Coleman - Skydome™ Camping Tent XL

I have the 8-man version of this tent. SOLID tent, easy to setup, and my main go-to!! The darkroom rainfly also makes it nice for skipping out on early-morning sun and for better privacy during night too.

8 gives me plenty of room as a 6’ 2” guy to stand in and stretch and keep all my stuff in. But you mention 3-4 people….I’d spring for the 10-man model. I’d use the 8-man for two people max, unless you plan to pack everyone in like sardines each night, depending on their size. Also the models below 10-man have no walls in them, it’s just one big space.

Sure thing!! Yeah unless Coleman has changed things since I got mine two years ago, it’s just one big dome tent with one big space. It’s easy to setup and tear down. I’d say the rain fly is the most complicated part of the tent for setup, and even then it fits only one way and will be obvious because of how the logo lines up with the tent door.

A Sundome or Skydome is still easier to set up and a lot more waterproof. The fact that they added an extra sold separately rainfly to the Instant shows it’s bad.

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

Coleman Sundome and Skydome are both super easy

Coleman Sundome or Skydome. Check out an Ollie’s if you have one. The other Coleman tents will probably be just fine too. But I would avoid the instant up - sets up fast but leaks so badly they made an additional rainfly for it.

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

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

We have an 8 person Coleman (Skydome I think) and we comfortably fit 2 adults + 2 older kids. We use 2 double air mattresses for sleeping and still have floor space for gear. Not super challenging to put together with 2 adults. I don’t think could do it by myself but probably with the help of an older kid. It’s held up well across multiple trips. I find the brand to be a good value.

I had the 8 man for about 6 years. Get the rain fly for it and make sure you treat it every season. It worked so well during a downpour the floor turned into a water bed but we stayed dry inside. Dont touch the walls while they are wet though. It likes to condensate inside so keep it well ventilated. I lent it to my roommates inexperienced friends and they busted one of the legs but I was able to use it for another full two years. Money well spent. That said I'm upgrade to a canvas tent this year because most of my camping is done in the fall and winter now and I need a hot tent. That said, that Coleman will treat you well as long as you treat it like you're supposed to.

I have the 8 man. Overall good tent

I bought a Coleman 8 man tent a long time ago for that, and found it fit 4 adults comfortably. We could spread out a bit ie no stacking. The system that gives makers a number to rate the occupants is definitely on the close and comfy side - packed like sardines. That tent was three season at the very best, it was late June at the Grand Canyon and I swear we got up to see our breath frosting in the early morning twilight. We had too much venting - the tent never got damp - so there was that.

Case in point I bought a Coleman "8 man" tent and we had enough room for 4 on a trip to the Grand Canyon. Other than military its the most spacious we have had after a Daisy Geodesic which we stuffed six in - four were under the age of twelve. Putting 4 teen boys in it ripped out the floor later. Tent ratings are based on people in mummy bags, no gear and no spare room at all. At the least you go up 100% and it's decent, the idea is some might be backpacking that tent as as the number goes up they just keep stacking them with very little room. That 8 man however I kept my gear under a military cot as per habit and I wasn't the one hogging floor space, despite my wife's protests.

Agreed. Coleman dome tents are a great starting point for family camping. If you end up going more frequently or decide you want specific features (weight/temperature ratings/etc), you can always upgrade later. I love my Coleman Skydome tent. It's a little more expensive than the standard dome, but still affordable. It sets up quick, is a little more square shaped to give more headroom, and has large mesh panels that are great for airflow or watching the night sky when the rainfly is off.

I love my Skydome. There are fancier tents out there, but it was affordable and has stood up to rain and wind, as well as being pretty breathable on hot nights. On clear nights (and in less crowded campgrounds) you can remove the rain fly and look at the stars through the fully mesh top.

We have the skydome...we are returning it. Leaked in moderate rain and ruined our week. I think the issue is at the manufacturing level. About half the reviews I've read are good and half say they leak or otherwise tear/rip at seams. So you are gambling with the quality.

I had an older version of the skydome and didn’t particularly care for it. The porch ceiling was low and it offered nearly no rain protection so you couldn’t keep gear there.

I actually own BOTH of these exact tents. AMA. The Skydome is way tougher than it looks. I have camped in in the summer and literally on a mountainside in a blizzard. Survived all. Lots of people don't know that it's CRITICAL for a tent to properly stay dry and drain water away from you, nothing should be touching the sides of the tent. if you follow this rule you will love it. I dare call this a 3 season tent. cabin: a fun summery light tent to see the stars. gigantic. have leant it to a couple families. fits a king bed. Is absolute dog crap in the wind. It's also nice in rain. I did an extended rainy weekend in this one and we were able to sit under the little porch area and stay dry and enjoy the rain I've never put a tarp over either of these and just used the included rainfly. Again, not touching the sides of the tent is key to stay dry. Always used a tarp underneath.