The REI Co-op Campwell 6 Tent is freestanding, easy to use, and suitable for three-season mild weather family camping adventures.
Key features & benefits
- Freestanding.
- One door and one window.
- Easy to use.
Overview
This REI Co-op Campwell 6 Tent is a completely freestanding and self-supporting structure. The picture below shows it without the fly so that you can better understand its design.
It comes with a partial coverage fly that covers only the ceiling. The tent has one door, and this is just a zippered panel, there is no mesh here for views and ventilation.
There is one rear window shown below. In view of the fly design, it is a pity they did not add more windows on the sides. Note that the window is with a simple flap and a fixed mesh, no zippers here.
Materials
They claim that they are a Climate Neutral Certified brand. This implies that they work to actively reduce their annual carbon emissions and purchase an equivalent amount of verified carbon credits. They also write that they use a nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR).
The poles: They use fiberglass for the support frame, and it includes two main poles that create a structure that is a hybrid between a dome and a cabin type tent.
This means that there are four legs and they are practically straight, creating very steep walls. There are four pre-bent roof segments that allow for this shape. The poles diameter is 12.7 millimeters.
Note that there is an extra ridge pole that pulls the front and rear walls up.
In the corners you have what they call the dead-end pole sleeves for and easy setup and takedown, see the picture below. In fact, this design was introduced for the first time by Kelty several years ago and they call it the Quick Corners design.
The fabric: The tent’s wall and fly are made of a 75-denier polyester taffeta with a 1500 mm polyurethane (PU) coating. They also use a no-see-um mesh made of a 40-denier solution-dyed nylon. The floor is a much more durable 150-denier polyester.
The fly is color-coded for an easy setup, one of the buckle for its attachment is visible in the picture above. One person can do the job but it is easier if you have a partner.
Other features include the following:
- A pair of ceiling pouches for small items.
- There are a few wall pockets.
- A lantern hanging point is also available.
Ventilation
The ceiling of this tent is all mesh as you realize from the picture below. This together with the partial coverage fly allows for vapor to escape easily. So condensation should not be an issue in this tent.
However, there are no floor vents here, you need them in situations with rain when the door and the window must be kept closed. Pity they dd not think about this.
Please see a bit more in this video:
Accessory REI Co-op Campwell 6 Footprint
They offer the footprint which you can order separately. The material is the same as the tent’s floor, so this is again a 150-denier polyester with a polyurethane coating.
The dimensions are 114.5 x 94.5 inches (291 x 240 cm). You can order the footprint at REI site.
Who is the REI Co-op Campwell 6 tent for
Regarding the area, the tent offers 83 ft² (7.7 m²). But the official capacity is 6 people and this would mean 13.8 ft² (1.29 m²) per person.
The dimensions are such that it may be very difficult to put 6 pads on the floor, so the capacity is far too-optimistic. It is best to downgrade it to maximum of 4 people or so.
Note that the height is not so impressive for the overall floor area, the peak height is only 64 inches (163 cm). For a car camping tent you might want something taller.
Regarding seasons & climate, the tent is closable as you realize from the picture below, and the fly protects its mesh ceiling. But note that the rear window is just a flap, and it will not prevent drafts when it is windy.
Also, the ridge pole design is not really strong enough for windy conditions, and this is why it is best to avoid such situations. The tent is best suited for calm weather. But I would describe it as a three-season shelter.
Regarding the weight, in view of its 19 lb 12.6 oz (9 kg), it can be described as heavy, so this is not a tent to carry far from the car. Otherwise check my list of 6 person backpacking tents.
The packed size is such that the tent can be described as bulky (the numbers below), but the carry bag is well-designed, see the picture:
Regarding the price, I would say it is a bit steep for the tent with such features, please follow the link below for updates.
Specifications
- Weight: 19 lb 12.6 oz (9 kg).
- Official capacity: 6 people.
- Dimensions: 120 x 100 in (305 x 254 cm).
- Floored area: 83 ft² (7.7 m²).
- Floored area per person: 13.8 ft² (1.29 m²).
- Peak height: 64 in (163 cm).
- Packed size (L x D): 26 x 9.5 in (66 x 24 cm).
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
In summary, the REI Co-op Campwell 6 Tent is a practical choice for family camping trips in calm, three-season weather. Its freestanding design, straightforward setup, and thoughtful storage features, such as ceiling pouches and wall pockets, make it user-friendly.
While it offers good ventilation with its mesh ceiling and partial fly, the lack of floor vents limits airflow in rainy conditions.
The materials are durable and eco-conscious, but the tent’s modest peak height and optimistic capacity rating suggest it’s best suited for smaller groups who prioritize ease of use over spaciousness.
Despite its strengths, the Campwell 6 has some limitations. The single door and window configuration may not provide enough convenience or ventilation for larger groups, and the tent’s weight and packed size make it suitable only for car camping.
Additionally, its performance in windy weather is limited by the fly and pole design.
While the price is on the higher side for its features, the Campwell 6 remains a solid option for campers seeking simplicity and reliability in mild conditions. It is fair to say that there are better REI camping tents presented here in the site.
Below you can see how this tent stands against my standard rating criteria that I apply consistently to all of them here in the site so that you can easily compare:
REI Co-op Campwell 6 Tent
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Storage pouches.
Cons
- No floor vents.
- Bulky.
- Low ceiling.
- No mesh on the door.
BEST PLACEs TO BUY:
For more tents of this shape please check in the category Tents for 5/6 People.
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