Hey folks - I've just updated my tent categories to a new and improved scoring system, thanks to some useful feedback from viewers. Here's what the updated scores looks like: New Coleman Skydome 6 Overall Score: 4.14 (out of 10) New category scores: 1. Setup: 8 (out of 10) 2. Living space: 5 (out of 10) 3. Waterproofing: 2 (out of 10) 4. Wind resistance: 1 (out of 10) 5. Ventilation: 4.5 (out of 10) 6. Build quality: 3 (out of 10) 7. Features: 3 (out of 10)
It's unfair grading this against a REI several hundred dollar tent. I paid under $70 and it served it's purpose well. I never bought it to live in. A few days of summer camping and it was well worth it for privacy while sleeping.
I just bought this tent and went on a short family camping trip with it. Overall pretty happy with it but I’ve never used very premium tents before so don’t have that comparison. The setup is definitely not 5 minutes and requires help for the 6 person tent, 10-15 minutes is more realistic with someone assisting you. As for weather proofing, we had a severe thunderstorm advisory when we camped and it lived up to its name with 20-30mph winds and heavy driving rain for 30-60 minutes. No leaks and tents stayed dry the whole time. I wish there was one more pocket to put personal belongings on the diagonal from the one pocket in the tent, that was the spot I set up my bed and would’ve nice to have a spot from my phone handy. Having help for breakdown is nice too but can be done alone. Packing back into the bag seemed more difficult than even shown in this video. Otherwise I loved the “Darkroom Technology” and was able to sleep in later than a normal tent. Edit: stake quality to me is poor. Although there’s enough of them 3 got bent after first use. Will have to get replacements. Also when I wasn’t rushing to leave the camp site, at home after drying out the tent I managed to get it folded up and in the bag without issue.
re: packing - I picked up the 4 person and after my first test setup I could not get it back in the original package, even after my wife found the expansion tear-away. On the other hand I know that at the factory these are not hand packed. I simply picked up a bin into which I put the packed up tent & ground cover, then repurposed the bag it came in for stakes, mallet and other sundry "tent setup" items. This way when I swap out to another tent in the future I can just repurpose the bin. As for who the tent is for, I agree. I picked up the smaller one as I am going to be camping solo (wife shows 0 interest so far) and I haven't gone camping since I was a kid. I figured go a bit cheaper, see if I really want to do it, and if I do I can always upgrade later.
last 3 coleman tent has leaked after 1 to two uses. my first coleman tent lasted me 5 years and 10 camping trips. been going down hill for in the quality department for a few years now.
Thanks for your overview, very well presented. I'm over 65, a woman in good health; I put this up alone in about 15 minutes, no problem. There was a slight breeze, if it had been windy, may have been more difficult. I was able to fold it into fours when putting away, again, done alone, quickly, packed into case just fine. The door zipper did get stuck, as you note, so I was careful with it. I have a twin air mattress, lots of space to add a small rug and bring in a camp chair to be out of any rain. Only used once so far, slight wind, no rain; looking forward to more camping in it. 6 people? Maybe good for 2. Perfect for 1.
It seems like the main issue with this particular type of tent as far as leaking is the way the rainfly is set up over the door. The bottom is so far out compared to the small hood area that water drips from the hood into the tent when you open it. I suspect the version of this tent with the full covered vestibule is probably better suited for rainy days.
I think you've under rated this tent. I have the 6 person SkyDome with the full vestibule. It doesn't leak and has the guy lines to stabilize it in very high wind/storm situations. -note- I use WalMart Y tent stakes and waterproofing spray. -note- you lost a LOT of credibility when you couldn't understand why the door zipper flaps are designed the way they are AND your loyalty to YKK zippers. YKK isn't the only manufacturer of quality zippers.
I was thinking about buying this tent. From your excellent review, I'm now not so keen. Can you suggest a tent that is for 1 person and 2 large dogs? Ideally, I'm looking for a 6-person tent with a budget of around $300. I need space for the dogs to move about freely. I will be pitching it on my own. Ideally, one that someone your height can stand up in. Weight etc isn't an issue as I will be driving
Again, zipper cover prevents water intrusion. This little detail caused me to pause video to write this comment and then proceed to look for a different review.
Are there one or two zippers on the front door. I have an older Coleman that has two zippers and I like to keep them together on the bottom right and just unzip the one partially along the right side and a little of the top and step in over the bottom which is still zipped. Wondering if that's possible with this one or if you have to zip and unzip the entire way?
Remarkably average interior...just what I like.😜 On the door score, I'd deduct points because the door is made of mesh and nylon. It should be mesh with a nylon cover for maximum ventilation.
Why would you even bother comparing a 120 dollar Walmart tent, to something like an REI?? That tells me everything I need to know about this channel... The search continues. Best of luck.
The zipper cover around the door switches sides because it’s meant to keep water off the zipper. If it didn’t do that then the lower half would be under the zipper and collect water you bozo
The door zipper switches so it doesn't fill up with water on the bottom.
Hey folks - I've just updated my tent categories to a new and improved scoring system, thanks to some useful feedback from viewers. Here's what the updated scores looks like:
New Coleman Skydome 6 Overall Score: 4.14 (out of 10)
New category scores:
1. Setup: 8 (out of 10)
2. Living space: 5 (out of 10)
3. Waterproofing: 2 (out of 10)
4. Wind resistance: 1 (out of 10)
5. Ventilation: 4.5 (out of 10)
6. Build quality: 3 (out of 10)
7. Features: 3 (out of 10)
It's unfair grading this against a REI several hundred dollar tent. I paid under $70 and it served it's purpose well. I never bought it to live in. A few days of summer camping and it was well worth it for privacy while sleeping.
I just bought this tent and went on a short family camping trip with it. Overall pretty happy with it but I’ve never used very premium tents before so don’t have that comparison. The setup is definitely not 5 minutes and requires help for the 6 person tent, 10-15 minutes is more realistic with someone assisting you. As for weather proofing, we had a severe thunderstorm advisory when we camped and it lived up to its name with 20-30mph winds and heavy driving rain for 30-60 minutes. No leaks and tents stayed dry the whole time. I wish there was one more pocket to put personal belongings on the diagonal from the one pocket in the tent, that was the spot I set up my bed and would’ve nice to have a spot from my phone handy. Having help for breakdown is nice too but can be done alone. Packing back into the bag seemed more difficult than even shown in this video. Otherwise I loved the “Darkroom Technology” and was able to sleep in later than a normal tent.
Edit: stake quality to me is poor. Although there’s enough of them 3 got bent after first use. Will have to get replacements. Also when I wasn’t rushing to leave the camp site, at home after drying out the tent I managed to get it folded up and in the bag without issue.
Comparing a $100 tent vs a $500 tent is not apples to apples. Should be comparing it to tents in the same price category
Had it for years. No leaks or issues and live it
Do you have any reviews on the skyDome tent with full fly?
re: packing - I picked up the 4 person and after my first test setup I could not get it back in the original package, even after my wife found the expansion tear-away. On the other hand I know that at the factory these are not hand packed. I simply picked up a bin into which I put the packed up tent & ground cover, then repurposed the bag it came in for stakes, mallet and other sundry "tent setup" items. This way when I swap out to another tent in the future I can just repurpose the bin.
As for who the tent is for, I agree. I picked up the smaller one as I am going to be camping solo (wife shows 0 interest so far) and I haven't gone camping since I was a kid. I figured go a bit cheaper, see if I really want to do it, and if I do I can always upgrade later.
Yep - that all makes sense to me!
last 3 coleman tent has leaked after 1 to two uses. my first coleman tent lasted me 5 years and 10 camping trips. been going down hill for in the quality department for a few years now.
The zipper cover adds additional rain protection to the zipper itself. Just a guess but it seems logical/
For the price, the tent works well.
You pay for what you get.
Thanks for your overview, very well presented. I'm over 65, a woman in good health; I put this up alone in about 15 minutes, no problem. There was a slight breeze, if it had been windy, may have been more difficult. I was able to fold it into fours when putting away, again, done alone, quickly, packed into case just fine. The door zipper did get stuck, as you note, so I was careful with it. I have a twin air mattress, lots of space to add a small rug and bring in a camp chair to be out of any rain. Only used once so far, slight wind, no rain; looking forward to more camping in it. 6 people? Maybe good for 2. Perfect for 1.
It seems like the main issue with this particular type of tent as far as leaking is the way the rainfly is set up over the door. The bottom is so far out compared to the small hood area that water drips from the hood into the tent when you open it. I suspect the version of this tent with the full covered vestibule is probably better suited for rainy days.
The reason the rain cover on the door zipper changes sides is so water doesn't collect inside the zipper cover at the bottom of the door.
Thank you for the unbiased review. You helped me from mistakenly purchasing this tent. 👍
That was actually quite a biased review!
He trashed it based his review by basically comparing a 500 tent, to a 120 dollar tent. 😂
I think you've under rated this tent. I have the 6 person SkyDome with the full vestibule. It doesn't leak and has the guy lines to stabilize it in very high wind/storm situations.
-note- I use WalMart Y tent stakes and waterproofing spray.
-note- you lost a LOT of credibility when you couldn't understand why the door zipper flaps are designed the way they are AND your loyalty to YKK zippers. YKK isn't the only manufacturer of quality zippers.
Thank you for the useful review. I am looking for a tent of family of four. Slim body size, 2 adult, 2 young children.
Do you have any recommendation?
Thanks for the review, I was seriously considering the tent. But the low score in waterproofing made me cross this off the list
5:45 its to protect the zip from water.
reason for the zipper sleeve switched sides to avoid water seepage 😂
Are you still reviewing camping equipment?
I was thinking about buying this tent. From your excellent review, I'm now not so keen. Can you suggest a tent that is for 1 person and 2 large dogs? Ideally, I'm looking for a 6-person tent with a budget of around $300. I need space for the dogs to move about freely. I will be pitching it on my own. Ideally, one that someone your height can stand up in. Weight etc isn't an issue as I will be driving
Again, zipper cover prevents water intrusion. This little detail caused me to pause video to write this comment and then proceed to look for a different review.
Are there one or two zippers on the front door. I have an older Coleman that has two zippers and I like to keep them together on the bottom right and just unzip the one partially along the right side and a little of the top and step in over the bottom which is still zipped. Wondering if that's possible with this one or if you have to zip and unzip the entire way?
My skdome has never leaked and I've left it out in some pretty knarly weather but mine is a fouran
Zipper cover flap switches to keep rain out. This tent seems like a knock-off of the Eureka! Sunrise series. I'd rather have the Eureka!.
Ah - nice tip. That makes sense for the bottom flap.
So if I buy waterproofing spray will that keep it from leaking?
How do you orient the pre-attached poles when folding it up? The video rushes through everything.
It's for gravity for the zipper cover
You're Freeze to death with this type of tents with the big vents on top of it letting all your heat out but In the summer time great tent
I wonder, would the 4 person tent stand up to the wind better, being that it's a little smaller?
That’s a good question. I haven’t tried it, but probably.
Best review ever...hands down!...keep it up,
Remarkably average interior...just what I like.😜
On the door score, I'd deduct points because the door is made of mesh and nylon. It should be mesh with a nylon cover for maximum ventilation.
Either you are much shorter than 5'10" or the tent is taller than 6'///there is much more than 2 inches above your head in the video!
Does this tent have the built in lighting?
Not this one
I just bought this tent at Menards for $59.99.
oh man, they made this in a Vera Bradley print and i want it to be good so bad, but... mu expectations are low...
All my Coleman tents leak.
I forgive the popped collar and Like your video :P
It's a 70 dollar 6 person tent to expect more from it seems silly and you should have realized the zipper flap is for water shed.
Why would you even bother comparing a 120 dollar Walmart tent, to something like an REI??
That tells me everything I need to know about this channel... The search continues. Best of luck.
👌 nicely described
May be you messed with the zipper and it leaked
The zipper cover around the door switches sides because it’s meant to keep water off the zipper. If it didn’t do that then the lower half would be under the zipper and collect water you bozo
1. Set-Up Thank you for speeding through the set up. Totally didn’t explain if it needs to be staked or not. Lame. 👎 Learn to make a review video.
Crap tent