If you’re searching for an incredibly affordable tent that offers an express setup and is suitable for use in mild weather conditions, then this comprehensive review of the Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent is just for you. In this blog post, I will delve into the key features, advantages, and limitations of this tent, providing you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. So, whether you’re a seasoned camper or a family looking for a budget-friendly option, keep reading to discover if the Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent is the right choice for outdoor adventures.
Key benefits & features
- Incredibly fast setup: The tent can be set up quickly and easily, saving you time and effort.
- Unbelievable price: The tent offers great value for its affordable price, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Built-in rain fly: The tent has a rain fly integrated into its design, providing protection from rain and moisture.
- Single-layer design: The tent has a single-layer construction, simplifying setup and reducing weight.
- Heavy-duty materials: The tent is made with durable and sturdy materials, ensuring long-lasting use and durability.
- Freestanding tent: The tent can stand on its own without the need for additional support or stakes, offering convenience and versatility.
- Huge windows: The tent features large windows, allowing ample natural light and providing a spacious and airy feel inside.
What Type is This?
Instant Setup:
The Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent lives up to its name with its remarkable instant setup feature. This means that the tent’s frame, consisting of four side poles and roof poles, is pre-attached to the tent itself. As a result, you can have your tent fully set up within a mere minute. This convenience is a game-changer, especially when you’re tired after a long day of outdoor activities or need to set up camp quickly due to inclement weather.
Cabin-Type Design:
One standout feature of the Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent is its cabin-type design. The term “cabin” refers to its tall structure, featuring nearly vertical walls and expansive windows. Standing at 6 ft. 2 in (1.88 m) tall, this tent offers ample headroom, allowing you to move around comfortably without feeling confined. The vertical walls also maximize the usable space, providing you with more room for sleeping, storage, and other activities.
Single-Layer Construction:
The tent is constructed with a single-layer design, with the fly built directly into the tent’s roof and walls. This eliminates the need for an additional fly, simplifying the setup process. Moreover, the single-layer construction ensures that the tent is inherently waterproof. While no official rating is provided, the tent incorporates Coleman’s WeatherTec patented system. This system includes welded floors and inverted seams, ensuring a durable and watertight construction. The welded floors create strong and reliable seals that prevent water from seeping in, while the inverted seams, also known as French seams, enhance the tent’s overall waterproofing.
Freestanding:
The Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent is freestanding, which means that once set up, you have the flexibility to move and position it as desired. Whether you’re camping on sand, concrete, grass, or rock, this tent adapts easily to any type of surface. Its freestanding nature allows for easy repositioning or rotation, making it a versatile option for various camping scenarios. You can enjoy the convenience of adjusting the tent’s position without worrying about surface restrictions.
Who is it For?
Is it Really for 6 People?
While the Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent is advertised as a 6-person tent, it’s important to consider the available space and comfort level when accommodating a maximum capacity. With its floor size measuring 10 x 9 ft (3 x 2.7 m), it is technically possible to fit 6 sleeping bags inside. However, it’s worth noting that it may feel cramped, especially for 6 adults.
To maximize comfort, it’s recommended to use this tent for parents and a maximum of two kids. The absence of vestibules means there is no extra covered space for gear storage, further limiting the available space inside. If you’re planning a family camping trip, it’s essential to consider the sleeping arrangements and potential limitations of the tent’s capacity.
Weather Protection
Built-In Waterproof Design
The Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent is constructed as a single-layer tent with built-in waterproofing features. Although no official rating is provided, the tent incorporates the WeatherTec patented system, which ensures water resistance and durability. The tent’s floor and seams are designed with welded construction, creating strong and durable seals that are highly resistant to water intrusion.
Inverted Seams:
In addition to the welded floors, the tent also features inverted seams, also known as French seams. This construction method involves seaming and folding two pieces of fabric inward and adding a second seam behind. The result is a reinforced seam that provides additional protection against water penetration.
Limitations in Extreme Weather
While the Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent offers reliable waterproofing in typical camping situations, it’s important to consider its limitations during severe weather conditions. In the event of heavy rain or prolonged rain showers, it may be necessary to close the tent’s panels and vents to prevent water from entering.
A Matter of Compromise and Purpose
When evaluating the weather protection capabilities of the Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent, it’s essential to understand that it offers a balance between comfort and functionality in normal summer conditions. The tent’s design provides excellent comfort during fair weather, thanks to its spacious interior and thoughtful features. However, it’s important to make compromises and consider its purpose when it comes to weather protection.
The Rain Fly Question
For additional protection against rain, the option to purchase a rainfly is available. While the tent’s price is already quite affordable, considering the small additional cost of the rain fly (around $28), it is a wise investment. It provides extra coverage for the roof, ensuring enhanced waterproofing.
Transport and Weight Considerations
The Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent is relatively heavy, weighing in at 24.9 lb (11.3 kg). However, this weight can be attributed to its durable and strong materials. It’s important to note that this tent is best suited for car camping or situations where easy access to the campsite is available. With its heavier weight, it may not be ideal for long hikes or backpacking trips where weight is a significant consideration.
Setup and Takedown:
Setting up and taking down the Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent is a straightforward process that can be accomplished with relative ease. Here are the steps involved:
- Step 1: Unpack the tent and lay it flat on the ground at your desired camping spot.
- Step 2: Locate the four corner poles, which are telescopic in design, similar to trekking poles.
- Step 3: Extend each corner pole fully until the clips pop out, indicating that they are locked at the required length.
- Step 4: Attach the tent fabric to the clips on each corner pole, securing it in place.
- Step 5: Once the four corner poles are connected to the tent fabric, raise them upright to form the tent’s structure.
- Step 6: Attach the roof poles, which are also telescopic, to the designated areas on the tent.
- Step 7: Ensure all poles are securely in place and properly tensioned.
- Step 8: Use the stakes and guylines provided to anchor the tent to the ground, ensuring stability in windy conditions.
With these simple steps, you can have your Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent fully set up and ready for use in no time. The intuitive clip system, telescopic poles, and included stakes and guylines contribute to a hassle-free setup experience.
When it comes to takedown, the process is just as straightforward. Simply follow these steps in reverse order:
- Step 1: Remove the stakes and guylines from the ground, freeing the tent.
- Step 2: Detach the roof poles and fold them neatly.
- Step 3: Lower the corner poles and detach the tent fabric from the clips.
- Step 4: Fold the tent fabric and poles together, ensuring they are compact and secure.
- Step 5: Place the folded tent back into its storage bag or carry case.
Other Features and Aspects
Inner Structure:
The inner structure of the Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent is designed with simplicity in mind. Its nearly square shape provides efficient use of space, allowing for comfortable sleeping arrangements and storage. While the tent’s interior does not boast an abundance of pockets or storage compartments, there are two small mesh pockets on the walls for storing smaller items within easy reach.
Durable Construction:
The Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent is constructed with durability in mind. The fabric used is 150D polyester, which provides robustness and resistance to wear and tear. Comparing it to other tents on the market, such as the Eureka Sunrise EX 6 tent with 63D fabric or the Nemo Wagontop 6 with 75D walls, the Coleman tent’s 150D fabric stands out for its durability and longevity.
The tent’s poles are also heavy-duty, with 16 mm main corner poles and 12 mm roof poles. These sturdy poles contribute to the overall stability and durability of the tent, ensuring it can withstand various weather conditions.
Ventilation:
The Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent provides excellent ventilation during fair weather conditions. The large windows, combined with the absence of mesh on the tent walls, allow for ample airflow, minimizing the risk of condensation buildup inside the tent. Additionally, there are two vents on the roof that further enhance the airflow and promote a comfortable interior environment.
However, it’s important to note that during heavy rain, the windows and vents must be closed to prevent water from entering the tent. While this compromises the ventilation to some extent, it is a necessary measure to keep the interior dry.
Specifications:
- Type: Instant cabin-type freestanding 3-season tent
- Capacity: 6 people
- Weight: 24.9 lb (11.3 kg)
- Dimensions: 10 x 9 ft (305 x 274 cm)
- Floor Area: 90 ft² (8.4 m²)
- Area per Person: 15 ft² (1.4 m²)
- Peak Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
- Packed Size (L x D): Around 48 x 9 in (122 x 23 cm)
- Warranty: 1-year limited
- Fabric: 150D polyester
- Taped seams
- 2 vents
- Illumine reflective guy lines for greater visibility
Packed Size:
While information about the packed size is not readily available, the Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent typically packs into a bundle measuring around 48 x 9 inches (122 x 23 cm). This length should be taken into account when planning the available space in your vehicle for transportation.
Vestibule:
One aspect to consider is the absence of a vestibule in the Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent. When camping in rainy conditions, having a vestibule provides a covered space for activities such as meal preparation or storing wet gear. This limitation is not unique to this tent but is a common issue with similar cabin-type tents. By comparison, tents like the Nemo Wagontop 6 with spacious vestibules offer added comfort and convenience.
Price:
One of the standout features of the Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent is its price. Despite variations in pricing across different colors and sellers on platforms like Amazon, the functionality and features of the tent remain consistent. The affordability of this tent makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious campers without compromising on essential aspects of quality and convenience.
Pros
- Easy and quick setup
- Excellent value for the price
- Spacious with a tall interior
- Large windows for great views and natural light
- Durable construction for long-lasting use
- Freestanding design for versatility
Cons
- Lack of vestibules for additional covered space
- Heavyweight for backpacking or long-distance carrying
- Packed size may be cumbersome for limited storage space
- Absence of dedicated vents for enhanced ventilation
Conclusion
The Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent offers a compelling combination of convenience, affordability, and durability for camping enthusiasts. With its easy setup, spacious interior, and large windows, it provides a comfortable and enjoyable camping experience. While it may have some limitations, such as the absence of vestibules and its weight for long-distance carrying, its overall performance and value make it a popular choice among campers. Whether you’re embarking on a family camping trip or seeking a budget-friendly option for your outdoor adventures, the Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent is worth considering.
