Customer Reviews

Coleman Sundome 7-feet by 5-feet 2 Person Tent

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After researching practically every backpacking tent I could find on the Internet, I finally decided to go with this one. An excellent choice it would prove to be. A great backpacking tent for short or semi-short treks (it weighs less than 5 pounds)... or, for a Boy Scout, etc. I live in Northern California and the places I hike/backpack into, the temperature seldom drops below freezing... and the weather/climate is relatively mild most of the year. Anyway, it's VERY EASY to set-up and take down. It's lightweight, reasonably durable, and will actually go back into the zip-up carrying case that comes with it. My first night out, the low temperature was a mild (no rain), but chilly 48 degrees... however, it was VERY windy all evening and through the night. This tent did great keeping the wind out and me warm. I only use this tent for backpacking/trekking (I have other tents for base camp or when the family comes along). Anyway, for backpacking; whether you're just spending a few days out in the wildnerness or weeks, I see no reason this tent wouldn't do the trick just fine. I have not yet spent a night in it while it was raining, but I have (as I always do) put a seam sealer on the seams and I feel confident this tent will hold up fine. Keep these factors in mind... for relatively mild weather and climates... for semi-short or short hikes/treks, you cannot go wrong with this tent for the money. In other words, if you're hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, this tent would be considered a little heavy. Also, if you're spending a lot of time where it rains for days, or where the climate is harsh on a regular basis, dig deeper into your pockets and buy something a little more practical for your conditions. If that's the case, you can expect to spend $100+ for something like that. Last but not least, it fits into my relatively small backpacking backpack (2600 cubic inches) just fine, and leaves plenty of room for my other gear.

This is my first tent, so I'm sure my technical knowledge is limited. But I have some field experience - I hiked the Grand Canyon for a week, so here it goes:

It leaked. Not much, just on the corners of the floor seam, but it did. And it only rained lightly, so I think I would've been in trouble with a bit of heavy rain. I strongly recommend you get some seam sealer, maybe that'll fix it.

The main plus is defintely the price. I searched for tents everywhere, e-bay, you name it. This is definitely the cheapest one around (08/13/06), at least of the well-known brands.

It's pretty easy to set-up, and it's very roomy, I enjoyed that. It also has good ventilation. You can't tell from the pictures, but under the rain fly, the top-sides are made of mesh, and there is an extra mesh window (about half the size of the door) on the back side. It's great to watch the stars if it doesn't look like it'll rain.

With that said, it is a little heavy. Not unbearable, I was never miserable carrying it around on my back, but I certainly felt the weight a few times.

I think it was worth the price, but I was unhappy with the leak

I purchased this tent after reading an earlier review on a 10 year old Boy Scout was able to get it assembled in no time. As a rookie outdoorsmen, this was key, as I did not wish to become the butt of all jokes on a recent camping trip. If the tent was even the slightest bit complex, I would surely be laughed at as I blundered my way through the set-up.

However, Grizzy Adams ain't got nothing on me thanks to the Coleman SunDome. I got that bad boy up in like 5 minutes and it actually looked like I knew what I was doing. It was very sturdy and the only reason I didn't give it the full five stars is that 7'x5' is pretty tight quarters for two people.

So if you're rookie like me---and I hope you aren't---and you need a good tent that won't make you look like a fool during set-up, then go for the SunDome.

This tent is very easy to set up, and take down. It fits two kids, or one adult comfortably. This would be a great tent for fair weather camping. The first time I used it, it rained all weekend, and it leaked in each of the corners after the 3rd day of nonstop rain.

I bought this tent as I needed a smaller one for a yearly group camp out with very limited space. I didn't arrive until 11 PM and was very tired. I managed to get this little tent up for the first time by myself with only a small flashlight in just a few minutes. Just as I was ready to turn in, it started to sprinkle, so I then had to get the rain fly up. Also very easy. It was 2 days later that the rain started in earnest. This wasn't a deluge, but a steady rain that lasted about 5 hours in the day, and resumed at night for several more hours. I stayed very dry and comfy. I've seen a lot of people with cheap tents that are just that, cheap. This one seems pretty well made. The rain fly worked well. I had started out with a tarp underneath to protect the bottom, but had to grab that to cover up the rest of my equipment. I realize the flooring probably won't last forever, but I will make sure I use a groundcloth in the future. It was just as easy to take down, and the storage bag included is large enough. My only negative comment is that it is very small. If 2 people share it, I hope they are very good friends. I used a Coleman twin air bed in it, and seemed to have about 12 inches to spare for some of my gear. But I'm just used to a larger tent also. It does have a pocket on the wall, which was perfect for storing my glasses and small flashlight.

The tent is a good value for the price. It's easy to set up and can fit two adults (as long as they aren't grossly obese or taller than seven feet). Not a cold-weather tent, but holds up well in the rain. Not sure on the durability since I've only used it a half-dozen times, but I'm satisfied with it's performance to date.

We bought this for my ten year old son to use camping with his boy scout troop. He has not camped in it yet but we had him set it up by himself. He had no problems, it was very simple. It is small enough for him to handle alone but large enough for two boys and their gear. He can't wait to try it out somewhere other than the family room.

I bought this tent to camp out of my kayak. The first night I used it we had rain . It is not waterproof as they claim. I had four puddles, one at each corner of the tent. I just bought some seam sealer & put it on. I'll test it again on my next trip. It does packup small and fit easily into the hatch. Very easy to put up & take down.

This is a very nice tent. It has sturdy construction, it looks nice, and feels nice. It's zippers have yet to snag or catch, although if you didn't flip out the outer flap it probably would. If you want some privacy you have to put up the rain fly. I wouldn't try fitting two people in. It was almost perfect for me and my bedding and my stuff. Two people could sleep in it, but it would be cramped.

This tent kept me completely dry during a 7-hour storm that ended up a flash flood on our annual New Year's camping trip, 2010.

About ý6pm on NYE we all got in our tents as a storm rolled in. About 1am, when the storm and torrential downpour hadn't let up at ALL, my Dad went out to check the area. At 2am we made the decision to break camp, as the trail out was nearly submerged, and the river we were beside - which had been less than a foot deep at 6pm, was now about 15 feet, very fast moving, and only about 5 feet from breaching the banks, where we were set up . Between 2 and 3 am we waded through calf-high water up the trail w/ our gear in near pitch black. By 3 am all but one tent was up safely on the bridge above the river...approximately ten minutes later, the trail was totally under water, as was our campsite. By 4am all five of us, and three dogs were safe in our cars.

The other two tents leaked liked sieves, but this Coleman didn't even weep! The bathtub liner is amazing; extremely durable. Several times I touched the tent walls during the storm, and nary a drop of water got on my hand.

What a night. I will always buy Coleman...