REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent Review (2023)

Have you been on the hunt for a new tent? If so, you know there’s much to consider when finding the right tent for you and your needs. From weather-proofing to spaciousness, choosing a new tent is complicated by having all of the relevant information about a product.

Regarding the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent, there is a small selection of reviews on REI’s website that don’t necessarily touch on all of these details. That’s why we’ve decided to compile a comprehensive review of the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent that covers everything you need to know about this equipment.

Before we start, let’s quickly review the categories we will measure: performance, quality, space, comfort, storage, ease of setup, weather-proofing, and other options like the REI Co-op Base Camp 6. These categories will help us formulate our review of the REI Co-op Base Camp 6. We will also include information from other reviewers on the REI website and what REI has to say about their product and its specifications and features. Let’s get right into it!

REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent Review

What REI Says About the REI Co-op Base Camp 6

“Combining sturdy geodesic-dome architecture and rugged materials, the mountaineering-inspired REI Co-op Base Camp 6 tent is a roomy and robust campground shelter for six people.”

Specs of the REI Co-op Base Camp 6:

Features of the REI Co-op Base Camp 6:

• Dome shape for added height for living space and stability in windy conditions.
• Two wide-mouthed doors help campers easily enter and exit the tent.
• Both doors have a solid privacy cover layer and a separate mesh layer for added ventilation.
• Poles and sleeves are color-coded to match for ease of setup without relying on instructions.
• Two helpful vestibules at the front and back of the tent for added storage away from the living space
• 14 pockets (large and small) with hang loops within the tent to keep track of your belongings.
• Added extras include a pole bag, tent carrying bag, and more!
• The polyester rain cover is included to help keep occupants and belongings dry.
• Comes in Kabocha Orange, which helps the tent stand out in dense forest conditions.

What Reviews on REI Say About the REI Co-op Base Camp 6

Overall Rating: 3.9 stars

Total Reviews: 174 reviews (as of March 2023)

Number of 5-Star Reviews: 91 reviews (as of March 2023)

Number of 1-Star Reviews: 18 reviews (as of March 2023)

Setup Scores: Most reviews say the tent has an easy setup

What We Think About the REI Co-op Base Camp 6

“It is safe to say that the features REI describes in this product are indeed included within its design features.”

The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 is a very popular six-person tent marketed heavily by REI as one of the best in their lineup. We think that from the description on REI’s website, there are a lot of really great features put into this tent.

It seems clear that REI tried to make a tent that will work in the varying conditions of most travel for campers of varying experience levels. With any design that tries to cater to such a wide variety of people and conditions, there are bound to be features that don’t work in certain situations. With this in mind, let’s start breaking down the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 by its features!

Expectations

When comparing the actual performance of the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 to the features that REI describes, the tent lives up to these expectations. This tent’s dome shape allows for high ceilings and will enable you to avoid crawling within the tent itself. Paired with the inclusion of wide, tall doors, the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 indeed maximizes interior livability.

Additionally, the color coding on poles and sleeves does allow for a simple setup, which is reflected in both online reviews and reviews on REI’s website about the ease of setup for this product. REI also advertises the Base Camp 6 as a tent that works great in rainy and windy conditions, as well as hot summer conditions, with its many ventilation options.

There are also plenty of storage solutions that are included in the design of this tent. We’ll get more into the specifics of these features in our later categories. Still, it is safe to say that the features REI describes in this product are indeed included within its design features. For the most part, this tent met our expectations from what it is advertised as. We would say that there are no features detailed by REI that are missing or falsely advertised, which is a definite bonus.

Quality

The quality of the poles, materials, and carrying cases that come with the REI Base Camp 6 are generally mixed. Some reviewers found no issues with the manufacturing of their products. In contrast, others received defective products or had trouble with the Base Camp 6 breaking shortly after its first use. Some reviewers also had difficulty with the zippers on this tent. However, they note that they were using the zippers aggressively or frequently within the reviews.

These mixed reviews on quality seem to be the greatest hindrance to the REI Co-op Base Camp 6’s reviews on the REI website. These reviews are especially concentrated around the end of 2022. We hope that this difference in reviews on quality came from a brief blip in manufacturing quality. Still, if you are concerned about these reviews, you can rest assured that REI has a great return and exchange policy.

Otherwise, the materials of which the Base Camp 6 is made are generally dependable. The poles are made of aluminum, thick, and not prone to snapping. The polyester material of the rest of the tent is standard for outdoor gear, such as a large six-person tent.

Aside from the potential of a manufacturing defect, the Base Camp 6 is made of durable, high-quality materials. The floor of the Base Camp 6 is heavy-weight polyester which will only get damaged under extreme conditions. An REI Co-op Base Camp 6, with no manufacturing defects, priced at $549, is reasonable for the quality of the materials.

Space

As we mentioned earlier in this review, REI doesn’t mince words about the height and spaciousness of this tent. The REI Base Camp 6 is fully equipped to sleep six people without crawling over one another to enter and exit the tent. The design is tall, at 6’2, without any claustrophobic feeling, and provides plenty of space to stand and move around. Your taller campers might have to duck a bit, but we think 6’2 is a great height for a tent.

However, the actual width of the tent does cause some problems for reviewers and could explain why so many families love this tent. It is questionable whether or not six full-grown adults could share this tent due to the floor space. If you do get six adults in the Base Camp 6, be prepared to have quite the snuggle party, and there isn’t enough room to maintain distance between sleeping bags. You might also have to get creative with arranging your gear and sleeping bags.

On the other hand, a family with small children should have no space problems. Many reviews on REI’s website state that the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 is their favorite tent for family camping due to its roominess, which makes sense with the dimensions. Other recommendations state that the Base Camp 6 should probably be considered by adult groups of three to four rather than six full-sized adults.

The smaller floor area is an unfortunate difficulty with the design of this tent, as other competitors’ six-person tents tend to have a larger floor area than the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 in order to avoid this problem.

Comfort

Regarding comfort, the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 has numerous features designed to make being within this tent more comfortable. There are options for airflow with floor vents and side vents. However, many reviewers find that this tent needs more airflow due to its full-coverage polyester design. With so much coverage, the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 tends to get warm, especially with more body heat being exchanged within the tent itself.

This point might not be a downside for certain campers, as REI even states that they consider the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 tent to be a great option for windy and rainy conditions. In this way, it’s hard to find the best of both worlds when trying to seal out moisture and allow for free-flowing air to moderate the temperature within the tent itself without adding more mesh to the design.

Positioning campers around these vents can also help with warm conditions within the tent. Ensuring the airflow positively impacts those sleeping within the Base Camp 6 should be a priority if you are worried about warmth. You can also zipper these vents closed in colder weather to stay warmer. In windy and rainy conditions, the warmth shouldn’t be an issue for your party, but we’ll touch more on this in our section about the Base Camp 6’s performance in weather.

Storage

One thing that REI clearly kept in mind when designing this tent was storage. Several storage options within the Base Camp 6 leave reviewers raving about how many storage options this tent offers. As REI describes, there are multiple pockets and hang loops throughout the tent, including both large and small options. There are interior and exterior storage options, making the Base Camp 6 one of the better options for people who love to take advantage of tent storage solutions.

Within the Base Camp 6, there are fourteen pockets ranging in size from large to small. These storage solutions ensure that you won’t have to struggle with losing your personal items and extra layers within the tent, especially if you are trying to fit several people within the Base Camp 6.

On the outside of the REI Co-op Base Camp 6, there is a front vestibule and a back vestibule that help to store your gear out of the way of your sleeping area. These dual vestibules are a fan favorite for those who enjoy the Base Camp 6. People describe the many storage options of the Base Camp 6 as “family-friendly” and “impressive.” According to most reviewers, having more room to store your gear contributes to the roominess of the Base Camp 6.

Ease of Setup

Overall, reviewers agree that the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 is easy to set up. The Base Camp 6 gets set up quickly with color-coded poles and an intuitive design. The poles match the sleeves and webbing, meaning you can quickly ditch the instructions. On the REI website, ease of setup is part of the reviewing scheme. For this tent, reviewers found that the Base Camp 6 leaned toward ‘Very Easy Setup’ instead of ‘Difficult Setup.’

The primary thing you need to figure out when setting up the REI Base Camp 6 is what matches what, and then you have a fully set up six-person tent. Reviewers found that they could set up the Base Camp 6 independently, an added bonus to families using this tent for their camping needs. One adult could easily set up the tent while the other entertained the children or did other tasks at the campsite.

In this way, the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 is friendly to all campers. Because it is so easy to set up, new and experienced campers alike will enjoy only needing 10-15 minutes to set up this large tent. We think this is a major win for this tent, and other reviewers online overwhelmingly agree that the Base Camp 6 wins big in ease of setup.

Weather-proofing

Regarding weather-proofing, the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 follows through on its promise to fully cover its occupants from wind and rain. We mentioned that this heavy tarp-like protection on the tent can make this tent warmer in certain conditions, but because it follows through so well on its weather-proofing promises, we can forgive it for that.

Reviewers of the Base Camp 6 on the REI website come from all over the United States, from Alaska to Nevada to North Carolina and beyond. We can approximate that these reviewers encounter varying conditions when using the Base Camp 6 for their camping excursions. Reviewers seem to have used this tent through torrential downpours and warm sunny camping experiences with little disappointment, which we find promising for its weather-proofing capabilities. Users who experienced heavy rain describe the Base Camp 6’s rain fly as doing “a great job of keeping you dry in heavy rain.”

Some reviewers stated that very gusty windy conditions are not preferable for this tent due to the rain fly enclosure. Additionally, northern and mountain-seeking reviewers state that this tent would not be a great choice for use in the snow due to trouble staying warm in extreme cold, which we think is reasonable.

Likes and Dislikes

What We Like:

• Super tall ceiling height makes for great livability
• Rain and wind-proofing are great for wet weather comfort
• Incredible storage space for phones, extra layers, muddy shoes, and more.
• Extremely quick setup time for families, new campers, and experienced campers.
• Durable materials, including puncture-resistant floor
• Huge doors to avoid crawling within the tent
• Dual-vestibules which add to great storage solutions
• Great tent for families looking to spend some time together in the great outdoors

What We Don’t Like:

• Not a ton of ventilation, leading to a too-warm interior in some conditions
• Reviews about manufacturing errors, defects, and inconsistent quality
• A smaller floor area than most six-person tents means cramped living with six campers

Other Options on the Market

• The North Face Wawona

The North Face Wawona gets compared to the Base Camp 6 frequently, with the Wawona being considered superior to REI’s six-person tent offered by many camping reviewers. The customer reviews of the Wawona are certainly better, and the floor area is slightly larger if you are concerned about fitting six adults in the Base Camp 6.

• REI Co-op Base Camp 4

Like the Base Camp 6, but smaller. If you don’t quite need all of the space that the Base Camp 6 comes with, the Base Camp 4 is lighter and very similar. It could be a great option if you don’t need a six-person tent or need something a little more affordable if your budget for tents isn’t huge.

• REI Co-op Kingdom 6

Another great option from the REI brand is the REI Co-op Kingdom 6. This tent is also a six-person tent, but it has more ventilation for those expecting warm weather on their camping trips. Suppose the possibility of being too hot in the Base Camp 6 worries you. In that case, there is no need to worry about getting too warm in the appropriately ventilated Kingdom 6.

• Eureka Copper Canyon LX 6-Person Tent

A more affordable option can be found in the Eureka Copper Canyon LX 6-Person tent. This tent is less packed and full of features than other tents on the market that fit six people. Reviewers still love this tent, despite less storage and fancy features. They find it comfortable and roomy, much like the REI Co-op Base Camp 6.

Final Thoughts

The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 is, without a doubt, a popular six-person tent with many plus sides. This tent wins big in the categories of storage, ease of setup, and comfort. This tent is great for users of all experience levels, including families. The many storage options add to the tent’s internal space and help ensure that items don’t go missing. Additionally, the tent does a great job of keeping its occupants dry in rainy conditions.

One thing you should consider when deciding if the Base Camp 6 is right for you is the issue of having enough space for six adults. We can conclusively say that the Base Camp 6 is iffy on its ability to house six full-grown adults. On the other hand, families are fully able to do so.

There are some concerns about quality in recent months, with a few instances of defective products being received by customers. Despite these concerns, REI is a company that is very amenable to replacing defective products. So, though this might be frustrating, you should still expect to receive a final result that meets overall expectations and performance standards.

Overall, we like the Base Camp 6 for the aspects of it that are great. The other less-positive aspects of the Base Camp 6 can mostly be avoided by staying aware of them. When considering the possible negatives of receiving a defective Base Camp 6, you can consider the positives of REI being happy to replace them. The possibility of getting warm within the Base Camp 6 can be avoided by packing lighter layers, positioning bodies near ventilation, etc.

Those that love the Base Camp 6 love it for a reason, but as always, other options on the market might work better for your needs. Overall, we think the Base Camp 6 is a great, safe choice for campers of all experience levels who want to stay dry, want a tent made of high-quality materials with plenty of storage space, and are quick to set up.