Summary
This Coleman Evanston screened tent review will cover the features and user opinions on this popular tent.
This tent is meant to fit 8 people, and it is as large as any 8-person Coleman tent. What makes it different for the others in the Coleman line is that it has a screened front porch area in the front that is separate from the sleeping area. Unlike other tents that have a screened area, this one has a bottom floor like the rest of the tent.
Key features
- Measures 15 X 12 feet with a 72-inch center height
- Made of Polyester lining
- Has a separate screened porch area
- Has 4 large windows for extra ventilation
- Holds up to 8 people
- Uses Coleman’s patented Weathertec system for maximum dryness
- Hold 2 queen air matresses
- Weighs 26 pounds
Boating and fishing with a screened porch
The Evanston is a popular choice for those who are boating or fishing. Instead of purchasing a separate awning for such activities, this tent features a screened awning that will keep the insects at bay, and provide a bit of shielding against the wind and drizzle. You can sleep in the sleeping room, and walk into the screened area without needing to go outside.
Since the screened area is slanted at the top, this gives room for a bit (not too much) sunlight to make its way into the porch.
Keeping dry with the Weathertec system
Coleman’s patented Weathertec system is designed to keep its occupants dry through torrential rains and winds. The seams of the tent are sewn inside out in order to prevent leakage. It’s wall lining will hold up to a monsoon, but it is recommended to spray the lining and screen with rain fly for extra protection.
What People are Saying
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Here are a few paraphrased customer reviews
I use the Evanston tent year round for camping in the mountains. It will hold up to winds, rain, and snow. For the winter season, I put a tarp up to cover the tent since it’s not insulated, which does the trick.
The 15 feet X 12 feet includes the screened area. As the screened area is about 4 feet of the 15, the sleeping area would be around 11 feet X 12 feet. This is enough for 2 queen matresses. If you have plastic tubs, you can store things in the screened area and they will stay dry.
The screened porch is a great way to relax outside and not get bitten by bugs, and great to store your belongings at night when not in use. I used the Evanston without rain fly on a night with torrential rain, and it stayed 99% dry.
The ventilation window along the back of the tent does not have a cover, so it is important to use rainfly on a rainy day. However, the side windows has zip close flaps, which I am happy with.
The tent is easy to set up with 2 people but can be done with by yourself. The front porch screened area is enough for 2 people with chairs, and a dog to walk around. For 1 person, it’s like a palace.
I sent the tent up in 15 minutes by myself, and it was easy to do. The tent withstood the rain, and moderate winds. I did purchase the stakes separately. I like the fact that the screened porch area stays dry during light rains, and enjoy the drainage feature for if/when water accumulates on the floor.
The Verdict
The Evanston tent has a relatively low price compared to Coleman’s higher end 8-person tents. The biggest bonus of this tent being the screened area in the front. This tent has many reviews on Amazon, and you can get a sense of its popularity while reading the reviews from verified customers.