Camping with your nearest and dearest must be one of the most unforgettable moments in your life. However, if you want a well-spent camping experience, careful preparation should be a top priority. Many people say that the most important thing is a pair of shoes, while others think it is apparel.
From my own perspective, the tent plays a vital role in creating a pleasant living space after a long day of hiking around. Nowadays, there are so many outdoor brands on the market that you find it hard to make a decision. So today, I would like to recommend ALPS Mountaineering vs Coleman. They are two market leaders in manufacturing outdoor recreation products, including tents.
By providing a full comparison between these two brands, I wish that you can find the most suitable tent as your companion for your next adventure.
Which is the best one?
Between the two leading brands, it is hard for me to pick the best one. Your final decision should be based on your budget and needs. However, I still have some recommendations for your better choice.
If you want to seek an innovative and creative brand with lots of unique features, Coleman is a more ideal choice.
Nevertheless, based on overall reviews, ALPS Mountaineering tents tend to have better waterproofness thanks to the bigger rainfly and two enclosed vestibules.
Similarity
In general, Alps Mountaineering vs Coleman has some features in common.
Firstly, they offer a wide variety of tents in different sizes, structures, capacities, and colors. This diversity ranges from lightweight to heavy, cheap to expensive, non-freestanding to freestanding, small to big, etc. So, don’t worry if you are a picky guy!
Secondly, with their outstanding long history, the two companies are famous for their high-quality tents. They have worked really hard to go beyond their customers’ expectations in terms of the tent’s durability. Alps Mountaineering Zephyr and Coleman Skydome are two notable examples of excellent quality. Despite being lightweight tents, they have many five-star rankings and positive reviews about their strength.
Thirdly, despite being top brands, their lightweight product lines often have some problems with quality. Being made from thin materials, they hardly can stand the test of time. For example, the ultralightweight ALPS Lynx’s users saw a rip in the floor or the plastic window. Coleman Sundome also has negative feedback due to small holes on the carry bag and fabric just after purchase, flimsy poles, regularly splitting zippers and bent stakes.
Difference
Capacity
ALPS is fairly limited in its ability to fit a super large group of people.
Unlike ALPS Mountaineering, Coleman tents can accommodate up to 12 people. Therefore, when you go camping with many friends or family members, Coleman is highly recommended.
In addition, Coleman truly invests in its huge-sized tents since it has more special shapes and colors that you cannot find in ALPS. ALPS only has the gray/red and a normal house design for its 8-person tent. However, Coleman has blue nights, evergreen, blackberry colors, and a cabin shape that can easily make you fall in love at first sight.
Blackberry Coleman Skylodge 12-person tent
More info:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3FQySvj1Pg
Waterproofness
From my observation in online reviews, Coleman has more bad comments about its rain protection due to its design: the half rainfly and the E-port for an outside power source.
Sundome and Carlsbad Dark Room Dome are two typical examples of this weakness. The short rainfly cannot fully prevent water stay outside the tent. Also, water can also enter the tent through the zipper of the E-port and the seams. Furthermore, the front small porch is not helpful in keeping the tent dry. For this reason, users and their stuff got wet even after a moderate rain with some puddles in the corners.
ALPS can be better in waterproofness because its rainfly stretches close to the ground. As a result, the fly can cover the entire tent, instead of only half of the tent-like Coleman. ALPS’s large vestibules with zippers to create an enclosed space also support its waterproofness.
ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 6-person tent with full rainfly
More info:
Ventilation
ALPS Mountaineering vs Coleman is quite different in its airflow system.
ALPS tents can ventilate well even with a rainfly on because of the two vents on the rainfly and two doors for you to adjust the airflow.
What makes Coleman different is the half rainfly and the ground vents. Instead of the vents on the top of the fly like ALPS, Coleman’s ground vent is able to push hot air up and out. Additionally, Coleman’s fly does not extend fully to the ground, so fresh air can easily blow into the tent through the windows.
Convenient accessories
It is obvious that Coleman is a creative brand when it provides its users with many thoughtful details.
Some notable details of Coleman are an E-port for easy access to outside electrical power. The Coleman Elite WeatherMaster has a built-in LED lighting and fan system with an illuminated wall switch to adjust the lightness level on the ceiling. This product line also has a separate bug-free lounging for extra ventilation, storage space, and a cool sleeping area on warmer days.
Coleman Elite WeatherMaster’s LED lighting and fan
More info:
In contrast, ALPS Mountaineering tents only have basic features. There are almost no innovative or exciting facilities to bring more fun to the camping experience.
Special technology
One more attractive feature of Coleman that outstrips ALPS Mountaineering is the special technology that this brand states. Coleman is proud of two technologies: Dark Room and WeatherTec System.
About Coleman’s Dark Room Technology, it is stated to block 90% of sunlight. Therefore, you can sleep in comfortably without dazzling sunlight. Additionally, it can reduce the temperature inside the tent for extra coolness. When the sun comes up, you can dream a little bit more and feel refreshed after a full sleep.
Coleman’s WeatherTec System is also a spotlight. This is a mixture of weather-resistant fabric, welded corners, protected seams, wind-strong frame, zipper protection, and waterproof floors to protect your tent against rain and wind. No matter what is happening outside, you can always feel safe, dry, and cozy.
On the contrary, although ALPS products are good at weather protection, the lack of special statements can make them lose attractiveness. So, I hope that in the near future, ALPS can release more unique technologies for its users.
FAQs
1. What is the return policy of these two brands?
The return policy of ALPS Mountaineering and Coleman is similar.
According to the information shown on their websites, you can return your unused items in their original condition within 60 days from the date you order them for a full merchandise refund. This return does not include shipping charges.
If you ask for a return that is not within 60 days of purchase, your return cannot be accepted. Other cases where items cannot be returned are discounted or used items.
2. How can I clean and take care of my ALPS Mountaineering or Coleman tents?
There are some general tips to take care of your tents so that you can use them longer.
Firstly, do not use a washing machine to clean your tent because the strong engine can ruin the fabric. You should use a soft sponge and mild detergent to remove the dirt gently.
Secondly, make sure that the tent stays completely dry and that there are no rocks, dirt, or branches before use or storage. In this way, you can avoid scratches, unpleasant smells, and mildew when you open it the next time.
Thirdly, it is advisable that you place your tent in cool areas without sunlight exposure. As you may know, UV rays can damage the fabric gradually and make your tent lose its original color faster.
Conclusions
In conclusion, if you want to have your dream-like tent from ALPS Mountaineering vs Coleman, you should always research it carefully. They offer every type of tent and each of them has its own pros and cons.
However, as a person who is always looking for a creative design and a spacious living space for my 10-person group of friends, I would definitely pick Coleman. But I also need to watch out for its ability to resist water.
Believe me, you can count on the reputation of these two leading brands on the market.
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