Best of Core Tents for 2023 [Our Review and Comparisons]

The great outdoors, nature, peace and tranquility, total switch-off from either the hum-drum dreariness or frenetic activity of your daily life. Does this sound like heaven to your stressed and overworked brain? All of this, and more, can be yours on a camping trip.

Camping enthusiasts know that if you are feeling desperate to restore your soul, there is no better way than by spending time out in the bush, lying in the cool breeze, gazing at the silvery stars twinkling in the ink-black sky. It is a complete break from the mundane routine of your everyday existence.

The secret to a successful camping trip is having the right gear. Most of us know someone who has a horror story to tell about things going wrong. Those disasters are usually the result of either poor planning and lack of information, or bad or unsuitable equipment.

No-one wants to spend hours and hours trying to pitch a tent, only to discover that you don’t have all the components and there are crucial pieces missing. Or, maybe even worse, you pitch your tent, get organized, have a great day out hiking, cook up a wonderful barbecue, and collapse into your sleeping bag, ready for a good night’s sleep, when…. The unthinkable happens. You hear that faint rumbling in the distance, the noise gets louder, you hear a few loud booms, a flash of lightning streaks across the night sky, and the rain comes pouring down.

Before you know it, your tent is flooded, and you and everything else inside your tent are soaked! You can rest assured that this will never happen if you have the correct equipment.

Best of Core Tents Tents Comparison Table

PRODUCT	FEATURES	LATEST PRICE
1. CORE 3 Person Instant Dome Tent	Instant set-up in less than a minute CORE H20 Block technology Adjustable ground vent Storage pockets Lantern hook	Check Price
2. CORE 9 Person Extended Dome Tent	Sleeps nine people 72 inch centre height Water-resistant PU coated fabric Taped seams Removable rain fly	Check Price
3. CORE 6 Person Dome Tent	Durable imported fabric CORE H20 block technology, making it water-repellent Fits three double or two queen air mattresses Lantern hooks and storage pockets Advanced ventilation system	Check Price
4. CORE Backpacking Tents CORE Dome Tent	Sleeps, three people CORE H20 Block technology Completely waterproof Gear loft with lantern hook Zippered privacy panels on door and windows	Check Price

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So where do you start? How do you know what to buy, what features to look for, what is important, and what really makes a difference? How can you ensure that your camping trip is the perfect outdoor adventure where nothing goes wrong and everyone has the best time ever? That’s simple. Make sure that you have done your homework, and that you have bought the very best camping gear possible.

Core is a company specializing in camping gear and outdoor equipment of all types. A privately-owned company, based in the Midwest. Their aim is to make every camper’s outdoor experience special, taking camping to new heights and making it the best getaway one could wish for.

Because the owners are involved in the day-to-day running of the business and are ‘hands-on’ at all times, they are able to focus on their customers’ needs – in other words, YOUR needs, at all times. While, in the past, camping may have seemed a little daunting, it is Core’s aim is to make it easy, accessible and endlessly enjoyable. They break down any barriers and reach out to their customers, educating them about the latest equipment available, and how to get the best out of it.

Core’s mission is to design and create products that can improve and enrich the entire outdoor experience, no matter where you choose to go, be it in your own backyard, or far away in the outback. They are a small group of energetic people who love the thrill of camping who also love helping others to discover the joy of the great outdoors, and to simplify their camping experience by filling every need. Everybody should have the opportunity to enjoy outdoor adventures, even those who are not seasoned campers or outdoor enthusiasts. The company’s goal is to provide products that motivate and enable everyone to go out and explore nature and discover the delights of the outdoor world, even those who have never thought of themselves as ‘campers’.

If you are planning a camping trip, whether it is a week out in the bush with your best buddies or some over-night fun in the garden with your kids, the first thing you will need is a tent. Core manufactures and sells many different types of camping equipment, from tents to shelters to sleeping bags, plus a few other items in between.

In this article, we will take a look at all of their tents that are currently available on Amazon. We will consider the pros and cons of each one, helping you to make an informed decision about which tent is best suited to your needs.

After the reviews, you will find some tips and guidelines about what to look for and consider when choosing a tent. We feel sure that this information will enlighten you, and empower you to make the best choices, thus ensuring many memorable adventures in the great outdoors.

Our Best Product Reviews and Comparisons

1. CORE 3 Person Instant Dome Tent

Product Highlights

This easy-to-set-up tent has a pre-assembled frame, so it literally only takes a few seconds to pitch your tent.

Features

• Instant set-up in less than a minute
• CORE H20 Block technology
• Adjustable ground vent
• Storage pockets
• Lantern hook

What We Like About CORE 3 Person Instant Dome Tent

The fact that this tent can be set up instantly makes it so appealing to novice campers who have no experience with pitching a tent. It really is so simple and only takes a few seconds. We love the bright green color of this tent, as it makes it much easier to spot your own tent in a full campsite. It is also more visible at night.

This tent has two-floor vents and two windows, so there is more than enough circulation of air. It has excellent storage, with a small pocket for items like your glasses or flashlight, and larger pockets for other gear. A nice touch is a small hole that will accommodate your extension cord and seals tightly around it.

This is a very useful safety feature for those times when you want to run an electrical supply cord to your tent from a generator. This is great for those extra hot days when you might want to use a fan. This tent easily withstands fairly heavy rain and you and your stuff will keep dry inside.

What We Don’t Like About CORE 3 Person Instant Dome Tent

This is supposed to be a 3 person tent, but it would only accommodate three people in comfort if they are kids or skinny teens. Three adults would struggle to find enough space to stretch out comfortably. However, we found it perfect for two, with enough space for a queen-size mattress and all our stuff. We didn’t like the fact that we could not stand up straight inside the tent, so we found ourselves getting dressed outside.

But that is not a major problem. While this tent may be super-simple to set up, it is not quite as easy to dismantle and pack up. When you unpack it and unfold everything, it is important to remember what goes where so that you are able to fold it up again. It was quite tricky to get it all back into the case afterward. Take care of the zipper. It can sometimes get stuck in the flap.

2. CORE 9 Person Extended Dome Tent

Product Highlights

A huge tent that is perfect for family camping trips, or adventures with a big group of friends.

Features

• Sleeps nine people
• 72 inch centre height
• Water-resistant PU coated fabric
• Taped seams
• Removable rain fly

What We Like About CORE 9 Person Extended Dome Tent

This tent is absolutely massive. It easily accommodates 9 people, as promised. It has two additional ridge poles, which make it much bigger inside and give extra height, so an average adult can easily stand up straight. We like the advanced vents that draw in cool air from the vents on the ground, and allow hot air to flow out through the mesh fabric at the top of the tent.

You can safely run an extension cord through the special port that seals closed around it, allowing you to use an electric light or fan inside the tent if there is a power supply nearby or you have a generator. We found this tent is not only easy to set up, but it is just as simple to take down. It only took a few minutes to take it down and pack it up. Everything fits back into the bag really easily. This tent is very durable and will last for many years.

What We Don’t Like About CORE 9 Person Extended Dome Tent

The stakes are very basic and are not very sturdy. You need to be careful to make sure that everything is properly and securely attached in order to assure that your tent is stable. Because this tent is so large, it is important to have ultra-strong pegs, stakes and guy lines. You might want to replace the stakes with thicker, stronger ones.

The top rain flap only just covers the sides, so this might be an issue at some point, depending on what direction the rain comes from. If it is sideways, there might be a slight problem. The zipper is not great. The door often gets stuck in the zipper and it does not glide smoothly.

3. CORE 6 Person Dome Tent

Product Highlights

This tent is suited to camping in all seasons. It is spacious and comfortable. It is ideal for a few nights out in the great outdoors, whatever the weather.

Features

• Durable imported fabric
• CORE H20 block technology, making it water-repellent
• Fits three double or two queen air mattresses
• Lantern hooks and storage pockets
• Advanced ventilation system

What We Like About CORE 6 Person Dome Tent

The CORE 6 Person Dome Tent is a spacious tent that is very comfortable. A tall person can easily stand up straight inside. This tent’s seams are fully sealed and the rainfly is well-taped, making it completely waterproof. The floor vents and mesh fabric on the ceiling make it easy for air to circulate, keeping you cool in hot weather.

It is easy to keep all your gear organized and keep your tent neat and tidy inside with the well-designed storage pockets. All the windows and the door can be zipped closed for privacy. It is easy for one person to set up without help. If you leave the rain cover off, you can lie back and enjoy a perfect view of the starry sky at night. This tent is made of very durable fabric and can withstand strong winds and heavy rain without leaking or buckling. We really like the heavy-duty floor. It keeps the inside of the tent completely dry.

What We Don’t Like About CORE 6 Person Dome Tent

One thing we do not like about this tent is the door. It has waterproof flaps that cover the zipper. As a result we found that you cannot open and close the zipper easily with one hand. The flaps keep getting caught in the zipper if you do not hold them back with one hand as you pull the zipper with the other. This was extremely annoying. The carry bag needs to be a bit bigger. It was quite a struggle to pack everything back into the bag.

4. CORE Backpacking Tents CORE Dome Tent

Product Highlights

This tent is made of water-repellent fabric that will protect you from the elements. It is great for an outdoor adventure in a small group.

Features

• Sleeps, three people
• CORE H20 Block technology
• Completely waterproof
• Gear loft with lantern hook
• Zippered privacy panels on door and windows

What We Like About CORE Backpacking Tents CORE Dome Tent

This tent is lightweight. It is cozy and comfortable inside. It is the perfect tent for a father-and-son getaway, or a quiet weekend away with your partner. It’s great for spring and summer camping adventures. The tent’s instructions are on a tag that has been sewn into the carrying case, so you will never lose them.

This is a clever little trick, as many people lose those instructions and then have problems trying to figure out what goes where. Set-up is simple and straight-forward and can easily be done by one person alone. We liked all the strategically placed storage pockets inside the tent. The clear mesh makes it lovely and cool inside.

What We Don’t Like About CORE Backpacking Tents CORE Dome Tent

The ground pegs that are supplied with the tent are cheap and not the greatest quality. We would recommend getting stronger ground pegs. This will give your tent more stability and better enable it to withstand heavy wind. While the clear mesh is great for ventilation, it means that this tent is only suitable for warmer weather. In winter the cold air will penetrate, even with the cover on.

While the tent itself is comfortable and spacious, an adult of average height will find it difficult to stand up straight. This tent is marketed as a three-person tent, but it is more suited for two people. Three adults would not have enough space to stretch out comfortably.

Final Verdict

Of all the tents featured in this review, we liked the first one the best. The CORE 9 Person Extended Dome Tent is almost like a comfy hotel room. Its super-spacious interior makes it big enough for a large family or a big group of friends to enjoy a magical outdoor adventure without getting in each other’s way or needing to climb over each other. All-in-all, a wonderful tent with fabulous features, making it our winner in this contest.

BUYER’S GUIDE WITH SOME HANDY TIPS TO ASSIST YOU IN DECIDING WHICH TENT TO BUY

There are many important aspects that you ought to factor into your decision when considering which tent to buy for your camping trip. Some questions to ask:

1. 1. How many people do you want your tent to accommodate?

Always err on the side of caution. Often the guide to the number of people a tent will accommodate can be misleading. If it is marketed as a ‘4 man tent’, it may be a tight squeeze with four adults. A useful tip is to always buy bigger…

1. 1. Is the tent suitable for the type of weather and terrain in which I want to go camping?

Different conditions will require different types of tents. In spring and summer, lightweight fabrics will be more comfortable, but you will be freezing if you camp out in the winter with this type of tent. In colder temperatures, a heavy-duty fabric will be more suitable to keep the cold out.

1. 1. How easy is it to pitch the tent?

No-one wants to start off a camping trip spending hours trying to figure out how to put up the tent. You should look for a tent that is quick and simple to erect and can be done in a few minutes by only one or two people.

1. 1. Am I happy with the quality of the fabric, zippers, poles, and pegs?

Make sure that the fabric is both waterproof and tear-resistant. Zippers should be easy to open and close without catching and sticking. Poles should be strong, but light to carry. Pegs should be hard-wearing and both big enough and strong enough to hold your tent firmly in place, even in strong winds.

1. 1. How big and how heavy is the tent when packed in its bag?

You should be able to transport your tent easily in your car or on its roof rack. Once you have reached your campsite, you don’t want to struggle to carry it from your vehicle to your camping spot.

1. 1. Does the tent have sufficient air vents?

You want air to be able to circulate in your tent, so look at the number and position of the air vents.

1. 1. What flooring will you be using on your camping trip?

The groundsheet, also sometimes called a ‘footprint’, is a vital piece of equipment. It will help your tent to stay dry in wet weather, and will also protect your tent from damage caused by rough ground, twigs, stones, etc. It is also much more comfortable to sleep in a tent that has a good groundsheet. Most tents these days do not come with footprints. These usually need to be purchased separately, so don’t forget about this.

1. 1. What is my budget?

Try to budget for the very best that you can afford. It will pay off in the long run, and you should get many years of wear out of a good quality tent.

1. 1. Are there any other special features?

There are a few special features that will make your tent more comfortable, thus enhancing your camping experience. Look at things like windows, storage pockets, awnings, and ports to run cables. If you want to buy other accessories, make sure that they are compatible with the tent that you select.

1. 1. Does the company provide decent after-sales-service?

Obviously, it is lovely when the salesperson makes a fuss of you and treats you like royalty in the store, but don’t forget to check what warranty the tent has, and what level of after-sales-service is offered by the company. If something does go wrong, you do not want to have to get into a battle to have the tent either repaired or replaced. This is actually even more important once the warranty has expired. You should check that parts are readily available, and service is offered on older tents.

If you follow all of the above tips, you should be able to enjoy many exhilarating outdoor adventures, and you will love being a ‘Happy Camper”.

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Jason Clarke

Passionate about the outdoors. He has accrued a wealth of experience and knowledge in naturalism, outside adventures, ski instruction, and writing. In addition to exploring the outdoors, he enjoys backpacking and camping.