Coleman - Skylodge 6-Person Instant Camping Tent

Like you, I had a Coleman pop-up for 12 years with no issues. I am also worried about the quality now. I got the Blackberry Skylodge and the poles snapped. It was an awesome tent tho, the bug doors were so nice. I didn't like the T4 for the reasons I mentioned. I now do not have a tent and no clue what to do.

Honestly, I considering getting the same tent. I am just worried about reports that it is not the same quality because it is more money. It was a main pole. I was folding it, like I have done a 1000 times and it snapped.

I’ve found you need to double the tent size for example 2 person fits one comfortably 4 person fits two etc. For reference I use a Coleman 6 person instant cabin tent. I solo camp with my two cats. I fit a wide cot two small tables their litterbox . Plenty of room. For you and your wife go for a 6 person . The price difference is negligible and comfort is key

My Coleman 6p instant cabin tent is like 35 lbs +/- sets up in a minute

6 person at least. Room for sleeping setups, and some gear. You don’t want to be right up against the tent wall. Also look at the center standing height, for the tents you look at they will tell you. Ex: I have ozark trail 6 person instant up dark rest tent. For me alone, it’s great. I can sleep myself and wife if needed. I would still want bigger. Coleman instant cabin tent, 6 person, a bit more room than OT, and taller in center. I personally like OT more for the features, but just one example of size being different among brands for 6 person. But ya it’ll depend on your sleeping setups. If you are trying to do a single queen size mattress, 2 cots / pads, etc. When you aren’t worried about weight and size as much, you can be more comfortable. 4 person will get it done, 6 person probably sweet spot, anything more and you’d be just looking for more room. It can be good to have a lot of room when rainy / buggy / something keeping you in tent for some reason.

The 6 man instant tent is very easy/quick to set up and it's a hearty tent. I have a buddy who uses his "love hotel" when car camping and it makes all the other tents look like very smol boi.

Just for ideas, If I had to work out of a tent, and I had my power and internet figured out (Anker 535 and 100watts of panels $580 and Starlink kit $450) I would use a tent like the Coleman 6-Person Instant Cabin. Big enough to stand in and not feel cramped/folded up. A 4' Lifetime adjustable height table. You can put the legs at different lengths to deal with a slope and get pretty close to level almost anywhere. The Chair is the hard part for me. I don't want poky legs making holes in the bottom of the tent. I don't want a camp fire chair that would not be a good possession for working on a laptop. I think I would use a harbor freight folding aluminum sports chair but I might need an out door plastic rug or pucks for the feet. A rug would be nicer. 8x8 ft, Plastic Reversible Rug. And I expect if I was using this everyday the tent, chair and rug would probably need to be replaced at least yearly. The lifetime tables are tanks and might never need to be replaced. Chair 6.6lbs $35 Table 24.1 lbs $45 Tent 24.1 lbs $200-300 Rug 6.7 lbs $70 Totals "Office" 60-70lbs $450 Starlink and power and bits-n-bobs 15lbs? $1030 My computer work isn't super computer intensive and I could get away with a $400 laptop and a the mouse I like is $30 (5lbs?) Plus $165/mo for service So if everything burnt down and I had to start working in a literal field: $2k and $165/mo and maybe pushing 90lbs of gear. It's easy to make this much lighter or much cheaper or much more rugged. But this is a good balance for me and I know all this gear and trust that this would work.

Let us know what you choose. I have the 6 person instant up Coleman cabin and love it. I can have it pitched in under 60 seconds (yes, I timed it). I’ve started wondering what would replace it, other than another of the same.

I looked up the Gazelle. Looks like a nice tent. Like you I have become very accustomed to the 6-person instant up Coleman cabin tent. The Gazelle has a smaller footprint at 7.8 feet square while the Coleman 6-person is 10x9 feet. That would be rough for me to give up the extra space, as I sleep on a cot with a fold up night table and a chair inside the tent.

I have a similar model (without vestibule) Coleman tent to the one in your link, and camp in Newfoundland Canada. It’s pretty solid and holds up to heavy winds and ongoing days of rain. I find the screened roof area just lets the wind whistle through as the rain fly edge is so close. Great for ventilation when it’s warm, awful if it’s actually cold. I wouldn’t consider using it in winter at all, but we have very wet and snowy winters here.

You're getting into a new hobby. Don't drop thousands of dollars up front. Buy a Coleman 3 season tent to start. Same goes for the sleeping bag, just get one with temperature rating 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit less than what the daily low is said to be. If your not hiking into the campsite get regular camping chair and cooler. Same goes for a sleeping pad. Get a heavily well reviewed sleeping pad.  If I was in your shoes and your okay spending a little bit of money. I'd just go to Walmart or Academy sports and buy a tent, bag, pad, and chair there, if car camping. If you wind up enjoying yourself, use the tent and chair until they quit and then upgrade.  Buy a better sleeping bag and pad once you know you're enjoying camping. Waking up well rested helps you enjoy the experience more. 

I have a 4,6 and 8 person Coleman Insta-tent. I take the 8 person when my wife goes with me. Plenty of room, actually has a divider to section it off into two rooms. Get the biggest tent you can afford. You'll never regret extra space,

I've used 4,6,8 man Coleman Instant Tents for years. Goes up in about 3 minutes, comes down in about 8 minutes (you have to roll it and smash it back in the carrying bag.

While I don't have the full answer for you, buy a larger tent than you think you'll need. I'm one person comfortable in a 6-person EZ Coleman snap-up tent, I don't want anything smaller even if I'm hiking in. And kids grow fast. So while you might think a 4 person tent is fine, it is not - treat yo self.

I'll let others give alternatives, but my main advice is: Always get bigger than advertised. Do not get a 4-person tent. Get a big one. Or two tents? I'm one person and happy with my six-person EZ Coleman (seriously).

This is exactly what I have. It is wonderful!

I have a Coleman 6 person pop up tent. I’ve used it for years! Very durable