2.8.2018

Have not tested in the rain but I am sure the double skin would work well as there is a good sized air gap between the layers to stop water seeping through. The door on this tent is great as it unzips from either end so unlike with other tents were I have just ended up unpegging the door flap to get in and out because it is too inconvenient to unzip this one you can just leave zipped up at the base and unzip from the top to climb in and out. This also means you can unzip it just a little at the top and get a breeze through the inside fly screen section. I would like it if this fly screen was a little larger but it compensates for the small size well by being able to unzip the outside likethis.The problem however is that the top vents also have fly screens so anything that gets in between the outer and inner skin flies up there and gets stuck. Within a couple hours there were 20 odd flies buzzing around up there and it was getting quite annoying. As they always try and fly upwards they never manage to get out and I found myself slapping the top of the tent towards the door to try and push them towards the exit... with limited success. The problem is amplified by the front of the tent being grey whilst the rear is green as they were noticeably more attracted to the green sections so kept getting further away from the door. I may cut the fly screens out of the top vents or partially cut them away and stitch in some Velcro so they can be opened to get rid of the flies. It is unlikely that flies are going to come in through them anyway... and it doesn't matter if they do because they can't get into the interior of the tent unless you leave the inside door open. Unless you pull the outer skin really tight to the ground (which I was unable to do as the ground was too hard to get the pegs in that deep) and have a ground sheet down under the tent they are always going to crawl in under it and get stuck up there.I somehow managed to get in and out several times without actually letting any flies inside the tent and I guess if you are a fisherman or something you could use the tent as a pretty effective fly trap for free bait but otherwise the buzzing up there becomes really irritating.I just took the tent out for about 5 hours in the sun to test it out and did not have the same problem I've had with cheaper tents of it quickly getting too hot inside to be comfortable as the double skin cuts down on a lot of the glare from the sun and the ventilation is reasonably good. The tent assembles relatively easily although I would ignore the instructions to tie the poles in place before clipping them on as this resulted in the tie being in the wrong place and being difficult to undo and rectify. Tying it on after getting it pegged in place and clipped on though resulted in it becoming untied after putting the second skin on so it would be preferably if there were clips up there instead.It probably goes up easier than single skin tents where you have to feed the poles through the fabric due to the exterior clips though. Lining the second skin up properly over the top was a little more awkward but mainly because I'd put it up in a small clearing in the trees and had limited space.The interior compartment folds up very easily due to the simple square shape (just take a look at how it was folded when you first took it out and copy that). The second skin though I had trouble with because the shape is less straight forward and the rigid struts that support the top vents were getting in the way so predictably I was unable to get it back in the bag as neatly as it came though it still worked out easier and more compact than single skin tents I've had. Having just two poles rather than another for the front awning section makes this easier and less bulky too. Given that the tent is very good quality though it is a little annoying that the bag is just as thin and flimsy as cheaper tents as I could see it splitting unless you are able to get it packed away just as compactly as it came.

25.5.2018

It’s not often something that’s ‘good value’ lives up to expectations, but this Coleman Darwin has easily exceeded mine. I could not believe how tiny the tent was when it arrived. One of the photos shows it next to a 10” iPad just to give an idea of the packed size. Thankfully, putting it back into the bag does not require an honours degree in origami, even a mortal like me can get it back in without too much effort.We thought we’d try it out in the garden first to weather in the material, check out the claims of a fast pitch time and to make sure it would be big enough. Wow! Quick pitch it really is - first pitch took us all of 10 minutes, and we were taking our time. There’s a video available on line,which shows this much better than I could describe here. The first time we used it for its intended purpose, I reckon it was up in around 5 minutes, including the fly sheet.Our reason for buying this little tent was for use as a pup tent next to our motorhome, and for this it is absolutely ideal. Many campsites do not charge extra for a pup tent as long as it’s of suitably small dimensions. It is therefore just extra sleeping accommodation, not having to double up as living space. Inside, there are a couple of small pockets and a loop for hanging a light. A double air bed fits inside beautifully (inflate it once inside) and with a three season sleeping bag on top, our grandson was really comfy in spite of only being 4 degrees overnight. We haven’t had any heavy rain yet when we’ve used it, but I can only assume this little vent is as waterproof as any of the Coleman tents we’ve owned in the past.Packing it away after use is really speedy too and it easily rolls away back into the supplied bag. It’s simole to dry it out at home too - we fling it over the bannisters upstairs and it’s bone dry in a couple of hours when the central heating is running.In short, as long as interior space for gear isn’t a requirement or you are using it as a one person tent the for the money, this little tent is great.My only issue is the tent pegs supplied. Firstly, there are none supplied for the guy ropes, so if you’re pitching in windy conditions you need to source four extra pegs. Secondly, the pegs that Coleman do supply might as well be made from cheese, bending under the slightest provocation even in grass. Invest in some decent pegs and ditch the rubbish ones that come with it.** Udate: We’ve just returned from a two week holiday in Devon, using this tent as sleeping accommodation for my adult son and his fiancé. We had every type of weather from hot and sunny to very wet and windy and this little tent performed flawlessly throughout. No leaks, no faults and no complaints at all from the guys using it. Very happy indeed.

10.8.2020

Newbie to camping and so wanted a decent tent that was not over expensive. This seems to be a really great tent, used it for a week during which time we have every bit of weather going from the heat to the pour down and gusty winds, the tent coped fine. I've given it 5 stars because it is just what I wanted, it has a sleeping area and a small porch area so you don't have to take wet stuff in to the sleeping part. First off there were only two of us and so we managed to put a double air bed in it with no problem. Second time round my youngest joined us. Now at this point just two minor issues. I'd question 4 man because to me ( admittedly a novice) it seemed a bit cramped with 3 so I feel 4 would have been a uncomfortable.

20.7.2020

The bedroom region of the tent is big enough for an inflatable mattress with 6" either side to stick bags and such. It's a comfortable size.Set up correctly, the outer and inner layer don't touch, rain is not a concern as far as I can tell (had ~8 hours of moderate rain over the weekend and none made it in.Where the tent let me down is with the design of the entrance. The groundsheet extends beyond the bedroom part, and the external part drapes over it all. This is taught over the bedroom, but loose over both sides of the entrance. This means that wind blowing towards one of those sides will push it over the lip of the groundsheet and water will drip down inside there.

9.9.2014

This tent came to Dartmoor for one week and, my word, what a bargain.I wanted something light, roomy, and reliable. This ticked all those boxes.On the third day, the tail-end of the recent Atlantic hurricane sent rain and gales pounding into the valley where we camped. The tent swayed in the wind as all would, and yet was rock solid. Even as a Londoner with family in Ireland, I've never seen rain like it in my life- it hammered down from 6am till 8pm nonstop and yet not a drop got through. My friend bought the exact same tent and had the exact same excellent protection. The outer triangulated door cover is a real bonus for storing wet boots and waterproof clothing that needs to dry out.When the sun shone after the downpour I said to my pal,

4.8.2017

I really like this tent, it seems study and robust. I did have to YouTube how to erect it though, as a complete newbie to tent putting upping, I do think there should be an instructional video for each individual tent. I don't seem to be able to get the porch sides to come down far enough to make the porch area water tight. But I suspect that's my fault rather than a flaw in the actual tent. I've put it up three times now and I don't dread getting the tent out, it doesn't fill me with horror so it must be pretty good :) with two people it's probably a breeze.I think getting four people in if everyone had airbeds would be a squeeze to say the least. However,

25.8.2020

I recently purchased and used the 3+ man tent for a coastal weekend camping trip. It was not only easy to put up and assemble but it stayed up the entire time with no re-reinforcements or adjustments needed which was really impressive as the other members of our camping trip had to keep reinforcing their own tents. Our camping trip was very very windy but the tent stood up well.Unfortunately it did not rain so I cannot comment on the water proof/resistance but I assume that it would also hold well under rain. The bag it came in is really handy and compact but we did have difficultly trying to fold the tent to put back in the bag properly (I wish it did come with instructions on the best way to do this - do we roll/fold?

7.8.2018

Bought this for a solo bike tour around Japan where I was camping primarily for three months. The tent held up to conditions varying from -6c in the Japanese alps, 30c on beaches, and in the remnants of a typhoon in a forest.Its an Amazingly good value tent though there are a couple of negative points, first of all its a little heavy so if you are looking to go lightweight it's not the best, second I found that the tent was very prone to condensation, this could be due to the fabsil waterproofing I used but it bears mentioning. Finally, by the end of the three months the groundsheet was worse for wear and not one hundred percent waterproof any more,

10.10.2019

Love this little tent. I've got into a habit of going off camping for a week on my own in the summer, and for the last couple of years have used a pop up festive tent and it's being OK but I wouldn't trust it in the rain, and this year rain was forecast, so wanted something I could trust. After a bit of research I went with the Darwin. What I was looking for was something that :1. would keep me dry and wouldn't blow away2. was quick to put up and pull down3. would keep the bugs out4. was compact, doesn't take up much storage space and was reasonable light to carry.5. will be robust to last 5-10 years (using it only 1-2 weeks a year)I can confirm that this tent meets all my requirements of points 1 to 4 and only time will tell for point 5,

2.5.2015

Strong, light weight materials stored in an extremely small package. Great for a few days of hiking. It really is so light it feels like nothing is added when you attach it to your backpack. When putting it up, instructions (if needed) are extremely simple diagrams, making them extremely simple to understand. They are attached to the inside of the holding bag, meaning they can't be lost, so no worries about that. Putting it up, after a few runs, takes literally 5 hasty minutes. I was actually amazed since it's my first tent. I have been in quite a few other tents, but never owned one. Anyway, this is a very practical and well thought out tent. Time is money and the amount of time you save putting this up,

15.5.2020

For me, one of the most appealing things about this tent is… the colour! So many tents these days are bright orange, or neon blue or something. This tent blends into the UK countryside perfectly.The tent itself has a great build quality, and is easy to put up (it takes me about 15 mins). I got the 3+ version and I would suggest you go a size higher than the amount of people that will be using it. The 3+ is perfect for two people and all their gear.There are some great features, like a raised lip on the groundsheet, ventilation flaps, fly mesh, windows with window covers, and resistance to fire.You can’t really go wrong with this tent, and this is coming from someone testing it in the Scottish Highlands,

29.5.2019

I bought this tent as I needed a smaller tent for motorbiking, Unfortunately the first and only time I have erected was in a rainstorm. Because its inner lining carries the poles by the time I was putting the fly sheet on it was a swamp. Two poles are used for the inner and a third goes on the flysheet, the flysheet pole is shaped making it difficult to install through the sheet. The inner poles clip.I found through out the night the the flysheet touched the inner and no amount of adjusting the guy ropes (incidentally attach at the corners) could pull the flysheet away from the inner.Short of it is that I would not recommend this particular Colman (I have 2 others which are good - flysheet

17.6.2019

This tent replaced an old one which had started to leak.. It is so much better designed, weather proof (even a violent overnight continental storm didn't trouble it) and easy to erect. All tents this size are described as 3 man. That would feel very crowded. I erected mine alone first time in less than 15 minutes. It's probably worth spending a little longer on this to ensure the geometry is correct; helpful preventing rain ingress and avoiding strain on poles zips etc. A centre mark on the main poles to indicate where they should intersect would help too (I'll mark mine with tape when I get home). This tent comes without a hammer/mallet. Otherwise complete and full instructions.

4.8.2019

Used the tent for a multiple day music festival.It withstood the rain and wind. However, when I was putting it up, it was raining so the inner part got wet and wasn't able to dry. Once it stopped raining though and it was sunny for a couple of hours it dried up very well and the condensation was gone. When it rained after that there was no new condensation. The little windows for airing are extremely useful for this.Two people can fit in it, but if you have a lot of luggage, it gets very cramped. I managed ok with my boyfriend, but people that are not so close might be uncomfortable. Also the space at the front of the tent isn't much, managed to fit two pairs of boots at the maximum.

18.9.2016

Replacing a much loved, well used 11 year old Vango 300+ tent. I like the length of the Coleman Darwin for a start - much better than the Vango in that respect (seems to have more room inside too). Shame the poles couldn't have been lightweight aluminium, as I thought I was buying a lighter weight tent than before, the poles are heavy and not the same quality as previously used to, and I couldn't swap them for the Vango poles as all slightly longer - however was able to substitute the pegs. Someone rated the Darwin dry packed weight as 3.9kg. This is wrong. Its easily 4.2kg.Easy to put up / take down. Vents are a good addition. Porch is a good size. Easy to spot in a sea of tents too.

Coleman Darwin 2 - Reviews

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