For carrying, the included rectangular bag for the Sundome is simple in nature, but the full-length zipper and well-placed handles get the job done. We would have loved to see internal dividers like those found on the REI Kingdom bags, but those likely would have raised the price of the Coleman. However, like the Sundome the mesh windows in this tent mean that without the rain fly on, users lose all coleman screen tent sense of privacy. The floor is also best used with a footprint or trap underneath to make sure it isn’t damaged. The fiberglass poles’ sleek design means they are less likely to catch on the sleeve during setup and breakdown, which makes this a frustration-free setup. Because of the basic setup, you also won’t have to struggle with poles or the rainfly in the hot sun for long stretches of time.
So far I have not had one break, but I am very careful when I set up. I measured my poles and I did find some aluminum poles online that are the exact size to fit my tent for $36 for the pair so that’s an option I would take if I break a pole. For this review, we tested the six-person Sundome, which we think is just about ideal for families of three to four people.
The dark fabric also helps keep the tent cooler, which is a nice plus in the hot summer months. Cost-wise, the Dark Room will set you back approximately $30 more (depending on current sale prices) compared with the regular Sundome. With a double-wall design and generous use of mesh on two sides and the ceiling, the 6 offers very good ventilation. Adding to the breezy feel is its partial rainfly, which when guyed out allows for a significant amount of airflow on warm summer nights. You also get a zippered mesh door and back wall along with a floor vent located at the back of the tent. We had mixed feelings about the overall durability of this tent.
The sundome 4 person tent from Coleman is an excellent tent for beginners thanks to its low-cost and easy setup design. Being so reasonably priced means that the tent is also a good choice for more experienced campers looking for a new tent that won’t break the bank. The 4-person version of the Coleman sundome tent is affordable and easy to set up, making it a fantastic option for new campers. The 4-Person Sundome® Dark Room™ Dome Camping Tent blocks 90% of sunlight (vs. a comparable Coleman® tent) so you can put the kids to bed early or sleep in past sunrise. It also reduces heat inside the tent for more comfortable rest at any time. Enjoy superior weather protection thanks to an included rainfly and the tent’s WeatherTec™ system, which uses welded corners and inverted seams to keep water from getting in.
However heavy rain in bad weather might cause the tent to leak. The bathtub floor that comes with welded corners and inverted should keep small rain showers out of the tent. Whilst the tent does come with two storage pockets (which is an improvement on the smaller models), there is still no vestibule with the Sundome.
The rainfly only extends about halfway down on all sides, leaving the lower portion of the tent body exposed, and you won’t find any sealed seams to help keep water out. While the tarp-like material on the bathtub floor didn’t allow water to soak through, the rest of the tent’s construction was a major let-down. We experienced one moderately rainy night in the Sundome and awoke to find a number of puddles on the inside of the tent floor. Furthermore, the walls had soaked through and wetted out.
If you’re heading into heavy winds and rainy nights, you’re best looking for something else. The easy and simplicity of set up also makes the Coleman Sundome a smart choice for family camping trips. Not only does it cut down set up time and leave more time for enjoying your trip, teaching kids to set this tent up is made easy thanks to the design. Another selling point of the Skydome tent is the 20% more headroom, because these pole clips at the top of the tent pull the tent body upward and outward. It definitely feels a little bit roomier, but whether it’s actually 20% more headroom, I’m not really sure.