Coleman Sundome 4 Person Tent Review

In this Coleman sundome 4 person tent review we are going to take a closer look at the size, weight, material, durability, set up, features, and ventilation of this tent.

We are also going to compare the pros and cons. As always, I will include any problems I may or may not have had with this one.

The sundome 4 person tent comes in two colors: navy blue with gray and a touch of bright green, or bright green with white and some black. 

I like that the color options are not your common ones, this makes this tent a little bit more interesting and unique.

This Coleman dome tent is freestanding, which means that you can set it up anywhere, no matter the type of ground. Also, if the tent needs to be moved for whatever reason, it’s easy to do that without much hassle. 

Coleman Sundome 4 Person Tent Review

Size & Weight

The dimensions of this sundome tent are 9 x 7 feet, with a center height of 4 feet 11 inches, and it weighs 9 pounds.

It’s important to know that if you intend on blowing up an air mattress, you have to remember to do it from inside the tent. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with a fully blown air mattress outside your tent that doesn’t fit through the door.

Anybody over 6 feet tall will have trouble standing comfortably in this tent. So, even though this is a four person tent, you have to choose wisely and keep your campers’ heights in consideration.

Material & Durability

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

Although the tent seems durable and long-lasting, I still 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 or tarp 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.

Assembly

The Coleman sundome 4 person tent is easy to set up and takes less than ten minutes.

Simply lay the tent out on the ground, ideally on top of a footprint, and assemble the long poles by threading them through the top of the tent in an ‘X’ shape. Next, slide the bottom of the poles into the metal rings at the base of each corner of the tent.

Now, you’ll need to slide the short rainfly pole through the center of the tent and into each of the peaks. Attach the rain fly by draping it over the tent with the peaks facing the front and rear of the tent.

Lastly, stake the tent down and make sure that all of the Insta-Clips are attached to the poles.

Features

The large D-shaped door is great and it makes it 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 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.

Also, 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.  

The 4 person tent Coleman has a 1-year limited warranty in the case of a defect upon arrival. 

Ventilation

This sundome provides excellent ventilation, so it is perfect to use during summer. By default, that means it’s not ideal for winter use.

When the rainfly isn’t on, the top half of the tent is essentially just mesh, allowing loads of fresh air to flow in.

These large windows and a ground vent together provide excellent air circulation, by drawing in cool air from the bottom and pushing warm air upwards.

You’ll never have a restless night caused by a lack of fresh air or with this tent.

Wind & Rain Tests

The Coleman Sundome tent has a very strong frame that remains sturdy even throughout strong winds and is waterproof enough to keep you dry during a storm.

All Coleman tents are subjected to wind and rain tests before being available for purchase.

For 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.

The Pros & Cons

To wrap up, let’s go over the highlights and the cons of the Coleman 4 person tent.

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

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.

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

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 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.

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 suppose the tent would be rather tight for four people. I’d be able to handle it for a night, but for extended trips I would prefer it to be just me and another person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Coleman Sundome tent waterproof?

The Coleman Sundome tent has been tested in the Coleman rain room – over 35 gallons of water rained over the tent to check for any leakage.

The tub-style floor has welded corners and inverted seams which make the floor waterproof and stop moisture from getting in.

Can a queen mattress fit in a 4 person tent?

Yes, a queen-sized air mattress can fit inside the Coleman sundome 4 person tent. It does not fit through the door though, so be sure to inflate it from the inside of the tent.

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.

How do you set up a 4 person Coleman Sundome tent?

The Coleman sundome 4 person tent is easy to set up and takes less than ten minutes.

Simply lay out the tent on the ground, ideally on a footprint, and assemble the long poles by threading them through the top of the tent in an ‘X’ shape. Next, slide the bottom of the poles into the metal rings at the base of each corner of the tent.

Now you’ll need to slide the sort rainfly pole through the center of the tent and into each of the peaks. Attach the rain fly by draping it over the tent with the peaks facing the front and rear of the tent.

Lastly, stake the tent down and make sure that all of the Insta-Clips are attached to the poles.

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