A fabric’s waterproof properties are measured using a rating called its hydrostatic head. If a tent has a hydrostatic head of 3000mm it means that a 3 metre column of water can be placed on its surface before any drops will show through the underside of the fabric. (The Ministry of Defence in the UK classifies fabric with a hydrostatic head of 800mm+ as waterproof). The XXL bedrooms are spacious and have decent headroom, and the rear vent provides good ventilation to help keep the sleeping areas cool on hot nights and help prevent the creation of condensation. More information about the Coleman Vail 6L Once pitched and inside, there’s plenty of head height and the tent feels really spacious. Pitching for the first time required us to install the bedroom area. It’s held in place with toggle fixings and it only took a few minutes to get the darkened sleeping pod installed. Starting at the rear and then working your way forward, it’s all pretty effortless and once it’s in, you can leave it there permanently – ready for your next outing. Are you looking to upgrade? If you have a large tent already, and are now on the hunt for something with extra bells and whistles, consider the Zempire or Outdoor Revolution tents. The Berghaus is a great middle ground. The Coleman Vail 4L has a fitted groundsheet throughout, and we brightened and warmed up our inner living area by placing some blankets on the floor (it was February). Coleman also have a lovely blanket that will fit this tent too.

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You can remove the tent dividers to create one large bedroom. This creates quite a flexible sleeping layout. Moving into the main living area, head room is good, there’s a side door with inner mesh panel so if it’s warm you can roll up the outer and leave the mesh zipped in place. Ideal for keeping kids and dogs inside, and the bugs on the outside. The large front door has the same inner mesh and outer setup, with the lower lip being able to be pegged out flat, making wheelchair and pushchair access much easier. It might also act as less of a tripping hazard if you've had one too many beers around the campfire. For extra peace of mind, the stoppers on the tent doors ensure that zips are always within easy reach in the event of an emergency, even for children. The Vail® 6L is a spacious family tunnel tent, offering you a comfortable living and sleeping area in the great outdoors. Multiple entrances offer easier entry and exit in inclement conditions. The generous living area is bright and airy and provides plenty of space for dining together or storing camping equipment and bags, while the extra-large porch provides the perfect place to relax, keeping you protected from the sun and rain.

Features of geodesic tents: capable in harsh weather; lightweight; best suited for hiking; often a pricier option. Just like all fo the best tents you can buy, six-person and family-sized tents are extraordinarily varied. It’s simultaneously a blessing and a curse. Yes, you get an amazing range of choices, but which of the best 6-man tents to choose? The living space in this tent is quite spacious, making it ideal for family camping holidays, as it has enough space for camping furniture to help keep things stored, such as an additional change of clothes. Heavy rain is no match for the polyester flysheet which has a hydrostatic head of 4000mm as well as fully taped seams, this combined with the tough, integrated polyethylene groundsheet ensures a dry and bug-free interior. The flysheet is also treated with Coleman’s UVGuard™ providing SPF 50 protection from the sun’s rays.

The Coleman Vail 4L is a tunnel design, built to sleep 4 people. Made from a 68 denier fabric with a hydrostatic head value of 4000mm, in plain English that means that it’s great for the Great British wet weather, and if the weather is hot, the fabric has UVGuard™ with an SPF50 to protect your family. The fully open front porch provides an area that is well-protected from the elements and can be used as a sheltered cooking space, a storage area where you can leave muddy footwear or as somewhere to sit outside, but still be shielded from the sun, wind or rain. Or in this country, all three at the same time! Geodesic tents are kind of like upgraded dome tents. They have extra criss-crossing support poles which makes them much more adept at dealing with high winds. Because they are designed to cope with harsher weather, geodesic tents sacrifice space and are a little more complex to pitch than other styles. They are wonderful for those camping in more extreme environments but less suitable for casual campers and families.