The Core 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent is one of the more popular models of instant tents on the market for family campers and large groups alike. With such highly rated reviews across many platforms, we want to break everything down to truly show you why this is such a much-loved tent.
Sometimes canvas tents for families can seem too heavy or difficult to assemble. This polyester model from Core has a wonderfully quick set up that can be done in under 2 minutes.
Plus, you have the freedom to customize 3 separate rooms, just like living in a smaller version of your home. When your day is packed full of outdoor recreation activities while camping, it’s comforting to know you have the perfect living space to relax in.
Today we will uncover all its details and innovative features, what we love about it, and an in-depth overview to answer all your burning questions. You’ll find out if it’s really worth it, and if it would suit your camping style for your next trip.
Page Contents:
Our Core 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent Full Review Guide
Our First Thoughts
We think this instant tent from Core is one of the best and safest options for casual family camping. While we can’t see this lasting in extreme conditions, it’s certainly not made for that, and it’s instead a perfect choice for 3-season camping. It has a sturdy structure, incredibly fast set up, and 3 separate rooms to personalize your living and sleeping spaces.
We feel it’s a reasonable price based on the high-quality materials and build you’re getting. Plus, you probably wouldn’t want to go any lower if you want a large tent that’s top-quality overall. As we’ve said, you’ll want to go for something more heavy-duty for winter conditions, but in warmer months, this is certainly a go-to that’s recommended by so many in the camping community.
Important Specs at a Glance
Type
Freestanding Instant Cabin |
Dimensions
216“L x 120“W x 80“H |
Weight
50.8 lbs |
Price
$299 – $350 or over depending on where you purchase from. |
Capacity
12 People |
Assembly
Instant with Pre-Attached Poles |
Season
3-Season |
Fabrics
Tent & Rainfly – 68D Polyester Floor – 125gsm Polyethylene |
Structure
7-inch Steel Stakes & Poles |
Pack Size
49“L x 16“W x 11.5“H |
Waterproof Rating
600mm+ Water Column |
Warranty
1 Year Limited Warranty |
Overview of Features
- Fast Pre-Assembled 2 Minute Set Up
- Spacious Interior
- 2 Detachable Room Dividers Makes 3 Rooms
- Tall 80-inch Centre Height
- Waterproof H2O Block Fabric Technology
- Adjustable Airflow Vents & Full Mesh Roof
- Stable Steel Framework & Stakes
- 4 Interior Hanging Storage Pockets & Gear Loft
- Large Double-Door Design
- Small Front Awning
What We Love – Our Top 3 Features
So, why is this tent worth it? Why should you consider it instead of other models? We’ve picked our favorite stand-out features that make this a must-have.
GOLD QUALITY – Pre-Assembled Frame & Instant Set Up
We feel this is the best feature because of the sheer size of this tent. With something so large, it’s such an advantage to be able to set it up quickly. But we’re not talking 5-10 minutes quick, this tent sets up in 2 minutes and under. Most other similar models, without an instant pitch, can be difficult to install and can take 30 minutes to an hour. For first-time or casual campers, this is a must-have.
SILVER FEATURE – Removable Room Dividers
Love privacy? Even if you think camping with your family or friends won’t be invasive, it’s always nice to have your own space. This comes in at our second-best feature as we think it’s really important to not only be able to get some solitude, but also for sectioning off the interior. Things can get messy when you camp – especially with a large group of people. You can customize and divide the space into a 3 room tent if need be. This gives you room for storage and muddy clothes or boots, and another space for sleeping that you can keep clean. A third room can be used as a living area for relaxing, eating food, and playing games.
BRONZE HIGHLIGHT – Heaps of Ventilation
This feature may be last, but it’s certainly not least. Air circulation inside a large tent is a huge bonus, especially for camping in the hotter months. As we’ve said above, this model is suited to 3-season camping, and it does an amazing job at it. There is an advanced venting system, which consists of large mesh openings at the bottom. This is what makes it stand out from others, as these 2 large vents can stay open even when it rains. Also, in the heart of summer, you can get tons of airflow through the full mesh roof, big screened windows and ground vent.
Main Overview – Breaking Down Every Detail
Type of Tent –3 Season Camping
In a nutshell, this is an instant freestanding tent with a cabin shape. With tall straight walls, the top comes up like a regular roof for extra headroom.
As an ideal 2-season tent, it has all the classic features of others in this category, yet it’s done so incredibly well. There is a lot of mesh all throughout the structure, from the complete screened roof to the many windows and 2 huge mesh doors. You can get heaps of airflow, so things won’t get stuffy in the warmth. The fly can protect from light rain, but it’s not full coverage and won’t last in harsher weather.
Materials – Waterproof Technology & Strong Structure
Polyester is one of the strongest and most commonly used materials for tents. 68D polyester makes up the body, and the flooring is 125gsm polyethylene (PE). While it has a waterproof rating of 600mm, it’s not intended for heavy downpours, making it ideal for warmer weather camping.
This lighter waterproof column is what makes this tent work so well in the heat, as it’s lightweight and breathable. Special H2O Block Technology is used in all Core tents. This consists of a polyurethane (PU) coating which helps water to bead and roll off easily, instead of seeping through.
A solid frame is composed of very durable steel poles and stakes. The stakes are 7 inches and are made to hold down such a large structure. We think this is what makes up most of the heaviness, but it’s reassuring that it’s a stable framework. Plus, this certainly isn’t a tent that’s meant for lightweight backpacking.
Ultimate Privacy – Room Dividers
A huge advantage when living in a small area with others is being able to claim your own space. The removable dividers in this tent make it so easy to customize each area and separate the rooms. When not in use, you can either fully remove them or simply fold them back.
Set Up and Storage – As Easy as It Gets
As it’s instant, it’s super easy to set up. Since all the poles are already attached to the body, you only need to extend them and secure it down with guy lines if the weather is bad. It’s one of the easiest methods, other than pop-up models, that you can find on the market. Perfect for casual camping families and first-timers.
Storing it away is quite simple, especially for such a large structure made for a large capacity. It comes with a carry bag, making it a dream to carry from the car to the campsite. Thanks to the lightweight polyester material, it’s able to squish down and allows air to quickly escape. This means it can stuff into the bag with ease.
You don’t have to spend so much time learning how to fold it down in the exact right way, which so many other tents can, unfortunately, be known for. You’re also given 2 straps that can be wrapped around the compacted structure to make it even more of a cinch to pack away.
Most Asked Questions – We’ve Got You Covered
What are the Poles made From?
All the poles inside the framework are steel. When you extend and click each joint into place, you’ll find these joints are made from strong plastic, so as not to add further to the weight.
Is there Electric Cord Access?
Yes, there is an electricity port on the left side at the front. It has an image on it to indicate where it’s located so you can easily find it.
Do you Have to Secure it to the Ground?
As it’s freestanding, you do not have to pin it to the ground using stakes. However, we suggest securing it down as wind can be unpredictable.
Our Final Thoughts
For the price and high-quality structure and materials, there is no doubt that this is an awesome 12-person tent. Its spaciousness and sturdy build make it the best choice for 3-season camping adventures, plus you’re getting heaps of ventilation through the advanced venting system.
As a family, you can separate your room from the kids’ room with the removable dividers, and even make your own living and storage space. Compared to others on the competitive market, the instant 2-minute set up is unbeatable, making this the perfect choice for your home-away-from-home.