Instant Cabin Tent (8-Person)

Instant cabin from Walmart. I think Coleman or ozark trail, $100-$200. I’ve been shocked at how easy it is to set up and how well it holds up to weather. It’s taken hail, thunderstorms, dumbassery, and late nights very well

I have a Coleman instant up cabin tent and it’s completely waterproof. I suspect your tent is flawed and should be returned

I loved having a Coleman instant cabin when I had toddlers and putting up a complicated many pole dome tent was not an option. Lay it out, extend the poles, rainfly, done. But it was a heavy beast. Now that the kids are bigger, I got a Kelly bodie 4 dome tent. It's less than half the weight of the cabin tent, still tall enough inside for me to stand, and with a 5 year old helping me I can still get it erected in 5 minutes or less. When all 5 of us camp together, the biggest kids take the oldest's little dome tent that he uses for cub scouts leaving 2 adults and a 5 year old in the big tent.

I do spring and fall car camping in a Coleman Instant cabin tent and have done well. One-person setup is quick and easy. I would advise keeping an extra tarp on hand for a fly if heavier showers pop up. I like being able to stand up in the tent. Edit: I just watched a video for the Wawona 6. While it may be great tent, the reviewer said setup is easier with two people, but doable with one, and it took him about ten minutes. I see lots of poles. That kinda unchecks boxes for me - the Coleman Instant cabin is easily set up with one person. And I’ve done it in one minute, by the clock.

I’m partial to the Coleman instant cabin tent. It’s just me but I have the six person size. I have room for a cot (I don’t sleep on the ground), a night stand (Ozark Trails, folds up into a skinny bag) and a fold-up chair (Harbor Freight version). I like to be able to stand up and the chair holds my clothes overnight. This is what works for me.

I've never had a CORE tent, but Coleman and Kelty have both worked well in the past for car camping. The Coleman "instant cabin" would probably be an easier setup, but not much easier, and at cost of some sturdiness. Coleman Dark Room and Kelty Daydreamer are also neat; they're designed to black out sunlight, so the material is a bit heavier... and yeah, you can sleep in past dawn much more easily.