THE MACKENZIE Cabin 6 was the worthy winner of the Best Family Tent category in our 2010 Camping Magazine Awards and while this is its smaller brother it is just as worthy a tent.  The MacKenzie 4 is a three-pole tunnel that, with a nod to its American roots, is often described as a Cabin. Its steel poles, sewn-in groundsheet and features like the eye-brow porch, give it a rugged weather-beating feel.

Coleman is known for neat features. Take the rear vent – not a standard mesh panel under a storm flap here. The MacKenzie tents have a sloping rear pole which shelters a half-moon zip-close panel from the rain. In turn, this protects the mesh vent. The vent can also be opened so that you can open or close that outer flap from your inner tent. Yes, the inner tent also has a zip down mesh panel to provide access to the outer vent. The tent also features a ground level Cool Air port to encourage airflow around the tent. And, if this is not enough, that eye-brow porch also protects a mesh vent. And this can be closed off by an internal zip-close half-moon panel. It is really nice to be able to control ventilation from inside the tent.

The excellent self-rolling blinds are another feature shared with the MacKenzie Cabin 6 – just unzip and they neatly fold themselves. The side and front doors both have windows but these use standard curtain flaps. The side door is backed by a mesh panel to keep out the bugs.

The tent has a port for your electric cable and there are knick-knack pockets over the inner tent doors. In fact, the MacKenzie has plenty of pockets – an organizer panel hangs under a window and you’ll find them in the inner tent too.

There is enough room in the living area for a table and chairs, but a family may want to invest in an optional side awning to get that extra space needed to make a longer holiday more comfortable.

The bedroom doors have a mesh upper with a zip-close privacy panel behind. The door folds to the centre. The bedroom is split into two by a zip close panel.

Camping says The MacKenzie Cabin 4 has the sort of rugged feel that promotes a real sense of security. It is well built and includes key features like those roller blinds and ventilation system that makes Coleman such a desirable product. This MacKenzie should provide the small family or touring couple with a comfortable, secure base for three-season camping in the UK.

MORE INFORMATION

Size 480cm x 315cm Inner 280cm x 215cm Height 217cm (205cm)
Packed size 80cm x 43cm
Materials Outer PU-coated polyester, 4,000mm hydrostatic head Inner Polyester Groundsheet Polyethylene Poles Steel
Expect to pay £379.99

Sleeps 4
Packed weight 25kg
Pitching time 20 minute
Style Tunnel
Sewn in groundsheet
Electricity port

CONTACT

Coleman
Tel 01275 845024 • Web coleman.eu


This review was published in the January 2011 issue of Camping magazine. Order our latest issue.