REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Review

The Base Camp is all about performance. It sports a 6-pole structure for the main tent with an extra pole for the large, 40 sq ft vestibule. This, combined with a thick rainfly and a 150-denier polyester oxford floor that touts being abrasion and puncture-resistant, makes it one tank of a tent. It looks strong, it feels well made, and it comes from a brand well known for quality tents.

Performance Comparison

Space and Comfort

The sheer size of the tent interior and two vestibules put the Base Camp in the 130+ sq ft usable space arena. That means you will have plenty of room to fit all of your gear, family, and pets.

The height allows for easy changing and a roomy feel when moving about the cabin. The width will accommodate a full and a twin blowup with lots of extra floor space. The Base Camp also shines in the comfort realm. Just try and find a spot that doesn't have a pocket, a vent, a door, or a hang loop. REI took every opportunity to sneak in organization wherever they could with this tent. Huge teardrop doors with zippable privacy covers, floor vents on each side, and an open ceiling mean great airflow and stargazing.

The tent has an 84 sq ft floor plan with a max height of 6' 2". The two extra poles that help with rigidity also help pull out the sidewalls, giving more space and that expedition-style tent vibe. And let's not forget the bonus back vestibule, allowing for an additional exit and storage space.

Weather Resistance

Now let's not kid ourselves; this is no high-end winter excursion tent. And at the current price point, we wouldn't expect it to be. It is built strong enough to give light winter camping a try without a second's hesitation. The extra two poles and super thick rainfly should be able to handle a minor snow pileup (please note: we haven't tested this application) and hefty winds. REI even made the vestibule stake-out loops large enough so you can use your skis or split board as anchors.

Winter scenarios aside, the Base Camp will crush shoulder season camping. The extra warmth from the fly paired with the ability to withstand some serious rain and wind should give you a peaceful experience inside while the rest of the world deals with the harsh conditions outside.

A somewhat hidden feature on the tent ceiling is outside access from two zippers. Should you get caught in the rain for an extended time and forget to open the vents, just unzip, and you have easy access to the top vents on the rainfly from the comforts of your living room. A great addition that we hope other brands start to incorporate into their designs.

The thick rainfly causes a little heat build-up, even with the floor and ceiling vents open. The views open up once the fly is removed, and the breeze can flow through all sides. And stargazing is a great way to fall asleep, thanks to the completely open roof.

Ease of Use

Two people pitched this tent in just over seven minutes. Thanks to the color-coded sleeves, grommets, and poles, there were no questions about what poles went where. The fly slides on super easy and attaches with color-coded plastic clips. The tent also comes with enough stakes, guylines, and tighteners to fully lock it to the ground, and the storage bag is good quality and plenty big enough to re-stuff after use.

All of the doors are large, easy to zip, and (because there is both a front and back vestibule), you can sneak out at night to use the bathroom without stepping on your kid, dog, or friend.

The Base Camp is a bit on the heavy side compared to other top-ranked camping tents, coming in at just over 20 pounds, but for a 3-season+ tent, that is still pretty light.

Family Friendliness

This tent is deceptively large inside. The organization options, the ability to use the front vestibule for cooking if needed, and the privacy doors all make for a great family-friendly tent. The ease of setup will also help keep the family calm.

Other bonus family-style features include solid fabric on the doors for privacy, some reflective trims on the fly to help you find your tent after a quick potty break, and dual vestibules and doors to help traffic flow when you have a tent full of people. The Base Camp has 14 pockets scattered everywhere you might want one, making it super friendly for organized chaos.

Quality

The Base Camp nailed this category, coming in among the top performers. Just unpacking this tent, you can tell it is a step above your typical (albeit great) REI tent. It shares the same heavy-weight 150-denier polyester floor as the Wawona, but also claims to be abrasion and puncture-resistant — and we didn't see otherwise during our testing period. The poles are thick aluminum that slides together smoothly and feel built to last. And the fabric, seams, and zippers all scream quality.

When you pitch this tent and stake it all out, there are very few wrinkles. Though not a true sign of durability (this could have just been three perfect pitches), the fact that the tent's rainfly almost automatically aligns sure gives you the feeling of durability and excellent design.

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Base Camp 6?

The REI Basecamp 6 is a great choice for campers looking for a tent to handle more than a sunny weekend getaway. With a sturdy 4-pole main structure and thick, abrasion-resistant materials, you can feel confident putting this tent up to some challenges. Thanks to dual vestibules, you'll have plenty of space to keep you and your gear out of the elements. Just understand that there are a couple of tradeoffs: you won't get as much of that wonderful open mesh feel, and if you don't like the heat, this one can get a little warm in the sun. But if wind and rain and perhaps even light snow are possible, you won't be sorry to have this shelter.

What Other Camping Tents Should You Consider?

If you have ever looked to purchase a tent for camping in places with more challenging weather (like the Pacific Northwest), then you will understand the value this tent brings to the table. If you're looking for a giant vestibule, then the The North Face Wawona 6 is the tent you want. But we also recognize that these tents are expensive – if you are shopping on more of a budget, consider the Kelty Wireless 6, our top choice for overall value.