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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.