The Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent is a three-room tunnel tent that boasts an impressive waterproof rating of 4500 mm, PVC windows, and over 11 m² (120 ft²) of fully protected area. Whether you’re camping in rainy or sunny weather, the Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent is designed to keep you comfortable and protected.
Key features & benefits
- 3 rooms.
- Blackout design.
- Climate control.
- UV guard.
- Impressive waterproof rating
- 4 PVC + 1 mesh windows.
- E-cable port.
What type of tent is this – what is in the name
The Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent is designed to accommodate up to five people comfortably. However, the “Plus” in the name denotes that it offers some unique features that differentiate it from other tents on the market. For example, the tent has a front brim (awning) above the only door, as opposed to two doors and an angled front side in the non-Plus version.
The Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent is a tunnel-type tent with three rooms. This includes a large living room and two sleeping units separated by a removable divider. Tunnel tents are not freestanding, but they offer greater stability and resistance to wind compared to dome-style tents. It’s important to stake the tent down properly to ensure it stays in place, especially in windy conditions.
It’s worth noting that the sleeping area of the Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent is a double-layer zone, while the living room is a single layer area. The double-layer design provides an extra layer of protection from the elements while you sleep. The upper part of the sleeping area is made of breathable polyester with a mesh section on the back for ventilation. The inner tent is completely removable and comes as a separate element, but it should be left attached when you pack the tent.
Living Room Design
The living room of the Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent is spacious and fully sealed. It offers more than 5 square meters of space, which is plenty of room for relaxing, playing games, or cooking meals. The tent’s front brim (awning) provides additional shelter and protection from the elements. The living room area is a great place to hang out during the day, and it can even accommodate two people for sleeping if necessary.
The Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent is designed to accommodate up to five people. However, it’s worth noting that the sleeping area of the tent is quite narrow, with room for only very narrow pads in the range of 50-60 cm. As a result, it may be more comfortable for four people to sleep in the tent. The total actual width of the sleeping area is 280 cm, which provides only 56 cm per person.
BlackOut Design
One of the standout features of the Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent is its BlackOut design. This term is used by Coleman to describe their dark rest, dark room, or lights out design, which is meant to reduce glare and create a more comfortable sleeping environment. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at how the BlackOut design works and why it’s a valuable feature to have in a camping tent.
The BlackOut design of the Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent is achieved through the use of special fabrics and coatings that block out light. Coleman claims that this design blocks up to 99% of the daylight, making the sleeping area incredibly dark and conducive to restful sleep. The design is particularly useful if you’re camping in an area with a lot of natural light or if you’re sensitive to light when you’re trying to sleep.
Editor’s Choice Award Winner
The Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent won the 2017 Camping Magazine Editor’s Choice Award, thanks in part to its BlackOut design. This design was singled out by the judges for its effectiveness and the way it enhanced the camping experience for users.
Climate Control Benefits
In addition to reducing glare, the BlackOut design of the Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent can help regulate the temperature inside the tent. Coleman claims that the sleeping area of the tent is up to 5°C cooler during the day and up to 1°C warmer at night thanks to the design. This can make a big difference in how comfortable you are while you’re sleeping, especially if you’re camping in a hot or cold climate.
UV Guard
When you’re camping in the great outdoors, it’s important to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. The Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent offers a unique feature to help with this: UV Guard. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at what UV Guard is and why it’s beneficial for campers.
UV Guard is a feature that is unique to Coleman tents. It involves using fabrics and coatings that have been independently tested and proven to offer SPF 50 protection against the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. This means that the fabrics used in the tent construction are able to block out up to 98% of the sun’s harmful rays.
UV protection is important for several reasons. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can lead to sunburn, skin damage, and even skin cancer. When you’re camping, you’re often spending a lot of time outside, so it’s important to take steps to protect yourself from the sun. The UV Guard feature of the Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent provides an extra layer of protection for campers.
The fabrics used in the construction of the Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent have been independently tested to ensure that they offer SPF 50 protection against the sun’s UV rays. This means that the tent is able to block out up to 98% of the sun’s harmful rays, keeping campers safe and protected while they’re inside the tent.
Who is it for?
The Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent is marketed as a 5-person tent, but upon closer inspection, it may be better suited for groups of up to 4 people. In this section, we’ll examine the tent’s capacity and features to determine who it’s best suited for.
The tent’s dimensions offer a spacious interior of 133.5 ft² (12.4 m²), providing 26.7 ft² (2.48 m²) per person. However, the sleeping area may be too narrow for comfortable sleeping for 5 people, as it only allows for very narrow pads in the range of 50-60 cm. This means that the tent’s sleeping area is better suited for up to 4 people, rather than the advertised 5.
The tent’s marketing materials mention an “XXL bedrooms design,” but the total actual width is only 280 cm, giving just 56 cm per person. Even with 4 people, this is only 70 cm per person. This can be misleading, as there is nothing particularly “XXL” about the bedrooms. However, the tent’s sleeping area is divided into two separate rooms by a removable divider, which allows for privacy and organization within the tent.
Despite the narrow sleeping area, the Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent offers a spacious living area of over 5 square meters, which can accommodate two additional sleepers if necessary. The living area is fully sealed and can be used as a sleeping area when needed. Additionally, the tent features a front brim (awning) above the only door, which provides extra shade and protection from the elements.
Seasons and Waterproof Rating
The tent’s waterproof rating of 4500 mm makes it suitable for use in any 3-season camping conditions. It can handle rainy or wet weather, providing protection and comfort for campers. The tent’s shell is made from PU-coated polyester, which is not only waterproof but also fire-retardant.
Weight and Packed Size
At 37 lbs (16.8 kg), the Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus tent is a heavy tool. It is best used at campsites with car access, as it may be difficult to transport on foot. The packed size is 27.5 x 12.6 x 11.8 inches (70 x 32 x 30 cm), which is reasonable considering the tent’s size and features. The tent’s poles are made from lightweight and flexible fiberglass, which makes them suitable for windy conditions. However, aluminum poles may be a better option for those who plan to use the tent frequently.
Materials and Organization of the Tent
The Poles
The tent has three flexible and lightweight fiberglass poles, along with a shorter one for the front brim. While the poles are suitable for windy conditions, aluminum poles would be a better option.
The Fabric
The groundsheet is made of durable polyethylene with welded seams, and is fully sewn-in to ensure the tent is completely sealed from the ground. This material is typically waterproof and the welded seams make them stronger than the surrounding material. Which is the best way to seal the seams.
The shell is made of a polyester material that has been coated with PU. Which giving it an impressive 4500 mm waterproof rating, which is unlikely to ever be exceeded. The material is also fire retardant, which means it will not flare dangerously. If it comes in contact with fire, and it will self-extinguish.
The inner tent has its own extra bathtub floor, so there are two layers underneath the sleeping zone. The upper part is made of a breathable polyester material, and the back has a mesh section for ventilation. It’s worth noting that the inner tent can be completely removed and attached when packing the tent.
The Door
The tent has a large, full-height double-layer front door that can be fully unzipped and rolled up. Alternatively, you can unzip and roll-up just the outer flysheet, while keeping the bug mesh in place. The front of the tent has a nice brim/awning that makes it possible to keep the door with mesh most of the time. Especially if you position the tent correctly against the rain and wind. To achieve this, it’s best to turn the lower and aerodynamic back of the tent in the direction from where the wind is blowing.
The door also has a drop-down bottom section, which provides a flat entrance that’s great for buggies and wheelchairs. As well as for kids to prevent them from tripping on entry and exit.
The Windows
The tent has a total of 5 windows. Four of them are located in the living area, all made of solid PVC material. This design allows for views on all three sides, and when you need privacy or want to reduce the light. You can use the shutters from inside and close all of them.
The fifth window is located at the back and can be converted into a vent when needed. You can use the side zippers. On the outer flap to roll it up and fix it with toggles. Close it completely using the additional Velcro on the bottom section. Alternatively, you can use it as a vent. The inner layer has a mesh material, making it a clever and very functional design.
Inner Features
In the living area, there is a zippered cable entry point. Between the two inner doors, there is an organization element with multiple storage pockets, which is very useful and functional. The tent also has lantern hanging points. Overall, the organization features are well thought-out and make for a practical camping experience.
Specifications
- Type: tunnel tent, non-freestanding.
- Capacity: 5 people.
- Weight: 37 lb (16.8 kg) – these numbers are from Coleman directly.
- Ground dimensions: 157.5 x 122 in (400 x 310 cm).
- Inner area: 120.5 ft² (11.2 m²).
- Area per person: 24.1 ft² (2.24 m²).
- Peak height: 76.8 in (195 cm).
- Packed size: 27.5 x 12.6 x 11.8 in (70 x 32 x 30 cm).
- Pitching time: 10 – 12 minutes.
Pros
- Spacious living area
- Excellent waterproof rating
- Easy setup
- Good organization
- Dark sleeping zone
- PVC windows
Cons
- Fiberglass poles
- Bedrooms too small for declared capacity
Conclusion:
The Coleman WeatherMaster 10-Person Plus Tent is a great option for family camping trips. Because of its spacious living area, impressive waterproof rating, and easy setup. However, the fiberglass poles and small sleeping area may be drawbacks for some users.
