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. This 4-Person dome tent also comes with guy-lines to support the fiberglass poles. We think this approach makes more sense for new campers. The products are low-cost but like the Coleman sundome that doesn’t mean they are low-quality. All in all, unless you have very specific requirements for your tent, Coleman’s Sundome is a great option for the everyday camper. I mentioned earlier that there were only two fiberglass poles for this tent, the old tent used four plus small ones for the rain flap.
But then in view of this, it is hard to understand why they did not make it larger. There is not enough space for 2 people and equipment, and you may not be able to leave your stuff outside. Note also that it has only one door and this is the side door, in fact, therefore not so convenient for 2 people. The patented keepsake pouches always came in handy coleman ice chest for car keys and wallets in the past. There’s no included footprint with this tent, and we’d recommend purchasing a 10’x10’ footprint, which you’ll need to find from a third-party supplier since Coleman does not make one. Alternatively, you can save a few bucks by opting for a tarp, which can also be cut to size if the measurements aren’t a perfect fit.
At only $136.99, the Coleman Sundome 6 offers a budget alternative to its high-end competitors, while still managing to squeeze in a few bells and whistles. And although it has a rather durable floor and a decent choice in materials for the canopy and rainfly, the vulnerable fiberglass poles give cause for concern. In addition, Coleman’s somewhat infamous build quality gives the Sundome a questionable lifespan. However, for occasional use this tent should serve its intended purpose.
Both tents can fit two queen-size air mattresses, feature a single door for entry and exit, and boast 6 feet of headspace. That said, the two Coleman tents differ in a few key areas. To start, the Instant Cabin’s speedy set-up time (a claimed 60 seconds) is a standout feature and impossible coleman screen tent for the Sundome to match. Second, the Instant Cabin doesn’t include a rainfly, although the tent body is said to be waterproof without one. And finally, the robust and quick-deploying frame of the Instant Cabin adds significant weight—it clocks in about 10 pounds heavier than the Sundome.
Furthermore, the walls had soaked through and wetted out. Our best guess is that the water ran down the rainfly, made contact with the tent body, and then proceeded to leak through the seam where the wall is sewn to the bathtub floor. All in all, we were pretty disappointed in its wet weather performance.
Since the 4 person size was on sale, I decided to go for a bigger tent even though it would only be the two of us on our trips. Here I’ll detail some of the pros and cons of the Coleman Sundome 4 Person Tent. Once the tent was pitched, I did a walk around and noted any prior damage from the previous user. Tent poles are constructed of fiberglass, which is heavier than their lightweight aluminum counterparts. The Coleman Sundome 2’s tent body and fly material seemed fairly durable. The bathtub floor is thicker and more rigid than floors of other tents I own.
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. With two people there is enough room to set up a queen size inflatable mattress, and still have room for extra gear you may want to store in the tent with you. There is a mesh gear pocket to store things like you wallet and phone in to keep them off the ground. You’ll also find a zippered opening near the door to run an electrical cord through so you can run a fan, or C-PAP machine in my case. The 4-person version of the tent is affordable and easy to set up, making it a fantastic option for new campers. Much like with all Coleman tents, their main selling point is often the overall value of the tent rather than special design features that make it stand out.
Or for something a little different, check out the Coleman 4 person instant cabin tent review. In researching this we came across a user who had even used the tent successfully in snow – which is some really impressive durability and protection from a tent that won’t break the bank. This tent is also better suited to backpacking than the Sundome. There are plenty of other options to consider if the Coleman sundome doesn’t feel like the right tent for you.
Of course if I were to replace the fiberglass poles with aluminum poles this would strengthen the structure considerably. This is a great option for first-time campers and budget-wise campers as myself. It handles rain very well in my opinion and winds of up to 20mph.