The Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus Blackout Tent: A Review of a Solid Build and Thoughtful Features
The Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus Blackout Tent is a relatively small family shelter that promises high-quality blackout bedrooms, blocking 99% of daylight and keeping the temperature around 5°C cooler during the day. This feature is the selling point that Coleman emphasizes, but there's more to this tent than just its dark and cool bedrooms. The outer shell is made from a highly weatherproof polyester, and the interior boasts some thoughtful touches. The components are solid, and it's easy to pitch, even for a solo camper.
However, the Rocky Mountain 5 Plus is not without its drawbacks. It's on the small side for a five-person tent, with a living space that's slightly smaller than its competitors and bedrooms that are not wide enough for some mattresses. The lack of a dedicated porch and small rooms make it more suitable for a group of three or a couple, rather than four or five people. Despite its small size, it's fairly light at 16kg and relatively compact when packed down, making it easy to transport.
The tent's weatherproof qualities were thoroughly tested during unpredictable April weather, and it performed admirably, giving me enough confidence to use it throughout spring, summer, and autumn. The well-placed ventilation throughout the tent helps to prevent condensation, and the mesh panels in the bedrooms enable airflow while keeping out six-legged nasties. The secret to the blackout bedrooms is that both the inner tent and the rear of the outer tent are made from light-blocking fabric, blocking 99% of daylight.
In conclusion, the Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus Blackout Tent is a well-designed tent with solid specs, thoughtful features, and impressive blackout bedrooms. It's easy to pitch and copes with the British weather admirably. However, its small size and lack of a porch make it more suitable for a group of three or a couple, rather than four or five people. If you're considering a smaller option, check out our roundup of the best three-person tents.
