The MSR Habiscape was designed for families and groups who want solid weather protection and convenience for their frontcountry camping trips. It’s spacious without being overkill, easy and intuitive to set up, and has an excellent pocket arrangement to keep you organized.

Quick Specs

4-Person

MSRP: $500

PACKED WEIGHT: 12 lbs.

DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 95 x 95 x 73 in.

6-Person

MSRP: $600

PACKED WEIGHT: 13 lbs. 9 oz.

DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 120 x 100 x 77 in.

PROS

LIVABLE SPACE – The 4-person version of the Habiscape has an interior peak height of 73 inches, which is tall enough for anyone up to 6 ft. to stand up fully in the center. It can easily accommodate two or three wide sleeping pads and has plenty of room to store gear in the vestibules. The 6-person version has an even higher peak and has ample space for a queen air mattress and another pad, or even a couple of chairs and a small table. In either model, you’ll be able to orient your sleeping pads in any direction you like. The 4P Habiscape we tested felt luxurious for two people and gear, comfy for three, and snug for four. Head over to our Tent Size Guide if you’re unsure what size shelter is best for your group.

QUICK & EASY SETUP – The Habiscape has a symmetrical design which makes pole placement and setup intuitive and easy. It has a unique pole structure we hadn’t encountered before. But it was simple to figure out how to pitch, and it comes with straightforward instructions. The Habiscape takes mere minutes to set up or break down with two people, but it’s still quick if you’re solo as well.

HIGH QUALITY POLES & MATERIALS – The floor, tent body, mesh, and fly material are heavy-duty and made to last. The stitching is reinforced in all the places that count (corners, zippers, and friction points), and the thick tent poles are constructed with solid, high-tech aluminum that’s designed to flex instead of breaking under stress. We love to see so few plastic parts on a tent. The poles and pole seats are metal, so they won’t get brittle with prolonged sun exposure like cheap fiberglass. We have no doubts that our Habiscape Tent will last for years upon years of adventures if properly maintained.

2 DOORS & VESTIBULES – We love that theHabiscape has double doors for easy access from either side of the tent. This means no waiting for your turn in the entryway and plenty of options for orienting your tent in a campsite. Our favorite thing to do with 2-door tents like this is to set it up so that we have an epic view right out the door and a vantage to watch the sunset and sunrise from bed. The Habiscape’s rainfly can also be used as a sun shade or a storm entrance with additional poles (not included). If you’re willing to pay a bit more, the Habiscape Lounge 4 and Lounge 6 tents have even larger vestibules for shade and storage.

RELATIVELY SMALL & LIGHTWEIGHT WHEN PACKED – A big tent offers luxurious living space in the campsite, but it can be a drag to transport and store if it’s super heavy and bulky. The Habiscape feels lavish since you can fully stand up and move freely inside of it, but it doesn’t feel looming or excessive. We love that it packs down to the size of a weekend duffel bag so it won’t fill your whole trunk. It also only weighs 12 lbs. so you won’t break a sweat while hauling it around to find the perfect place to set it up.

EXCELLENT POCKETS – Pockets may seem trivial, but great organization makes all the difference when you’re camping for multiple days. The Habiscape has ten pockets in both high and low positions around the tent to help you keep track of essentials and make them easy to grab whether you’re lying down or standing. There’s also a pass-through pocket near each of the doors that allow you to access small items from inside or outside of the tent. We find this feature handy for things like sunscreen, headlamps, and keys.

CONS

EXPENSIVE – MSR designed the Habiscape to be within the financial reach of the average family. The Habiscape is more affordable than the Habitude, but not by a whole lot. It’s still a spendy tent, and costs more than many of our other Top Camping Tent Picks. While we wish the Habiscape was a bit more affordable, we still think it could be well worth the investment for anyone who wants excellent durability, organization, and weather protection.

WEAK TENT STAKES – The aluminum hook stakes that come with the tent work fine, but they bend pretty easily in our experience. For this reason, we recommend pounding them into the ground with a rock or mallet instead of pressing them into the ground with your foot. It’s also wise to pack a few extra stakes in case you need a replacement. If you camp in rough or rocky terrain often, you may want to pick up a set of heavy, but very durable steel stakes. Check out our list of the Best Tent Stakes for more recommendations.

HEADROOM ISN’T AS DISPERSED AS SOME – While the Habiscape has plenty of headroom when you’re standing right in the middle, the peak height isn’t as widespread in this dome-shaped design as it is in cabin-style tents. The sloping ceiling is plenty high for average-height people to move throughout the tent, but tall folks (over 6 ft.) may have to hunch a bit once they move towards the outer edges of the Habiscape. If you’re tall and you want to be able to stand and walk from corner to corner without ducking, a tent like the REI Skyward, REI Wonderland, or Coleman Octagon might be a better fit.

BOTTOM LINE

The Habiscape’s intuitive setup, livable space, and top-notch pockets eliminate a lot of the stresses that keep families from enjoying the outdoors together. While this tent is a tad on the expensive side, we think it’s worth the price for anyone who needs a good balance of weather protection, luxury, and a small packed size.

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We hope this helps you decide if the MSR Habiscape is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you enjoyed this post, you’ll probably like the CleverHiker Gear Guide as well. Here are some popular resources to check out.

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear

• 10 Best Backpacking Tents

• 10 Best Sleeping Bags

• 10 Best Sleeping Pads

• 10 Best Backpacking Packs

• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves

• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

The NEMO Aurora Highrise is a great tent for those wanting something spacious and easy to set up. We love the big door on the front and the fact that you can see out of the windows on all four sides – even when it’s raining. This tent is made with high-quality materials, so it’s ready to rock if a storm comes your way, and it’s plenty durable so it’ll last for many years if you treat it with care. You can get the bigger Aurora Highrise for the same price as the smaller version of comparable tents, so we think it’s an excellent value.

See how the Highrise stacks up to the competition on our list of the Best Camping Tents.

Quick Specs

4-Person

MSRP: $400

PACKED WEIGHT: 15 lbs. 14 oz.

DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 100x90x75 in.

6-Person

MSRP: $500

PACKED WEIGHT: 18 lbs. 14 oz.

DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 120x100x77 in.

PROS

QUALITY POLES & MATERIALS – The poles that come with the Highrise are made of aluminum, so they’re strong and lightweight. Aluminum poles will far outlast fiberglass ones that come with cheaply-made tents, and they’re more resilient since they’ll flex before they break. The heavy-duty, 150-denier fabrics that make up the tent body and fly will hold up well for many adventures, and we think the plaid floor is a nice touch.

QUICK & EASY SETUP – One of the things we like most about the Highrise is how easy it is to pitch. The pole structure is simple and straightforward. And there’s color coding to eliminate any guesswork when getting the pieces oriented. Like most dome tents, two long poles cross at the peak and seat in the four corners. After that, two short poles slip into sleeves over the doors to pull the walls taut and maximize space. It only takes a few minutes to pitch this tent as a pair. We found it very intuitive the first time we set it up, and there’s a handy diagram printed on the tag in the stuff sack.

SPACIOUS – The 6P Highrise has a 77-inch peak height, so it’s tall enough for anyone under 6’ 4” to stand comfortably in the center. Generous floor dimensions give you plenty of room for a queen-size camping mattress, and you’ll still have some room on all sides and a larger space at the foot for gear. The walls are nearly vertical too, so you have usable space all the way to the edges. We went with the 6P Highrise because we have a toddler and want to be able to fit two Wide Exped MegaMat 10 sleeping pads inside. There’s also a 4P version that’s comfy for two adults if you prefer to keep your footprint a bit smaller.

EXCELLENT VENTILATION – Good airflow is really important to keep the interior of your tent comfortable and condensation-free. The Highrise has mesh windows on all sides to keep fresh air circulating. We also love being able to see out in four directions whether conditions are hot or rainy.

GOOD VALUE – The Highrise is a spendy tent, but it’s a good value when put up against comparable camping tents in the current market. It’s a bit more expensive than a couple of our other favorite tents including the Eureka Space Camp 6 and REI Skyward 6, but it’s less pricey than the REI Wonderland 6. You can get the 6P Highrise for about the same price as the 4P versions of a few tents, like the REI Wonderland.

2 DOORS – We’re big fans of the huge front door on the Highrise. It makes entry easy and offers wide-angle views of the surrounding beauty. There’s also a really convenient stash pocket that keeps the door fabric securely tucked out of the way when it’s unzipped. The Highrise has a back door as well, which makes it more livable for multiple people going in and out. The second door is smaller and doesn’t open up as wide as the front one, but it’s still very handy.

FAIRLY LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT – The Highrise is fairly small to pack and store compared to many of the large frontcountry camping tents out there. The 6P weighs about 19 lbs., so it’s not something you’ll want to carry a great distance, but it’s easy to maneuver around the campsite. For comparison, the similarly sized REI Wonderland 6 weighs just under 23 lbs.

CONS

TALLER OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE OVER 6 FT. – Anyone under 6’4” will be able to stand comfortably in the center of the Highrise 6. But since it’s a dome-style tent the ceiling slopes down a bit as you move toward the edges. If you’re tall and you really want to be able to stand up fully and walk around in your tent, you might be better off with a shelter that has more headroom throughout. Good examples of tents with dispersed headroom are the REI Wonderland, Skyward, and Coleman Octagon.

HALF DOOR IN THE BACK – We’re glad the Highrise has two doors, but we wish both of them opened wide like the one at the front. The back door of this tent is half the size and doesn’t have the nifty stuff pocket to secure the door flap. The rainfly also only opens halfway in the back and there’s no way to roll the material back if you want to leave it open. The Highrise still has a lot of good things going for it, but we prefer the dual, oval-shaped doors on the Marmot Limestone and REI Wonderland.

NOT OUR FAVORITE STUFF SACK DESIGN – The bag for the Highrise looks a lot like a duffel with a long zipper across the top. It works ok, but you have to roll the tent very tightly to get the tent back into the bag. If you aren’t a neat and tidy tent roller, you may want to swap out the bag that comes with the Highrise for a larger stuff sack.

STORAGE POCKETS ARE JUST OK – The Highrise tent has four hanging mesh pockets inside that make it easy to keep track of small items. The pockets are ok, but they aren’t the easiest to reach while tucked into our sleeping bags. A few larger pockets in the corners and in different positions around the tent would be helpful, but it’s not a huge deal.

BOTTOM LINE

The NEMO Aurora Highrise is a very comfortable and user-friendly tent with very few downsides. We may still gravitate towards our all-time favorite, the REI Wonderland, for some car camping trips, but the Highrise will be high on our list when we need a tent that’s quicker to set up and a bit more compact (road trips!) The Highrise is one of the few tents we’ve seen that has windows on all four sides, and it’s one of the more affordable, high-quality tents on the market.

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We hope this helps you decide if the NEMO Aurora Highrise Tent is right for you. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll probably like the CleverHiker Gear Guide as well. Here are some popular resources to check out.

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear

• 10 Best Backpacking Tents

• 10 Best Sleeping Bags

• 10 Best Sleeping Pads

• 10 Best Backpacking Packs

• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves

• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

REI’s Wonderland tent is one of our favorite shelters for frontcountry camping because it feels spacious, luxurious, and it’s super user-friendly. We love that it has giant doors and windows all around for airflow. It also has a near-perfect balance of openness for views and privacy for campground settings. The Wonderland isn’t cheap, but because it’s made with solid materials that will last, we think it’s an awesome value. We like the Wonderland so much that we put it on our list of the Best Camping Tents on the market.

The Wonderland is replacing one of our longtime favorite frontcountry camping tents, the REI Kingdom.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $499-599

SIZES AVAILABLE:4P & 6P

PACKED WEIGHT: 4P-21 lbs. 11 oz./6P-22 lbs. 15 oz.

DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 4P-100 x 100 x 75 in./6P-120 x 100 x 78 in.

PROS

QUALITY POLES & MATERIALS – Aluminum tent poles and high-quality fabrics make the Wonderland storm-ready and durable enough to last for years of adventure. The floor, rainfly, mesh, and hardware on this tent are a step up in quality from materials used in most budget tents, and we expect them to hold up very well with regular use.

 SPACIOUS – The 4P Wonderland has a 75-inch peak height, so it’s tall enough to stand up comfortably even if you’re 6’ 3”. Generous floor dimensions give you plenty of room for a queen-size camping mattress, and you’ll still have room for gear on all sides. The walls of this tent are near vertical as well for maximum usable space all the way to the edges with no need to stoop. We found the Wonderland 4 to be a good size for 2 or 3 adults or a small family with kids, but a 6-person version is also available for those who need more space.

EASY SETUP – The process of setting up the Wonderland tent is simple and straightforward thanks to color-coding on the poles and pole seats. The triangular hubs on the center poles take a little getting used to since they’re different from what you might see on a traditional dome tent, but they’re very easy to work with. Setting up the Wonderland is a little more complicated than a rectangular tent like the REI Skyward, but we can still pitch this tent in about ten minutes. Follow the instructions that are sewn into the bag to get acquainted with the structure and the process will become intuitive.

2 LARGE DOORS- The Wonderland has two huge doors that make it super livable for multiple people. You’ll never have to wait your turn in the entryway, and you can reach gear from either end. We also love the ability to unzip the doors for views both ways when we’re in beautiful campsites.

DOOR STUFF POCKETS – The Wonderland has strategically-placed mesh pockets to stuff the door flaps when the doors are unzipped. These stash pockets keep the door fabric tidy and securely tucked out of the way. We find them quicker and more convenient to use than typical toggles and loops.

EXCELLENT VENTILATION – Good airflow is really important to keep things fresh, dry, and comfortable inside your tent no matter the conditions. The Wonderland has a wide-open mesh ceiling and large vents on all sides for excellent breathability. And we love that we can still open the triangular side windows with the rainfly on due to the scalloped cut. Even if you have all the doors and windows zipped during a storm, there are mesh ports up high to keep air circulating. Because of these features, the Wonderland is a highly adaptable tent and can be adjusted to suit various situations based on location and weather.

STORAGE POCKETS – The Wonderland has large mesh storage pockets all around inside to make it easy to keep track of small items. We love that the pockets are both high and low for reachability from the doors and the head of the bed. It’s especially handy to be able to keep headlamps, phones, earplugs, and other essentials within arm’s reach at night.

CONS

EXPENSIVE – The Wonderland is a good value if you’ll use it a lot, but it’s a bit more expensive than some other closely competing tents. You can get slightly less spacious camping tents made with similar high-quality materials (REI Skyward, NEMO Aurora Highrise, etc.) for over a hundred dollars less. That considered, we find the Wonderland Tent to be a bit more inviting than other tents due to the barn-style shape. So, if you don’t mind spending a bit more for a unique tent with great livability, the Wonderland is well worth the investment.

NOT THE BEST IN HEAVY WIND – The Wonderland is great for the sheltered locations most people camp in, but a tall tent like this has potential to flex and bend in heavy wind. If you tend to camp in exposed environments and expect high winds, a tent with a lower profile is probably a better choice. That said, the Wonderland is quite stable, especially when you firmly stake it down and use all the guylines. Being prone to wind damage is a general con of most tents that are tall enough to stand in. We expect the Wonderland’s thick, aluminum poles to hold up very well in normal conditions.

NO VESTIBULE – It would be nice if the Wonderland Tent had the option of an enclosed vestibule to keep gear out of inclement weather and out of sight when we’re away from camp. It’s not a huge con though since we can easily store gear inside the spacious main part of the tent or in the car. The most important thing is that the Wonderland has awnings over the doors to keep the doorways drip-free when it rains.

CAP-STYLE FLY ISN’T QUITE AS PROTECTIVE – The Wonderland’s cap-style rainfly is easy to put on and it allows for great ventilation. Overall, we like it, and the design feels solid for weather protection in normal conditions. That said, a full-length rainfly like the previous model, the Kingdom, had might offer slightly better fortitude in extreme situations with blowing dust or driving rain. If you close up the low, triangular vents, all of the windows, and guy it out fully, the Wonderland should perform well in heavy weather.

GUYLINES NOT PRE-ATTACHED – A staked-out tent has more interior space, looks much sleeker, and is far sturdier. It’s not a dealbreaker because most tents are the same way, but the guylines don’t come pre-attached to the Wonderland and we wish they did. It takes a good chunk of time to figure out how to tie all the knots and stake it out the first time you set it up and it could be a bit confusing for the average user. We think it’s pretty important to use guylines with the Wonderland and it would save people some hassle if they cam pre-attached.

BOTTOM LINE

The REI Wonderland is one of the most spacious and practical camping tents on the market. It’s excellent for tall campers and anyone who wants plenty of room to stand, stretch, and move freely in their shelter. We’re big fans of this tent’s open, airy feel and love the big sky views it offers when the fly is off. We recommend the 4P version for couples wanting a luxurious space, and the 6P for groups of 3-4 adults or families with kids.

The Wonderland came in as a very close second to the REI Skyward on our list of the Best Camping Tents, and that’s mostly due to its price. Cost aside, the Wonderland is a very high-quality and roomy camping tent and it’s one of the tents we gravitate towards most for our personal car camping trips.

More Information 

We hope this helps you decide if theREI Wonderland 4 Tent is right for you. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll probably like the CleverHiker Gear Guide as well. Here are some popular resources to check out.

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear

• 10 Best Backpacking Tents

• 10 Best Sleeping Bags and Quilts

• 10 Best Sleeping Pads

• 10 Best Backpacking Packs

• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves

• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

The REI Skyward is a well-rounded tent with a sweet balance of simplicity, spaciousness, and weather protection. It has near-vertical walls and a luxurious 6 ½-foot. peak height, so you can fully stand up and move freely inside. The Skyward is made with high-quality materials and it’s less expensive than comparable tents. We consider it to be an excellent value and expect it to last for years. We like the Skyward so much that we put it on our list of the Best Camping Tents on the market.

The Skyward is replacing one of our longtime favorite front-country camping tents, the REI Grand Hut.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $349-449

SIZES AVAILABLE:4P & 6P

PACKED WEIGHT: 4P-13 lbs. 11 oz./6P-15 lbs. 7 oz.

DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 4P-100 x 87 x 78 in./6P-120 x 100 x 78 in.

PROS 

AFFORDABLE – The Skyward is an exceptional value considering the good quality of its poles and materials. Closely competing tents are often $50-$100 more expensive. You could spend less on a low-quality tent, but tents made with cheap materials may only last for one summer since they’re prone to breaking. In our experience, it’s much better to spend a little more on a longer-lasting tent, like the Skyward, that will be reliable for years to come.

QUALITY POLES & MATERIALS – The Skyward stands out among the camping tents we’ve tested because it’s made with high-quality fabrics and comes with stout, aluminum poles. The mesh, sidewalls, bathtub floor, and rainfly materials all feel durable enough to withstand the stresses of stormy weather and repeated use in challenging conditions. The hardware, including the zippers and rainfly attachment buckles, also feel tight and secure while being exceptionally user-friendly.

QUICK & EASY SETUP – The Skyward is a freestanding tent that’s simple and straightforward to pitch. The setup process is so intuitive that we didn’t even need the guide the first time we set the tent up. We love that the instructions are sewn into the bag though, so they’re always close at hand if we do need to consult them. The Skyward is unique in that its roof assembly is separate. You insert crossed poles into sleeves at the top first, then raise the structure with four vertical poles at the corners. This makes it easy for one person to set up. Breaking down the Skyward only takes a few minutes as well, and it easily fits back into the stuff sack whether you choose to roll or stuff it.

SPACIOUS – Comfort is king on car camping trips and we love being able to change our clothes, stretch out, and navigate through our gear without crouching. The Skyward has a 78-inch peak height, so it’s tall enough to stand up comfortably even if you’re 6’ 6”! Generous floor dimensions allow you to sleep facing either direction, and you’ll have some extra space for gear on all sides. The walls of this tent are near vertical too for maximum usable space all the way to the edges. We found theSkyward 4 to be a good size for 2 or 3 adults or a small family with kids, but a 6-person version is also available for those who need more space.

LARGE DOOR – The Skyward has a huge, D-shaped door that makes it easy to get in and out, maneuver large gear (like a camping mattress), and catch views. The low sill is also easy to step over and minimizes the trip hazard when entering and exiting the tent.

VESTIBULE WITH FLY OFF – On warm summer trips we like to leave the rainfly off of our tent for maximum breathability and sky views. The downside to leaving your rainfly off is that you typically don’t have as much privacy in a campground setting or an out-of-sight place to store gear. REI tent designers solved these problems by finding a way to make the vestibule separate from the rainfly. The vestibule is attached to the tent body itself and the mesh on the roof is covered by a small, cap-style rainfly that’s quick and easy to put on.

AWNING OVER DOOR –A brow pole extending off the front of the tent gives the Skyward extra stability in windy conditions and creates a small awning to protect the doorway from overhead drips.

STORAGE POCKETS – The Skyward has 4 large mesh storage pockets inside to make it easy to keep track of small items like your headlamp, sunscreen, keys, etc. We love that the pockets are both high and low for reachability. It’s also nice that the pockets are close to the door so you can easily grab stuff from the outside. We wish there were a couple more pockets at the “head” of the tent to keep things handy at night, but it’s no biggie.

CONS

NOT THE BEST IN HEAVY WIND – Like most tall tents that you can stand up in, the Skyward won’t perform as well as a low-profile dome tent in high winds. This tent has aluminum poles, so we expect it to hold up well if you use all the guyout points and stake it firmly in place. That said, there’s still potential for them to over-flex and break in extreme conditions. The Skyward may not be the best choice if you frequently camp in places that are intensely windy. But, if you usually set up in sheltered locations like most campers, it should be plenty sturdy.

CAP-STYLE FLY ISN’T AS PROTECTIVE – The Skyward’s cap-style rainfly is easy to put on and it allows for great ventilation, but we’re a bit skeptical of its performance in really stormy conditions. We haven’t seen a drop of rain get inside the Skyward yet, but we would prefer a full-length rainfly, which would offer better protection in severe conditions with driving rain. That said, most people camp when fair weather is expected, and the cap does have some benefits.

ONLY ONE DOOR – We prefer it when tents have two doors so you can open them up completely and enter/exit from both sides. The Skyward only has one door and a window on the opposite side. It’s not a huge deal since there’s still plenty of airflow and the front door is large, but two doors would make this tent more livable for multiple people.

FRUMPY WINDOW FLAPS – This is a small gripe, but we wish there was a way to tie back the window coverings in the Skyward tent. Once you unzip the solid panels to reveal the mesh on the door and back window, the fabric just hangs there. The unzipped window panels look frumpy and occasionally get in the way. We may add some simple toggles and loops ourselves later on.

NEEDS MORE STAKES – The Skyward comes with plenty of stakes for a basic pitch, but you’d need another 3 or 4 stakes and another guyline to stake the tent out completely in high winds or nasty weather. We recommend picking up a set of aluminum tent stakes to have some extras and backups on hand. Aluminum stakes are lightweight, strong, and inexpensive.

GUYLINES NOT PRE-ATTACHED – A staked-out tent has more interior space, looks much sleeker, and is far sturdier. It’s not a dealbreaker, but the guylines don’t come pre-attached to the Skyward, so it takes a little extra time to tie all the knots and stake it out the first time you set it up. The best way to attach them to the tent is with a bowline knot. Some tents pre-attach guy lines, and we wish REI did that with the Skyward.

BOTTOM LINE

 Overall, the REI Skyward is a simple, but a luxurious-feeling tent that will appeal to a wide variety of front-country campers. It has a great balance of quality and price, so we consider it an excellent value. We also appreciate that this tent isn’t overly heavy, bulky, or unnecessarily complicated. The Skyward is super roomy for couples or small groups and is one of the best tents on the market for fairweather summer trips without heavy wind.

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More Information

We hope this helps you decide if the REI Skyward Tent is right for you. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll probably like the CleverHiker Gear Guide as well. Here are some popular resources to check out.

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear

• 10 Best Backpacking Tents

• 10 Best Sleeping Bags andQuilts

• 10 Best Sleeping Pads

• 10 Best Backpacking Packs

• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves

• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

Sometimes evening just doesn’t feel complete without a fire. But let’s face it, smoke can be irritating and campfires can be a hassle to clean up. That’s why we love Solo Stove’s innovative gasifier stoves and fire pits. They’re really easy to use, nearly smoke-free, and they don’t scar the ground.

The Bonfire is Solo Stove’s most popular portable fire pit for the backyard or campsite. The Lite and Campfire camp stoves work well for heating water and cooking on camping and backpacking trips. Both the Lite and the Campfire run entirely off small twigs and wood you can find laying around, eliminating the need to carry fuel.

Quick Size Comparison

The Lite is Solo Stove’s smallest camp stove. It’s best for cooking on backpacking trips with 1-2 people.

The Campfire is Solo Stove’s largest camp stove. It’s best for cooking and entertainment on car camping trips with 2-4 people.

The Bonfire is Solo Stove’s midsize fire pit. It’s best for ambiance in the backyard or on car camping trips with small groups.

Other Solo Stove Sizes:

The Titan is Solo Stove’s midsize camp stove that’s between the Lite and the Campfire sizes. It’s best for cooking on backpacking trips with 2-4 people.

The Ranger is Solo Stove’s smallest fire pit. It’s the most compact option for ambiance in the backyard or camping trips for couples or small groups.

The Yukon is Solo Stove’s extra large fire pit. It’s best for ambiance in the backyard or extended camping trips with larger groups.

Solo Stove Bonfire

PORTABLE FIRE PIT FOR BACKYARD AMBIANCE & CAMPING ENTERTAINMENT

MSRP: $349.99

PROS: Low smoke, environmentally-friendly, easy cleanup, performs well in wind

CONS: Expensive, a bit bulky to transport, less radiant heat than a traditional fire

BOTTOM LINE: The Solo Stove Bonfire is the life of the party and a warm, glowing centerpiece to gather around whether we’re out camping or relaxing in our own backyard. We especially love being able to enjoy a fire without smoke irritating our eyes, lungs, or our neighbors. Plus, we’re really glad we can have our fun without permanently marking the ground in our favorite outdoor spaces. If you’re hoping to spend more quality time outside gathering with friends and family, the Bonfire is one of our favorite pieces of gear for outdoor entertainment.

ACCESSORIES:Stand, Spark Screen, Shelter, Tripod, Fire Pit Tools

Solo Stove Campfire

WOOD BURNING CAMP STOVE & MINI FIRE PIT FOR SMALL GROUPS OF 2-4

MSRP: $149.99

PROS: Lightweight, compact, low smoke, warmth & ambiance, no need to buy fuel, environmentally-friendly, easy cleanup, performs well in wind

CONS: Takes a bit more time and practice to use, soot can be messy, only one burner

BOTTOM LINE: The Solo Stove Campfire is a fun way to cook and entertain at the campsite on casual car camping trips. Like other Solo Stoves, it uses a gasifier design to create a hot, efficient, and nearly smoke-free fire. The Campfire is easy to start and keep burning with only twigs and small pieces of wood that you can find around most campsites. It works great for cooking simple one-pot meals for small groups. And, if you’re like us, you’ll enjoy keeping the Campfire burning long after you’ve finished your meal just to watch the flames. The Campfire requires a bit more effort than most camping stoves, but we love the fun and interactive qualities of it for leisurely trips.

ACCESSORIES: Cast-iron skillet, Pot 4000 (nests with the Campfire), Tripod

See how the Solo Stove Campfire stacks up to the competition in our Best Camping Stoves Guide.

Solo Stove Lite

WOOD BURNING BACKPACKING STOVE FOR 1-2 PEOPLE

MSRP: $70

PROS: No need to carry fuel, low smoke, warmth & ambiance, environmentally-friendly, performs well in wind

CONS: Slightly expensive, heavier and bulkier than some backpacking stoves (9 oz.), soot can be messy

BOTTOM LINE: If you enjoy tinkering with fire and are excited by the idea of collecting fuel from the landscape, the Solo Stove Lite is an excellent option for cooking on your backcountry adventures. This wood-burning camp stove does more than just boil water for your hot cocoa or freeze dried meals. It satisfies our primal human craving for a touch of warmth and glowing ambiance in camp after a long day on the trail – without the smoke in your face. At 9 oz., this stove isn’t winning any prizes for being lightweight, but not having to carry fuel does help. While the Lite takes a bit more effort to use than some modern canister stoves, it adds an aspect of fun to our adventures and we love it for casual trips when our hiking itinerary doesn’t include lots of big-mile days.

ACCESSORIES:Pot 900 (nests with the Lite)

See how the Solo Stove Lite stacks up to the competition in our Best Backpacking Stoves Guide

We love our Solo Stoves! They make camping fun and memorable, without the harsh smoke in your face or making a mess of the environment. In our experience, Solo Stove products speak for themselves. Once you use them, we’re sure you’ll absolutely love them. If you’re ready to take your outdoor hang time to the next level, use the links above to pick up your own Solo Stove. We’d love to hear about your experience and see your photos on social media too!

More Pictures

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

REI’s Kingdom Series was created for families and groups whose priority is space, comfort, weather protection, and livability while camping. The Kingdom 6 feels huge and sturdy in camp, but packs down small for your car and storage at home. REI Kingdom Tents are our top all-around luxury choice on our list of the 10 Best Camping Tents.

QUICK SPECS

• MSRP: $469

• SIZES AVAILABLE:4P, 6P & 8P

• SIZE WE TESTED: 6P

• THE SIZE WE TESTED FEELS: luxurious for 4P, comfortable for 5P, and tight for 6P

• PACKED WEIGHT: 21 lbs. 6 oz.

• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 120 x 100 x 75 in.

WHAT WE LIKE

SPACIOUS – The Kingdom 6 feels very spacious, open, and even cavernous due to it’s tunnel-style design with a peak height of 6’3”. Near vertical walls and a rectangular floor plan maximize the space, making it comfortable and usable all the way to the edges. The Kingdom 6 offers plenty of room for a family of 4 to spread out (possibly up to 5-6 if some are small kids), but there are options to scale up or down with the 4-person and 8-person Kingdom models as well.

QUALITY POLES AND MATERIALS – Aluminum tent poles and high-quality fabrics makes the Kingdom relatively lightweight and compact, despite being large and inviting when pitched. The floor, rainfly, and mesh on the Kingdom are a big step up in quality from those typically used in budget tents, which adds to the kingdom’s weather-protection and durability. The hardware, including the zippers, rainfly attachment buckles, and pole clips also feel tight, secure, and user-friendly. Collectively, the Kingdom feels durable, well-constructed, and thoughtfully designed. Users that want to add additional tent floor durability can pick up the Kingdom 6 footprint (sold separately).

EXCELLENT WEATHER PROTECTION – The Kingdom is a comfortable, dry place to hunker down in a thunderstorm. It’s fully seam-sealed with a heavy-duty bathtub floor that keeps rising groundwater out and a full-length waterproof rainfly that covers the top, sides and front of the tent entirely. The back of the tent is not covered by the rainfly, but it is built out of waterproof fabric with a protected zipper window. For more weather protection and additional storage space, the Mud Room accessory can be purchased separately to create a vestibule off the backside.

DESIGNED FOR A GROUP – Clearly, REI had families in mind when they designed the Kingdom 6. It has huge doors on either side for easy access, large storage pockets all around the perimeter, and a center divider wall that can be clipped in to create 2 rooms. The room divider is really functional too; it has a center zip and handy tie backs on the sides to get it out of the way when it’s not in use. We love that the Kingdom is so versatile and can be arranged to suit 2 couples, a family with kids, or even a couple who want to have a bedroom and a screened in sitting area with chairs and a table.

2 LARGE DOORS – The Kingdom has 2 huge doors with 4 zipper sliders that make it easy and convenient for multiple people to enter and exit the tent without getting in each other’s way. Another benefit of having such large doors is that it’s easy to move air mattresses and furniture in and out of the tent as well. When the rainfly is on, 1 door has a large vestibule and the other a tiny overhanging awning to protect the doorway from drips. The zippers on the doors function very smoothly and there are handy pockets on each side to stow the unzipped doors conveniently out of the way.

LARGE VESTIBULE – The Kingdom’s single large front vestibule acts as a “ garage” to keep shoes and gear protected from the elements and out of sight when you’re not in camp. The vestibule can be zipped open halfway or all the way, and can even be turned into a small awning to shade the front entry with a couple of tarp poles and guylines (sold separately). Alternatively, the Kingdom porch accessory (or another canopy) can be set up in front of the tent to create a shaded living area.

GOOD VENTILATION – The Kingdom is highly breathable with the rainfly off and offers unobstructed star views through tightly-woven mesh paneling. The Kingdom has good ventilation with the rainfly on as well, since it has 4 roof vents designed to circulate air and control condensation. The vents are held open with “kickstands” that can be adjusted from the interior of the tent through smart zipper openings. The vent zips come in handy when the weather gets nasty and you need to open or close the vents without getting out of the tent. When the weather is fair, the rainfly can also be rolled back halfway for stargazing, or rolled up on the sides to adjust privacy and ventilation.

BACKPACK CARRY BAG – The Kingdom’s backpack-style carry bag makes it easy to transport your tent to and from your campsite regardless of the terrain. You don’t have to roll the Kingdom up perfectly either since the bag is generously sized. The built-in pockets in the carry bag also help keep its poles, tent stakes, rainfly, and tent body organized and make misplacing them less likely.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

EXPENSIVE – The Kingdom comes with a pretty steep price tag and we wish it was more affordable. But it’s also far from the most expensive camping tent on the market and it’s made with quality materials and has a great design. For those who intend to get a lot of use out of their camping tent, we think the Kingdom is priced fairly. And compered to budget camping tent options, the Kingdom will provide much better weather protection and long-term durability. The Kingdom’s price point may put it out of reach for budget conscious campers though, and there are other great budget-friendly options (like the REI Grand Hut) for those who can’t invest as much, or only plan to camp once or twice per year. Check out our Best Camping Tents list for other solid options.

CAPACITY OVERSTATED – The Kingdom 6 is rated for 6 people, but we think that estimate is unrealistic unless 2 or more of those people are small children. We can’t knock the Kingdom too much for this though, because pretty much every camping tent on the market does the exact same thing. The Kingdom 6 would make a luxurious shelter for 4 adults on air mattresses, wide sleeping pads, or cots. It would also be comfortable for up to 5 people side-by-side on regular sleeping pads. 6 people could certainly fit in a pinch, but it would be a pretty tight squeeze. And remember, there are also 4-person and 8-person versions of the Kingdom if you need more or less space. 

WON’T FAIR WELL IN HEAVY WIND – Due to its high peak height, the Kingdom is ill-suited for very windy conditions (like almost all tall tents). We recommend completely staking down the Kingdom and all its guy-out points to minimize the risk of damage in big storms (but you’ll need extra tent stakes and guylines to do that because the Kingdom only comes with enough for a basic pitch). Since the Kingdom’s poles are thick aluminum, they will hold up far better than cheap fiberglass poles, but there is still potential for them to bend and break in really nasty conditions. If you frequently camp in places that are exposed and windy, a hearty 4-season tent or low-profile tent will perform better. But for the typical fair weather and sheltered location camping that most do, the Kingdom will work great.

SLIGHTLY CUMBERSOME SETUP – There is a slight learning curve to setting up the Kingdom the first time since it has multiple hubbed poles, pole clips and sleeves, but it’s still pretty easy, especially with a couple people. After you figure it out once, it goes up fast and easy (about 10-15 minutes). REI recently made several updates to the Kingdom that make setting it up easier, including color coding on the tent, rainfly, footprint and poles.

GUYLINES NOT PRE-ATTACHED – A staked out tent has more interior space, looks much sleeker, is far sturdier in wind, and has zippers that function better. But to stake out the Kingdom you’ll have to attach all its guylines on your first use. This isn’t a huge deal, but we wish REI didn’t pass this task off to the customer. The best way to attach guylines is with a bowline knot, which is one of the most handy knots for camping in general.

SHORT A FEW STAKES & GUYLINES – It’s sadly common for tent manufacturers to skimp on tent stakes and guylines, and the Kingdom is no exception. The Kingdom 6 could use up to 8 additional tent stakes and guylines for all of its guy-out points. We recommend picking up some extra tent stakes and guylines for full weather protection in windy/nasty weather.

More Kingdom Photos

BOTTOM LINE

The Kingdom 6 is a generously-sized, weather-worthy camping tent with practical features that make group outings fun, comfortable, and safe. We love how roomy and convenient the Kingdom is, and its combination of excellent features landed it as a top pick on our 10 Best Camping Tents list. The biggest knock on the Kingdom is it’s steep price tag, but we still think it’s a fair value for frequent campers, considering it’s durability, quality materials, and excellent design. So if you’re in the market for a top-quality, long-lasting camping tent, we highly recommend checking out the REI Kingdom Tents.

More information

If you enjoyed this review, you’ll probably like the CleverHiker Gear Guide as well. Here are some popular resources to check out.

• CleverHiker Top Picks

• Best Camping Tents

• Best Backpacking Tents

• Best Budget Tents & Ultralight Tents

• Best Backpacks & Stoves

• Best Sleeping Bags & Sleeping Pads

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

REI Co-op designed the affordable, yet high-quality Grand Hut 4 and Grand Hut 6 to make camping comfortable while keeping nasty weather out. The Grand Hut has lots of headroom and will allow you to fully stand up inside, but it also comes in a compact, easy-to-pitch package. We like the Grand Hut so much and think it offers such great value, we put it on our list of the 10 Best Camping Tents on the market. 

QUICK SPECS

• MSRP: $299

• SIZES AVAILABLE:4P & 6P

• SIZE WE TESTED: 4P

• THE SIZE WE TESTED FEELS: luxurious for 2P, comfortable for 3P, and tight for 4P

• PACKED WEIGHT: 14 lbs. 2 oz.

• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 100 x 86 x 75 in.

What We Like

AFFORDABLE – The Grand Hut is an exceptional value considering how long it will last due to the quality of its materials and its weather protection. You can surely get a lower-quality tent for less money, but if you plan to use your tent a lot throughout the coming years, getting a tent with solid poles and good fabrics like the Grand Hut is a smart choice. Closely competing tents are often $50-$100 more expensive than the Grand Hut and we consider it to be a fantastic value after comparing it with a whole bunch of other tents ranging from top-of-the-line to budget.

QUALITY MATERIALS – Extra stout aluminum poles and high quality fabrics made the Grand Hut stand out among the camping tents we’ve tested. The mesh, ripstop sidewalls, bathtub floor, and rainfly materials all feel durable and ready to face serious rain, (which can’t be said about all tents). The hardware, including the zippers and rainfly attachment buckles, also feel tight and secure while being exceptionally user-friendly. Overall, the Grand Hut is relatively simple, but performs well in most 3-season conditions without being overly heavy/bulky or unnecessarily complicated.

QUICK AND EASY SET UP – The Grand Hut’s freestanding design features a single hubbed pole assembly with color-coding on the poles and clips for a simple intuitive set up. A couple of us were able to pitch the tent in just a few minutes even though we had to tie on all the guylines before staking the tent out the first time. Breaking down the Grand Hut was also very quick and easy, maybe even easier than the “instant tent” we tested. If you despise tents that are time-consuming and frustrating to pitch, the Grand Hut will be a breath of fresh air.

SPACIOUS – With plenty ofheadroom for standing up and stretching, the Grand Hut 4 is far more comfortable than a cramped basic dome tent. The ceiling is 6’3” high, so changing your clothes is much easier, and near-vertical walls make the space usable all the way to the edges. We found the Grand Hut 4 to be a good size for 2 or 3 adults or a small family with kids, but a 6-person version is also available for those who need more space. We’re also impressed by the 100 inch width, which is gives tall people (over 6’2”) plenty of room to lay down (parallel with the doors) with more than a few inches at the head and foot to spare.

2 DOORS – The Grand Hut features 2 huge, D-shaped doors with low door sills that make getting in and out nice and easy. Especially for groups, we’ve found that having 2 doors makes a tent much more livable since people can conveniently (and harmoniously) access doors and vestibules without stumbling over each other or waiting for tent mates to clear a single doorway. The zippers on the doors also function very smoothly and there are strategically-placed pockets on each side to stuff the unzipped doors into to them out of the way.

2 LARGE VESTIBULES – The Grand Hut offers 2 generously-sized vestibules for storing backpacks, gear, and shoes outside the sleeping area. The vestibules are easy to access from the large doors on either side of the tent and make it easy to protect your gear from weather and keep it out of sight in busy campgrounds. 

FULL RAINFLY – Unlike most cabin-style tents that have rainflies that only cover the top of the tent and leave the sides exposed, the Grand Hut features a full-length, waterproof rainfly to keep you dry. The rainfly is made of 75-denier coated polyester, which is lightweight, compact, and portable, but heavy-duty and durable enough to make you feel fully-protected even in a downpour.

GOOD VENTILATION – The Grand Hut features low and high vents in the rainfly designed to circulate air and control condensation with a chimney effect. The top vents are held open with small “kickstands” and can be adjusted from the interior of the tent through zippered openings if the weather changes. When the weather is fair, you can also open and roll back the 2 huge doors for even more ventilation and excellent views. 

ORGANIZATION POCKETS –  With two door stash pockets, four triangular pockets in the corners, and four triangular pockets on the ceiling, the Grand Hut 4 offers a lot of convenient storage for small items like phones, wallets, keys, headlamps, sunglasses, etc. There are also gear loops around the top for attaching lights, though a headlamp placed face-down in one of the ceiling pockets can also be used to illuminate the tent.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

CAPACITY OVERSTATED – Though the Grand Hut 4 is rated for 4 people, we think that estimate is a bit unrealistic unless 1 or more of those people are kids. We can’t knock the Grand Hut too much for this though, because almost every camping tent on the market does the same thing. The Grand Hut 4 would make a luxurious shelter for 2 adults on a queen air mattress, wide camping pads, or single cots. It would also be comfortable for up to 3 adults side-by-side on wide sleeping pads. Four adults could fit with regular width sleeping pads, but it would be a tight squeeze. And remember, there’s also a 6-person version of the Grand Hut if you need more space. 

WON’T FAIR WELL IN HEAVY WIND – The Grand Hut won’t perform very well in high winds due to its height. Like most other camping tents of a similar size and shape, the Grand Hut flexes under heavy winds and will be susceptible to damage in big storms. We recommend firmly staking down the Grand Hut and all its guy-out points to minimize risk in heavy weather. Since the Grand Hut’s poles are aluminum, they will hold up far better than cheap fiberglass poles, but there’s still potential for them to bend and break in extreme conditions. If you frequently camp in places that are intensely windy, a tent with a lower-profile design will perform better. But, if you usually setup in sheltered locations like most campers, the Grand Hut should be plenty sturdy.

GUYLINES NOT PRE-ATTACHED – A staked out tent has more interior space, looks much sleeker, and is far sturdier. It’s not a dealbreaker, but the guylines don’t come pre-attached to the Grand Hut, so it takes a little extra time to tie all the knots and stake it out the first time you set it up. The best way to attach them to the rainfly is with a bowline knot. Some tents pre-attach guy lines, and we wish REI did that with the Grand Hut.

NEEDS MORE STAKES – It’s sadly common for tent manufacturers to not include enough stakes for a full pitch, and the Grand Hut is no exception. At least 2 extra stakes are absolutely needed to pull out the sides of the rainfly for proper ventilation, but really the Grand Hut could use up to 8 additional tent stakes for all the storm guy-out points. We recommend picking up a set of aluminum tent stakes, which are lightweight, strong, and inexpensive. You may also want some extra guylines, so you can fully secure the Grand Hut in nasty weather. 

More Grand Hut Photos

BOTTOM LINE

The Grand Hut 4 has a superb balance of quality to affordability as well as an excellent amount of interior space for how light and compact it is. The Grand Hut has a lot of features that make it feel more livable than other tents, but it’s also one of the quickest, easiest, and most intuitive tents to pitch and pack up due to it’s hubbed single-pole assembly and color-coded materials. On the whole, the Grand Hut stands out to us as having the excellent traits of weather protection, affordability, durability, spaciousness, and practicality, which is why it’s our top all-around value choice on our Best Camping Tents list.

More information

If you enjoyed this review, you’ll probably like the CleverHiker Gear Guide as well. Here are some popular resources to check out.

• CleverHiker Top Picks

• Best Lightweight Tents

• Best Budget Tents & Ultralight Tents

• Best Backpacks & Stoves

• Best Sleeping Bags & Sleeping Pads

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.