Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 Review: Perfect Tent For Family Camping

Planning for camping with family or friends, then the Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 is the perfect tent. This camping tent is durable, manageable, and easy to set up.

Our Verdict

Our Analysis and Test Results

🏕️Ease of Set-Up

Setting up the Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 is surprisingly straightforward for a tent of its size. Thanks to its colour-coded steel poles, the structure comes together intuitively, allowing even first-time users to understand where each pole fits without confusion. 

With two people, the tent can typically be pitched in around 15–20 minutes, as the inner tent stands first and the outer flysheet simply clips and straps into place. 

Its freestanding frame means you don’t need perfect guy-line tension to get the basic shape standing, which removes much of the hassle found in other large-capacity tents. While the tent is on the heavier side, the included wheeled carry bag makes transport manageable on firm ground. 

The only challenge comes when packing it back up, as folding such a big tent neatly into its bag can take a bit more effort. Overall, the Cortes Octagon 8 offers a smooth, beginner-friendly setup experience, especially once you’ve done it once or twice.

⛺Weather/Storm Resistance

The Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 offers solid weather and storm resistance suited for typical three-season camping. 

Its PU-coated polyester flysheet, with a 2000 mm waterproof rating, handles moderate to heavy rain confidently, while the fully sewn-in groundsheet and taped seams help keep moisture from seeping in through the floor or stitching. 

The steel pole structure gives the tent a stable frame, allowing it to withstand normal windy conditions without losing shape. The storm flap over the hinged door adds extra protection during rainfall, preventing water from dripping inside as you enter or exit. 

While the tent performs well in regular monsoon showers and breezy weather, it is not designed for extreme storms or high-altitude conditions. Sustained heavy rain or very strong winds may require precise guy-line tensioning and careful pitching. 

Overall, it offers dependable protection for families and groups camping in standard weather, as long as you’re not venturing into harsh, four-season environments.

🎒Weight & Packed Size

The Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 is a large, heavy-duty camping tent, and its weight reflects that. Weighing around 20.7 kg, it’s not designed for trekking or long-distance carrying but is perfectly suited for car camping and family trips. 

Despite its size, the tent packs down into a relatively compact bundle measuring approximately 85 × 30 × 30 cm, making it easier to store and transport than many other 8-person tents. 

The included wheeled carry bag is a practical advantage, allowing you to roll the tent across firm ground instead of lifting it. While it’s still bulky compared to smaller tents, its packed size and convenient transport system ensure that moving it from your vehicle to the campsite is manageable and hassle-free.

🏕️Livability

The Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 delivers outstanding livability thanks to its spacious, open-plan interior and clever design. 

With a generous floor area of around 15.7 m² and a nearly circular 4×4 m footprint, the tent feels more like a small portable room than a traditional camping shelter. 

Its full standing height of over 2 meters allows most adults to walk upright comfortably, making it easy to move around, change clothes, or simply relax inside. 

The vertical-style walls and octagonal shape create excellent usable space, so you can fit multiple airbeds, sleeping bags, and gear without feeling cramped. 

Large mesh windows around the tent keep the interior bright, airy, and well-ventilated, enhancing overall comfort during long stays. 

Whether you use it as a communal hangout area or a sleeping space for a group, the expansive interior makes the tent especially livable for families and groups who value comfort and roominess during their camping trips.

🛡️Durability

The Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 features a sturdy frame constructed from steel poles, sometimes reinforced with fibreglass, giving it excellent stability and resistance to bending or collapsing under wind or moderate pressure. Its fabric is treated with UV protection and fire-retardant coatings, helping prevent sun damage, fading, and general wear, which extends the tent’s overall lifespan.

Although spacious and ideal for family or car camping, this tent is not designed as a heavy-duty expedition shelter. It handles typical weather conditions and occasional storms well, but is not suitable for extreme environments such as strong winds, heavy snow, or prolonged severe weather.

Built for long-term use, the Cortes Octagon 8 maintains its shape and integrity even with frequent assembly and dismantling. Its durable materials and thoughtful construction ensure it withstands everyday wear and tear, making it a dependable option for families and groups who camp regularly. With proper care, this tent can provide many seasons of reliable performance, offering both comfort and durability throughout its lifespan.

🔄Versatility

The Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 is highly versatile within its intended scope, making it an excellent choice for family car camping, group trips, festivals, glamping, and casual outdoor outings. 

Its spacious interior, full standing height, and ability to convert into a screened shelter provide flexibility for sleeping, lounging, or daytime activities. However, its versatility has limits. 

The tent is relatively heavy and bulky, making it impractical for backpacking or long treks, and it is not designed for extreme weather conditions such as heavy storms, strong winds, or snow. 

Additionally, with a single-room layout and minimal internal division, privacy and separate storage areas are limited. While setup is straightforward for car camping, it requires more effort compared to smaller or instant tents. 

Overall, the Cortes Octagon 8 excels in comfort and flexibility for car-based and casual camping, but is not a one-size-fits-all solution for every type of outdoor adventure.

Ⓠ Should you buy Coleman Cortes Octagon 8?

The Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 is an excellent choice for those who prioritize space, comfort, and versatility in their camping setup. 

Its large, open interior and full-standing height make it ideal for family or group car camping, festivals, or relaxed weekend getaways, offering ample room for sleeping, lounging, and storing gear. 

The tent’s ability to convert into a mesh-screened shelter on warm days adds further flexibility, allowing it to function as a bug-free lounge or semi-permanent outdoor room. 

Setup is relatively straightforward, and the included wheeled bag makes transport manageable despite the tent’s weight. 

However, it is not suited for backpacking, trekking, or extreme weather conditions such as heavy storms, strong winds, or snow. For standard camping scenarios in moderate conditions, the Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 is a strong and reliable option, but those seeking lightweight or expedition-ready tents may need to explore other alternatives.

📊Specifications

Brand	Coleman
Product Dimensions	4 m × 4 m (13.1 ft × 13.1 ft)
Capacity	8 persons
Weight	20.7 kg (≈45.6 lbs)
Material	PU-coated polyester
Floor Width	4 m (≈13.1 ft)
Shape	Octagon
Pole Material Type	Steel (with some fibreglass)
Closure Type	‎Zippered doors
Maximum Height	‎208–215 cm (≈6.8–7 ft)
Number of rooms	1 (optionally partitionable)
Tent Floor Material	Welded, PU-coated polyester
Rainfly Material	PU-coated polyester
Waterproof	Yes, 2000 mm hydrostatic head
Seasons	3-season (spring, summer, autumn)