Gear Review : Several years on and still standing strong: An updated review of the Coleman Cobra 2 Tent

New updated 3rd design. I like it, but it's not quite as stealthy as mine. I'm a poet, and I know it

I've been looking back on my old posts and thankfully most of my gear that I reviewed back in the day is still being used, at least occasionally. The Coleman Cobra 2 is no exception. In fact, going by how it has lasted, I was maybe a little tough on it at the time that I originally wrote about it. Perhaps my standards have slipped! Another price of old age.

If you're an adventurer and backpacker, you're most likely familiar with the legacy of the Cobra and maybe you even read my original blog post (preserved for prosperity below). Now, fast forward to several years later - the Coleman Cobra 2 Tent is still providing the same reliable services.

Like a bottle of fine wine, the Cobra 2 has aged well, proving that quality endures. Years of constant use, various weather conditions, and countless adventures later - this tent is still holding up impressively well.

Pitching this tent is as effortless now as it was at the beginning. With the two aluminum pole design, you can have this tent up and providing shelter in a quick five minutes. Given its performance after years of use, I can confidently say that the competative price tag is not a compromise on durability or functionality but rather a nod to the value for money Coleman aims to provide.

Indeed, no product comes without its trials. Issues such as condensation and the inner tent hanging down excessively have presented themselves. However, compared to the overall performance and the durability of the Cobra 2, these are minor. It's a sturdy ally for any outdoors enthusiast, withstanding the test of time and the elements.

Currently, the Coleman Cobra 2 is available for around £100 in various online outlets, and with its durability proven over years of use, it's still a steal and hasn't suffered too heavily under inflationay pressure. If only we could say the same for bread, chocolate and breathing! . It's just over 2 kilos for the newer updated model, compact and resilient - all the vital traits of a reliable backpacking tent remain as strong today as they were when first pitched.

Scored as a standalone tent, the Coleman Cobra 2 would still secure a solid 7.5 out of 10, while for value for money, it comfortably exceeds expectations with an 11 out of 10. As a tent that has lasted the test of time, it stands out as a cost-effective, enduring choice for any backpacker.

If you've found resonance and helpful insights in this updated review and my independent content, I do hope you'll consider supporting me through Buy Me a Coffee, by engaging with the ads or even buying the NEW UPDATED COBRA 2 at a reduced price via Amazon at no extra cost to yourself. While the Coleman Cobra 2 Tent stands the test of time, your support helps sustain the endurance of this blog. Let's continue to share our passion for the outdoors and all the gear that helps us experience it to its fullest. Happy camping!

Original review for years ago (pre serious writer!)

I'm led to believe that the original Cobra is a backpacking classic. I've used the updated version a few times now and have got the measure of it.

V2 The one I have

V1 Now a classic

With a very similar design and spec to the Vango Banshee series, a budget wild camping staple, The lower price of the Coleman looks like an attractive purchase.

Pitching the tent is easy as you would expect from most modern Coleman tents. Once practiced, you'll have it up in five minutes. Pitching outer first, or both together, It's a two aluminum pole design, which are colour coded and slip through little mesh sleeves outside of the fly. The fly then snaps to the poles in the fashion of a lot of inner first pitching American tents.

My one. Reassuringly similar to the publicity shot.

Tensioning is ok, if a little fiddly and once up, the tent has a good amount of room for me and my gear. It'd be ok for two when adventure racing or something, but as always, 2 berth means 1 in practice. There is a great amount of porch space, with a decent amount of room under each 'wing', but weirdly only one outer door. I imagine to keep down costs or something.

After a few pitches and stays in variuos scenarios and weather i've found this to be a great little tent, with a couple of minus points, which in fairness are not out of order considering the price.

Firstly, I found that the ventalation (which is generally good), should be configured just right to minimise the amount of condensation you get.

Condensation issues

There is a nice facility in the inner door which allows airflow, while keeping bugs out, but I find that condensation control is only as good as it's fly performance.

The other problem I've had is that the inner tent seems to hang down excessively. This has resulted in it catching on my boot, and when anything as heavy as a head torch, for example is put in any of the inner pockets, the inner droops in a sad fashion to the groundsheet. I have a small hole in my inner due to this problem, which is bad news for me, but good news for the no good, low down, blood sucking spiders and other assorted creepy crawlies that want to crawl right over my face.

Other that these two minor issues, I really can't find too much wrong with the tent. And lets face it. These problems may well have more to do with me being thick than anything else.

Oh, and I'd prefer it in green. Any tent that has a potential wild camping audience should be available in green. And not bright green either. I'm talking to you, Coleman Avior!

The Coleman Cobra 2 is available at the time of writing for around £100 in various online outlets. It's under (now just over - edit 2024) 2 kilos, packs down fairly small if you do it right, and looks nice. It's not much more money, or that much heavier than the Gelert Solo, has twice the amount of space, and people go rabid for that.It's waterproof and is ok with 'proper weather'. What more could you want?

Marks out of ten as a standalone tent would be a solid 7.5. Marks out of ten for value for money, 11.