Coleman - Skydome Camping Tent

Annoyingly, they are holding back on the useful spec. Which might be concerning. Anyway. For its price, it's a great starter tent. We all start with a starter tent, learn what it lacks and then upgrade at some point. It's not designed for storms, and most people are not like me and purposefully camp during a storm. If I were you, I'd buy it. Hey, when you have your first camp, post pictures and I hope you have an amazing time.

I have the 8 and 12 person version of this tent, no issues, and pretty sure I paid more than that for the 8 person. Just be aware that not all tent pads are longer than 8 to 12ft so this may not fit all campsites, which is why I have both.

Hot take, but one big tent is the right choice. The tent I grew up camping with was a 10 person dome tent from Cabela's. It was huge, a pain to set up and tear down, and indestructible. Fond memories of putting that tent up with my dad from a very young age, and it was very novel to sleep in one giant space with my parents, brother, dog, and whichever friends came along. It definitely taught me how to set up basically any tent without instructions and with an abundance of patience. Pick a dome tent without pole sleeves, only clips. The hardest part of large tents is getting the poles through any sleeves at the top of then tent, then making sure nothing snags as you're lifting it. Clip pole attachments don't have that problem, and you can lift the bulk of the tent in stages, which is convenient if you're setting up alone or with a tiny helper. The Coleman Skydome 12 person tent is currently available at Sierra for a good price and only has clips.

We went with Coleman 12 person as a family of 5 We can fit three queen size air mattresses, a pack and play and still have some room left over. The biggest reason we went with the Coleman over the Costco is the base. The Coleman has a thick water proof tub whereas the Costco does not. And since the Coleman was $100 off it was a little cheaper than the Costco.

I have an old tent I use for car camping that's big, heavy, and cheap. Backpacking gear comes with compromises, no need to suffer through that or put wear/tear on it unless you are testing new gear. Get a cheap Coleman and you won't be worried about your tissue paper backpacking tent being damaged.

Blackout and waterproof. I rock a Coleman 8 man Skydome or a 4 man Sundome

Coleman Sundome and Skydome are both super easy

Try a Coleman Sundome or Skydome from Ollie’s, blackout if you can get it. I’ve bought both to festivals with multiple severe thunderstorms and was much dryer than people who brought much more expensive tents. The bathtub floor will be much better in bad weather than this tent. Sometimes you can get a dud Coleman that leaks in one spot, but that’s only happened to me once. Just set it up and test it in rain before your event. I will say avoid the instant tent, that thing is so bad they sell an aftermarket rainfly to fix it.

I didn’t bother to buy it after testing the instant tent in the rain. But my Sundome and Skydome are great in bad weather

Coleman Sundome or Skydome, at least 8 man

Coleman Sundome or Skydome, at least 8 man

Poor design. The Sundome and Skydome don’t leak like that

Go with a darkroom Coleman Sundome or Skydome

My 8 man Skydome has kept me dry through multiple severe thunderstorms without additional waterproofing or even being guyed out (it’s my music festival tent.) Just set it up in the backyard and see how it does through a rainstorm.

I have had excellent luck with Coleman Sundome and Skydome. The “Instant Up” leaked so badly that there is now an add on Instant Up rainfly sold separately. I had one Sundome that leaked in one corner. After that, I set up my new tent before a thunderstorm without guying it out to see if it will leak or not. They haven’t leaked. I’ve left one set up in the backyard all year; after over a year and almost 3 inches of water in one day, there was a small bit of water in that one. Ollie’s has Coleman on deep discount right now. At that price you could get two or three for the same price as other people’s suggestions.

If you just want a heavy tent just get an $80 Coleman. That's what almost *everyone* does at concert multi-days. It's like the standard dome tent. If you want to hike, then you want to hike and weight matters.

Either a Coleman basic model or Core tent from Costco. I got a Core from Costco about five years ago for about $125, use it all the time, and still love it. I think it’s a six person although only three of us use it with plenty of room and the ability to stand up.

6 person tent is nice and roomie but you only need a two 4 person tents. I'd go Coleman as a basic tent it comes with everything but a tarp to lay under it. Scouting they usually tent two to a tent with smaller kids having an extra person in their tent.

Coleman or core. I’ve used both regularly and in some bad weather without problems. I like core instant tents for the quick setup and breakdown. Coleman Skydome are also great for a mix of dome and cabin style. Will likely want a 8 person or more for the space and headroom.

Go with the Coleman. You are a beginner that plans on camping a couple times a year. It’s fine. When the forecast calls for significant rain put a tarp under the tent (no exposed tarp) and a large tarp string over your site. The hat not only gives your tent extra protection but gives you useable space out of the rain. This is all presuming it is camping near your vehicle and weight is not a significant factor.

I have a variety of tents based in the situation I am camping in. Backpacking -REI half dome 2SL Car camping short trip - Ozark trail 6 person instant tent (used to have a core instant tent that was better quality. Started leaking on a trip after around 100 nights of use and did a quick replace at Walmart due to continued rain in the forecast. This is also the one I lend out to friends when needed.) Car camping longer trip - Coleman 8person skydome Car camping but walk in site of 1 mile or less Core 6 person dome tent with vestibule.