Are you looking for a compact and lightweight tent that can house up to three people? The Coleman Sundome 3 Person Tent could fit the bill.
Read on to find out if this is the right tent for you.
Coleman Sundome 3 Person Tent
Summary
Summary:
Ultra-easy, conventional set up allows you to erect it in around 10 minutes. Removable fly covers a screened roof area that provides panoramic views of the sky. The tent boasts plenty of space for up to 3 adults and additional gear.
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Comfort
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Set-up
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Quality
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Price
Overall
Pros
Reasons to Buy:
- Excellent ventilation ensured by large windows and removable fly.
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Plenty of space for people plus gear
- Large D-door for easy in and out
- Withstands moderate winds and rain
- Great value for money
Cons
Conventional (10min)
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3 People
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1 Room
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Height 48″
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Waterproof
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Panoramic Roof
Who Is Coleman Sundome 3 Person Tent For?
The Coleman Sundome 3 Person is a tent suitable for campers and backpackers who either need more space on their solo adventures or want to share the shelter with up to other two persons. It is also suitable to use as a beach or backyard tent for the kids.
This isn't the lightest tent out there, but it's still lightweight and compact enough to shove into the cheapest hiking backpack.
Advertised as a 3-season tent, it resists wind quite beautifully. It will also hold up to light and moderate rain, but as most Coleman tents, it isn't fully waterproof.
An interior of 7 by 7 feet provides plenty of space for a twin air mattress and camping gear. If you're car camping and don't really care about the gear, the tent is large enough to house a queen-size mattress.
In a nutshell, the Coleman Sundome 3 Person is ideal for solo hikers, anglers, hunters, couples, and small families looking for a lightweight yet resistant sleeping arrangement.
What Tent Type Is The Coleman Sundome 3 Person?
The Coleman Sundome 3 Person is a 3-person, conventional pitch tent. A two-pole design make it very easy to pitch in around 10 minutes.
As its name suggests, this is a dome tent. This style comes with pluses and minuses. On the bright side, it offers better wind resistance than the cabin tent design.
The head clearance is not as generous as that of the cabin tents, but you'll still get a whooping 4 feet of ceiling height in the middle of the tent. In other words, you should be able to sit even if you decide to fit an air bed in there.
Although freestanding, we still recommend anchoring the shelter to the ground with the included stakes and ropes, to improve balance and wind resistance.
Coleman Sundome 3 Person Tent Features Quality Test
Easy to Assemble
This tent might have a conventional pitch design, but is very easy to assemble by one person. Snag-free, continuous sleeves and Insta-Clip pole attachments simplify set up. Pitching it for the first time may take around 15 minutes. Once you're used to the procedure, you should be able to pitch the tent is 10 minutes or less.
Water Resistance
Like most tents from Coleman, the Sundome 3 Person is not fully waterproof. A removable rainfly enhances its rain resistance, and you can sleep in it without soaking in light to moderate rain. However, the tent will leak in heavier rain; thus, we only recommend it for the warmer season.
Weatherproof
The weather resistance of this tent confirms that you should only consider this tent if you're camping in warmer climates. Plenty of mesh windows and a mesh ceiling ensure plenty of airflow, but make it challenging to warm up the tent on the colder days.
Lightweight
A moderate heaviness brings true value. Weighing 8.7 pounds, the tent is light enough to consider for hiking or backpacking, yet heavy enough to hold up well to stronger wind. The dome shape enhances resistance to stronger gusts, boosting the shelter's value for money.
Sturdiness
The Coleman Sundome 3 Person might not resist for a lifetime, but it will stay by your side for at least a few seasons. Perhaps the weakest part are the poles, made from fiberglass. They are flexible enough to resist wind and rain, but break easier than steel poles.
The stakes are rather flimsy, too, but they are very easy to replace with a heavier duty choice.
We like the sturdiness of the fabric, though, as well as the heavy-duty construction of the floor. All in all, this tent won't disappoint.
Features We Love
Rainfly Awning
This tent comes with a convenient, removable rainfly that enhances water resistance. When on, the fly stretches above the door, providing you with a further, shaded area to enjoy on the hottest summer days. You can also use the awning to store some gear or to place a mud mat for keeping the tent's interior cleaner when it rains.
Roomy Interior
Coleman Sundome is roomier than most 3-person tents. Boasting 7 x 7 feet of floor space, it can easily accommodate a queen size air mattress or up to three self-inflating camping pads. The head clearance is also generous, compared to other dome tents.
WeatherTec System
While the tent is not fully waterproof, we particularly like the WeatherTec system that consists of a welded floor and inverted seams. Thanks to these features, the tent is more resistant to water.
Ventilation
Plenty of windows, a mesh ceiling, as well as vents at the floor level make it easy to adjust the airflow and temperature inside the tent. Thanks to the large windows, you can also enjoy beautiful views when the fly is off.
What Buyers Say About Their Coleman Sundome 3 Person Tent?
Users are generally happy with this tent. Most buyers appreciate the roomy interior, as well as the quality of the construction.
Among the flaws highlighted by the users, we can mention the relatively small door. You won't be able to fit an inflated air mattress through it, which only leaves you with the option of inflating it inside the tent.
Buyers also complained about the poor water resistance. Luckily, this can be fixed with waterproof spray, should you want to go camping in the rainy season.
Pros
- Very easy to pitch, considering the conventional tent design.
- Generous head clearance and interior space for a dome tent.
- Plenty of windows and a mesh ceiling ensure proper ventilation on the hotter days.
- Super-easy to pack back into its bag; the tent is easy to transport.
- A removable rainfly enhances water resistance and protection from elements.
- Attractive price point; this is one of the most affordable 3-person tents.
Cons
- Water and wind resistance are only average. The tent is unsuitable to use in the colder seasons.
- Trapping in warmth might be difficult due to the large mesh windows.
- The fly covers the windows completely when it's on, but it doesn't go all the way down.
What is Included?
- 3-person tent
- Rainfly
- Poles
- Stakes
- Carrying bag
Technical Specs
- Floor size - 7' x 7'
- Tent stakes - Steel
- Pack weight - 8.7 lb
- Pack size - 22.8" x 6.1" x 6.1"
- Tent fabric - 75D Polyester
- Center height - 4.4'
- Floor material - 1000D Polyethylene
- Poles - Fiberglass
Coleman Sundome 3 Person Tent Alternatives
| Name | ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr | MSR Elixir Backpacking Tent | Suisse Sport Dome Tent | DEERFAMY Pop Up Dome Tent |
| Image |  |  |  |  |
| Weight | 6.2 lb | 7 lb | 7 lb | 10.2 lb |
| Floor size | 6.2' x 7.5' | 84" x 68" | 7' x 7' | 93.31" x 78.74" |
| Material | 75D Polyester | Polyester | Nylon | Polyurethane |
| Peak height | 41" | 41" | 48" | 51.57" |
| Packed Size | 21" x 8" x 8" | 20" x 8" x 8" | 24" x 5" x 5" | 34" x 8" x 8" |
| Doors | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Vestibule | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Rainfly | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Freestanding | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Instant | No | No | No | Yes |
| Setup | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | 10 minutes | 1 minute |
| Name | Photo | Weight | Setup |
| ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr | | 6.2 lb | 10 minutes |
| MSR Elixir Backpacking Tent | | 7 lb | 5 minutes |
| Suisse Sport Dome Tent | | 7 lb | 10 minutes |
| DEERFAMY Pop Up Dome Tent | | 10.2 lb | 1 minute |