If you are a newbie, then don’t worry because this guide is dedicated adequately to you. You will remember the right decision you made by purchasing an instant camping tent when you are on a cross-country tour or with a group that frequently changes the camping place. On the other side, a traditional tent will consume a lot of your valuable time and hard work. Ultimately, you will be annoyed with a traditional tent.
This is one of the biggest reasons why instant camping tents are so popular and always recommended. We have done a lot of research, and based on our vast camping experience, we featured the below guide in very simple words possible. By the end, you will learn whether instant set up camping tents are for you or not.
Table of Contents
Types of Instant Camping Tents
Generally, two types of instant camping tents exist in the market. If you have a little bit of interest in camping or have the experience, then there are most chances that you already know who we are talking about. They are:
1. Instant Dome Style Camping Tent
2. Instant Cabin Style Camping Tent
Have you tried any of the above said instant camping tent type? If Yes! Then we are sure that you already have an idea of how easily and speedily you can set up both of the tents. That’s why they are called instant camping tents. Not only help make your camping experience flawless but also to save a lot of your valuable time.
The Set-up Mechanism of Instant Camping Tents
Those who are looking for fast setup camping tents will find the instant camping tents the best because the installation (setup) mechanism of both instant dom style or instant cabin style tents is mostly the same. But, there is a little different too which you will find here.
First, let’s talk about the setup mechanism similarities of both dome style and cabin style instant tents. In both of the types, the frame and tent are pre-attached to each other. You don’t need to stuck in the complicated tent setup procedure like traditional camping tents. A camper needs to unpack the tent, then unfold it. Proceeding further, simply raise the tent, and within a few seconds, the tent is ready.
So, this is the similarity between the setup mechanism of dome and cabin style instant tent. Now let’s have a look at the difference between them.
The setup of a dome-style instant tent is like an automatic umbrella. Resulting in an effortless and quick tent setup. On the other hand, in the case of cabin style instant tents, you have to work a little more. Cabin style instant tents come with telescopic poles. Therefore, you have to extend the telescopic poles until you hear a click. The pole will be locked when it attains its full length, and mostly, a spring button will appear.
After this healthy discussion, we can say that the setup mechanism of the instant tent, whether it is a dome or cabin style is fast and easy when compared to the traditional tents.
Cabin Style Instant Tents and Rainfly
While in the market, you will find that some of the cabin-style tents have rainfly but some of them do not have. It will be better if we say that the rainfly is integrated. Thus, the fabric of the roof is waterproof and a single layer. The Coleman 6 Person Instant Tent is the best example of that.
Some diversions are too available such that in some tents, you have to attach the fly before extending the telescopic poles. Thus, the rainfly gets raised along with the tent until the telescopic poles are extended completely. On the other hand, some cabin style tents having high vertical walls are tall. Therefore, it requires two-person to add rainfly correctly.
What is the Freestanding Instant Tent?
This is one of the best advantages a camper gets from instant camping tents. Both of them, the cabin style and dome-style camping tents are freestanding. First, you can set up the instant set up a tent on the terrain. However, we suggest not set up on uneven terrain. Freestanding tent means campers can rotate the tent and also move a bit around as per requirement.
This is one of the best features from instant setup tents that most campers like. You can also stake it down. It is not compulsory but works better whenever possible As we all know that the cabin style instant tents are like big boxes.
What about the Durability of Instant Cabin Setup Tents?
For the durability of any instant cabin-style camping tent, you have to look at what does the tent offers? The durability factor will differ for most of the tents because some of the cabin style instant cabin tents are thick and steel poles.
This add-ons great points in the durability of the tent. However, when folding and packing the tent or transporting it, you have to be extra careful because both tent and poles are pre-attached to each other. There are chances that bent poles may be replaceable.
Are Instant Setup Tents are Highly Expensive?
It depends on certain factors. Not all camping gears manufacturing companies offer expensive tents. The Core 6 Person, Instant Cabin Tent, is available at a price tag of around $146. On the other hand, Nemo Wagontop 6 Tent comes with a price of $600. However, it is a traditional tent, and it is highly expensive.
There is no thumb rule about the price of any camping tent. It depends on the features of the tent and the company, which is manufacturing.
Weather Resistance for Instant Cabin Setup Tents
Like any other property of the tent, weather resistance also depends on every instant cabin set up a tent. Almost all of the cabin instant tents have a flat roof, and they are big as well. Therefore, a high vertical static pressure will result in the transfer of pressure from the roof to vertical poles because roof poles span the vast distances between the walls. Thus, the structure may collapse in case of heavy snowfall.
If we look at the Core 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent, we will find that it comes with minimal rainfly, which only covers the mesh ceiling. It too has huge windows for proper ventilation. However, this tent will not work great in cold conditions because, due to its design, it cannot hold the warmth inside of the tent.
In heavy wind conditions, the dome style instant tents perform better than cabin style because dome-style tents are aerodynamic in shape. Therefore, not acting like a big obstacle in the wind. On the other side, cabin style instant tents have tall vertical walls, and they are like big boxes. Hence, they don’t perform well in heavy wind conditions.
Person Capacity of Instant Setup Tents
Most of the instant dome-style camping tents are typically smaller. Mostly, dome-style instant setup tents come with up to six-person accommodation capacity. On the other side, cabin style instant set up camping tents are manufactured by many companies. They come in various sizes and can accommodate a huge number of campers inside. You can check out some good instant cabin tents like Core 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent and Ozark Trail 12 Person 3 Room Instant Cabin Tent Review here.
Last Words
We can say that whether you should go for instant set up camping tents or which one will be best – dome style or cabin style instant tents for you? Then we recommend you to revise what you need for camping comfortably. Even the properties and features of various tents differ from one another. We are sure that you have learned all the basics about instant set up camping tents. You can also read our various guides on selecting the best camping tent for you. Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you for reading.