Columbia Modified 3 Person Dome Tent

This Columbia Modified 3 Person Dome Tent is freestanding, easy to use, with an innovative magnetic door closure, and it is incredibly affordable.

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Key features & benefits

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What is in the name

Here you have a dome-style tent supported by two main poles that create the usual X-shaped profile. The word ‘Modified’ in the name implies the fact that the connectors of the poles are pre-bent as shown in the picture.

This simple detail adds more volume and head space inside as compared to a simple dome with a smooth loops shape. Some manufacturer pre-bent poles ands some do this with their connectors, and the result effect is the same. So this is nothing unique, one more example of this type you can see in this Coleman Skydome 4 Dark Room Tent. The picture of the tent without the fly below shows how this looks with this Columbia tent:

The tent is with a single door and it has mesh and panel for ventilation and for protection. It is with the usual zipper and flap that covers the zipper, but you also have one unique detail here, the flap (shown below) contains sewn-in magnets. This means that you do not have to use the zipper all the time, with magnets this is much easier during the day, and this will still keep flying insects out of the tent.

The fly is not full-coverage type, as you realize from the pictures there is no vestibule. So this has both good and bad sides.

The good is that getting in and out is easier although the tent is quite low, with a vestibule this is always complicated. They have added also an extra ridge pole that creates a small awning above the door, so you have a dry entry. The fly attaches to the tent’s base with buckles, see the picture below, and this is what makes the tent completely freestanding.

But the bad side is that without a vestibule you do not have the usual storage space for your dirty boots and other stuff. In such a case, you have to downgrade the number of users if you have to keep the gear inside. But in the case of car camping you will be doing great without vestibule, you can keep the gear in the car.

Ventilation

The canopy here is mostly a mesh and there is always enough air flow from the ground under the fly. So this will work even if the window/door is fully closed. On the other hand the fly is high above the door so vapor should be able to escape and this should reduce condensation. But a vent on the fly would make it much better.

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The materials

The poles are what you would expect from such a budget tent, so this is fiberglass, and they use a cool name Durawrap Poles. In spite of such a name, this material is not particularly durable, yet it is commonly used even in much more expensive tents. The poles attach to the tent’s base through the usual grommets, and higher you have clips, no sleeves.

The fabric comes in the really cool blue color and this is Columbia’s patented Omni-shield polyester, with fully-taped seams for “superior water resistance” as they describe it. In fact, the waterproof rating is only 800 mm. This does not look so impressive, but with taped seams you will hardly ever need more.

The floor is a bathtub design, you can see it in the picture below, it goes up from the ground to protect the walls against splashes.

Other features include a zippered E-cable port next to the door, it is visible in the picture above, and you also have a sizeable storage pouch above the door, see the picture below.

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Who is this Columbia Modified 3 Person Tent for

Regarding the capacity, this is officially a 3-person tent. The dimensions are such that you can place 3 pads on the floor. The area is 49 ft² (4.5 m²) and this means 16.3 ft² (1.5 m²) per person, not a castle but it is doable. This is a car camping tent so you will have a car for extra stuff.

Regarding seasons & climate, I see it best suited for the warmer half of the year. With so much mesh you would not want to use it in a cold environment.

The tent is quite low and aerodynamic, but the fly with such an awning no matter how small is not the best option for windy conditions. So use this tent for calm weather camping.

Regarding the weight, this is surely not its best feature, it is quite heavy with its 10 lb (4.5 kg) of weight. The same objection holds for its packed size, see the numbers below.

But accept this all as a fact and use it for car camping, and in this case the weight and the packed size are not very important. I have included it in my list of best 3 person tents for camping.

Regarding the price, I think it is obvious that the tent is a bargain in view of its features and the famous brand behind it.

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Specifications

• Official capacity: 3 people.
• Weight: 10 lb (4.5 kg).
• Dimensions: 7 x 7 ft (213 x 213 cm).
• Area: 49 ft² (4.5 m²).
• Area per person: 16.3 ft² (1.5 m²).
• Peak height: 48 in (122 cm).
• Packed size: 25 x 7 x 7 in (64 x 18 x 18 cm).
• Poles: fiberglass.

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Columbia Modified 4 Person Dome Tent

So this is a bit larger cousin, with the same features, just the dimensions are a bit different. They sell it at the same place on Amazon, together with the 6 person and 8 person tents from this series.

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Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons

Please see how I rate this tent against my standard set of criteria. As you see the overall rating is Very Good.

 

BEST PLACEs TO BUY

Bas Pro 

Cabelas

Amazon

Check under the category Tents for 3 people if you need more options. In particular, if you want a tent with vestibules for storage, see this Sierra Designs Full Moon 3 Person Tent. Also, you might want to bookmark this site, this is because we add texts here regularly and this will keep you informed. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.