmom27]

After seeing such good reveiws on here for it we are getting the 10 person one for our family. Going to use the other tent we have for storage.

 

[travelfanatic]

We have one & we love it! After owning other tents, this one is a breeze to set up and take down. I would not have anything else. Plus you have lots of room on the inside. My hubby likes the ceiling height too.

 

[englishteacha]

My only concern is that some of the instant tents don't have a rainfly (at least the first incarnation didn't). That means you can't open the windows on a rainy day, and there are some reports of them leaking.

 

[angelmom27]

My only concern is that some of the instant tents don't have a rainfly (at least the first incarnation didn't). That means you can't open the windows on a rainy day, and there are some reports of them leaking.

You can buy a rainfly seperate. It just doesn't come with the tent but that is because it is a solid roof.

 

[ArielRae]

DH was considering this tent when we were looking to get one but decided against it cause he read they leak.

 

[chartle]

I have looked at these and think how can they not leak with all those exposed seams and attachment points.

I don't like any tent that doesn't have a fly that shields all the windows from rain and covers most of the tent's seems.

Also not having a fly and a mesh roof, means that there is no ventilation and if it rains you have to have all the windows zipped up. In the Florida heat you will cook. If its cool your breath will condense on the roof of the tent and drip down on you.

I'm sure though people will post that these are not problems. But for me I'll spend the time to put up a properly designed tent. And that doesn't mean an expensive one.

I have a 4-6 person Ozark Trail Walmart tent it has all the features of a good tent, full coverage fly with taped seams and bathtub floor. It may not last 20 years but If I'm careful it should last a while.

 

[tmarquez]

We have the 6 person one. It is awesome! We spent a long rainy weekend at Fort Wilderness and it never leaked (I did seal the seams and sprayed it with waterproof stuff first though). We put our easy up canopy over the top so we could leave the windows open while we slept in the rain.

I am going to get the bigger one, it was pretty close quarters for me, DD and DH. That way we will have 2 and DD and bring friends...they can have their own sleeping space.

 

[NO2Diver]

I've been camping since I was a kid. I've done everything from tents to RV's and never...ever...leave home without a tarp! Why wouldn't a tent camper of any kind not pack a tarp when, of all things, Tent Camping? My DH and I spent 5 days camping in Ohiopyle State Park a few years ago and you guessed it, it rained about 3 1/2 of those days. We put our trusty tarp over our Eddie Bauer (bought at Target) dome tent and in those days, got less than 1/2 a cup of water in our tent. You put a tarp on the ground of your tent (even though it has a floor) why not put a tarp over the top when it looks like it's going to rain? Maybe I'm wrong, but a $10 tarp (if that much) to save any camping trip would certainly be worth it..rainfly or not, a tarp is cheap, easy, packs well in a tote and is infallible so long as there isn't a huge hole in it. Buy your tent, buy a tarp, go have some fun and create memories I say!

 

[chartle]

We have the 6 person one. It is awesome! We spent a long rainy weekend at Fort Wilderness and it never leaked (I did seal the seams and sprayed it with waterproof stuff first though). We put our easy up canopy over the top so we could leave the windows open while we slept in the rain.

I am going to get the bigger one, it was pretty close quarters for me, DD and DH. That way we will have 2 and DD and bring friends...they can have their own sleeping space.

The bolded part I kind of have a "problem" with. Instead of buying a tent with a real fly, though I understand Coleman is now making one, you have to bring an Easy Up in order to keep you dry if it rains.

I read a few reviews and people did say it leaked, but even if it didn't, they had to close all the windows and the vent to stay dry in the rain. One review even said they wake up feeling like there was no air because it was all sealed up.

I guess the only bonus I see is that it goes up quickly and is that enough to justify all the hassle.

It seam to be having good luck with it but to me it seems like too much of a marketing gimmick.

 

[chartle]

I've been camping since I was a kid. I've done everything from tents to RV's and never...ever...leave home without a tarp! Why wouldn't a tent camper of any kind not pack a tarp when, of all things, Tent Camping? My DH and I spent 5 days camping in Ohiopyle State Park a few years ago and you guessed it, it rained about 3 1/2 of those days. We put our trusty tarp over our Eddie Bauer (bought at Target) dome tent and in those days, got less than 1/2 a cup of water in our tent. You put a tarp on the ground of your tent (even though it has a floor) why not put a tarp over the top when it looks like it's going to rain? Maybe I'm wrong, but a $10 tarp (if that much) to save any camping trip would certainly be worth it..rainfly or not, a tarp is cheap, easy, packs well in a tote and is infallible so long as there isn't a huge hole in it. Buy your tent, buy a tarp, go have some fun and create memories I say!

Don't want to make this a my tent is better then your tent post but we have never had to put a tarp over our tent since the rain fly does the job with no leaks. I do though have a funny story about tarping a tent, well really an entire camp site.

We used to camp with a group of people ever year or so. One family would only buy the really really cheap tents. Ones that have just a tiny beanie as a rain fly. The teen age girls had a, and I'm not kidding, a Barbie play tent. Well first year you can imagine they were bailing water out of their tents. So next year they have a plan.

They buy two of the largest tarps they can get, probably 20 by 30. One tarp is their "floor" and the other their "roof". They also get a bunch of 1" PVC and fittings for poles. They use some tarp clip things that slide over the tarp and the poles to hold it around the sides with ropes and one pole just propping up the middle. It looked like a refugee camp. They set up both tents and their picnic table under it.

It of course rained and you can imagine what happened. The middle pole slipped and the roof tarp became a swimming pool. At some point the outer poles failed and dumped all the water on to the floor tarp which also became a swimming pool so now they are camping in a small lake.

I knew it was not going to work but my wife kept telling me that I came off looking like a Know it All with these people so I kept my mouth shut.

Not sure what they did the next year, as the kids got older it became harder and harder to find a weekend.

PS: Ohiopyle is our go to campground for a weekend for 15 years. We like the walk-ins the best, 60 or 61 I think, but lately we have been getting normal tent sites we like 150.

 

[tmarquez]

You would definately have to close it all up or rain will get in.

We always bring the easy-up with us...so there is not a hassle...we just lift it up and walk it over to the tent when we are ready to go to sleep. We even do this on nights that it's not calling for rain...just in case.

After watching my friend struggle trying to put up her tent, plus hers leaked even with the rainfly...I'll gladly keep my quick and comfy setup even though it might go against the grain for some tent campers!

The bolded part I kind of have a "problem" with. Instead of buying a tent with a real fly, though I understand Coleman is now making one, you have to bring an Easy Up in order to keep you dry if it rains.

I read a few reviews and people did say it leaked, but even if it didn't, they had to close all the windows and the vent to stay dry in the rain. One review even said they wake up feeling like there was no air because it was all sealed up.

I guess the only bonus I see is that it goes up quickly and is that enough to justify all the hassle.

It seam to be having good luck with it but to me it seems like too much of a marketing gimmick.

 

[bama_ed]

Not sure what they did the next year, as the kids got older it because harder and harder to find a weekend.

Chartle that is a funny story.

I'll say this: I've slept in tents with Boy Scouts for over 300 nights. Some advertising claims should be taken with a grain of salt. The plus of the Instatent is that it is quick and easy to set up. Any claim of being waterproof should not be taken seriously.

Any sort of rain fly is good, the more tent it covers the better. All tents and flies need to be seam sealed, sprayed with aerosol water proofing, and use a proper ground cloth under the tent (that does NOT extend beyond the tent) to have a chance of withstanding rain.

Also if a tent (or popup) are all zipped up closed, condensation can form on the inside upper walls in certain weather conditions (temp/humidity). Moving air with a fan inside or leaving windows slightly unzipped to allow a gentle breeze through will avoid this problem.

In closing, any tent you get SHOULD be sprayed and sealed to properly repel rain. If you don't, then you are just taking a chance. So they are ALL equal on that score.

Just my two cents.

Bama ED

 

[tetera]

Is anyone still using this tent years later? Did you buy the rainfly? If so, what do you think of it?

 

[Cosmic]

I have a 14'x10' instant tent; this is my second season with it. It had a few small leaks when I pulled it out this year, but it gets a lot of time in the sun because we leave it up as a screen room when we're not camping. A little spray, and it has held up perfectly since them in some nasty weather.

I did buy the rainfly in preparation for Florida rains, but it doesn't really help the airflow issue. There are no additional poles to keep the rainfly away from the tent, and the guy lines don't really do that job, either. You can crack the windows (literally maybe 10% open), but it's not what I expected for a rainfly. I'm more disappointed in how bad the rainfly is than I was with the original issue! The people that said they couldn't breathe with it closed are imagining things... most of the windows don't even zip all the way around. You won't suffocate.

So that does bug me, but I do actually love the tent and would recommend it. The airflow would only be an issue if you were camping in really hot, wet times. Don't bother with the rainfly. It's a little bigger and heavier than an equivalent tent that takes longer to set up, but it's a good trade-off IMO.

 

[tetera]

I have a 14'x10' instant tent; this is my second season with it. It had a few small leaks when I pulled it out this year, but it gets a lot of time in the sun because we leave it up as a screen room when we're not camping. A little spray, and it has held up perfectly since them in some nasty weather.

I did buy the rainfly in preparation for Florida rains, but it doesn't really help the airflow issue. There are no additional poles to keep the rainfly away from the tent, and the guy lines don't really do that job, either. You can crack the windows (literally maybe 10% open), but it's not what I expected for a rainfly. I'm more disappointed in how bad the rainfly is than I was with the original issue! The people that said they couldn't breathe with it closed are imagining things... most of the windows don't even zip all the way around. You won't suffocate.

So that does bug me, but I do actually love the tent and would recommend it. The airflow would only be an issue if you were camping in really hot, wet times. Don't bother with the rainfly. It's a little bigger and heavier than an equivalent tent that takes longer to set up, but it's a good trade-off IMO.

Ha, I'm not worried about suffocating (you should see some of the tents I've slept in over the years)! This is the first "instant" tent I've ever gotten for my family as I've never been "car camping" before but I guess if we are going to do this we might as well go all out!

We have the 14'x10' instant tent, too, but when I went to get it out of the box for a test run I saw there was no rain fly, so I was a bit concerned. Ended up getting a smaller wenzel with built in rain fly for family trips (and for my husband to take my son on scouting camping trips) for the time being but would rather take the big instant tent if we go to FW.

So you're saying it's just not worth investing in the rainfly at all? I'm so used to the 3pm t-storms down there. (FWIW, we never go in the summer....)

 

[Cosmic]

Ha, I'm not worried about suffocating (you should see some of the tents I've slept in over the years)! This is the first "instant" tent I've ever gotten for my family as I've never been "car camping" before but I guess if we are going to do this we might as well go all out!

We have the 14'x10' instant tent, too, but when I went to get it out of the box for a test run I saw there was no rain fly, so I was a bit concerned. Ended up getting a smaller wenzel with built in rain fly for family trips (and for my husband to take my son on scouting camping trips) for the time being but would rather take the big instant tent if we go to FW.

So you're saying it's just not worth investing in the rainfly at all? I'm so used to the 3pm t-storms down there. (FWIW, we never go in the summer....)

At the end of the day, the rainfly is another layer between you and the rain... but that's all it will be. My tent stayed out all summer last year without a drop in it, and without the rainfly or any seam sealer. With a dash of waterproofing this spring, the tent held up to a whole lotta rain without the rainfly. I'll bring it to the Fort because I have it, but I don't think I'd buy it again if it were lost. I would spend $5 on a can of spray (just in case) and skip the $40 rainfly. If it let you open the windows more than a teeny bit, it would be a different story.

If you have a storm in the forecast at home, set it up in the backyard and see how it goes. It really only takes a few minutes to get the tent up.

 

[tetera]

At the end of the day, the rainfly is another layer between you and the rain... but that's all it will be. My tent stayed out all summer last year without a drop in it, and without the rainfly or any seam sealer. With a dash of waterproofing this spring, the tent held up to a whole lotta rain without the rainfly. I'll bring it to the Fort because I have it, but I don't think I'd buy it again if it were lost. I would spend $5 on a can of spray (just in case) and skip the $40 rainfly. If it let you open the windows more than a teeny bit, it would be a different story.

If you have a storm in the forecast at home, set it up in the backyard and see how it goes. It really only takes a few minutes to get the tent up.

That's a great idea- we were going to give it a dry run (no pun intended) before we took it anyway but why not wait until a rainy night? (Or we could just go ahead and set it out there on its own, which is probably what you were intending....) We got a crazy good deal on it several years ago but because it's just so darn big and heavy we just haven't actually used it yet! (So I know what you mean about not buying it again!)

We're toying with the idea of borrowing my parents' VW Eurovan to bring down, too, since they've had it for ages but never actually used it for camping so that would be backup, also.

Thanks for the update and advice!

 

[Cosmic]

That's a great idea- we were going to give it a dry run (no pun intended) before we took it anyway but why not wait until a rainy night? (Or we could just go ahead and set it out there on its own, which is probably what you were intending....) We got a crazy good deal on it several years ago but because it's just so darn big and heavy we just haven't actually used it yet! (So I know what you mean about not buying it again!)

We're toying with the idea of borrowing my parents' VW Eurovan to bring down, too, since they've had it for ages but never actually used it for camping so that would be backup, also.

Thanks for the update and advice!

Just to be clear, I would buy the tent again; the rainfly is the "meh" part IMO.

FYI, I had water getting in at a couple of the seams for the fabric loops for the big square window clasps. If you can get out there in the middle of a good rain, it's the best way to track down any potential leaks.

 

[tetera]

Just to be clear, I would buy the tent again; the rainfly is the "meh" part IMO.

FYI, I had water getting in at a couple of the seams for the fabric loops for the big square window clasps. If you can get out there in the middle of a good rain, it's the best way to track down any potential leaks.

Ah, thank you for the clarification- that's good to know! I'm just so used to backpacking tents that this was a beast for me! But I've seen some photos of what some people have done with it and I'm pretty amazed!

I really like the leak-test idea, we will definitely do that. Thanks again!