The REI Co-op Skyward 6 Tent is a tall and pleasant 3-season family camping shelter supported with aluminum poles, with one door and a large vestibule.
Key features & benefits
- Aluminum poles.
- One door.
- Large vestibule.
- 1 + 1 Windows.
Overview
This is a larger tent in the series of two, its smaller cousin is for 4 people. The design is quite unique. Formally, this is a dome type tent with two X-crossed poles for support, but the roof poles are pre-bent so the sides are almost straight and nearly vertical as you see from the picture below.
So the tent offers comfort that is comparable to a standard cabin-style tent. It is also very tall, the peak height is 78 inches (198 cm). The unique detail is its vestibule which is sewn-in to the canopy, so it is not created by the fly as usual. The picture above shows the tent without the fly, so you can see how the vestibule looks.
The fly is small, it covers only the top of the tent, you can see it in the picture below. It shows the tent with the vestibule flap unzipped and rolled up and fixed above the door.
The tent has one large D-shaped door and it has a mesh section in the upper part. Note that this window on the door is not closable, there is no zippered panel.
Below you can see the rear side of the tent with its true window, it is double-layer type with mesh and with a zippered panel. Observe the mesh on the roof.
Materials
The poles: You have two main X-crossed aluminum poles 12.8 mm diameter, plus a short brow pole above the door, below you can see how it attaches to the tent.
At the base, the attachment of the two main poles is with the usual grommets, and higher you have clips and sleeves on the top.
The fabric: The floor is a durable 150D coated polyester. The fly is a 75D polyester and the same material is on the walls. The mesh sections are a nylon. There is no info about waterproof rating, this is something I dislike with REI, but reports so far confirm that the tent is reliable.
They have a footprint that can be ordered separately. This is the same material as the tent’s floor.
Ventilation
The tent has two mesh windows, you have seen them in the pictures, and the roof is all mesh. The rear window is low so you can use it as a vent as well. But in the case of rain it must be closed, and this when you would want to have some floor vents, they are missing here.
Other details
- Multiple pockets are inside, high and low, for convenient storage, the picture below.
- Gear loops for attaching lights.
- A heavy-duty carry bag is included.
- Separate stuff sacks for poles and stakes.
- 10 Stakes & 4 reflective guy lines with tighteners.
- A pole repair sleeve.
Who is it for
Regarding the area, the inner floored space is 83 ft² (7.7 m²) and the tent is officially for 6 people. The same floor area you have in their REI Grand Hut 6 tent.
So this is not much and it is best to downgrade it to 4. But there is a vestibule that adds 19.5 ft² (1.8 m²) for gear and storage.
Regarding seasons & climate, the describe it as a 3-season tent and this may not be so. You have good materials here but there is lots of mesh on the roof, and it may be unpleasant in a cold environment. So it is better suited for a 2-season use.
The fly is minimal and high, so I would avoid strong winds with such a design.
Regarding the weight, the tent can be described as lightweight, it weighs only 15 lb 7 oz (7 kg). The packed size is not so bad, it measures (L x D) 27.5 x 9.8 inches (70 x 25 cm). So this is small enough to be transported even on a bicycle. All in all, this is a camping tent and it is not to be carried in the pack, there are lighter options for such a purpose.
Specifications
- Weight: 15 lb 7 oz (7 kg).
- Official capacity: 6 people.
- Dimensions: 120 x 100 in (305 x 254 cm).
- Inner area: 83 ft² (7.7 m²).
- Inner area per person: 12.8 ft² (1.28 m²).
- Vestibule area: 19.5 ft² (1.8 m²).
- Peak height: 78 in (198 cm).
- Packed size: 27.5 x 9.8 in (70 x 25 cm).
- Poles: aluminum.
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
In summary, this REI Co-op Skyward 6 Tent looks great and it is pleasant and comfortable. You have a stand-up height here and windows on two sides. The poles are thick aluminum and the fabric is durable, I really like the colors and its overall shape.
Below you can see how this tent stands against my standard rating criteria. I apply them consistently to all the tents here in the site so that you can easily compare:
REI Co-op Skyward 6 Tent
Pros
- Aluminum poles.
- Tall tent.
- Very useful vestibule.
Cons
- No floor vents.
- A bit bulky.
- Steep price.
BEST PLACEs TO BUY:
For more tents of this shape please check in the category Dome Tents. If you want to see more options from this brand, see my separate list with REI camping tents. See also this Eureka Jade Canyon X 6 Person Tent if you want something totally different.
Let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below. Bookmark this site and come again, this will keep you informed, as you realize I add texts here on a regular basis. Thank you for reading.
are you serious that there is no way to close the window on the door, for privacy and warmth? what the heckers??? I was about to buy this on half price sale, but that is a total deal breaker for me
I am afraid this is so. This door is behind the vestibule just to know so you can have privacy.