
Core Equipment - 12 Person Lighted Instant Cabin Tent 18' x 10'
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Nov 25, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
3
0
"less than $300."
"is cheap at Costco"
"Simple and affordable without all the gimmicks."
3
1
"My core instant tent went through damn near hurricane storms and not even a drip."
"Easily over 100 nights before any leaking"
"It ended up raining one day and it was dry on the inside."
7
0
"Love our 12 man core tent. We’ve had it since 2019 and it’s gone on a bunch of trips with kids and dogs."
"My core instant tent went through damn near hurricane storms and not even a drip."
"Easily over 100 nights before any leaking"
9
0
"it’s a game changer because it opens up like an umbrella, so one person can set the tent by themselves in minutes."
"Goes up super fast"
"Takes us all of 10 min to put up and same to take down."
2
1
"Everyone loved how big and spacious it was. ... I bought this just for my wife, my son, and I lol."
"Holds four people, two dogs, and all of our stuff."
Disliked most:
2
1
"It's not great at heavy rain"
1
1
"It was embarassingly large ... we only used a small bit of the space"
0
1
"one zipper is a little wonky"
We have a core 12 person monster of a tent (18x10). Takes us all of 10 min to put up and same to take down. I love it so much.
r/CampingGear • Are instant up tents a gimmick? ->Love our 12 man core tent. We’ve had it since 2019 and it’s gone on a bunch of trips with kids and dogs. Simple and affordable without all the gimmicks. We do put down a tarp before setup to protect it though. Just fyi tents are like bike frames - most are made in the same factory with different logos slapped on them and then different distribution companies selling them… just make sure they have a good warranty policy.
r/camping • Do you guys have experience with these? ->Do you already have the air mattresses? If not, consider getting cots instead! We have a CORE 12-person instant cabin tent, it’s got plenty of room and is super easy to setup! It’s not the nicest tent on the market, but we are casual car campers and it works great for our family.
r/CampingGear • Which tent- family of 4 newbies ->I picked up the 12 person version and just used it this past weekend. It ended up raining one day and it was dry on the inside. Everyone loved how big and spacious it was. I bought this just for my wife, my son, and I lol.
r/CampingGear • Recommendations for 8-10 person tent ->We have the core 12 person for just my husband and me. Highly recommend for a family
r/camping • 6 or 10 person tent for family ->I've got a Core 12 person tent. Holds four people, two dogs, and all of our stuff. It's been out probably 20 times, one zipper is a little wonky, but is perfect otherwise. You might not need the 12, but they make them in different sizes. Highly recommend, less than $300.
r/camping • 4 person family, 8 person tent recommendations? ->Pretty sure I have the same one and I think we have had it for 10 years. Use it 3+ times a year too. And some times we rotate to a Core 12 person that’s also instant up.
r/CampingGear • Are instant up tents a gimmick? ->I did the same. Bought a 10-12 person Costco behemoth for 2 people (usually). It was embarassingly large, we only used a small bit of the space, and I ended up getting a 4 person that is still very spacious but reasonably sized.
r/camping • Any reason not to get a bigger tent. ->Any of the Core instant tents are GREAT. Our family of 5 (plus dog!) finally switched to an instant tent and it’s a game changer because it opens up like an umbrella, so one person can set the tent by themselves in minutes. Get a 6-person tent to fit three people, including an air mattress and playard.
r/camping • Parents who camp, need a tent rec! ->I’ve had Core instant tents and never had an issue. Easily over 100 nights before any leaking, and I wasn’t taking the best care of it so likely could have lasted longer.
r/camping • Best hub tents? "Pop up/instant" options worth researching similar to gazelle? ->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.
r/camping • Tent suggestions on a budget - reviews are contradicting.. ->I have the Core instant up tent. All poles are attached. I put it up and take it down myself.
r/CampingGear • Tent Recommendation ->My core instant tent went through damn near hurricane storms and not even a drip. My son had a Coleman that went through an unbelievable storm on the beach and stay dry and a bone and standing. All the other tents were mangled. You don't need to spend the big bucks - unless you genuinely want to. There are many folks raving about Ozark Trails quality - they love them.
r/CampingGear • inexperienced occasional car camper looking for 6p tent recommendations. ->Core instant tent is my recommendation but if that is the one you have get out there and enjoy!,,
r/camping • Pop up tent ->Love the Core Instant Cabin. Goes up super fast and is cheap at Costco
r/camping • Recommendations for a tent for two cots ->Get an instant cabin tent for the adults (5 minute setup) and possibly smaller tents for the kids. Your mom will likely also need a cot or tall air mattress, getting up off the floor or even sleeping on a hard floor can be too much as you get older. Core, Coleman, and Walmart all make inexpensive instant tents. Our core tent has lasted for 3 years of monthly camping trips. It's not great at heavy rain, but the newer models are supposed to be better.
r/carcamping • Recommendations for tent, car camping with lots of kids. ->Look at Core Cabin tents. I think Costco sells them. Easy to set up for first timers and you can stand in them. Get a 6 or 8 person. Keep in mind that the number is the number of average sized sleeping bags it will hold crammed next to each other.
r/camping • Planning my first camping trip ->I have a core cabin tent and I adore it. It’s my home in the woods. My partner and I bought it five years ago and we use it at least 6 times a year going camping with my parents. We only had one issue with one pole snapping (after a toddler got hold of it) and it was easily repaired with a kit we got at Walmart.
r/camping • Do you guys have experience with these? ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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