Columbia Tents - Columbia Tent Review

Columbia tents are supplied by the Columbia sportswear company, a name that has become synonymous with the outdoors.

Not only do they supply the Columbia camping tent designs, but many other outdoor recreational products, including clothing, accessories, sleeping bags, as well as many others.

The Columbia tent is well known for its family camping tents, rather than backpacking or hiking adventures.

Whether you are just camping in your local National Parks, or Hiking the highest peaks, Columbia is a name that consumers trust with a long history.

They are a family owned and operated company, with more that 70 years experience in the industry, founded in 1938 and were the first company to introduce technologies like the Omni-Tech Waterproof and breathable materials, and the Omni-Shade sun protectors.

They have also been major suppliers of the Olympic Games since 1994.

Northpole makes the tents and supply Columbia sportswear.

Columbia sportswear have a wider range of camping tents that we review here; Because of the lack of demand for some of the other models and negative reactions we only cover the most popular, like the Columbia bugaboo tent.

Columbia tents have become more and more popular over the years, with some receiving a five star rating for quality and durability.

The review here is for those that want a quality tent with low costs. Columbia definitely provide well for the recreational campers looking for a suitable camping tent, with a reasonably small investment.

Most Popular Columbia Tents

Two of the most popular with families are the Columbia Cougar Flats tent, and the Columbia Bugaboo II tent.

Columbia Cougar Flats Tent

The Cougar flats is large enough to accommodate families of up to six or eight sleeping. The Cougar Flats Columbia tent has more than 150 square feet of usable space with two separated rooms, two doors, for convenience, that provides the advantage for privacy.

The Cougar flats Columbia tent has fiberglass poles for the ceiling area, and metal side poles, that makes a solid frame to protect a family from the wind elements. Although the weakness of fibreglass poles is a disadvantage when choosing any tent because they break easier than aluminium, mainly in cold conditions.

The GoBe Dry technology used for this Columbia tent provides extra rain protection that many consumers agree has been an advantage. The fully seam taped polyester fly with an 800mm waterproof rated coating also prevents water and moisture seeping in.

One of the major problems with family tent camping in the summer, is that it can get hot and stuffy when you are all in the same space, which increases the need for ventilation. This Columbia tent fixes that by offering zippered air vents, so that you can open them up and let air out when it gets to hot, but also close up when needed, if it starts to rain.

The Columbia cougar flats tent also has color coordinated poles, so setting them up is a breeze, and can be set up in around thirty minutes. This is quite advantageous, because who wants to spend half the day in the hot sun trying to set up a tent? Or even worse with it raining.

For the price range of family camping tents, the Columbia Cougar flats tent has been recommended by users as well worth the price tag of approx $280.00, with a suggested retail price of $340.

Columbia Bugaboo Tent

The Columbia Bugaboo is for a smaller family, of up to four or five people that has around 108 square feet, giving ample room for you, your family, as well as all of your gear. This Columbia tent has added storage space (vestibule), so you don't have to have your muddy or dirty equipment or clothes in your living area.

The Bugaboo and the Cougar Columbia tents, have a rain canopy fly, which attaches directly to the poles, keeping it away from the tent itself, that allows for sufficient air flow.

The height of this Columbia tent is just over 6ft, that is high enough for most, although you will have to stoop slightly when entering the door, and if your over 6ft tall, inside.

The fibreglass poles as mentioned with the Cougar Columbia tents are the cheapest poles that tent manufacturers provide, although for occasional recreational camping trips it should not a problem and costs always play a part in the types of materials used.

This is what we would class as a cheap tent, which we never really rate, although a few get through the net like this one because it still can meet a persons camping needs on a budget.

The Bugaboo II has a retail price of under two hundred dollars, and can be picked up for around $160. Considering the price range for this size tent and the features, its not a bad buy for those recreational campers that need a spacious tent without spending a lot of cash.

Columbia High Trail Tent

The Columbia high trail family dome tent sleeps six to eight people, with a room divider that turns the tent from one large room to two smaller rooms. As a result, you'll enjoy plenty of elbow room while you sleep. Each side also has its own door so you don't have to disturb the family when getting up for the toilet during the night.

This tent also includes four large no-see-um mesh windows, roof vents, and side vents, to provide excellent ventilation. The Columbia high tail tent also has a polyester bathtub floor, which wraps up the sides of the tent for weather protection. Seams too close to the floor will be vulnerable to leaks, that the bathtub floor design avoids.

The reason this tent is not sought after, the same as the Columbia Cougar flats tent, is because cabin style tents are more popular and suitable for a family camping. Room is more restricted and access in a dome tent compared to a cabin. Also, the materials are not as good quality, by losing the the GoBe dry technology the Cougar has.

This tent is cheaper than the Cougar Columbia tent, priced at $240 retail, and online at the moment for approx $200. Its lighter at 28lbs 20z compared to the 56lbs 9oz of weight the Cougar has, although when car camping weight is not a big issue.

For Columbia tents of this size it could prove a better investment for the extra $80 for the Columbia Cougar flats tent, alongside the outstanding consumer reviews it has received.

We hope this has clarified information about Columbia tents, although we advise when choosing a camping tent to fully research your options. The Columbia tent has been rated well amongst consumers, especially the Columbia Cougar flats tent with very little negative experiences.

Columbia Tent Reviews

Columbia Cougar Flats Tent is the ideal family tent, with ample room the Columbia cougar flats 8 person tent is amongst the best cabin style tents for a family seeking comfort, easy access and a home from home

Columbia Bugaboo Tent Review - 5 Person Columbia Tent Ratings family dome 5 person tent, that's affordable for most families