The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 delivers robust weather protection and spacious interior design that makes it a top choice for family camping in challenging conditions. Switchback Travel called it a 'sturdy and weather-protective' tent with 'generous interior and exterior storage,' while another reviewer noted its 'full length rainfly' and 'huge vestibules' as standout features. However, both reviewers criticized its ventilation and noted it's overkill for perfect weather. The tent's 20.6-pound weight and 28 x 13 x 9.5-inch packed size make it less ideal for backpackers, while its 84-square-foot floor area and 4-6 person capacity suit car campers seeking durability over portability.
Full review
Sturdy Construction and Design
The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 stands out for its robust construction, utilizing 150D polyester floor material and 75D polyester rainfly with polyurethane coating, according to Wired's Scott Gilbertson. Outdoor Gear Lab's Jason Wanlass noted that the tent features aluminum poles with color-coding, making setup more intuitive. The five-pole dome structure includes crossed corner-to-corner poles and additional side poles, creating a stable framework that performs well in wind conditions. However, Better Trail's review highlighted that the pole sleeves make takedown more tedious than expected, and the front door zipper requires two hands to operate, which can be frustrating during setup or quick exits. The tent's peak height of 74 inches, while sufficient for most users, is slightly shorter than competitors like the Nemo Aurora Highrise (77 inches) and The North Face Wawona (76 inches). Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall build quality is considered excellent by multiple reviewers, with Outdoor Gear Lab awarding it an 8.0 for quality and Wired giving it an 8/10 rating for being well-made with heavy, durable fabrics.
Weather Protection Performance
REI's Base Camp 6 excels in weather resistance, with Outdoor Gear Lab's testing showing it successfully withstood over five minutes of direct hose water without interior moisture. The full-coverage rainfly completely swallows the main tent body, providing excellent protection from rain, wind, and sun, as noted by both Wired and Camping Guidance's comprehensive testing. Switchback Travel's review emphasized that the reinforced rainfly with its own separate pole system adds incredible strength and stability. However, the tent's design does have limitations in truly exposed or high-wind environments, according to Better Trail's authors. The tent's mountaineering-inspired four-pole structure creates a rigid frame that holds up well in gusty weather, but the inward sloping sidewalls reduce livable space. Wired's Scott Gilbertson noted that while the tent is weatherproof and strong, it might be too short for some users, and the inward sloping walls reduce livable space. The tent's weather protection is rated highly by multiple reviewers, with Outdoor Gear Lab giving it an 8.0 for weather resistance and Camping Guidance awarding it 8.7 for rain protection.
Interior Space and Comfort
The Base Camp 6 offers 84.3 square feet of interior floor space, which is average for a six-person tent according to Outdoor Gear Lab. Wired's Scott Gilbertson found it comfortably sleeps five adults and is just about perfect for two adults, two teenagers, and one 10-year-old. The square floor dimensions (110 x 110 inches) allow for a double-wide camping mat and two standard pads side by side, with the two large doors making entry and exit easy. However, Switchback Travel's testers noted that the interior isn't as roomy as REI's Wonderland tent, and the crisscrossing five pole design stretches walls up and away from you, creating a slightly cramped sleeping arrangement. Better Trail's review found that while the tent is livable for a family of four, the pole sleeves make takedown tedious and the front door zipper requires two hands. The tent's peak height of 74 inches is a bit shorter than competitors like the REI Co-op Wonderland 6 (78 in.) and Nemo Aurora Highrise (77 in.), but the central dome still feels open and airy. The dual doors make entry and exit manageable even when maxing out with six sleepers, allowing easy movement without crawling over sleeping bags.
Storage and Organization Features
Storage is a standout feature of the Base Camp 6, with 14 mesh pockets lining the lower perimeter, according to Wired's Scott Gilbertson and Better Trail's review. These pockets provide dedicated spots for personal items like headlamps, books, gloves, and jackets, keeping clutter off the floor and gear easy to find. The tent also features two vestibules, one at each door, with the front vestibule being roomy thanks to an external pole that boosts headroom. The front vestibule area is 31.1 square feet, while the back vestibule is 21.3 square feet, providing substantial storage space for gear bags, coolers, and other camping essentials. Camping Guidance's review highlighted that the tent's 14 storage pockets and two large vestibules make organizing gear easy, while Outdoor Gear Lab noted the tent's storage pockets and double doors were among its favorite features. However, Better Trail's review criticized the stuff sack as being undersized, requiring precise packing to fit everything inside, and noted that the pole sleeves make setup and take down more tedious than desired.
Setup and Portability Challenges
Setup and take-down of the Base Camp 6 requires some effort, with Camping Guidance's review showing it takes 17.5 minutes for one person to set up and 15 minutes to pack away. Wired's Scott Gilbertson noted that the tent is almost entirely polyester fabric, 150-denier for the floor, solution-dyed 40-denier nylon for the walls, with the roof and side vents made of no-see-um mesh. The rainfly is 75-denier polyester with a polyurethane coating, which is substantial compared to many tents. The five-pole dome design with color-coded aluminum poles makes it easier to identify which poles go where, but the pole sleeves make takedown more tedious than expected. Better Trail's review noted that the super-long poles and sleeves make setup and take-down more tedious than desired, and the front door zipper requires two hands to operate. The packed size is 28 x 13 x 9.5 inches, and the weight is 20.6 pounds, according to Camping Guidance, making it moderately portable but not ideal for backpacking. The tent's design also requires a more spacious campsite when using the optional Base Camp Vehicle Connector, which adds 62.2 square feet of living space with a 7.5-foot ceiling.
Where It Falls Short
Despite its many strengths, the Base Camp 6 has several notable shortcomings that reviewers have identified. Better Trail's authors pointed out that the pole sleeves make takedown more tedious than desired, and the front door zipper requires two hands to operate, which can be frustrating. The stuff sack is undersized, requiring precise packing to fit everything inside, according to Better Trail's review. Additionally, the tent's inward sloping sidewalls reduce livable space, as noted by Wired's Scott Gilbertson, who found it might be too short for some users. The tent's design also requires a more spacious campsite when using the optional Base Camp Vehicle Connector, which adds 62.2 square feet of living space with a 7.5-foot ceiling. Camping Guidance's review noted that the tent isn't ideal for perfect weather conditions, as it's a bit overkill for such situations, and it can be stuffy in the summer. Outdoor Gear Lab's Jason Wanlass also mentioned that the tent relies heavily on ground stakes for stability, which can be problematic in certain camping conditions. The tent's design, while weatherproof, is not a bonafide four-season expedition tent, according to Outdoor Gear Lab's testing, and it may struggle in truly exposed or high-wind environments.
Who It's Best For
The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 is ideal for families or groups seeking a sturdy, weather-protective camping shelter with excellent storage options. Wired's Scott Gilbertson recommends it for car camping situations where you want a tent that can handle storms while still offering comfortable living space for five people. The tent's dual doors, large vestibules, and abundant storage pockets make it particularly appealing for families or groups with significant gear. Camping Guidance's review notes that it's an incredible tent for rain and colder weather, making it perfect for shoulder months when weather may be more volatile. However, it's not recommended for those seeking a lightweight, backpacking-friendly shelter, as its weight of 20.6 pounds and packed size of 28 x 13 x 9.5 inches make it more suited for car camping. The tent's design also requires a more spacious campsite when using the optional Base Camp Vehicle Connector, which adds 62.2 square feet of living space with a 7.5-foot ceiling. Better Trail's review suggests that shoppers who need weather protection and storage will find this a strong fit, while those who care more about portability or backpacking should look elsewhere.
Comparison to Alternatives
When compared to other family camping tents, the Base Camp 6 holds its own in terms of weather protection and storage, but it falls short in some areas compared to competitors. Compared to the REI Co-op Wonderland 6, which has a peak height of 78 inches, the Base Camp 6 is slightly shorter at 74 inches, though both offer similar weather protection. The Nemo Aurora Highrise, with a peak height of 77 inches, offers more headroom but lacks the full-coverage rainfly that the Base Camp 6 provides. The North Face Wawona 6 has a peak height of 76 inches and similar storage features, but the Base Camp 6's reinforced rainfly and additional vestibule space give it an edge in weather protection. Outdoor Gear Lab's testing showed that the Base Camp 6 received high marks for weather resistance, while Switchback Travel's review noted it provides ample living space with its dome-like shape and two large doors. However, the Base Camp 6's design requires a more spacious campsite when using the optional Vehicle Connector, unlike some competitors that offer more compact solutions. The tent's price point of $549 to $569 makes it competitive with other premium family camping tents, though it's more expensive than budget alternatives like the Coleman Sundome or the MSR Hubba Hubba.
Strengths
- +Sturdy structure with traditional dome design and five-pole support system
- +Full-coverage rainfly provides excellent weather protection for rain and colder conditions
- +Generous interior space with two large doors and 74-inch peak height allowing easy standing room
- +Abundant storage options including 14 pockets, two large vestibules, and exterior storage
Watch-outs
- −Interior not as roomy as REI's Wonderland 6 model
- −Mediocre ventilation leading to stuffiness in summer conditions
- −Carry bag could be improved for better portability
How it compares
The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 excels in weather protection and storage with its full-coverage rainfly and large vestibules, surpassing the Half Dome 2 Plus in durability but falling short in ventilation compared to the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P. It's heavier and less portable than the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3, making it less ideal for backpackers despite its robust design.
Who this is for
At a glance: families needing weather protection.
Why you’d buy the REI Co-op Base Camp 6
- Sturdy structure with traditional dome design and five-pole support system.
- Full-coverage rainfly provides excellent weather protection for rain and colder conditions.
- Generous interior space with two large doors and 74-inch peak height allowing easy standing room.
Why you’d skip it
- Interior not as roomy as REI's Wonderland 6 model.
- Mediocre ventilation leading to stuffiness in summer conditions.
- Carry bag could be improved for better portability.
Rating sources
Our 4.0 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
