In this article, we will be taking an in-depth look at one of Coleman’s most popular small, fast pitch tents, the 6-person instant cabin tent.
With rave reviews across the board and very respectable ratings, we thought we should take a closer look and reveal what its features really are, and what they actually do to improve the camping experience.
If you’re not familiar with the terminology like ‘cabin’ and ‘instant’ don’t worry, we got you, and will break down all the jargon in an easy to understand manner.
With a rugged build, attention to detail, and many people having a great admiration for Coleman products, we review the need-to-know information, so you can decide if this tent will work for you.
Page Contents:
The Coleman 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent Review
The Coleman 6-person instant cabin tent is incredibly easy to carry. It comes with a large, square carry bag with long handles.
What We Think
A relatively lightweight tent at 24lbs, this has some excellent features for family or group camping. With plenty of room allowing for multiple people as well as furniture, it is a comfortable tent and easy to set up right out of its storage bag.
Coleman has always been a brand in the camping community that is synonymous with quality and product many of the best instant tents on the market. They deliver once again in this tent’s rugged and durable build, while keeping the price point reasonable.
A point of contention for some is that it does not come with a traditional rain fly, but rather an integrated one that provides little protection during rainfall.
If you are serious about using this tent in anything but sunshine, you will need to purchase the rain fly for it if you want to stay dry.
While Coleman has outfitted this model with their Weathertec features, it is also recommended to buy some seam sealer and quickly spray down the tent to ensure no water gets in.
Rainfly accessory offers added protection from bad weather · Fits 8- by 7-foot Coleman 4-Person Instant Tents (sold separately) ·
Although it’s a bit of a cheap shot having a separately sold rainfly for this model in particular (as it doesn’t seem to happen on any other models) it is easily attainable and affordable above.
What You Think
With nearly 4k reviews and 88% of those landing in the 4 and 5 star categories, it has been performing insanely well. Some users with verified purchases made such comments as:
- “Ridiculously huge, obviously not suitable for backpacking but my family and I love it. We are using a queen air mattress in here when camping and we feel like Kings.”
- “We got it up in less than two minutes, and I did it alone, and around four minutes to get it stuffed back into the carrying bag.”
- “Great quality, as expected with Coleman”
Those are some of the more positive comments, however, it’s not without its critics.
- “The door isn’t positioned in the center, it kinda veers off to the right. This caused us to stumble over each other on the way out. “
- “You definitely need some seam sealer and extra waterproofing spray for the tent walls on this badboy.”
We would also suggest some waterproofing spray for this model. The design and setup is amazing, however with this budget price, it’s not going to be Goretex, so try using a protector on it before use to give it reinforcement.
What We Love
Up and Running in Seconds
Tents that can be fully pitched in under a minute can be a lifesaver. With many people spending long weekends outdoors, they usually head to their campsite on a Friday night after a long day of work. This means setting up your outdoor shelter long after the sun has gone down. The instant setup of this tent comes in handy in situations like this. With the poles already attached to the canopy, Coleman makes it easy for you to extend them out, prop up the tent, and have a shelter up in seconds. One of the best models for its price tag and a great option for those that just want to spend more time relaxing and less time fussing about.
Getting camp set up is easier and faster than ever with the 6-Person Cabin Camping Tent with Instant Setup.
Weathertec Features
It is rare to find tents with as many waterproofing features as Coleman provides using their Weathertec system. While this model needs a proper rain fly (a separate purchase) to withstand a downpour, it still has some excellent built-in waterproofing including a strong frame to withstand high winds, inverted stitches, taped seams, a welded bathtub floor, and covers on the zippers to eliminate moisture from seeping through the cracks. In addition, the mesh windows can be zipped shut for added protection against the elements, or when you want some privacy.
Large Size, Small Storage
Anyone purchasing a 6 person tent will be looking for a relatively large space, and this model delivers on that. With 90 square feet of interior, you can use it with 2 queen size mattresses, and anywhere between 1 and 6 people can fit inside. However, limiting the number of people to a maximum of 3-4 (i.e. 2 parents, 2 kids) will provide the most comfort, allow you more ways to configure the interior, and afford you additional space to move around unobstructed. A center height of 72 inches ensures that most people will be able to walk around inside the tent without smacking their head on the ceiling, and it also gives more than enough headroom for sitting up and changing.
Detail Overview
- Style: Cabin
- Setup: Instant
- Dimensions: 10 x 9 ft (90 square feet)
- Center Height: 6 ft
- Weight: 24 lbs
- Capacity: Fits Up to 6 People
- Stored Size: 47 x 10 x 9 inches
- Seasons: Spring/Summer/Fall
- Waterproof: Weathertec system
- Price: $120 USD
Features Overview
- Pre-Assembled Tent For 60 Second Setup
- Large 90 Square Foot Size, 6 Foot Center Height
- Durable Polyguard 2X Double-Thick Fabric
- Lightweight Aluminum Frame
- Weathertec Waterproofing System
- Can Fit 2 Queen Mattresses
- Interior Storage Pockets
- Expandable Carry Bag for Easy Packing
Tent Overview
Designed for Function
Coleman has designed this tent for easy use, starting with the pre-assembled frame already attached to the canopy for a fast pitch in under 60 seconds. A large door on the front of the tent unzips for easy entry and exit. Zippable mesh windows outfit the front and sides, working with small ceiling ventilation panels for continuous airflow throughout the cabin. When you are ready to head home, an expandable carrying case with straps makes re-packing and transporting this 24 lb. shelter simple.
Storing small gear made easy
Durable Materials
This tent can stand up well to the demands of changing climate. It uses lightweight and flexible fiberglass poles in a multi-hub design. This ensures you have a sturdy and supportive frame in all types of weather. The canopy and floor use double-thick 150D Polyguard fabric, which not only gives you increased protection against harmful UV rays, but also makes it resistant to tears and abrasions from puncturing the tent. In addition, windows and ventilation points are covered in no-see-um mesh to keep the nasties from entering your living space while still allowing you excellent views of your environment.
Simple Push and Click Assembly
Waterproofing
Weathertec is Coleman’s patented waterproofing system that is on full display with this tent. It comprises of features to keep water from penetrating the cabin – high-quality inverted stitching, covers on zippers, taped seams, a bathtub floor that is welded shut with corner reinforcements, and a rugged frame for withstanding high winds. This model comes with an integrated fly, but it is not adequate for camping in the rain. You will need to purchase a traditional rain fly if you want to stay dry while camping in wet weather.
The Most Asked Questions
Can you set it up inside?
Yes absolutely, it is possible to set up inside the home, given you have enough room of course.
Why is there no Rainfly?
For this model they have used an ‘integrated’ rainfly that is ventilated, so although it is waterproof, it will not hold up in torrential rain very well. You can purchase the rainfly accessory for this model separately
What’s the Packed Down Size?
The bag size, so equally the packed-down size, is 47″ x 10″ x 9″, slightly on the large side for a 6 person weighing 25lbs, but with the same token it offers more stability.
Conclusion
This 6 person tent from Coleman ticks off a lot of the boxes on many people’s “must-have” checklist. It’s large and lightweight, yet compact and easily transportable. It’s also rugged and durable due to its fiberglass frame and thick polyester fabric. Even though you need to purchase the rain fly separately, you still get top of the line Weathertec waterproofing throughout the shelter.
There is a lot to like about this tent. From the build quality, to its seasonal flexibility, to the overall price, Coleman can provide you and your group a high-quality tent that is comfortable, highly functional, and provide you years of outdoor use.
