For the inexperienced camper, one of the most off-putting aspects of camping is surely assembling the tent. Even those who have done it before can sometimes struggle if it’s been a while since they’ve entered the wilderness.
The answer to this issue is the instant tent. An instant tent has the poles pre-attached, so they boast a far quicker set-up time because the hard work has been done for you. And the Coleman instant 8 person tent is one of the best instant tents available.
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Coleman Instant 8 Person Tent Review
One of the leading instant tents on the market is the Coleman Instant 8-Person Tent, an upgrade from the 6-person version.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing the 8-person instant tent to see whether it really does offer instant installation, and of course, whether it lives up to our expectations in terms of basic functionality, durability, and comfort.
Coleman Instant 8 Person Tent: Specifications
| Brand | Coleman |
| Color | Black |
| Closure Type | Zipper |
| Max Occupancy | Seven-or-more-person |
| Maximum Height | 77 Inches |
| Seasons | 3 Season |
Set-Up
Coleman offers three different pitch types for their tents.
These include the conventional pitch, estimated to take between 10-20 minutes to set-up, the fast pitch, which uses color-coded poles to make pitching up to 50% faster, and the instant set-up, which they claim takes just 60 seconds – simply unfold, extend, and secure and you’ve got a fully assembled tent.
This tent falls into the latter category, and it really is super quick to set-up.
Perhaps not 60 seconds by the time you’ve secured the stakes and guy lines, but still, this tent is fool-proof to set-up, making it ideal for first-time campers or those who simply want to avoid the workout of pitching a tent.
Spaciousness
This tent is intended for 8 people, so 4 queen size airbeds. It measures about 14 feet x 10 feet, providing more than enough space for a family or a group of friends.
On the other hand, you don’t need to be in a party of 8 to enjoy this tent, as some people used it for just two people and claimed that they liked the space and headroom, so this tent is still great for less than 8 people.
With a center height of 6 feet 7 inches, there’s plenty of room to stretch out and make yourself comfortable.
There’s also a handy room divider which is ideal if you’re camping with multiple families or couples, adding that extra option of privacy.
Durability
The Coleman Instant 8-Person Tent is suitable for 3-season camping, so it’ll hold you in good stead for the majority of the year.
Coleman’s “WeatherTec” ensures the tent keeps you and your belongings dry from the elements: the tent has a tub floor with welded corners, protected seams, and covered zippers to keep water out.
You can also purchase this tent with an integrated rainfly, which provides extra weather protection in strong winds and heavy rain.
The inverted seams of the tent increase weather resistance by hiding needle holes inside the tent, so water can’t penetrate, and welding-inspired technology strengthens the tent floor and eliminates needle holes here, too.
The exterior of the tent is made from a double-thick Polyguard fabric which is rugged and hardwearing, resistant against tears and rips.
Overall, the tent’s frame is durable and is enforced with Coleman’s Wind-Strong technology to prevent strong winds from causing the tent to collapse.
Some people did experience faulty tent poles, however, which could be a manufacturing issue or a result of the tent being damaged in transit.
Some people also experienced some leaking when camping in the rain in this tent.
While the tent is water-resistant, it is a good idea to add a tarp as extra protection under the tent floor, as well as purchasing an additional rainfly if you’re camping in an area prone to heavy downfalls.
Ventilation
This is a key consideration when it comes to purchasing a tent, as nobody wants the claustrophobic feel of being trapped in a tent that is stuffy, hot, and poorly ventilated.
The mesh panels of this tent provide great protection from insects but also ensure airflow in and out of the tent to prevent condensation.
The large panel windows also provide a great panoramic view of your surroundings, so you can take in the view while also enjoying the fresh air.
Extra features
This tent has a myriad of features that make your camping experience that little bit more enjoyable and stress-free.
The two mesh pockets keep your belongings organized and elevated so you can rest assured that they’ll always be safe, dry, and secure.
However, it would be great if there were more pockets considering the tent is designed for 8 people.
When it’s time to head home, the tent is easily packed up and fits effortlessly into the included carry bag, which also expands with a rip-strip for extra storage space.
The room divider is also a useful feature, and it’s equipped with a central zipper which allows you to roll it up and fix it on the ceiling when it’s not in use.
You can also do this with each of its two wings separately, and the divider attaches to the side walls through toggles and loops.
The tent has two doors, one with a T-shaped zipper, and the other with a D-shaped zipper, which is great for accessibility and versatility.
Considerations
Buying a Rainfly
Coleman 8-Person Instant Tent (14’x10′) and Coleman 8-Person Instant Tent Rainfly Accessory Bundle
This tent is available to buy with or without the rainfly, and in our opinion, it’s better safe than sorry.
This will provide some peace of mind and should make the tent completely waterproof during heavy downpours.
The Coleman rainfly is made from 150 D Polyester taffeta 150D and the added protection allows you to get better airflow by keeping your windows open even when it’s raining.
The rainfly is designed to fit the 14 x 8 ft. 8-Person Coleman Instant Tent, so it’s better than risking a rainfly from another brand or tent model.
Portability
One thing that’s worth bearing in mind is the size of the tent when it’s packed up in the carry bag.
Obviously, an instant tent is likely to weigh more due to the poles being pre-attached which makes the overall package less compact.
We’ll admit that when this tent is packed up in the bag it’s not the easiest to transport as it measures 47 inches in length (120 cm) and weighs 42.95 lbs, which isn’t the lightest.
However, presuming that you’ll be driving to your camping destination rather than hauling the tent on your back, this may not be such a drawback for you.
If you are hiking, we’d definitely suggest looking for something more lightweight and compact.
Affordability
This tent is definitely one of the more affordable options on the market, and the great thing is you’re not confined in terms of space, so you’re getting plenty of bang for your buck.
This tent is a great choice for families, first-time campers, or semi-regular campers, as it strikes a balance between affordability and durability.
What We Like about the Coleman Instant 8-Person Tent
- It’s spacious and offers plenty of headroom
- Set up is fast and easy, making this tent ideal for beginners
- It’s affordable and doesn’t break the bank
- Overall it’s pretty waterproof – seams are inverted and zippers are protected
- Mesh windows provide great ventilation and allow you to enjoy the view
- The tent is easy to fit back in the bag
- The two doors are convenient and increase accessibility
- A room divider provides extra privacy inside the tent
- You can buy the tent with or without a rainfly
What We Dislike about the Coleman Instant 8-Person Tent
- Despite claiming to be weather resistant, some users still experience leakage in some cases
- It would be useful to have more storage pockets considering how many people the tent accommodates
- The tent is quite heavy and not very compact to carry
- Not ideal for heavy rain and strong winds
Final Verdict
This is an affordable tent that offers good bang for your buck. It’s weatherproof enough for 3-season-camping and has some great protective features such as the inverted seams and protected zippers which help keep the interior dry.
We’d definitely recommend purchasing this tent with the rainfly, however, as it’s not entirely waterproof, and low-end 3-season tents rarely are.
Despite this, the tent is spacious and has plenty of headroom, making it accommodating even for the tallest of campers.
The mesh-screened windows are a great touch as these boost ventilation and prevent the interior of the tent from getting steamed up with moisture, and they also provide a great view of your surroundings.
The instant set-up of this tent makes setting up effortless, making it ideal for anyone who hasn’t camped before or who gets flustered with pitching a tent no matter how many times they’ve done it!
Taking the tent down is just as simple, although the packed-up tent is a little on the heavy side, which is something to consider if you’re not driving.
Aside from a few minor drawbacks, the Coleman Instant 8-Person Tent is convenient and comfortable, and best of all, it doesn’t cost the earth.
Click Here to Buy the Coleman Instant 8 Person Tent on Amazon
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