The Coleman Bristol 8P Modified Dome with Hinged Door is a ventilated tent supported by fiberglass poles, with three windows, an awning, and a great price tag.
Key features & benefits
- Extended dome type tent.
- Hinged door.
- E-cable port.
- Fiberglass poles.
- 3 Windows & 1 door.
- Awning.
- Floor vent.
What this is about
Here you have a tent that has been on the market for a number of years already. The words Modified Dome describe the fact that you have a central dome area supported by two X-crossed poles, and two extensions on the sides each supported by an extra loop. The picture below shows the structure without the fly.
The tent is moderately tall, you have a peak height of 6 ft (183 cm) in the central area. It has only one door. This may not be the best option for an 8-person tent, but this is a very specific patented design.
Namely, the door has a frame, and this is what is normally described as a hinged door. So you do not have to deal with zippers all the time. This is why I have included it in my list of tents with a hinged door.
Note that the door is with a mesh window on the upper half, and you also have a zippered panel for protection and privacy. There are also two side windows with a similar structure. The tent is a single-room shelter, the picture below give you some idea of how it is inside.
The fly can be described as a partial coverage type. This is why you have windows on the sides. There is also a nice front awning with side wings that partly protects the door.
Ventilation
The picture above shows one rear floor vent. I find it quite small for such a big tent. The upper part of the door is well-protected with the awning so you can keep is with mesh only most of the time.
You have seen also in the picture without fly above, that there is plenty of mesh on the canopy, plus the mesh on its side windows. So ventilation is quite good here.
Materials
The poles: You have them 4 for the tent, plus one for the awning, and two extra poles used in the door’s sleeves. This is a fiberglass, not particularly durable, but this is the usual material used in such budget friendly tents.
The poles attachment at the tent’s base is a typical pin and ring system. On the canopy you have sleeves and clips. One person can easily pitch this tent, but it is easier with a partner of course.
The fabric: They do not provide much info about the fabric and its waterproof rating. But this is clearly a polyester with their standard WeatherTec system with inverted seams. Quite a number of users have reported that the tent worked well in rainy conditions.
The floor is a bathtub style most likely polyethylene, a sort of highly waterproof plastic with welded seams. Other features include an E-cable port, a lantern hanging hook, and a couple of small pouches on the wall.
Who is this tent for
Regarding the area, the dimensions are 16 x 7 ft (488 x 213 cm) so the area is close to 112 ft² (10.4 m²). This is too small for 8 people, it is best to downgrade it to 5 maximum. But you can fit two Coleman queen-size airbeds inside and still have plenty of space.
Regarding seasons & climate, the windows are closable if you feel cold, but those mesh section on the canopy are not. So I would say it is best suited for up to two seasons in the warmer part of the year.
This brand normally tests its tents for winds, but with such an awning I would not use it in harsh conditions. It is best to avoid very windy situations.
Regarding the weight, the tent is moderately heavy, it weighs 28.5 lb (12.9 kg). Note that there are different numbers on Amazon, but those that I provide are official from the brand.
The packed size is good, it measures 24.25 x 9.25 x 8.66 inches (62 x 23 x 22 cm) in its carry bag.
Regarding the price, this brand has more affordable tents, but I would still describe it as reasonable.
Specifications
- Weight: 28.5 lb (12.9 kg).
- Official capacity: 8 people.
- Dimensions: 16 x 7 ft (488 x 213 cm).
- Inner floored area: 112 ft² (10.4 m²).
- Area per person: 14 ft² (1.3 m²).
- Peak height: 6 ft (183 cm).
- Packed size: 24.25 x 9.25 x 8.66 in (62 x 23 x 22 cm).
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
In summary, this Coleman Bristol 8P Modified Dome with Hinged Door looks cool, and its hinged door is a very specific feature. Coleman is known for its tents with such a design. Officially it is for 8 people but it is best to ignore its official capacity.
Note also that the Coleman customer service is usually very responsive, this is a globally known brand that has been around for more than a century, so you know what you are buying. This holds in particular for replacements parts, they have them for their tents.
Below you can see how this tent stands against my standard rating criteria that I apply consistently to all the tents here in the site so that you can easily compare:
Coleman Bristol 8P Modified Dome with Hinged Door
Pros
- Hinged door.
- Nice awning.
- Good packed size.
Cons
- Unrealistic official capacity.
BEST PLACE TO BUY:
This tent is very similar to their famous Coleman Montana 8 person tent with hinged door. For more tents of this shape please check in the category Dome Tents. Check in particular this Slumberjack Aspen Grove 8-Person 2 Room Hybrid Dome Tent that is also a sort of an extended dome structure.
Let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below. Bookmark this site and come again, this will keep you informed, as you realize I add texts here on a regular basis. Thank you for reading.
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