Are Wenzel tents better than Coleman tents?
What are the main differences between these 2 brands and what do they have to offer?
I’ve been around long enough to know what I’m talking about when it comes to these 2 brands, and I’ll be explaining what I think about them in this article.
Both Wenzel and Coleman specialize in the same stuff so what makes one better than the other? Well lets find out!
What Wenzel Specialize In
I just finished a 3000 word article reviewing the 7 best Wenzel tents, and that’s AFTER doing individual Wenzel tent reviews over the years.
I can confidently say that Wenzel are the type of brand that stand by their product 100% and only want their customers to experience the best.
They don’t have expensive tents, but they still want to stand out from the crowd.
That’s why they specialize in a Lite Reflect system, which requires any type of lighting source to work.
They have many useful features that competition in the same price range don’t offer, as well as amazing stargazing opportunities.
That’s right, 5 out of the 7 tents I reviewed had mesh ceilings for stargazing, making them the most cheapest, effective summer camping brand in my opinion, of course!
The Good
- Amazing customer service – Many users have emphasized the fact that Wenzel are one of the few brands that actually stand by their tents and make sure you’re happy with your purchase
- High value for money – Wenzel tents are affordable, feature-packed and have good weatherproofing. They offer a lot without asking for much in return
- Easy to setup – Wenzel tents are designed for beginner-to-intermediate campers, so they’re user-friendly and easy to setup even without the instructions!
- Good protection from rain and wind – Few of their tents actually need seam sealing before being taken out. Other than that, MOST are ready to go straight out of the box and can handle rain and wind really well
- Stargazing opportunities – Like I said, 5/7 tents I reviewed all have stargazing opportunities. Wenzel know how to make a good summer tent!
The Bad
- Zipper problem – Many Wenzel tents have issues with the zippers, which have been found to be low quality, cheap and have a high chance of breaking
- Short Lifespan – Their tents are by no means expensive so it’s not possible for them to last for years of frequent use. However, they will if they’re used for seasonal camping only
What Coleman Specialize In
Every man, woman, grandmother, son, uncle and his dog know Coleman.
Ask any person that’s camped at least once who Coleman are, they’ll probably tell you they used a Coleman tent!
Being the avid outdoorsman I am, I’m going to tell you exactly what Coleman specialize in so you get a better understanding of this brand and how they go about doing things.
Coleman are probably the most common brand for camping, the reason being they’ve been around for so damn long!
They specialize in affordability, vastness (a wide range) and good quality products.
Their tents are not the best but they sure as hell work, and they are good for the price, and that’s why people love them so much.
The Good
Good selection – They have WAY more tents than Wenzel and they are available in all sizes, whereas you’re limited on your selection with Wenzel
Good quality – Coleman are a little more pricier than Wenzel, however, that’s because they produce better quality tents with lesser chance of breaking
WeatherTec technology – All Coleman tents are equipped with their special WeatherTec technology, which strengthens corners, eliminates pin holes and inverts the seams for strong wind/rain protection
Lounge Porch – They have a good selection of tents with lounged screen porches, which is amazing to use in the summer
A couple that spring to mind is the Coleman Evanston and Coleman Steel Creek.
The Bad
More research required – Because they have a wide range of tents, it takes more effort to find the good, the bad and the real quality
Shaky quality – Although they are a little better than Wenzel when it comes to quality, they are still well known for having downright bad tents from time to time. Sometimes they release flawless tents and sometimes they break easily
Conclusion
I’ve reviewed a LOT more Coleman tents than Wenzel and I have discovered that Coleman produce higher quality tents, but they are also pricier.
They both specialize in affordability but Coleman has more variety, whereas Wenzel has less (probably because they aren’t as popular).
So take your pick.
Would you like the utmost cheapest, feature-packed with great weatherproofing brand? Then go with Wenzel.
Or would you rather have the more pricier, better quality and more variety brand? Then Coleman it is.
Still need help? All questions and concerns are welcome in the comments below!
These tents look pretty damn good! Thank you for the awesome review! I will take your word for it and give these tents a try, as my previous tents haven’t been so faithful!
No worries Danielle 🙂 Both brands are good and both have their own strengths and weaknesses. Thanks for the kind words.
Great article and appreciate the review. My boys are ready to start camping again and it being that time of weather really close I have been considering a new tent since ours has been in the attic for a while and want something a little bigger anyway. This helps and just in time. thank you very much
Donald
Those old tents are good for the rubbish bin since there are lighter and higher quality options at a cheaper price available in this day and age.
Plus tents that have been stored away for years you don’t know what’s happened to them. Rodents could have chewed on it or walked all over it and created holes.
One way to tell is by setting it up and letting it get rained on for days. This is really the only safest option (other than a new tent) since you don’t know if it can keep you safe when you’re out in the wilderness.
Thanks for the breakdown between these brands. Being honest I have more brand recognition with Coleman but I will consider that Wenzel may meet my needs at a better price. You’ve given me food for thought…
Thanks
Hello Nicole. I’m not surprised you’re already accustomed to the Coleman brand, as they really are well known in the outdoor space.
Thanks for considering the alternative Wenzel brand. You won’t be let down.
Since I go camping so infrequently, I’ll go with the more practical one for me, Wenzel, and hope it won’t scare me from camping. And, I’m actually amused because my coworker would do the opposite. Because she camps so infrequently, she wants the best quality at whatever price so she can be assured a comfortable time away from her home.
Lol that is a huge gamble Tina and you’re a risk taker. I sure hope faith is on your side if you go with the Wenzel brand.
Your friend prefers the safer and more secure route? That’s also okay, each to their own but I wish both of you all the best on your camping trips 🙂
Brandon, I learnt about tents in this article. I am not an outdoor person but will definitely take your word on Wenzel and Coleman tents. Very informative article for campers and I will share this with friends for them to make a choice.
I’m sure they’ll find it useful if they are avid campers. It’s difficult to know what type of tent brand is good other than to go out and experience it yourself, so I’m glad I can provide my opinion on my blog and helps others that have no idea 🙂
Awesome review. I have use Coleman products for camping before, but I haven’t had experience with Wenzel. It is very important to be able to depend on your equipment, depending on how far out you are and the size of your group. Keep up the great work!
Absolutely Dave. Knowing the type of brand you’re trusting to keep you safe in the wilderness is highly important yet overlooked by most campers who don’t know better.
I’m excited to share the pros and cons of the Coleman and Wenzel brand and my own conclusion 🙂
Thanks for the comment.
I’ve been using Coleman tents for about 20 years, not because I think they are really great or anything, but just because they sell them everywhere, and they are a known brand. I go for the dome type tents, as they are a good size for my small family of 3, and are easy to set up and take down.
I think the one thing that is key is taking the time to seal the seams, and spray some waterproof on your tent each season at least.
I may take a chance on a Wenzel next time though, to be honest, this is the first I’ve heard of them.
I’d have to agree with you Jim. They know how to market their tents and they’ve always done a great job with their advertising, thus finding great success.
A lot of Coleman tents WILL need to be seam sealed every season just to be on the safe side, however not a requirement.
And I know you can’t go wrong with the Wenzel brand as long as you do your research on the specific tent first. Some of them are really bad.
Fortunately I’ve compiled 7 best Wenzel tents here. Good luck.
Great article, Thank you. My oldest daughter is 2 and a half, each summer I take her camping for our Daddy/ Daughter vacation. Both times we have had Coleman tents, the first year I broke the zipper (my fault) I crawled in duct taped the door shut and of course it had to rain. It was a major thunderstorm and even with the broken door we stayed dry and so did all of our stuff. Hopefully our tent lasts a couple more years but when the time comes I will be back for advice on my next tent purchase.
You’re welcome Jason, and I’m super glad you managed to rectify the problem before it got worse and ruined your trip altogether.
I do not recommend that you keep camping with that broken tent my friend…that is ASKING for trouble. Do the right thing and purchase a new one so you know you and your daughter will be safe.
Cheers.