REASONS TO BUY
Quality materials
Solid protection
Good ventilation
Loads of features
REASONS TO AVOID
Smaller vestibule
Very expensive
Marmot Torreya 6 Review
One of the most well thought out tents in our line up, but you’ll have to pay for it
Credit: Marmot
RELATED: Best Camping Tents of 2024
Our Verdict
The Marmot Torreya 6 earns the highest score in our lineup and is a top pick for any camper looking for the best. This tent comes fully loaded with nearly every feature found on the market today. Every detail was considered when building this tent: the zippers come with t-handle pulls, exterior pockets are perfectly sized as drink holders, there's a fully attached front porch, 32 gear loops… the list goes on, all encased within a 93.4 square foot area with a max height of 6' 8". As if that wasn't enough, Marmot added in backpack-style stakes, awning poles, and a carry bag built to last. Sound too good to be true? It isn't, but it will cost you a pretty penny.
Our Analysis and Test Results
As the highest-scoring model in our best camping tent review, the Torreya 6 is the cream of the crop. You get great cold and warm weather options, outstanding quality, and more features than you can count on your fingers. We especially love the attention to detail on this tent or, as Marmot calls them, "premium details." On the exterior, you will find beer pockets, gear loops, and an attached entry floor. On the inside, get ready for perfectly placed pockets and translucent sides that give both privacy and airflow. Headroom and bed space are also ample, coming in at just over 93 square feet of floor space and 6' 8" of height. While small, the vestibule with included awning stakes makes for a great shade spot, and the fact that it has an attached floor is a huge bonus.
Performance Comparison
The lampshade pocket help illuminate the tent at night.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Space and Comfort
The Torreya is an easy top-scorer in this category thanks to the massive dual doors, 19 pockets, 32 gear loops, privacy fabric, and well-designed rainfly. This tent has plenty of room for a family of 4 with dogs. Even with a twin and two single air mattresses, there is still enough room for bags and toys. The attached floor in the vestibule area adds additional storage without fear of things getting damp.
We were able to get two chairs and a modest table to fit in the 32.5 square foot vestibule area, but don't plan on bringing the flambé pan as you will be tucked close to the rainfly. This tent did come with awning poles, the only one to include them in our lineup.
The vestibule isn't huge, but it's well-designed and plenty for most situations.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Coming in at a max height of 6' 8", the Torreya feels welcoming and spacious. The tent is constructed with a taller entrance, giving it a non-symmetrical shape that made us think we were on slanted ground the first time we pitched it. However, that simply adds to the character of this tall beauty of a tent. All in all, the size, abundance of pockets, and vast feature options make this tent both comfortable and a pleasure to camp in.
A twin and two singles easily fit with plenty of room on all sides to spare.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Weather Resistance
The Torreya puts hot, cold, wet, and dry in their place. And because of its asymmetric shape, we found putting the backside into the wind helped keep things planted even in the high winds of the Carson Valley. The DAC DA17 aluminum poles are strong and keep the tent taut and stable, while the included stakes are light yet stay firmly in the ground.
The fly is constructed with a 100% polyester ripstop material. Four vents can be easily propped open, while two large zippered vents can be opened, adding significant airflow. Our biggest pet peeve with this tent involves the included guylines… or, should we say, included pile of string. In order to fully secure this tent to the ground, you will need to tie your own guylines to the six reflective points on the fly. For a high-end tent, this was a bit of a shock.
Most would consider this a pile of strings, the manufacture calls it "guylines included".
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Setting up the awning feature adds a fair amount of shade to the camp and makes for a nice lunch spot. The back vestibule is fairly small but also a nice addition for a little extra storage out of the elements.
The included awning poles are a great addition for shade or drizzly weather.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
With the fly off, this tent is great summer fun. Two large mesh windows span the roof giving access to blue skies or starry nights. The back door is 100% mesh, while the front has ¾ mesh allowing for ample air movement. While great for wind, we wish Marmot would have done the ¾ mesh on the back door to help with privacy.
Open and airy, a great tent for summer fun.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Ease of Use
This tent took two people just under 10 minutes to set up — minus the guylines. Because those came separately, this added an additional six minutes to the first setup. Again, a very odd corner to cut for such a high-end tent. Guylines aside, this tent is very intuitive to pitch. Our only miss-step was placing the front pole incorrectly, an easy error to spot once you start clipping the poles.
Just like the other Marmot tents in our lineup, the poles are high quality, and they include color-coated clips, making putting on the rainfly a breeze. The stakes for the Torreya are nicer than others; however they do require a rock or hammer if the soil is even the slightest bit hard.
Protip: Be careful of the nylon strings attached to the stakes when pounding them in so you don't accidentally sever them.
High-end stakes, color-coded poles, and fly clips make the Torreya a breeze to set up.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Leaving camp is just as fast as setting up with the Torreya and everything fits nicely in the extra heavy-duty carry case. Thanks to the breathable fabric, rolling up the tent is quick and air-bubble-free. Don't plan on taking this tent far, though; it weighs in at 22.3 pounds and is one of the larger bags in our lineup.
The Torreya packs up nicely, but it's not what we would call small or light.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Family Friendliness
It's hard to please every family member, but the Torreya sure comes close. We even caught the puppies enjoying the awning shade.
We fit a full-sized air mattress and two twins into this tent with ample room for another bed, extra gear, or whatever you want to fill the space. But space aside, families will rave about all of the features. Hanging smelly climbing shoes on the gear loops, leaving damp towels on the front porch, stashing dad's beer in the exterior cup holder; there are features for everyone. Oh, and there are also a total of 19 pockets, all ranging in size and coolness.
Putting some of the Torreya's 32 gear loops to good use. No accidentally stepped-on sunglasses in this tent.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Stuck in the tent with the entire family, dogs, and neighbors? Not to worry. You can keep the dogs covered but outside on the porch and have plenty of ventilation, space, and headroom to make it enjoyable. That is, depending on how nice the guests are.
The taller front makes for an asymmetrical posture, but still a beautiful tent.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Quality
The Torreya 8 is a top scorer in quality, and we would expect nothing less for a tent at this price point. When your features include things like "oversized ergonomic zipper pulls," "convertible front awning," and "catenary-cut floor," you know you are stepping into the high-quality zone. Trust us; this tent screams quality. If Marmot had pre-attached the guylines and tighteners, this tent might have received a perfect score.
Should You Buy the Marmot Torreya 6?
The Torreya 6 is fully legit. It combines all of the best features available today in a roomy, high-quality package. This tent continues to impress us and anyone who walks by our camp. However, it is also extremely expensive compared to other tents in our lineup. That said, if you have the cash and want the best, look no further.
What Other Camping Tents Should You Consider?
Maybe you want half the features at nearly half the price? Consider the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 a solid option and still a Top Pick. Alternatively, if you are looking for another unique tent and willing to explore a 4-person option, give the MSR Habitude 4 a try.
—
Rob Gaedtke
You Might Also Like
