Reddit reviews Coleman 8-Person Tent for Camping | Montana Tent with Easy Setup

What's your budget? And is this a one time deal? Is the tent purchase going to spend the next few years forgotten in the back of the closet? Do you have any gear at all?

If you don't have any gear, and probably won't use it until the next solar eclipse... you might consider renting gear. See if there's an REI near you where you can rent a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad. You might want to rent a backpack if you have to walk a bit from the bus to the camping area, it might make things easier.

If you plan on doing this a few times a year, then it's probably worthwhile purchasing gear.

REI has a Festival camping checklist.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/festival-camping-checklist.html

It's a pretty good list. Since you're flying you may have to pick lighter (and less comfortable) options; a couple of full-size air mattresses and a tent that fits them is great for car camping, but you might not want to go over the weight allowance of the airline. You'll have to do some homework and see which combination of tent, mattress or pads, and sleeping bags, gives you the most bang for the buck while still remaining under the weight allowance.

The title says "family" but you didn't mention the size of your family. If it's a family of 4 with two small kids, you can get away with a nice 4P tent. Two older kids and you probably want a 6P tent. I usually recommend the Coleman Montana 8 or Montana 6 for cheaper car camping tents... however at festivals space may be limited, and thus a larger tent may be a liability. Probably worthwhile asking previous attendees if space was an issue, in which case you may want to get a smaller tent.

Good luck!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TSCF96/ref=s9_acsd_simh_hd_bw_b1NAw3X_c_x_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=7JJNNWEJYB1VRJ6NCEYB&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=215b7de7-2475-55a1-9056-86cfe41182be&pf_rd_i=1258595011&th=1&psc=1

I have this tent and I really like it. I didn't set it up but I don't remember it taking long. Very roomy and great reviews too!
https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Montana-8-Person-Tent-Green/dp/B001TSCF96/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1526312317&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=coleman+tent&psc=1

Coleman Montana 8 Tent

$100 + shipping

This tent was purchased new from Amazon last May, and has been used only once. It's nice, and quite spacious, but turned out to be larger than what we needed for just me, my wife, and our dog. If you've got a larger group and are doing some car camping, this is the tent for you. We fit the two of us with sleeping cots, our dog's bed, and had a large area at the opposite end of the tent where we brought in our camp chairs and stowed our packs.

Here's a photo, and the link to the Amazon product page. I found the Amazon photos to be pretty representative of how it looks when set up. Unfortunately, I don't have a space to set it up right now, but if you have any requests, let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Huge Coleman 8 person tent for $67.99 for you Good Lifers out there!

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000027941NP-Montana-8-Person-Tent/dp/B001TSCF96/ref=sr_1_4?s=prime-day&psr=PDAY&ie=UTF8&qid=1499777040&sr=1-4&keywords=tent

EDIT: Looks like the price is over despite the 17 hour timer I saw this morning.

1. Pasta shells, my husband makes the best damn stuffed shells I've ever had. They are cheesy and delicious! They are a bit fattening though so we do not have them often but when we do the house smells amazing and the food tastes even better. We usually make cheesy onion bread with it as well. Yum!
   
   
2. We love camping, fishing, hiking, ect as a family. My kids love being out doors if it were up to them they would never come in the house.
   
   
3. I would bring a art kit for each kid, and add some stickers a book and a few extras to keep them happy, quiet and calm.
   
   
4. How to train your dragon it is a great family movie that we all enjoy!
   
   
5. Before my dad passed on he used to make chili all of the time, it was spicy but sweet at the same time we couldn't get enough of it. Anytime I smell or make chili now I always think of him and memories of sitting around the table with my siblings passing the corn bread around on chili nights.
   
   I am going to guess 9! Thanks for the contest :) Sandra Bullock was great in the Proposal.

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000001594-Montana-8-Tent/dp/B001TSCF96

This is the tent I'll be using this year. It comes pretty recommended from several BM blogs I read while googling around before the purchase.

I bought this tent for last year. Personally I was not a fan and bought another for other festivals. We fit 2 people in this tent and it was tight. I also did not like that I always had to bend down in it (it is not tall enough if standing). For the price, this is the most economical... But if you want space and the ability to stand I would not suggest it. I ended up buying the following and love it... we sleep many ppl in it: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TSCF96/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am saving up for a nice, New, roomy tent. We currently have a really old and tiny tent that does not work very well for my tall husband and is very cramped with the two of us and the dog. It also does not keep moisture out very well. I am trying to decide between [this one] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001TSCF96/ref=aw_ls__5?colid=3DTDJLPVNHVYM&coliid=I22WCGA3UW40TL) and this one. If anyone has advice on which is better, that would be great too. Saving Private Ryan!

i love my REI half dome 4 and loved the REI kingdom tents. however, i wouldn't recommend it for you.

this is based on a few points you mentioned.

• you are relatively new at this
  
  
• this is going to be for a long time (2 months)
  
  
• i doubt you're going minimalist camping but rather plan to be comfortable.
  
  so based on that, you'll need a relatively big tent. i would go for a 6 man tent minimum. usually, 3 man tent is good for 3 people on a 20inch sleeping pad and that's it. no space for gear or bags or anything. a 6-man tent will be good for 3 people and some gear. you'll have to go to an 8-man tent if you want space, but some of the bigger 6-man tents are just as big, depends on the model.
  
  now the downsides to a big tent. pretty much all sub-$100 tents are not meant for mountaineering, thus they do not protect as well from big storms or winds. however, they will suffice in pretty much any national park. you might get a little rain or water coming into the tent, but that's the sacrifice you pay to save money. you'll be dropping $500 to get a NICE tent you don't have to worry about.
  
  there's the coleman montana 8 that gets relatively good reviews.
  
  but if you can pick up an REI kingdom 6 for cheap at an REI garage sale, i'd go that direction. pick up the REI kingdom garage if your budget allows for it, and you'll be good to go anywhere. most importantly, you'll be extremely comfortable.
  
  the REI kingdom is much easier to put up than the coleman and will protect better from the elements. but again, nothing wrong with the coleman given the price.

Here is the desktop version of OP's link

I have the Coleman Evanston 6 which is pretty spacious and has a screened "porch" area that I like. It is square, so I don't know if it would be big enough for your group.

I see the Coleman Montana everywhere, Costco sometimes has a version, videos of it make it look very spacious.

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000001594-Montana-8-Tent/dp/B001TSCF96/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1407784102&sr=1-1&keywords=coleman+montana

The Montana is 96 bucks if you have Amazon Prime (the link is different now)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TSCF96