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Tent Reviews: Coleman Darwin 5

Tent and Awning Reviews Index  >  Coleman  >  Darwin 5 Reviews

Current Model?
Berths:
Weight:
RRP on date added:
Bedroom inners:
Living area groundsheet:
Pitching Style:
Discontinued
5  (more 5 berth tents)
27.20 KG
£329.99
2
N/A
In one
Average User Rating:
8.93/10 from 15 reviews

Viewed: 42588 times

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15 Reviews of the Darwin 5         Showing 01 to 10          Page:   1   2  

By: Nickfpage  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2007   Rating: 

Still using my Darwin 5 after 8 years. Still love it and it's still weatherproof. Yes the erection instructions were hopeless, but once you simplified them: insert all poles, then start from the back with the transverse poles, once those are all up, the two long red lateral poles more or less put themselves up. I fully anticipate another five years or so use from this tent.
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By: Purplesheila  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2009   Rating: 

I am assuming that this tent was made in 2009 as this is when we purchased it from new. I love this tent, ideal for family holidays. All the reviews are spot on. Although me and my hubby can get the tent in one bag. You just need to have a photo memory to how it was unpacked. We have it sorted.

We really like the space at the back of the tent for storage of clothes etc. We also have camp beds off the ground which gives us storage space under the bed. Also as the ground sheet is attached you don't get any wind noise of flapping skirts.
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By: Marinaandowen  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2008   Rating: 

With Superjules's instructions it is easy to put up and, when it is up, it's a great tent. Huge spaces, tall, well ventilated, light and airy but warm and always dry as well. We don't bother with a carpet, just an old throw in the living room which we use to wipe out the tent on leaving and chuck in the washing machine when we get back. Only downsides: can't get it all into its bag - it lives in three bags and we almost forgot the poles last time, and it is very heavy.
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By: Hacienda71  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2008   Rating: 

Had difficulty putting the tent up first time nearly snapped a pole until I realized that you need to ignore the instructions and think logically. Lots of space though, didn't leak in the rain and the zipped in groundsheet solved my dilemma over sewn in or separate. Cant wait to get it out again this year.
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By: Fifipat  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2007   Rating: 

I love my tent. I am 5'4' and I managed to put this up with the help of my three children who were then aged 11, 9 and 7. We went to Filey just at the time of the really heavy rain. Having had to abandon a camp with Guides before I was a bit nervous. I was really pleased that despite the heavy rain and strong winds that the tent stayed wind and watertight. We had loads of space (I had two single blow up beds and an inflatable sofa bed.) One of the bedrooms doubled up as a living room for the kids.

It was really muddy when I packed it so I had to put it up again to clean it a few days later. Once it was dried I took the inner compartments down and packed them separately to make it easier to put up the next time.

Will be camping again this year once I have found the ideal campsite.
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By: Julie-pooley  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2007   Rating: 

I decided on this tent based on the bedroom sizes and the living space. I had no idea that the storage area at the back was so huge and the little pockets around the tent are very handy.

I would say print of superjules tips on pitching. We managed first time in about an hour and are pretty certain that second time round will be significantly shorter.

Our first night in it was a very wet one and although there was a little condensation, there were no puddles. Our second night was very windy but it stood it's ground very nicely.

Personally I think this tent is superb. It looks good, the quality is amazing and the space inside is great when rained in!

We got a bargain at go outdoors for £164.99!
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By: H_kate  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2008   Rating: 

We bought this tent on the internet after seeing it in a showroom and we only paid about £125 so a real bargain! We camped a couple of weekends ago in it and had very heavy rain and winds but it stayed up and we stayed completely dry! So very impressed. The headroom is great - can stand up almost everywhere inside it and the storage area at the back of the tent is really useful for keeping the rest of the tent tidy. It also has loads of vents which is great for keeping the inside fresh and cool. I do agree with the complicated zips though, but definitely not a reason to be put off buying this tent!

I've been reading the reviews on here about how to put it up and I have to say that it takes my boyfriend and I about 45 minutes if we follow the instructions - although I have to admit that its a bit tricky putting the first pole up with the weight of the other poles on top.

Superjules - can I just check what you mean, you lay out the tent on the floor and only put the silver coloured pole in its sleeve and then pull the tent up with just this pole. Presumably then you put all the other poles through the sleeves and put up? In any particularly order? When do you do the red poles as these always seem to get in the way when we are putting it up!
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By: Mike welch  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2007   Rating: 

I was initially concerned how my Wife and I might cope. So many thanks Superjules you confirmed a theory I had. Therefore I can more favourably compare it with our older Outwell Base Dome Plus for which my Wife stands inside holding up poles while I peg it. A procedure not required for US with our Darwin!

WE now by far have a better tent with more compact foot print and so much more standing space.

So MY conclusion is ignore the instruction ref:RED poles and follow Jules's method as it is the instructions which are the Darwin's only negative point.

ZIPS - Ok you do have to look at which one to pull - so long as I have the right glasses on where's the problem?
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By: Evolution1  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2008   Rating: 

Thanks a million, Superjules! Having done quite thorough research and discussed with various experts the problems of putting up the darwin 5, I decided to go ahead due to all its great features - space, zip up groundsheet, storage at back, mesh, etc. After all, how hard could it be?! 70 sweaty and frustrated minutes later, we were ready to give up and crawl back to the shop, but I just checked your advice and suddenly it only takes 25 mins to put up! Simple solutions, but we were struggling away with pushing the poles, stretching the fabric over them, etc. I have now put one compartment of the inner tent in a separate bag with the poles, which also means it is possible to carry them. I really like the design and we are trying it out at a small music festival next weekend, before heading off to France with it, so wish us luck. If only the manufacturers and sellers provided such clear and helpful tips it would be much simpler! So thanks again, and believe me it is much easier this way!

Good luck Darwinites! And thanks again to super (rightly named!) jules!
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By: Superjules  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2007   Rating: 

I love my Darwin 5. This is our first tent which is big enough to stand up in and my husband bought it at a camping exhibition. It's wonderfully spacious and feels light and airy inside. It's very cleverly arranged internally - with two small children it's great to have the bedrooms side by side rather than separated by the living area as is the case with lots of other tents. The storage area at the back is very handy and keeps clothes and laundry from taking over your tent. The only downside is the confusing zip system as others have mentioned.

I find it easy to put up single-handedly (I'm a 5'4' girlie) and in response to joleecamping, here's how to do it: take the bedroom pods out before attempting to erect it, make sure all flaps and doors are zipped shut, put a few pegs in the groundsheet to keep it stable. Put the silver (longest) pole in first (make sure you put it in the sleeve coloured pole end first). Put the end of the pole in the eyelet (can't stress this point enough!). Go to the back of the tent and pull it up with 2 guy ropes and peg these out to keep it up. Then put the poles in the sleeves in the following order, putting each one in the eyelet as you go along: yellow (back), green, red side poles, blue, black, so you are working from the back forwards. Don't put all the poles in flat on the ground first, then attempt to put them in the eyelets as it takes a lot of strength to pull it up with all the poles in and you are highly likely to snap them. I can do it by myself, including pegging it all out and putting the kettle on, in under an hour. With two of us it takes around 35-40 mins (would be quicker if we had two mallets!).

Once you get the hang of it, it's a fabulous tent! I can't imagine what we will replace it with when the time comes, except perhaps another Darwin.
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15 User Reviews of the Darwin 5 - Showing 01 to 10          Page:   1   2  

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Manufacturer's Description

Features:

* Large dimensions in both the living and sleeping areas, with full head height throughout
* Unique three-way internal design, 1. Bedroom Area, 2. Living Room, 3. Built-in shelter with full length mesh doors
* Zip-off groundsheet allows increased ventilation but still ensures cleaner, drier, bug free camping.
* Extra strength, Durawrap® fibreglass poles with external, continuous slip track mesh pole sleeves
* Flysheet fabric: Polyester, 3 000 mm PU coated, taped seams
* Inner tent fabric: Polyester breathable and no-see-um mesh
* Inner room groundsheet: PE 110 g/m², welded
* Living area groundsheet: PE 140 g/m², welded, fully zipped to flysheet
* Poles: Durawrap®Specific storage area to rear of bedrooms
* Carry bag type: Tube with V-shape

The Darwin™ 5 is extremely sturdy thanks to its semi-geodesic design. This convenient design provides a more ‘home-like’ feel at the campsite with 2 spacious bedrooms, a large living area and a built-in shelter. The tent also includes a very convenient zip-off groundsheet that protects from the elements when closed but conveniently zips open for cleaning.

... there may be more info on their website

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