Reviews > Shelters > Tents > Coleman Cloudview 2 > Kathryn Doiron > Initial Report

Coleman Cloudview 2 Tent- Initial Report

Product Information:

This tent seems to have it all. This is a spacious three season tent with an airy design, generous door and large vestibule. The tent has an x pattern pole configuration. There are two side pockets located near the doors that when unzipped also turn into airvents. There is a small loft located close to the door that when zipped up completely, also acts like a privacy cover fot the window located in the fly. There is a vent located in the back of the fly for extra airflow that has a stiff ridge that allows it to stay open. The tent itself is free standing but the fly required staking to keep it from touching the tent. There is a small third pole that helps to hold the vestibule away from the tent. The door to the tent can be either zipped closed with a fabric door or zipped open to expose a mesh door. This is a nice flexibility. As a very nice finishing touch, the directions are printed on water-proof, tear-proof paper. I like this final touch to the directions.

   

I found the tent relatively easy to setup without looking at the directions. Due to weather conditions, the first setup took place indoors and took a little longer than it should have due to space limits. The first setup took about 5-7 minutes with me walking all over the tent in order to set up the poles. The tent is contained in a stuff sack with a draw cord closure. The tent itself is rolled and fastened with what looks like scrap fabric end material. After unrolling the tent, I found the poles, and pegs in their own bags and the fly resting inside the roll. I put those off to the side and opened up the tent. The poles, both the same length, snap together easily. The pole ends have little notches that snap into the grommets on the webbing straps, see above picture. I placed one pole in its designated spots then placed the other pole. I did have problems holding the first pole up while trying to snap in the second pole into place. The tent then snaps onto the poles easily, see picture above for tent without the fly on. The fly has velco enclosures on the inside to fasten it to the poles and there are clips to attach the fly to the webbing pole loops. According to the directions, which I later consulted, it is recommended to lay both poles in an X across the tent, bind then with the middle tie then start snapping pole tips in place. I will be trying this on the next setup.

In the course of testing this tent, there are a few things that stood out with the first setup. I have concerns that this tent will be a little tight for two people and gear. I also did have a little bit of a struggle with setup the first time. I will look into whether setup gets easier with time and extra hands. Will another set of hands actually help or hinder.

Field Conditions:

Most of my overnight camping will take place in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. I have a few trips planned that will include an extended trip to the top of Mt. Washington, at 6000 ft (1829 m). Expected temperatures can be anywhere from below freezing to 20 C (70 F) depending on season and elevation. Weather on Mount Washington is very unpredictable. Expected weather conditions in the White Mountains in the spring can be from wintery to springlike, rainy or snowy, with driving winds depending on elevation.

I have a trek planned into the 100 mile (160 km) wilderness in Maine for mid-summer. I expect the weather to be cool and wet with lots of bugs. This would be a 10 day trip and any equipment I bring would see lots of hard use.

I also have a weekend car camping trip planned for Mount Greylock in Massachusetts in July. I expect the weather to be warm and mild with some chance of rain.


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Reviews > Shelters > Tents > Coleman Cloudview 2 > Kathryn Doiron > Initial Report