Even with a self-standing tent, ideally you should stake down each corner securely; in some crowded campgrounds, however, finding a flat spot with soil soft enough to do that can be difficult. On most tents, these components are made of either nylon or polyester. “A nylon tent is much stretchier,” he said, “and can absorb a lot more shock,” which can be an advantage in the backcountry, where your only option in a windstorm is to ride it out inside your tent.
This pop-up tent packs up into a large, lightweight, flat disc. While it held up fine in drizzling rain, there are only two guylines to secure it to the ground, so we’re skeptical it will be able to stand up to heavy winds. The biggest complaint we had was that the poles can be a little coleman cabin tent sticky at first use. After a few more uses they now move with ease, but it wouldn’t hurt to arrive at your campsite with a can of spray of lubricant while you’re breaking this tent in. Also, we would have loved two doorways, to allow for easy entry and exit from either side.
The ground vents help to keep the tent cool and comfortable, even on hot summer days. The panoramic windows let in plenty of light and breeze, and the mesh-covered roof is excellent for stargazing. The tent comes with an easy-to-follow setup guide, allowing it to be set up in less than 10 minutes.
Before and after these weekend trips, we turned a neighbor’s large, flat yard into a tent testing ground. We erected most of the original group of tents just in advance of a 24-hour rain, checked for leaking midstorm, and then watched for puddles and dampness in the aftermath. It is also important to consider the way in which the tent poles attach to the tent. Many of our picks use grommet attachments, which are more secure and simple to repair if anything should happen.
Also note that this tent does not come with its own groundsheet. Most models come with telescoping tent pole or fiberglass poles for easy one-person instant setup, which can be useful for backpacking or car camping. In some cases, these telescoping poles arrive attached to the tent’s structure to further cut down on installation time. When you’re backpacking you want a tent that’s lightweight and can withstand high winds. When you’re camping with kids you tend to need something different.
And there are air vents at the top that allow for some extra overnight ventilation. The Coleman 6 person instant tent claims to be waterproof, but after further investigation, the tent has proven itself faulty. You’ll need to waterproof this tent as best you can yourself—water gets coleman sleeping bags inside the tent easily and it definitely won’t withstand torrential rain. The Cabin Tent has three windows and one window on the door, all covered with mesh to keep insects out. The rainfly covers this tent’s roof and screened porch to help keep you dry when it is raining.
While it bills itself as a four-person tent, know that it’s a tight fit—we wouldn’t recommend it for more than three people and, if you’re tall, it may only be suitable for two. It held up well to the elements and came with a lot of excellent features for the price. This tent comes in sizes small enough to accommodate four people and large enough for 12. We tested the four-person version of this tent and have to say that, when they say instant, they mean it.
This cloth works like a ground tarp to prevent dirt, debris, and insects from accessing the cabin. If you’re worried about the built-in cloth getting damaged by rough ground, you can purchase an additional ground tarp to lay under your tent. Customers who gave this tent positive reviews said that it was easy to set up and had good ventilation. However, some customers questioned the durability of the fabric walls, claiming that they let cold air in and ripped from light wind. In any case, this is a tunnel-type tent and its structure is best understood when you see it without the fly.
They’re great for keeping stinky boots dry and safe without having to bring them into where you’re sleeping. The pocket isn’t too large but could easily house some phones, a tablet, a lunch box, glasses, a book, a torch, and some minor camping gear. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves.
The Coleman 6-Person Cabin Tent with Screened Porch has an easy-to-carry storage bag. The tent has a packed size of 24.75″ x 9.5″ x 9.5″ (62.9 cm x 24.1 cm x 24.1 cm) and a weight of 21.1 pounds ( 9.59 kg). The poles are fiberglass, which is typical for this price range. coleman bbq Fiberglass poles can easily bend, which makes them more likely to break in strong winds. However, they are less expensive, making them great for budget tents. This Cabin Tent is perfect for couples or families who want to share a space but still have some privacy.