Coleman Sundome 4 Tent Overview

Backside Line

The Coleman Sundome 4 prioritizes affordability above all else. Nevertheless, it nonetheless presents an excellent worth for these seeking to discover a no-frills tent. The Sundome 4 lacks trendy options, makes use of common supplies, and has an outdated design. That mentioned, we had been pleasantly shocked by how purposeful it’s, particularly given its budget-friendly worth. It additionally fills a distinct segment that’s turning into more and more uncommon within the out of doors trade – good $100 tents.

The Sundome 4 is straightforward to arrange, packs away with out trouble, and presents ample house for 2 campers, with the flexibility to squeeze in 4 if wanted. Regardless of its restricted rainfly protection, the tent performs admirably in varied climate circumstances. Nevertheless, it’s not constructed for heavy or frequent use. 

This tent is greatest suited to occasional campers who need an inexpensive possibility for just a few household journeys a 12 months. If that sounds such as you, the Coleman Sundome 4 could possibly be simply what you’re in search of.

To discover extra of our top-performing tenting tents, take a look at our gear information for the Finest Tenting Tents of 2024.

Consolation

The Sundome 4 is marketed as a four-person tent. Though it may well technically accommodate 4, it’s a good match. At 9′ x 7′, it really works higher as a roomy two-person tent with house for gear. Should you do match 4 folks, anticipate minimal room and no house for tools inside. When Gear Analyst Ben Dawson examined this tent together with his spouse and two younger youngsters, it felt cramped, they usually needed to retailer gear exterior to save lots of house.

With a peak peak of 4′ 11″, most campers can sit up comfortably however received’t be capable of stand. Nevertheless, there’s sufficient room to kneel and transfer round with out feeling overly restricted.

The Sundome 4 is greatest suited to delicate climate. Air flow is restricted, even with its home windows, and it may well get uncomfortably scorching inside.  If tenting in heat circumstances, set it up within the shade to maintain the inside from turning into stifling.

Sturdiness

The Sundome is a light-duty tent, and there’s no denying that. It’s not low-quality, however Coleman made it with lower-cost supplies that aren’t designed to resist heavy or frequent use. That mentioned, we haven’t encountered any main points with the standard of our tent, apart from just a few bent stakes. Nevertheless, that is frequent when tenting on rocky Colorado soil. Should you’re in a campground and take care when pitching your tent, you possibly can probably keep away from bending the stakes regardless of their lack of sturdiness.

The weakest level of this tent is its skinny fiberglass poles. Fiberglass has its place in tenting tents, however we’d prefer to see thicker poles included with the Sundome. Utilizing an excessive amount of power throughout setup or teardown can simply end in a damaged pole.

Total, when you deal with the Sundome with care and restrict its use to occasional summer season weekends, it ought to final for just a few seasons.

Climate Resistance

Once we first examined the Sundome 4, our expectations for its efficiency in a rainstorm had been fairly low. We even introduced a backup tent, anticipating the Sundome would possibly flip right into a swimming pool when the rain hit. With unsealed seams, seen daylight by way of the nook stitching, and minimal rainfly protection, it didn’t encourage a lot confidence.

Then the rain got here—and the tent stayed dry! Even after one other wet day, it nonetheless held up, which was actually shocking. We assumed water would seep by way of the corners, however in some way it stayed utterly dry. Nicely, virtually.

It’s not all sunshine, although. The small rainfly left the home windows weak to blowing rain throughout wind gusts, forcing us to shut them solely and sacrificing the already minimal air flow. Talking of wind, the Sundome doesn’t carry out properly. The skinny fiberglass poles wrestle towards even average winds, inflicting the tent to flex and the fly to whip noisily. For windy circumstances, it’s greatest to pitch this tent in a sheltered spot.

Ease of Setup

The Sundome 4 is among the best tents we arrange throughout our aspect by aspect assessments of one of the best tenting tents. It options two predominant poles that join on the corners and slide by way of pole sleeves close to the highest of the tent. Plastic clips then safe the tent physique to the poles. The rainfly is small, with minimal materials, making it simple to connect as properly. A 3rd, smaller cross-pole suits into webbing on the fly to maintain it taut. Moreover, two guylines will be staked to additional safe the fly. The fly attaches on the corners utilizing massive plastic hooks, finishing the setup course of.

At a comparatively low peak, this tent can simply be arrange by a single individual in about 5 to 7 minutes, and even sooner with a accomplice. Its simple design and minimal elements make it a superb possibility for these looking for simplicity of their tenting gear.

Options

The Sundome 4 isn’t precisely full of options like among the extra premium tents we’ve examined. One space the place it falls quick is storage. Should you’re tenting with 4 folks, discovering a spot to retailer your gear inside might be a problem. Like us, chances are you’ll find yourself maintaining your gear exterior, but when so, be ready for good climate. The tent lacks vestibules, and we’ve needed to transfer our gear into the automobile greater than as soon as when rain rolled in whereas tenting in Colorado’s foothills.

Contained in the tent, you’ll discover two small mesh pockets, every simply large enough for a headlamp, cellphone, and possibly a charger or two. There’s one pocket on all sides, together with a single loop on the tent’s peak for hanging gear or a light-weight. Air flow comes from two half-moon-shaped zip-down home windows—one on the door and one on the rear wall reverse it.

The Sundome’s most unusual characteristic is Coleman’s E-port, a flap within the nook of the tent that permits you to run an extension wire inside when you’re tenting close to an outlet. Though the options are first rate for the value, we’d like to see extra inside storage choices.

Ought to You Purchase the Coleman Sundome 4 Tent?

The Coleman Sundome 4 fills a particular area of interest that not many tents cater to. It’s a light-duty possibility, which means it’s not designed to resist heavy use or harsh circumstances. Should you camp steadily or in difficult environments, this isn’t the tent for you. Nevertheless, for infrequent campers who plan to enterprise out just a few occasions a 12 months to campgrounds or well-established backcountry websites, it could possibly be a superb match.

For summer season tenting and rare journeys, there’s little have to spend some huge cash on a tent that may spend most of its time in storage. The Sundome 4 is good for 2 campers however can accommodate a household of 4, offered two of them are babies. Should you’re seeking to benefit from the outdoor just a few occasions a 12 months with out breaking the financial institution, the Coleman Sundome 4 could be the proper alternative for you.

What Different Tenting Tents Ought to You Take into account?

For extra choices, please see our full information to the greatest tenting tents.

Kelty Wi-fi 6 – The Wi-fi 6 is a superb different, providing extra space and higher-quality supplies. Though it’s dearer than the Sundome, it’s a superb alternative when you plan to camp extra steadily or want extra house and twin vestibules for gear storage.

Marmot Tungsten 4 – Should you choose a four-person tent with an identical footprint to the Sundome however need higher-quality supplies that may higher face up to the weather, the Marmot Tungsten 4 is value contemplating. It options absolutely taped seams, 7000-series aluminum poles, and two vestibules for gear storage.