Coleman Tent Features
Discover what makes a Coleman tent...
Flysheet fabrics:
The flysheet and groundsheet PU coating is applied in 2 layers, one layer is applied and then left to dry for 24 hours and then a second layer is applied. Production time is increased however the PU coating is more consistent and even across the entire length and width of fabric.
Every centimetre of the fabric is checked by eye to ensure that there are no defects, resulting in a 100% perfect flysheet and groundsheet.
Fabrics with a PU coating can have a fire retardant process easily added. The fire retardant fabric will not flare dangerously out of control if it comes in contact with a naked flame but it will self-extinguish.
Polyester is used for the majority of our flysheets - Polyester has a higher resistance to UV rays and temperature changes compared with other flysheet fabrics, therefore it will not degrade quickly, it is highly weather resistant, durable and long lasting as it is not prone to rotting. It also holds it shape well when wet.
UV degradation affects all flysheet fabrics to some extent and manifests itself initially by fading of colour and reduction of hydrostatic head. A coating has been applied to many Coleman flysheets to provide additional UV protection - UV Pro - increasing fabric longevity.
Coleman backpacking tents feature ripstop fabrics. Thanks to the ripstop weave, the flysheet will resist tears if snagged. Extra-strong weft and warp threads are woven in every 5 mm. Should the fabric tear, the tear is stopped at these strengthening thread points (ripstop). As a result, the tent can continue to be used without additional repairs being necessary.
A cautionary note - not everything that looks like ripstop is actually ripstop. Some materials have the exact same appearance without any of the functionality.
Inner tent fabrics:
Most Coleman® tents feature breathable polyester and no-see-um mesh inners, these fabrics have been chosen due to their low weight helping to reduce the overall tent weight. Durable and soft to the touch to increase comfort, but maintain product life. The no-see-um mesh is ultra-fine and gets its name from the fact that it keeps out the "no-see-um" mosquito, the smallest mosquito.
Groundsheets:
Nylon is used for the groundsheet in our backpacking tents as it is lightweight and has a good abrasion resistance. The PU coating is on the inside so that it can not be easily scratched and weakened by the rough ground.
All flysheet and nylon groundsheets seams are taped and the thread is water repellent to prevent water entering the tent.
Family tents feature PE (polyethylene) groundsheets as they are extremely rugged and resistant to heavy use.
All PE groundsheet corner and floor seams are welded, this avoids the incidence of needle holes and therefore retains the integrity and waterproofness of the tent floor. Welded seams are stronger than traditional sewn floors.
There are different types of PE groundsheets in our family tents:
- Fully integrated sewn in PE groundsheet, the groundsheet is sewn to the tent flysheet around all sides providing dry and bug-free camping.
- PE rising groundsheet provides weather protection thanks to the 12cm high side panels that clip on to the tent wall, it can be pegged out to create a crease-free tent floor. Also on longer stays the groundsheet can be removed at regular intervals, minimising damage the grass beneath. As it is removable, it can be easily cleaned and stored separately from the tent if it becomes muddy and wet.
Features to keep you dry:
ZipperCuff™ prevents water from reaching the zipper. A cuff of material runs along the entire length of all flysheet zippers, in heavy rain the water flows off and does not reach the zipper. Flysheet zippers are inverted, if rain did manage to reach the zippers this prevents water from entering the tent.
Poles:
- Aluminium 7001-T6 poles are alloyed with zinc and have the highest strength of any aluminium alloy. They are much lighter than both steel and fibreglass and are more corrosion resistant than steel. They have an excellent strength to weight ratio. The poles provide a rigid, wind safe, yet lightweight performance structure. Stability is indicated by the alloy, and 6000 and 7000 alloys are used in tent poles. 6000 is more brittle and breaks more easily but is cheaper.
- 7000 is stronger and more stable but is also more expensive.
- 7075 indicates that the material originates in Europe.
- 7001 poles originate in Asia.
- The elasticity of the aluminium is indicated by the T value. This ranges from T1 (very elastic) to T10 (very hard). A good compromise is the T6 aluminium as used in many Coleman tent poles.
- On our aluminium poles, the pole ferrules (the sections that join the poles) are internal which means that tent fabric does not get caught and snagged on them when pitching which not only creates easier, smoother tent pitching but reduces strain on both the pole and fabric therefore minimising tears and bent poles.
- The pole section lengths are carefully considered. For backpacking tents they are short enough allowing them to be packed easily into a rucksack, however not so short that it adds unnecessary weight: The shorter the sections, the more inserts are used, and the higher the weight with the same construction length.
- Wrapflex™ poles are fibreglass poles that have the addition of a polyester film which increases the strength and UV resistance compared to standard fibreglass poles. In the event of a broken pole, the polyester film eliminates fibreglass fibrils which can easily rip tent fabric.
- Wrapflex™ poles are used in many of our family tents.
- Steel poles provide extreme stability and straight walls, increasing the usable space - used in some of our large family tents.
Set-up
- Colour coded poles and pole sleeves and bedroom inner hooks minimise pitching errors.
- Structure belts assist in correct and "square" pitching, while the buckle adjusters allow you to effortlessly tension the tent, just clip and pull on the webbing to the required tightness.
- Backpacking tents and some family tents feature continuous mesh pole sleeves; they are faster to pitch, stronger, provide a more reliable pole housing creating a taut pitch with uniform tension across the whole tent. The mesh pole sleeve allows the air to flow through, therefore not affecting the aerodynamics of the tent and they also minimise weight.
- Many tents feature blanked off pole sleeves on one side which allows for single person pitching, you just place the pole in the sleeve, push and the arc is created, allowing you to effortlessly place the pole in the eyelet.
Tent shapes:
- Tunnel tent structures use less pole (in terms of overall length) therefore they are lighter and offer a good space to weight ratio.
- Backpacking tunnel tents:
- There is a spacious sleeping area in addition to a large storage area that can accommodate large packs and boots.
- Tunnel tents that have their narrow sides facing the wind are very stable; only if there is a very strong side wide do any problems arise. In such cases, tunnel tents need to be guyed using all available lines. This works very well, and is also partly the reason why tunnel tents are chosen for expeditions.
- In alpine environments tunnel tents are somewhat at a disadvantage as they must always be guyed.
- Family tunnel tents:
- The tunnel structure allows for good head height throughout the tent, even in the bedrooms, giving more useable space throughout the tent.
- The cabin structure provides good head height throughout the tent, even in the bedrooms, giving more useable space throughout the entire tent, they are also easy to pitch.
- Mixed structure;
- tunnel bedroom provides a spacious sleeping area and the dome living area offers good head height and good internal dimensions for a family table and chairs.
Ventilation:
The best way to reduce condensation in tents is through improved ventilation; Coleman® tent designers have thought long and hard to create ventilation systems that are effect but simple and easy to use. They have developed 2 main systems, one for backpacking tents, the other for family tents:
- The Variflo™ system has been developed to allow cold air to enter the tent at the bottom and leave through the top. Two triangular mesh panels with fabric covers are positioned in diagonally opposite corners of the tent, approximately 10 to 15cm above ground level. These are fully adjustable, giving you control of the internal conditions. When opened the cool air flows into the tent and due to the chimney effect, it pushes the warm air out through vents at the top of the tent. The Variflo™ system is used in our backpacking tents.
- The Airflo system is featured in our family tents and takes on a number of forms but essentially all follow the same fundamentals, cold air is brought into near the base of the tent, it then pushes the warm air out through vents positioned near the top of the tent. See individual tent range features for more information.
- Cool air port, a feature of the Airflo system, is a semi-circle, zipped, double layered section at the base of the flysheet. Open one layer to expose the mesh and it allows cool air to come in at the bottom of your tent while providing bug protection. The warm air is then pushed out of the tent via the ventilation panels. A Cool Window Fan can be added for increased ventilation.
Other components:
- Brass eyelets for pole insertion provide extra strength and reliability.
- 2-way YKK, water repellent zippers are used on the flysheet doors these have been selected for their high burst resistance and water resistance.