Coleman Sundome 2 Person Tent Review

coleman sundome 2

In this Coleman Sundome 2 Person Tent review we will take a closer look at the specs and features of this tent, including the setup, material, size, ventilation, and more.

It is available in two colors: navy blue with gray and a touch of bright green, or bright green mixed with white and a bit of black. It’s nice to have different options, especially when the choices are not usual ones that you see everywhere.

This is a freestanding tent, which is great because it can be set up anywhere and the type of ground isn’t crucial. Another benefit of this is that the tent can easily be moved around if need be, without any hassle.

In this review, I will also breakdown the pros and cons of the sundome 2 person tent, and I have featured some information about the wind and rain tests Coleman utilize.

Coleman 2-Person Sundome Tent, Green
  • Weatherproof: Welded corners and inverted seams keep water from getting in; included rainfly offers extra weather protection
  • Wind and rain tested: Strong frame withstands 35+ mph winds
  • Great ventilation: Large windows and ground vent for enhanced airflow
  • Stay connected: E-port makes it easy to bring electrical power inside
  • Easy setup: In 10 minutes

Coleman Sundome 2 Person Tent Review

The Set Up

It is very easy and simple to set up the Coleman Sundome 2 person tent, and it can even be done by one person in under ten minutes.

I will take you through it step by step. As you do with all tents, the first thing is to place it flat on the ground and unfold it. Ideally, you should have a footprint or tarp underneath. Some prefer not to use one as it is believed that the tent’s floor itself should be durable enough on its own.

While this is true in its own way, a tarp can be extremely useful in a pinch. Once, a hole ripped in my tent’s ceiling and I didn’t have anything I could use to repair it, but I was using a tarp as a footprint. What I ended up doing was placing the tarp over my tent where the hole ripped and had to makeshift something. Since the tarp is waterproof, as long as the hole was covered by it, I remained totally dry inside.

What needs to be done next is to assemble the long poles by threading them through the sleeves in an ‘X’ shape, and then slide the bottom of the poles into the metal rings at the base of each corner.

Next, you will need the short rain fly pole through the center of the tent and into each of the peaks, and now you can attach the rainfly by draping it over the tent. Make sure the peaks are facing the front and rear ends of the tent.

The last step is to stake the tent down and make sure that all of the Insta-Clips are attached to the poles.

Material

The body and rainfly of the tent are made with thick, durable, and breathable 75 denier polyester taffeta, and there are welded corners and inverted seams on the inside that stop any water from getting in.

Although the tent seems durable and long-lasting, I will once again recommend using a footprint for even more longevity. Rocks and such underneath the tent can damage and tear it from the bottom, and a footprint offers more protection when it rains. It even makes it easier to clean up after as well. 

The poles seem very sturdy, and I didn’t have any issues with the tent when some bad weather hit. 

Specifications

The dimensions of the Coleman sundome 2 man tent are 5 x 7 feet, with a center height of 4 feet and 11 inches, and it weighs around 4kg.

If you prefer using blow up air mattresses over sleeping bags, then make sure you blow it up inside the tent from the start because it won’t fit through the door.

Technically you could fit two mattresses, but for extra comfort I recommend only putting one inside if possible. 

Two people can comfortably fit inside this tent, at most, but do keep in mind that if either camper are very tall it won’t be very comfortable. Since this tent’s height is only just above 4 feet, the majority of people are taller than this tent, but that’s fine so long as you don’t want to stand. Someone who is around 6 feet tall though will not even be comfortable sitting.

Ventilation

The Coleman sundome 2 has plenty of ventilation when the rainfly is not on, making it perfect for summer. Hence, don’t use this tent in winter because you’ll freeze, even when the fly is on.

Most of the top half of the tent is just mesh, so you can enjoy the surrounding nature while not being bothered by insects.

The large windows and ground vent work together to provide good air circulation as cool air is drawn in from the bottom vent and the warm air gets pushed upwards and outwards.

Good ventilation also reduces the amount of condensation building overnight and you’ll sleep better.

Season Rating

First of all, I would like to provide you with some information about the seasons of a tent and what they actually mean. The ratings 1 Season and 2 Season are more or less the same.

They are basic, thin, and sometimes do not even come with a rain fly. They’re best used in summer, and slightly in spring and fall when the temperature is mild. They do usually have some waterproofing, and can withstand rain, but not a storm.

3 Season rating is the middle ground, whereas 4 Season tents are more heavy duty and are good to use in winter, and lastly, 5 Season ratings are for expedition tents.

Also, just as a tip, if you ever come across a 3 Season tent that doesn’t come with a rainfly, do not purchase it.

When some companies advertise that their tent is an all-season tent, this should really be taken with a grain of salt.

As mentioned briefly in the subheading above, the Coleman sundome 2 person is a great tent for spring, summer, and fall, making it a 3 Season tent. It can withstand a lot of rain and still remain ventilated to a comfortable degree, and you can even make it work in mild winter weather if you’re prepared with the right gear and clothing. This doesn’t make it ideal for winter camping, though, as that can be harsh.

Despite this being a tent that is very water resistant, there is still a chance of leakage.  

Features

The Coleman dome tent has a large, D-shaped door, which is great because it’s even easier to get in and out of the tent. Loading and unloading all your gear at the beginning and end of your camping trip is much quicker, too. 

There’s also an E-port, for easy access to slip an extension cord through and have electrical power inside of the tent. Although when I go camping, I can manage just fine without any power, but only if it’s just for 1 day or 2. When I camp for longer than that, an E-port becomes rather necessary.  For some reason, it’s not a common thing for tents to have – so we’re really lucky with this one!  

There are storage pockets made out of mesh that have been sewn into the tent’s walls to store small essentials within easy reach and avoid clutter lying around. You’ll also find that inside of the tent there’s a ring in the center of the ceiling where you can hang a lantern from to illuminate the inside of your tent at night.  

Included with this tent you’ll find that you have everything you need – poles, rainfly (with pre-attached guy lines), ground stakes, instructions, and a carry bag.   

This Coleman sundome 2 tent has a 1 year limited warranty in the case of a defect upon arrival.

Pros & Cons

Let’s take a look at the highlights and the cons of this Coleman sun dome.

From the very start, this one is a winner because set up is easy and quick, and it is affordable as well.

I love that there’s an E-Port as well; it’s just one of those things that are better to have when you need it rather than to need it and not have it. 

The windows and door provide plenty of ventilation, especially when the rain fly is not on. Speaking of the rainfly, that thing is great. It completely protects the windows from rain and most of the door. 

The cost itself is another pro of its own. It’s very difficult to find good tents that are less than $100, especially ones of such good quality. It’s the best value for your money, and a clear investment. 

A carry bag is included, and a durable one at that, which is rather important for transport and storage. 

I have to say that there only seems to be one con, at least for me personally. It’s the stakes. They just seem quite frail and, compared to the rest of the tent, not as good quality as everything else. Right off the bat, I knew to take some spare ones with me that are more durable and stronger just in case the wind picked up or if I had any trouble getting the stakes securely into the ground.

The tent itself is designed well to remain stable when there are strong winds, but stakes can be tough to drive through the ground properly where I camp, and they need to be able to handle that. 

Other than that, I am not a fan of short tents. To each his own, a short tent is fine if you only use it at the end of your day perhaps after hiking, and it’s just for sleeping in.

When camping though, you can’t predict certain things. If the weather is bad, you end up stuck in your tent, and I wouldn’t want to be trapped in a tent where I can’t stand up.  

Wind & Rain Tests

This section is some extra information that I think is interesting to know about Coleman. All of their tests are subjected to wind and rain tests before being available to the public.

Thus, the sundome 2 person tent must, without a doubt, have a very strong frame that remains sturdy throughout strong winds, and is waterproof enough that you will remain dry even if a storm hits.

First, the wind test. The tent is put on a rotating platform surrounded by large fans that blow winds of over 35MPH. After a while, the fans are stopped and the tent is checked for rips, tears, and any other damage. 

Moving on to the rain test. In Coleman’s rain room, over 35 gallons of water rain over the tent. It starts from a light drizzle to a heavy downpour, to make it more realistic. This happens for a span of ten minutes. Afterward, the tent is inspected for any water leakage and if over two tablespoons of water managed to seep in, then the tent has failed the test. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Coleman Sundome tent waterproof?

The Coleman Sundome is made of polyester, which is not waterproof. Silicone or PU coatings are applied to give it waterproof properties, and the floor has welded corners and inverted seams which also keep water out.

Coleman rain tests ensure that every tent has been tested to withstand over 35 gallons of rain, without more than two tablespoons of water having entered inside.

How do you set up a Coleman Sundome tent 2 person?

The first thing is to place it flat on the ground and unfold it. Ideally, you should have a footprint or tarp underneath.

Next, assemble the long poles by threading them through the sleeves in an ‘X’ shape, and then slide the bottom of the poles into the metal rings at the base of each corner.

Then, you will need the short rain fly pole through the center of the tent and into each of the peaks, and now you can attach the rainfly by draping it over the tent. Make sure the peaks are facing the front and rear ends of the tent.

The last step is to stake the tent down and make sure that all of the Insta-Clips are attached to the poles.

Which Coleman tent is the best?

The Coleman Sundome 2 person tent is one of the bests tents by Coleman. This is because it is affordable, lightweight and compact, and very easy to set up as it takes less than 10 minutes to do so.

Moreover, this tent provides excellent ventilation and an electrical access port.

Is Coleman a good tent?

Coleman have been producing outdoor gear since 1990, which just goes to show that they have been doing something right.

All of Coleman tents are durable, tough, and well made.

Related Posts –

Best Coleman Tents

Best 2 Person Tents

Best 4 Person Tents

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