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When Will turned 18, we decided it was time for him to have his own tent and enjoy a little more independence on our family camping trips. Having camped with us since he was a small boy, he already loved being outdoors, exploring new places and making friends around the campsite.
Coleman kindly gifted Will two tents to test during our camping trips in 2019: the Coleman Kobuk Valley 2 and the Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus. This gave him the opportunity to pitch, sleep in and compare both tents for himself.
Although this review was originally written following those trips, both tents remain part of Coleman’s UK range. I have updated the article with the current specifications and everything you need to know if you are considering a Coleman tent for a teenager, festival, weekend camping trip or solo camping adventure.
If you are preparing for a festival, our festival camping checklist covers the essential equipment, bedding, clothing and useful extras to take with you.
Editor’s note: This review was originally published in 2019 after Coleman gifted both tents to our family for testing. It has been updated in August 2026 with current product specifications, availability information and additional buying advice. Our experiences and opinions remain our own.
Coleman Kobuk Valley 2 vs Kobuk Valley 3 Plus at a glance
| Feature | Coleman Kobuk Valley 2 | Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 people | 3 people |
| Best suited to | One teenager, solo campers, festivals and short trips | One teenager with extra equipment, two campers or longer weekends |
| Tent design | Compact dome tent | Extended dome tent with a larger porch |
| Dimensions | 1.4 x 2.5 x 1.1m | 1.9 x 3.3 x 1.3m |
| Packed size | 58 x 14 x 14cm | 58 x 16 x 16cm |
| Weight | 3.2kg | 5.1kg |
| Waterproof rating | 4500mm HH | 4500mm HH |
| BlackOut Bedroom Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Porch or storage area | Small vestibule | Larger enclosed porch with PVC windows |
| Pitching style | Inner first | Inner first |
| Poles | Fibreglass | Fibreglass |
Both tents are compact enough for festival camping and touring, but the right choice will depend on how much room the camper needs and how far they will have to carry their equipment.
Are the Coleman Kobuk Valley tents still available?
Yes, the Coleman Kobuk Valley 2 BlackOut Tent and Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus BlackOut Tent are still listed in the Coleman UK range.
Availability and prices can vary between retailers, particularly during the festival and summer camping seasons, so it is worth comparing current prices before buying.
Coleman Kobuk Valley 2 review
As I mentioned in our Coleman Oak Canyon 6 family tent review, we were delighted to work with Coleman again. The first of Will’s two tents was the Coleman Kobuk Valley 2.
The Kobuk Valley 2 is a compact two-person dome tent designed for backpacking, festival camping and shorter touring trips. It weighs 3.2kg and packs down to 58 x 14 x 14cm, making it the lighter and more portable of the two tents we tested.
Although Coleman describes it as a two-person tent, we think it is particularly well suited to one teenager or solo camper who wants enough space for their bedding and a small amount of camping gear.
Two people can sleep inside, but—as with many two-person tents—it will feel much cosier once sleeping mats, bags and festival essentials are added.
BlackOut Bedroom Technology
Having previously camped in our Coleman Valdes 6XL, Will was delighted to discover that the Kobuk Valley 2 also featured Coleman’s BlackOut Bedroom Technology. This teenager has always liked his sleep!
The specially designed bedroom fabric blocks much of the daylight from entering the sleeping area. It also helps to prevent the bedroom from becoming as hot during the day.
This can make a noticeable difference when camping during the summer, particularly at a festival where you might not get to sleep until late and do not want to be woken as soon as the sun rises. You may still need earplugs to block out the other festival campers, though!
Pitching the Coleman Kobuk Valley 2
Will took the Kobuk Valley 2 on our first camping trip of the year to Woodhall Spa Camping and Caravanning Club Site.
Being the supportive—or perhaps mean—parents that we are, we handed him the tent and left him to follow the instructions and pitch it by himself.
He surprised us by doing a great job. The dome structure was straightforward to understand, and he managed most of the first pitch without help. He only needed a few tips about putting tent pegs into the ground at the correct angle so they did not bend or pull out at the first sign of wind.
For a teenager using their first tent, being able to pitch it without constantly relying on an adult is a big advantage. It gave Will more confidence and meant he would be better prepared for festivals and camping trips without us.
It is worth remembering that this is an inner-first tent. If you need to pitch it during heavy rain, you will need to work quickly to avoid the inner bedroom getting wet before the flysheet is in place.
Weather protection
When you are camping in the UK, you need a tent that can cope with unpredictable weather.
The Coleman Kobuk Valley 2 uses WeatherTec fabric with taped seams and a hydrostatic head rating of 4500mm. This provides reassuring protection against rain when the tent has been pitched correctly and the flysheet is kept taut.
Its lightweight fibreglass poles are designed to flex in windy conditions, while the fully integrated groundsheet helps protect the sleeping area from damp ground, draughts and insects.
The flysheet also includes Coleman’s UVGuard fabric, which provides SPF50 protection from ultraviolet rays. A tent can still become warm in direct sunlight, so it should not be treated as a substitute for finding shade and following normal sun-safety precautions.
Storage space
The Kobuk Valley 2 includes a small vestibule rather than a full living area. Will found this useful for keeping muddy or smelly walking boots outside the bedroom while still protecting them from the weather.
It is suitable for footwear and a small bag, but it does not provide enough room to sit comfortably inside the porch. Anyone carrying lots of festival equipment may prefer the additional storage space provided by the Kobuk Valley 3 Plus.
Will’s thoughts on the Coleman Kobuk Valley 2
“I really like this tent because it was so dark and cosy. It was easier to put up than I thought it would be and bigger inside than I expected.
“When it is back in the bag, it hardly takes up any space, so it would fit well onto a backpack. The little porch area was good for keeping my smelly boots in too.”
Coleman Kobuk Valley 2 pros and cons
Pros
- Lightweight and relatively compact to carry
- Easy enough for a teenager to pitch
- BlackOut Bedroom Technology
- 4500mm waterproof rating
- Fully integrated groundsheet
- Useful small vestibule for shoes
- Well suited to solo camping and festivals
Cons
- Limited storage space
- Cosy rather than spacious for two people
- Not enough porch space for sitting
- Inner-first pitching is less convenient in heavy rain
- Packing it neatly into the carry bag takes practice
Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus review
During the May half-term holiday, we took another camping trip to Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site in Wiltshire.
This time, Will tested the Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus. This is a three-person extended dome tent with a much larger porch area than the Kobuk Valley 2.
The Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus measures 1.9 x 3.3 x 1.3m and weighs 5.1kg. It therefore requires more room in the car and is heavier to carry, but the additional space makes it more comfortable for longer camping trips.
Although it is officially a three-person tent, three campers with beds, bags and other equipment would be a fairly snug fit. We think it works particularly well for one teenager who wants plenty of personal space or two people sharing with their camping gear.
A larger porch with PVC windows
One of Will’s favourite features was the extended porch and its PVC windows.
The windows allowed natural light into the porch, which meant he could relax inside with the external door closed on a cold or wet day. He could also open the inner bedroom door in the morning and let more light into the tent without immediately opening the entire tent to the campsite.
The porch offered a much more practical place to store muddy boots, bags and camping equipment. This helped Will keep his sleeping area clearer and prevented wet items from being left against his bedding.
The additional space is particularly useful for festival camping, when a teenager may be bringing wellies, spare clothing, food, drinks and other equipment into the tent.
Comfort and sleeping space
Like the Kobuk Valley 2, the Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus features BlackOut Bedroom Technology. It also uses Coleman WeatherTec fabric with a 4500mm waterproof rating, taped seams, fibreglass poles and UVGuard fabric with SPF50 protection.
The integrated groundsheet protects the bedroom from damp ground and insects, while the porch provides a cleaner area for boots and equipment.
The peaked porch gives the tent more usable height around the entrance, although neither Kobuk Valley tent is tall enough for most adults to stand upright inside.
There is also a hanging point for a camping light. This was helpful in the evening because Will could illuminate the tent without leaving a torch on the floor or trying to balance it among his belongings.
As with other Coleman tents in this range, the fabric is fire retardant. However, naked flames, disposable barbecues and cooking equipment should never be used inside or too close to a tent.
Pitching the Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus
Despite being larger than the Kobuk Valley 2, Will found the Kobuk Valley 3 Plus straightforward to pitch. Its familiar dome construction meant he already understood the basic process after using the smaller tent.
The larger size and extended porch mean there is more fabric to organise, so a younger or less experienced camper may appreciate help during their first attempt. As with any new tent, I recommend practising at home before relying on it at a festival or campsite.
Pitching the tent in the garden also gives you an opportunity to check that all of the poles, pegs and guylines are present.
Will’s thoughts on the Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus
“I really loved camping in this tent. Having the windows in the porch was a really nice touch.
“In the morning, when I woke up, I was able to open the inner door to let the light in without being open for the world to see. I shall definitely be taking the Kobuk Valley 3 Plus with me when we go to Cornbury Festival in July.”
Both tents were easy for Will to pitch. When we returned home, he pitched the Kobuk Valley 3 Plus again so it could dry properly before being packed away.
He had not quite mastered the art of fitting everything neatly back into the carry bag, but thankfully Dad and I were there to help. Repacking tents is a camping skill that usually improves with practice!
Which is better: Coleman Kobuk Valley 2 or 3 Plus?
The best tent depends on whether portability or additional space matters most.
Choose the Coleman Kobuk Valley 2 if:
- The tent is mainly for one teenager or solo camper
- It needs to be carried some distance
- You want the lighter option
- It will be used for festivals or short weekend trips
- Only a small amount of storage space is required
- You have a smaller camping pitch
Choose the Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus if:
- The camper wants more room for luggage and clothing
- The tent will be shared by two people
- A larger, enclosed porch is important
- You need somewhere sheltered to sit during poor weather
- The tent will be used for longer camping trips
- The additional weight is not a problem
For Will, the Kobuk Valley 2 provided a brilliant introduction to pitching and sleeping in his own tent. However, the Kobuk Valley 3 Plus was the more comfortable option because its larger porch gave him space to organise his belongings and relax in greater privacy.
If the tent needed to be carried a long way across a festival site, we would choose the Kobuk Valley 2. If it was being transported in the car and used for a full weekend or longer, we would choose the Kobuk Valley 3 Plus.
Is the Coleman Kobuk Valley suitable as a teenager’s first tent?
We found both models suitable for a teenager learning to camp more independently. They are relatively straightforward to pitch, feel reassuringly robust and include useful weather protection for UK camping.
The BlackOut Bedroom was especially popular with Will. Teenagers are not always known for waking cheerfully at sunrise, so a darker bedroom can make festival and family camping considerably more comfortable.
Before a teenager takes either tent away without an experienced camper, I would recommend:
- Practising pitching and packing it away at home
- Learning how to position the tent pegs and guylines
- Checking the weather forecast
- Knowing how to ventilate the tent to reduce condensation
- Taking a mallet, spare pegs and a tent repair kit
- Making sure the tent is completely dry before storing it
- Discussing festival fire safety and never cooking inside the tent
You can also use our UK family camping packing list to make sure you have everything you need before leaving home.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Coleman Kobuk Valley 2 suitable for two adults?
The Coleman Kobuk Valley 2 is designed for two people, and two sleeping mats should fit inside. However, it will be a fairly cosy arrangement once bags and other equipment are added. It is more spacious for one adult or teenager using it alone.
Can three people sleep in the Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus?
It has an advertised capacity of three people, but three campers and their equipment will use most of the available space. It is likely to feel more comfortable for two people or one camper who wants plenty of room for belongings.
Are the Coleman Kobuk Valley tents waterproof?
Both tents have a 4500mm hydrostatic head rating, taped seams and Coleman WeatherTec protection. That is a reassuring specification for typical UK camping conditions, provided the tent is pitched correctly and remains in good condition.
No tent should be stored while damp, as this can encourage mildew and damage its waterproof coating.
Do the BlackOut bedrooms become completely dark?
The BlackOut Bedroom Technology blocks a significant amount of daylight, but the bedroom may not be completely pitch-black. Some light can still enter when doors or vents are opened. We found it noticeably darker and cosier than a standard tent bedroom.
Are these tents suitable for festival camping?
Yes. Both models are compact dome tents suited to festivals and touring camping. The Kobuk Valley 2 is lighter and easier to carry, while the Kobuk Valley 3 Plus offers more space for clothing, wellies and festival equipment.
Remember that even a good tent cannot make valuables secure. Keep phones, money and identification with you rather than leaving them unattended inside the tent.
Our final verdict
Both the Coleman Kobuk Valley 2 and Kobuk Valley 3 Plus worked well as a teenager’s first tent.
The Kobuk Valley 2 is our preferred option for solo festival camping, short trips and occasions when weight and packed size matter. It gives one teenager a comfortable bedroom with enough porch space for shoes, without being unnecessarily bulky.
The Kobuk Valley 3 Plus is the better choice when comfort and storage are the priorities. Its larger porch, PVC windows and additional sleeping space make it more practical for longer trips or two people sharing.
Most importantly, both tents gave Will the confidence to pitch and look after his own camping space. That little bit of independence was exactly what we wanted from his first tent—and it allowed him to begin enjoying camping adventures of his own.