The bag is nicely done in general, with two carry straps and a zipper it looks like a travel bag. But note that the fly covers mainly the roof, see the picture below, but there is some protection for the zippers as well. So it is up to you, it depends on where you are going to use this tent. I know for sure that I would not go to the Alps without a fly, we have a lot of rain there and it can last for hours.
Read our guides on the best tent waterproofing spray and how to waterproof a tent. Plus, the rainfly covers the whole tent instead of just the top like a typical rainfly. It also has an awning that extends over the entryway, adding further protection against the rain. And nothing ruins a camping trip quite like rain paired with a leaky tent. We’ve all had the experience of waking up in a wet sleeping bag.
The Coleman Skylodge blew the competition away and offered not only a quick and easy one-person set up, it offered the most comfortable wilderness lodging of all the tents we tried. Gazelle also has unique pop-out walls that make this an extra roomy tent and the carry bag is extra large so that the tent is easier to pack away. Plus, this tent has a UV coating rated UV50+, which gives you protection from the sun and helps prevent the waterproofing from breaking down as quickly. It’s the best overall instant tent because of its combined ease of setup, layout, and high-quality materials. Gazelle is a well-loved brand for its high-caliber construction.
There are also two guy lines on each end you can use to secure the wind/rain cover to the ground as well. It is enough space for two pillows and there’s room to store your stuff in the leftover space on each end, but it’s a little cramped if you are two adults camping for longer than just a weekend. When you have limited time to spend out in the wilderness you don’t want to use half a day setting up your tent. Improper venting can lead to condensation on the interior walls (aka “wall sweat”), as the interior heats up and reacts with the cooler temperature outside. Those who use gas heaters definitely need ventilation, as they give off odorless carbon dioxide which can easily sneak up and cause fatality.
It’s well known that Coleman’s shelters aren’t the lightest or most compact by any stretch, so we recommend just leaning into it and getting the largest tent you can transport and carry. There is a built-in rainfly in the tent that comes with two vents. Once the tent is setup, the rainfly will also be there so you don’t have to spend additional time pulling another rainfly over to cover the tent. I agree with the last reviewer…tent looks good, setup is really nice, but the plastic corner brackets break way too easy, metal ones and this tent would be awesome. I like the weatherctec system, on most Coleman tents seems they stay dry even in heavy rains.
The floor is square, but the pop-out walls create an extra spacious feel to move around in. This tent’s lightweight poles are made from fiberglass with metal hubs already attached, meaning it opens up in less than 90 seconds. Specifically, the Gazelle T4 is a top-rated family tent and it’s no surprise why. coleman instant tent 8 boasts a unique weather-proofing structure to keep the family dry and cosy.
As a bonus, they are also easy to carry around and even shake the dirt out of before folding it up and putting away. He is a dedicated backcountry explorer and a trained Wilderness First Responder. Tyler has hiked every mountain range in the US and summited Highpoints in several US states as well as Germany. His favorite outdoor destinations are the Canadian Rockies, the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mt. Tongariro in New Zealand, and the San Juan Region of Colorado. We’re going to have an overview of the tents materials, its framework and build style and also its overall performance on the field, including its pitching method.
Coleman’s flagship weather protection system is called “Weathertec” and tents with this system are the best suited for three-season camping rain-or-shine. The second weak point of Coleman tents is typically the stitching. The same rules apply here in that you don’t want to put any more pressure or stress on the seams of your tent than is necessary.
After you take the tent out of its bag, reverse the bend of the corners of the external frame, so the poles extend out and down, rather than down and up (the way they are stored). The key factor in the simple set-up procedure is the pole system, which comes attached to the tent. A zipper cuff is an attention to detail which protects the door from the prevailing weather.
Also, the porch room has no floor, so you’re not tracking dirt into it. A tent of this size can feel almost like you’re in a house–a house that you were able to build in under two minutes. With that said, if you and your sweetie like having a little extra room for gear and moving around, I recommend sizing up to the 4-person version. However, one thing to note (and this is the case for many pop-up tents) is that it folds down into a circular shape, which might be a little tricky to fit into a backpack. While other tents fill with leaves and dirt that you will somehow have to coax out through the door, this tent can easily be cleaned before packing it up. It has innovative, interlocking diamond walls and ample floor space.