However, it isn’t the design that is at risk — it is the construction. The use of weaker materials like cheap plastic clips, elastic connection points, fiberglass poles, and the tarp floor is where the Sundome could fail after harsh use. This tent can be put up fast and easily thanks to the simple three-pole design. Two poles run diagonally between corners to give the body of the tent it’s dome-shape.
There is a removable extension on the bottom that we assume helps keep the bag small for shipping but, once removed, allows a little more breathing room. It also comes with a fantastic vestibule with a door that can be propped up to form an awning. The sheltered living space in this tent is the advantage it has over the coleman screen tent.
I measured my poles and I did find some aluminum poles online that are the exact size to fit my tent for $36 for the pair so that’s an option I would take if I break a pole. First off, the price on the 2 is hard to beat. For $69 this is an affordable entry level tent for a someone new to camping in mild conditions (more on that in a sec).
The inside corner seams are taped with what looks to be really flimsy version of duct tape that was already peeling up at the corners. While I have yet to sleep in this tent, I was able to pitch it several times and get a feel for the overall coleman instant tent quality and functionality. Plan B was to set the tent up on the BSA summer camp standard issue wood platforms covered by an old canvas tent. That plan was ultimately thwarted by all the missing slats in the most level platform I could find.
So if you’re looking for a tent guaranteed to keep you dry, the sundome 4 man model might not be the best choice. The bathtub floor that comes with welded corners and inverted should keep small rain showers out of the tent. The products are low-cost but like the Coleman sundome that doesn’t mean they are low-quality.