What To Look For
Coleman offers a wide range of affordable camping and backpacking tents. Coleman's tent line is divided into "Family," "Backpacking" and "Hinge Door and Lighted Tents." Within the "Family" category, Coleman offers a number of cabin, family domes and modified dome tents that sleep anywhere from three to 10 people. Coleman's backpacking tents aren't the lightest, most compact tents, but they offer affordable, sturdy tents in three-season and four-season varieties. Perhaps the most notable tents of Coleman's line, "Hinge Door" tents feature a patent-pending hinged door that swings open just like a regular door at home. This contrasts with nearly every other tent on the market that use zippered doors. Coleman's lighted tents include a built-in, battery-powered fluorescent light for convenience and safety--a remote control helps you light up and find your tent when hiking back in the dark. The "Hinge Door" and "Lighted" tents are larger family-style dome and cabin tents. One feature to look for when shopping for Coleman tents is Coleman's WeatherTec System subject to testing in a wind tunnel and rain room. Tents with this system include features such as inverted floor seams, zipper cuffs, welded floors and coated polyester tent bodies to make them watertight.
Common Pitfalls
When shopping for Coleman tents, look closely at tent components and design. Though Coleman is a recognized name brand, reviews on tents are mixed and some users have expressed issues with its products. It always pays to look for quality build and components, and pay a little extra money for the added quality. Some things to look for are aluminum poles instead of fiberglass because they are stronger and more durable. A full rain fly will offer better protection than a partial model. Coleman's WeatherTec System uses many smart features to protect campers from inclement weather.
Where To Buy
Coleman products can be found at a variety of outdoor sporting good stores and general retailers. Target and Dick's Sporting Goods are two locations that sell Coleman tents and products. Additionally, Coleman has a network of factory outlets around the country. Coleman also offers an online store at its website.
Cost
Coleman tents are among the more affordable. If you're a recreational camper looking for a good, inexpensive first tent for car camping excursions, Coleman likely has a tent within your desired budget. Coleman's family tents range in price from $50 to $200 as of September 2009. Backpacking tents are also reasonably priced with most ranging in the $50 to $150 range. Coleman's four-season mountaineering tents are the most expensive in the line and top out around $550.
Accessories
In addition to its tent line, Coleman is an outdoors company with a diverse line of camping gear and accessories. Tent-specific accessories that Coleman offers include solar-powered fans, stakes, tent nightstands, tent lights and seam sealer. Coleman also offers nearly all the other gear that you need for camping from grills and cooking tools to bug repellent.
