Coleman Octagon 98 Tent
The Coleman Octagon 98 is a solid choice for families or groups who want generous living space with a distinctive, roomy octagonal footprint.
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The Coleman Octagon 98 is a solid choice for families or groups who want generous living space with a distinctive, roomy octagonal footprint. Its weatherproofing and ventilation features make it reliable for extended car camping trips, though its weight and setup complexity mean it's best suited for base-camp style outings rather than backpacking. Overall, it delivers strong value for those prioritizing comfort and space over portability.
Key features
- Octagonal design offering 98 square feet of floor space
- Steel and fiberglass pole frame for stability
- WeatherTec system with welded floors and inverted seams
- Adjustable ground vent and screened windows for airflow
- Room divider curtain for creating separate sleeping areas
- Large D-style door for easy entry and exit
- Storage pockets and gear loft compatibility
In-depth review
The Coleman Octagon 98 tent stands out as a spacious family shelter built for those who want room to move without sacrificing the ease of a straightforward setup. Its distinctive eight-sided design creates a genuinely usable interior with vertical walls and a high center ceiling, meaning campers can stand upright and walk around near the middle of the tent rather than crouching as they would in a traditional dome or cabin-style structure. Sleeping up to eight people, the octagonal footprint maximizes floor space efficiently, making it a practical choice for families or groups who camp together and need a central living area alongside sleeping space. The dark room technology incorporated into the fabric blocks out a significant portion of sunlight, helping campers sleep later and keeping the interior cooler during warm mornings, which is a welcome feature during multi-day trips in variable weather.
Constructed from Coleman's weather-resistant polyester material, the Octagon 98 is treated to resist fading from UV exposure and features fully taped seams that keep water from seeping through stitching during rainstorms. The tent's frame uses sturdy steel poles arranged to support the octagon shape, and the design includes a welded floor that eliminates additional sewn seams at the base, reducing the risk of leaks in wet or muddy campsite conditions. Multiple large windows with mesh panels are positioned around the tent's circumference, allowing cross-ventilation that helps regulate internal temperature and reduces condensation buildup, while the mesh also keeps insects out during warm evenings. A hinged door design adds convenience, functioning smoothly like a household door rather than a zippered flap, which makes entering and exiting easier for children, pets, and anyone carrying gear.
Setup is designed to be manageable even for those new to camping, with color-coded poles and clips that guide the assembly process and reduce confusion at the campsite. The tent typically includes a rainfly for added weather protection, along with storage pockets inside for organizing small items like phones, flashlights, and books. Its freestanding structure means it can be adjusted or moved slightly after initial setup without needing to be staked immediately, giving campers flexibility when choosing the exact spot on uneven or rocky ground. Overall, the Coleman Octagon 98 tent suits car camping trips, extended family outings, and base-camp scenarios where comfort, headroom, and weather resistance matter more than ultralight portability, making it a reliable centerpiece for outdoor adventures in the garden and outdoor camping category.
Specifications
Pros
- Spacious interior comfortably fits 6-8 campers
- Unique octagon shape provides more usable headroom than standard cabin tents
- Excellent weatherproofing keeps interior dry in heavy rain
- Good ventilation reduces condensation buildup
- Sturdy frame withstands moderate wind gusts
- Easy to divide interior for privacy
Cons
- Heavy and bulky, not ideal for backpacking
- Setup takes two people and 20-30 minutes
- Bulky carry bag makes storage in small vehicles tricky
- Seams may require occasional reproofing over time
- Higher price point compared to basic dome tents
What owners say
We used this tent for a week-long trip with our two kids and it held up great through a surprise thunderstorm. Plenty of room to move around and the divider curtain gave us some privacy.
Love the extra room the octagon shape provides, but be prepared for a workout carrying it to the campsite. Setup was manageable with two people once we got the hang of it.
The adjustable ground vents really helped with airflow on hot nights. We had heavy rain one night and stayed completely dry inside.
Tent itself performs well but the carry bag is huge and doesn't fit well in a smaller trunk. Otherwise happy with the purchase.
This is our third Coleman tent and by far the roomiest. The octagon shape really does give more usable space compared to rectangular tents we've had before.
