Here you have my selection of the best REI camping tents suitable for families and groups of friends, all tall, pleasant, and reliable outdoor shelters.
If you follow this brand then you probably know that some of the best known REI car camping tents are not on the market any longer. They launched several new series for the coming season, and it seems these will replace some of their tents like those from the Kingdom series.
So here you have the tents that they currently offer, in the capacity range of 4 people and more. The tents in the list below are ordered by the weight from heavier to lighter:
1. REI Co-op Wonderland X Tent
This tent is quite extraordinary in many ways. It is built as a tunnel-type tent but it is fully freestanding, and from the picture you might guess why this is so.
It is SUV-compatible, and it has 6 doors and multiple awning configurations, plus a large vestibule/porch. The tent is supported with top quality DAC aluminum poles. It is ventilated and it has 6 roof vents. Many storage pouches are available to keep your stuff organized.
The tent weighs 35 lb 1 oz (15.9 kg) and its official capacity is 4 people. For this you have an inner area of 70.5 ft² (6.5 m²) and a porch area of 38.3 ft² (3.5 m²). The peak height is 75 inches (191 cm).
2. REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent
This tent is built as a 2-room tunnel-type structure, and it offers two doors on its opposite sides. For a tunnel tent it is interesting to stress that it is also freestanding.
The tent is supported with aluminum poles. From the picture above you can see that it offers a dry entry. It is also nicely ventilated, one of its side vents is visible in the picture. It offers multiple inner storage options.
Here are some numbers. The weight is 22 lb 15 oz (10.4 kg), and the inner area is 83.3 ft² (7.7 m²). The tent is tall for its overall size, the peak height is 75 inches (191 cm).
3. REI Base Camp 6 Tent
Here you have a very typical dome shaped tent. It offers an inner floored area of 83.7 ft² (7.78 m²), plus two protected vestibules that add 27 + 17 ft² (2.5 + 1.6 m²).
This means you have the total protected space of 127.7 ft² (11.9 m²). For a 6-peson tent of this shape this is a lot. But indeed, this is a bit reflected also in its weight which is substantial 20 lb 10 oz (9.36 kg).
This is a strongly with aluminum poles that create no less than 7 cross points, so the tent can withstand lots of pressure. In terms of layers, it can be described as a true 2-layer tent because it has a full fly and an inner taffeta. It is equipped with floor vents and roof vents. This is why it is included in my list of tents for cold weather camping.
4. REI Co-op Campwell 6 Tent
The REI Co-op Campwell 6 Tent is a freestanding, three-season shelter designed for mild weather camping. It features a simple dome-style structure with two fiberglass poles and a ridge pole for added stability.
The tent includes one door with a zippered panel and a single rear window with a fixed mesh and toggle-secured flap. A partial-coverage rainfly protects only the ceiling, leaving the sides exposed. The tent’s setup is straightforward, with dead-end pole sleeves for easier pitching.
The tent body and rainfly are made of 75-denier polyester taffeta with a 1500 mm PU coating, while the floor is a more durable 150-denier polyester.
The peak height is 64 inches (163 cm), and the total floor area is 83 ft² (7.7 m²), making the six-person capacity rating unrealistic for comfort.
The tent weighs 19 lb 12.6 oz (9 kg) and packs down to 26 x 9.5 inches (66 x 24 cm), making it suitable for car camping but too bulky for backpacking. Ventilation is good with a mesh ceiling, but the lack of floor vents limits airflow in rainy conditions.
5. REI Co-op Skyward 6 Tent
This tent is tall and pleasant, suitable for 3-season family camping adventures. It is supported with aluminum poles, and you realize from the picture that they are pre-bent so it looks like a cabin tent.
It offers one door and one large vestibule. The construction here is quite unique because the vestibule is not a part of the fly, instead, it is sewn-in to the canopy.
The tent weighs 15 lb 7 oz (7 kg) and the inner area is 83 ft² (7.7 m²). The vestibule adds 19.5 ft² (1.8 m²). The peak height is 78 inches (198 cm).
Final thoughts
So this was my selection of REI camping tents, the list will be updated whenever I find a tent from this brand worth adding here, and in the adequate size for a family camping.
As you see, these are very interesting structures in tunnel, cabin, and dome shapes. They are all very tall and functional, and you have quality poles for their support. It is important also to stress that you have a quality brand behind these tents, REI has been around since 1938.
Let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.
Great information.
I’m looking for a tent with the easiest to use entry.
I have trouble bending over so the issue of a zipper especially closer to the floor is an issue.
The tent will be placed in one spot for the season, so weight and set up is not an issue.
Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Hi Steve, so if bending over is an issue here is what I would suggest.
1. Check tents with magnetic closure. These will close automatically, but you still have zippers to close the doors properly in the evening.
2. Check tents with hinged doors. Here again, you have zippers but you do not have to use them during the day. A hinged door has a frame and it closes by itself.