Family camping with the Coleman Spruce Falls 4 Plus tent 2022
Are you overwhelmed when choosing a tent for a family camping trip? At BCH Camping we speak to many families, some of which are seasoned campers while others are embarking on new adventures. Regardless of who we speak to, or how experienced campers they may be, when it comes to buying a tent it can be difficult to see the wood from the trees… or the flysheet from the groundsheet.
Coleman is the maestro brand when it comes to tents, designing and manufacturing tents since the 1960s. But it was back in 1900 when W.C. Coleman designed the gas-powered lantern, followed by camping stoves in 1942. It’s safe to say that Coleman’s place in the camping sector is well-established and many regular campers begin their camping journey with a Coleman tent.
In this blog we’ll feature the Coleman Spruce Falls 4 Plus tent, launched earlier this year. Before we do, however, here are a few tips for choosing a tent that’s best for your needs.
What to consider when buying a tent
Size of tent
How big do you need or want your tent to be? You may decide to be quite frugal with your space and only buy the size of tent you strictly need, or you could be inclined to go for something bigger for the luxury of more storage and living space. The tent size is usually specified under ‘capacity’ and based on the number of people it can accommodate, lying side by side.It is also important to know that the pitched size of your tent is acceptable in the campsites you are considering visiting.
Dome or cabin shape
Coleman tents are either dome/octagon dome or cabin/tunnel shaped. A dome tent has a high centre and sloping sides whereas a cabin tent, as the name suggests, is shaped more like a room with almost vertical sides to offer a larger living space. Dome shaped tents are generally considered to be more robust in windy conditions.How much room do you need?
In addition to the size of the tent, the floor dimensions of a Coleman tent will tell you how much room you will have available to move around. You should also consider the height and headroom of a tent, depending on who will be camping.When do you want to camp?
Some Coleman tents are suitable all year round so are classified as four-season tents, while many are classified as three-season tents so not ideal in winter. For families on their annual holiday, a three-season tent is usually sufficient.What denier tent fabric do you need?
Another factor to consider depending on the time of year you camp is the denier, or weight and thickness, of tent fabric you need. Coleman’s nylon fabrics come in different denier ratings, with higher denier fabrics being more robust and durable but also more costly.The Coleman Spruce Falls 4 Plus tent 2022
The Coleman Spruce Falls 4 Plus tent is a poled, dome shaped vis-à-vis tent, meaning it has a face to face design where the bedrooms are opposite each other and face into the living area.This design makes the Coleman Spruce Falls tent perfect for families with older children who are going through that ‘independence’ stage of needing their own space to escape the family activities they’ve endured for years! It’s also ideal for a small group of friends who might like each other very much but also need privacy.
This is a roomy tent with a bright 180cm x 210cm living space between the two bedrooms that are both 140cm x 210cm and comfortably sleep two people. The central dome offers welcome headroom when compared to a tunnel tent, and its crossover poles provide a stable structure that can withstand windy conditions.
Coleman’s trademark BlackOut Bedroom™ technology on the bedroom windows blocks 99% of daylight to prolong sleep and keep the tent 5° cooler during the day and 1° warmer at night. Sleep and comfort are important requirements of any camping holiday, and this technology deals with this impressively.
The Coleman Spruce Falls 4 Plus tent is easy to pitch, has a stable construction and is erected using the flexible and lightweight, fibreglass poles. The high performance flysheet has a 4500mm hydrostatic head (HH) rating which means it can withstand a column of 4500mm of water before it would penetrate the interior of the tent. The fully sewn-in groundsheet keeps bugs and water from entering the interior and provides extra comfort.
Safety is always high on the Coleman agenda when it comes to tent design. On the exterior, the reflective guylines reduce the risk of tripping. The flysheet is treated with UVGuard sun protection with an SPF50 rating to provide protection against the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The fire retardant material of the fabric ensures it won’t flare dangerously out of control and will ultimately self-extinguish.
Around the tent there are several pockets for storage, and double layer mesh doors and ventilation openings create a good airflow throughout the interior.
Other specifications of the Coleman Spruce Falls 4 Plus tent
- Dimensions: 2.3 x 4.8 x 2.1 metres
- Pitched size: 14.8m²
- Headroom: 1.7 metres
- Tent set up: Flysheet first
- Inner fabric: Breathable polyester, PU coated
- Pack size: 60 x 32 x 26cm
- Weight: 14.4kg
- Carry bag included: Yes
Can BCH Camping help with your search for the ideal tent?
If you would like some advice on purchasing your next tent, or what camping equipment you should take with you on holiday, the BCH Camping team would be delighted to help, so please get in touch. You can call us on 01225 764977 or email us at websales@bchcamping.co.uk.Remember, the adventure starts at BCH Camping!
