I need to buy a tent and need recommendations

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

It should be a three-man, travel in the car, easy to set up, with those collapsable cord-connected tubes, waterproof of course, lightweight. I need it for a friend and just for a week and a half so don't want to spend a lot of money...just enough to provide reliable shelter, perhaps stand up in it.

I saw a Coleman tent in the store. Are Coleman products pretty reliable? I really need easy to set up, and will pay more to get that.

[Omphaloskepsis]

1. I have never had a problem setting up a tent...

I know people who struggle with really easy ones.

I would suggest a few dry runs in the lawn before the trip. It can suck setting one up if it is getting dark and you have never done it before. Coleman isn't great, it is a good balance of quality and cost. Just don't learn how to put the thing together on your first night of camping.

[NightWatcher]

3. I agree 100%, plus as a test after you buy it, set it up after dark at home

You will find that it's a whole new ballgame in the dark. Of course you can use a flashlight, but only what you might have with you in the field.

[taterguy]

2. Go to a local outdoors store

The one in my town is filled with knowledgeable people that use the products they sell, and they use them in the area so they know what works. It's not just a PC thing to avoid giant chains but a smart thing.

[InternalDialogue]

4. Have you considered renting the tent?

If there's an REI store near you, they rent all sorts of camping equipment. If this is a one-time deal, I'd go that way. You won't have to worry about spending a lot, you won't have to store it somewhere when you're done, and you might have a good choice of products at the store. Plus, you can ask the staff for help choosing a model.

Even if there's no REI, I'd check with any of the other sporting goods retailers near you. I think tent rentals aren't uncommon.

[ForrestGump]

5. Coleman or Eureka (I think that's the brand...it's been a long time) should do the trick. REI is

a very good idea, if you've a store near you (they are on the Web, too). North Face makes great tents (used to, anyway), but they're probably overkill for what you want.

[Kali]

6. take the number of sleepers with a grain of salt.

our 6 person tent is OK for 3 - 2 is almost comfortable.

[conscious evolution]

7. Coleman makes a good tent

I go to several music festivals and other campouts several times a year.My Coleman tent is 5 years old now and it has never leaked,the zippers all work fine and there have been no tears or rips of the materials.The only problem I have had is one of the stretch cords in a pole has lost its stretch rebound ability and it takes a minute or two longer to fit the pole together.

To repeat others upthread,get a tent that is larger then you really need.They may say they sleep four but that is really tight quarters.Bigger is definitly better.

Practicing at home in the dark first is good advice also.