Coleman 4-Person Dark Room Skydome Camping Tent

I literally hate tent camping. For so many reasons. One, I used to have a VW camper & set up was so easy, then when it finally died I got a great SUV but had to resort to tent camping to keep my outdoor life alive. Coming from vanlife. I just hated everything about tent camping. I made a bed in my SUV & said goodbye to tent camping. Two, last time I went camping, I slept in the SUV & my friend slept in a tent. She was hot, had to wake up at the crack dawn because of sun beating on tent. And the tent setup was so frustrating, I just about threw the thing into the fire. Well, we are back to wanting to get out in nature after the pandemic & tent camping is back on the table. So, I researched tents with the necessary criteria being: the tent has to be blackout, I have to be able to stand up in it, and the set up has to be such that I don't blow a fuse doing it. And the tent can't weigh 400lbs & be so large in the folded up state that I need a trailer to accommodate it. I ordered & sent back several tents before I got this one. And this is what I discovered through the process: one, a tent weighing upwards of 20 lbs or more is just too friggin' heavy, believe me. Unless you like shlepping the equivalent of a bag of sand in and out of your car every time you set up camp. This tent is mid teens which is probably the heaviest tent I've ever owned, but it's maneagable & the pack down size is reasonable. It fits in the trunk of my sedan with all of my other camping gear. Supposedly the set up is 5 min. I didn't believe that for a second. But it was surprisingly easy. It took 2 of us about 15 min. Pack down was about double that in trying to fit the attached poles inside the folded tent in such a way so as the whole package fits back into the provided bag. Had to fold it twice to get it to fit. Learning process, and I'm sure it'll be easier next time. Next, the blackout. It's significant. I think it's definitely going allow us to sleep past sunrise. And it's very roomy inside, I can stand up fully. I haven't camped in it yet so I don't fully know what issues might arise, if any, but I will report back. But for the absolutely necessary requirements, ease of set up, being able to stand up, and the black out technology, I'm completely pleased.

The Coleman Skydome Camping Tent with Dark Room Technology is a game-changer for camping enthusiasts seeking ultimate comfort and convenience. Available in 4/6/8/10 person options, this tent offers ample space for the whole family or a group of friends.The Dark Room Technology blocks 90% of sunlight, creating a peaceful and restful environment for a good night's sleep, even during the brightest days. Setting up the tent is a breeze, taking just 5 minutes, thanks to its user-friendly design and color-coded poles.The weatherproof construction ensures you stay dry and comfortable in any condition, while the extra storage pockets and ventilation system add to the overall camping experience. For an unforgettable camping trip, the Coleman Skydome is the ultimate choice for comfort, convenience, and restful sleep under the stars, not that you'll see any inside :)

Pros. Stood firm in severe thunderstorm where others collasped/flooded. There was only a little water in one corner.Blocks out light and therefore heat in summer weather. It still gets warm, but not as stifling as traditional tents.Cons. No power cord access so the only way to have power inside is through the door. It's dark inside and a lamp is needed to see inside even with full sun outside. The stakes easily bend, so recommend more sturdy stakes.Easy to put up. I would say about 20 minutes is a more reasonable amount of time. The carry bag is expandable enough to hold the tent, an 8X10 tarp, and a rubber mallet as long as patience to let the air out and compress the tent is taken.

I purchased this tent based on the claim that it keeps more light out and for the long rainfly. It does both of these things. It is pictured (right) next to my Coleman Sundome (left) tent purchased two years prior. Both are about the same size, but the skydome does have the superior darkness and a larger rainfly. Size and setup time are about the same.

The media could not be loaded. I love this tent! Received it in July and waited until I had camped a few times to write a review. It's just me (F 5'9") and my 100# dog so I can't speak to having multiple people share this tent.Pros:*Super easy to assemble solo*Extra head room*Waterproof - it poured for an entire day in August and everything in the tent stayed completely dry*It truly is very dark. A little disorienting waking up unsure what time it is at first and I needed a flashlight during the day to find things in the tent*Storage mesh on the ceiling to easily find items*Queen mattress plus room for my bag fit with a little extra room to spareCons:*It already has one tear. No idea what snagged it but it was an easy repair. I had my last Colman tent for years without any tears*I wish the rainfly came out a little further from the door to protect from rain when entering/exiting(Campground is Union Valley Resevoir in El Dorado National Forest in California)

I got the 4 person with dark room technology and I’m very happy with it! I’m 5’7” so I can’t stand straight up but it’s tall enough that I didn’t have to bend much. I had a full size 15” tall air mattress in there and it worked great! I wouldn’t go much taller than that with the mattress though. The dark room worked great and kept it cooler and darker in the morning. Great ventilation even with rain fly on. For those nice nights though, it’s great to take the rainfly off and stargaze without bugs eating you. Only downside is the little awning above the door doesn’t stick out far enough to catch all the rain so go in and out quick. Otherwise it was waterproof and the extra storage nets inside are really handy. Overall, great tent