finally someone puts some effort into it. unlike other just putting commercial videos of the companies, thank you for your effort sir. much appreciate!
I can personally recommend the Wawona tent. Our family has the Wawona 4, and have used it camping while roadtripping several times. We camped at Badlands National Park, and there was a terrible windstorm around 3 AM. Several other people had their tents completely leveled. Ours was fine, no bent poles, etc. Great tent!
I can also attest to the Wawona 4. I went camping last fall and it started to rain pretty hard at the campground. I was bone dry while my neighbors had to quickly pack their campsite and leave because their tent was wet inside.
@@rayrenz3599Does the Wamona 4 or 6 come with the vestibule? The REI website makes it seem like only the 6 maybe(?) does, but not disclosing a $200 attachment in this video seems like it must be wrong?
Hey folks - I've just updated my tent categories to a new and improved scoring system, thanks to some useful feedback from viewers. Here's what the updated scores looks like: 1. REI Base Camp 6 (7.57 out of 10) 2. REI Wonderland 6 (7.21 out of 10) 3. The North Face Wawona 6 (6.57 out of 10) 4. Eureka Copper Canyon LX 6 (4.57 out of 10) 5. Coleman Instant Cabin 6 (4.57 out of 10) 6. Coleman Skydome 6 (3.79 out of 10) The new list of categories are as follows: 1. Setup 2. Living Space 3. Waterproofing 4. Wind Resistance 5. Ventilation 6. Build Quality 7. Features I think this will result in a more balanced scoring, and this is the scoring method I'll be using going forward. Thanks to those who suggested some of these revisions!
This is a great video. My wife and I bought the 2020 version of the Northface Wawona 6 back in 2020. It's amazing except for the set up time. I hate seeing it up so much. But it's never leaked and on us and has stood up to extremely high winds and rains. Extremely solid.
just get the 10x14 Kodiak Canvas and be done with it forever.... , I got one 10 years ago and it outlasted every other tent I've owned... the thing that sold me on it was a video showing it in someones backyard in an EF2 tornado and it didn't budge....I've had ours in many storms and no leaks and very stable...plus the cotton cavas breathes so much better than synthetic fabrics and totally waterproof...it is heavy and expensive but it's worth the weight and cost.
We camped in Oklahoma this last weekend and got some rain. The Colemam Skydome leaked badly in one of the seams above the bathtub liner. I was able to fix it with some duct tape but was not happy with it since my bedding got soaked!
Thanks for review! I was stuck between the REI and Wawona. I did a lot of research before buying and went with The North Face Wawona 6. It's a very tough tent with stronger poles, fully seamed so won't get water inside when ground is fully soaked, way better vestibule, better ventilation when needed, it has more guy lines so can handle higher winds than the REI tents. I recommend buying a Wawona 6 footprint when buying The North Face tent.
As a tent camper for the last 50+ years I always buy a tent that has a canopy attached to it. Hanging an overhang let’s you stay dry before entering the tent and let’s you sit outside when it rains.
Yes, Wawona 6. It got us through very high winds, and thunderstorms and hail. The vestibule design is great, able to put in two regular camp chairs and a camp table, can cook in there in the rain, only thing I'd change is making the length of the side and front vestibule 2-3" longer towards the ground so it isn't so drafty in the cold wind. Strongly recommend the separate footprint, and always buy serious stakes, that's likely what kept our tent solid in the high winds and hail, it was flopping around some, although guyed taut, and there were a few worrisome moments, but it held up. Large enough for 2 of us and the dog on a queen air mattress or double cot, and room to store stuff on both sides. There is a $199 vestibule addition for the Wawona 4, fyi.
I love the design of the new Wawona 6 but would prefer that the large vestibule be removable. Also, the Wawona 4 is better size for just me. I haven't found any info on the vestibule addition, if you can pass anything on that would be great (I'm between Wawona and Gazelle, buying in the next week). Thanks!
2 years ago,I bought the wawona 6 (before watching this video) and has been a great tent. I've used it one to twice a month (we're with the boy scouts) and it is great even with the summer heat in Mexico or Texas.
Great video. I've found myself binge watching your tent vids. Excellent reviews and many thanks! Alps Mountaineering, Camp Creek Two Room. 10'x13', that is a tent I would like to find out more about, whether or not it can match up to Eureka's LX Series. Keep On Keeping On...
Very helpful review! Thank you! Though I’m surprised number one lacks a vestibule. That’s pretty important for family camping, especially in bad weather.
The Nemo Aurora High Rise 6 person would have been a top contender. That tent is amazing. It held up in 70 mph winds when I camped in KY this past spring. My 1 complaint is the smaller vestibule.
Perhaps you could evaluate Kelty, SpringBar, Big Agnes, and Gazelle? Low end tents are junk. I think leaks, crappy zippers, and poor ventilation end up discouraging people from enjoying the camping experience. Buy good quality. I love my Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 person tent. Great for backpacking and bike packing. But I’m looking for a more roomy stand up tent. Thanks for the reviews. Well done!
Great video man! I've actually been looking at couple of these myself and it was very interesting to see how they perform. Also it's great to see you back!
I saw a review of the Gazelle T3 tent. I own the T4. I have used that tent in three seasons. But to tell you the truth, I’ve used it and winter also. Add an electric heater and it works just fine. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve never used it in snowy conditions. The Gazelle line of Tents are considered pop-up, and you just unfold them and pull the four sides out and then pop the top up, then add the fly. It steaks out with 12 steak points. The Doors there are two of them, kitty corner from each other. It has a removable Velcro bottom tub design that is removable. I am not big on that. That is because at each corner it is very difficult to get a perfect seal with the Velcro going around the carbon fiber structural members. I’ve had it in Highwind 55 mile an hour plus and yes, it shakes and is quite noisy, but I believe all Tents do the same. I did have one failure with the top collapsing down in high wind, which caused the rain fly to depart the tent on three sides.! it turns out the top hub, which is in two pieces and held together with a long 3/16 screw with 2 nuts had loosened up and allowed the carbon fiber rods to slip out of their gimbal no real damage was done, and I was able to reinsert the top rods into the hub and tighten the plate with the nuts that hold it all together. However, I did replace the rain fly. because of damage to three elastic straps that got ripped off the moment the dome dropped inside and the fly was ripped off the tent. If I wanted to repair the rain fly, it would be very easy as no other damage was done. My T4 has been through a lot. I’ve thunderstorms in Highwind. And I just never thought of checking out all of the hubs which there are five to make sure the screws and nuts were tight so if you buy a T4 or T3 or any of the other Gazelle pop-ups do yourself a favor and add a bit of Loctite on the threads to make sure the nuts do not back off and give you a frightening scare in the middle of a windstorm. PS I love my Gazelle T4😊
I bought the Gazelle T-4 Hub, it really is the best tent I have found, yes you can pop it up in about a minute with one person. Give it a look and pair it up to those you listed.
GREAT video, thanks! I've been researching 4 man tents, because it's just me, an air mattress and some gear. REI had the 4 man base camp on sale, but now it's sold out. I should have jumped on it. Arrggh, now it's back to more research.
You could consider the 4P REI Skyrise. I haven’t tested it before, but REI has it steeply discounted this week. It looks similar in shape to the Eureka Copper Canyon.
After 14 years we are looking to replace our Kelty Green River… we camp for 2-3 months every summer and throughout the year. I am hoping I can find something comparable. It is still going strong no use some issues with the poles and a few wear and tear holes. Trying to decided Marmot Torreya or REI or North face or if Kelty is still the best brand
A couple points everyone watching this should know... 1. He rated a tent that utterly broke/failed over one that didn't 2. Any tent u buy should be waterproofed and seam sealed before you use it and redone every season 3. Using the stakes that come with any tent (even 600.00 ones) is typically a bad idea... since you need to have a variety of stakes for different soil types 4. Do not ever buy a tent for "cool factor" 5. Weather proofing is worth way more than any other consideration. You can't control weather and it changes without warning 6. Basic but high quality is always a best bet, And is available in several tents not mentioned in this review.
@@west-Co_exploration I’d like it 13lbs or less. Something I can use for backpacking or just camping with family. Like to have the flexibility. 4 people but thought 6 person tent to make more room. No budget. Looking for the best. Easy setup. Good rain and wind protection.
@@N02tradamus keeping a six-person tent under 15 lb is a seriously limiting factor. If that's your priority you don't have a lot of choices. I found three highly rated tents in that weight range but I know almost nothing about them. I would say through experience that the lighter weight the tent is the less sturdy it is in wind and rain. But you might give these a look... Big Agnes bunkhouse 6 Coleman peak1 six person Nemo Aurora high-rise 6
Great video! What is your most recent video in the premium-size 6 category? We are taking a month long European camping trip with dog in tow and starlink office as well. Suggestions welcomed!
Thx. I need something good for hot weather... but I also want to do some winter camping too. Not sure if I can get all in one... or if I'll need 2 tents.
I’d like to see the eureka space camp. I like the size and 2 vestibules and attributes but I’d like to get input on set up/take down. Wind and rain conditions and the zippers
Very nice! It is the wawona 6 for me. I’ve researched tents many times myself, and this hit on all marks. The availability of the vestibule for a rainy day, north face quality, really sealed the deal. You should also look at the MSR offerings (Habtitude 6) as well as big Agnes and marmot, also the Nemo Wagontop is the cats meow. The Coleman’s (and I had 2), really suffer in the pole department. The fiberglass poles would last 3 seasons at most. And it’s a shame. You build memories in these nylon bags and it’s a shame to throw them away. The cost of pole replacement outweighs the cost of the tent.
Hey - thanks! And good suggestions: you’re the 2nd person to suggest the Nemo Wagontop, so I may have to test that one out. I’ve also seen the MSR one, but haven’t dug into that or the Big Agnes options in much detail. And agreed on the Coleman poles. It’s a shame they aren’t more durable, but to be fair, they have such low prices compared to the Wawona (and others) they’ve got to cut costs somewhere. Great points - thanks for hanging out on my channel!
Do you have the Wawona? Can you set it up without the huge vestibule while keeping rain protection if you're just going for a quick night or two and don't want it?
I've had my Coleman instant tent with a rain fly for over 10 years, even had it in a heavy wind/rain storm in North Dakota, it held up nicely, and handled Yellowstone's large temperature changes. I did buy a new one this year, because the ceiling fabric was looking thin, as a retirement gift to myself so I know there won't be any issues as I want to travel around the country
Thinking the same. When the video mentioned less ventilation, then REI base camp tent is for 3-4 season, it's for late fall or early spring; but not mentioned when evaluate Coleman instant tent, that is exactly what I intend to use. Also, the door of the Coleman instant tent has a leveled doorsill, I cannot tell how many times I was tripped on the doorsill on other tent with rounded door corner. Seems in this evaluation , the ranking is based on the price.
I am thrilled with my tipi style tent. Please review a few of those. Holds up to winds and doesn't have the tripping hazards if the rope tie downs. Covers the unique aspect too, we get comments and questions about it. Easy set up.
Travel camper converted to tent camper here. Thank you for your channel. You have been the most informative thus far. I’m looking at a LLbean king pine dome tent. Any thoughts on those. I was looking at buying used on local market place. I want to make sure I like this style of camping before spending $300-400. Thanks
Thank you! I have been trying to compare several of these by reading reviews, and this was extremely helpful! If you make a part two, please consider reviewing the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P. It is another tent I haven't been able to find any decent information on, but looks interesting.
I recently bought the Nemo High-rise and returned it shortly after setting it up. It was pretty easy to assemble and had a lot of space and standing room, but the center clip to the lantern in the middle of the ceiling immediately broke when I unclipped it. I also worried about the long term durability of the pole sleeves. If you're willing to spend the kind of money on the Highrise, then you might consider the Kodiak Canvas tent. It's bomb proof, breathable, and will last for decades. I also recently got the REI Basecamp tent, and I really liked it.
We bought the Nemo and set it up in our yard to test it. It slumped horribly over the windows to the point that it looked like rain would gather there, and I have since read reviews that confirm that. We thought maybe we had set it up wrong, but 3 other attempts yielded the same results. I then called the company and the person on the phone was no help at all...we returned the Highrise 6 for full refund from REI.
You should try out the Marmot Limestone 6p. We just got it and it is perfection. It’s on sale for $370 many places right now. I watched a ton of your reviews before choosing it. Even though you haven’t tested the Marmot Limestone, your videos were super helpful in helping me know what to look for and figure out what we wanted. I’ve been camping for a long time but learned a lot of new things through your channel!
@@kevinberntson4239 That is probably the one weakness of the tent. I do wish it had more vents. We did some camping last summer in Kentucky where it is pretty warm at night… and the tent was warm, which to be honest wasn’t bad when camping with little kids who aren’t the best at staying in their sleeping bags. We also camped in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Lake Superior where summers are much cooler and the temperature in the tent was perfect.
Imagine setting up a tent in the middle of an airfield (Oshkosh) where the winds don’t get broken up by anything and occasionally an airplane taxis by. Then add a thunderstorm as the late July weather blows through. This summer I ended up in a 50 gallon tent! It was the first time it has ever failed me but it is time for a replacement. And did I say I stand 5’8” and don’t relish getting dressed horizontally? And it needs to pack into the back of a private plane so 50# is not cool. And I need to be able to set up alone.
Your opinion of the Ayamaya 6-person pop-up tent? I'm a 77-year-old and going on a cross-country car trip ...will be staying at campgrounds all the way and back...so a fast set up and take down are high on my list of wants/needs
Dude. Where have you been, your standardized tent score is great. Been watching a couple of yours a night. You should definitely do some of cores tents to compare with colemans and Magellans. Looking into getting either the 6 person dome tent or the 9 person isntant.
Hey Robert - did you see this weeks new tent video? If not, go check it out. It’s a new batch of 7 tents and if you like the systematic scoring you’re gonna love it!
Seems like REI Basecamp will be my new tent...up grade from REI halfdome, :D How high were the winds you were testing under? OEM Stakes? would you suggest MSR stakes for the Basecamp? Thank you for this video. Very useful.
15-25 mph winds. OEM stakes are solid in my opinion. And no worries- glad you enjoyed the video. Just hit the like button for me if you don’t mind :) Thanks!
This was so great! Would love to see you do something like this that focuses on tall popup tents. I’m drawn to the ease of setup but it’s hard to evaluate the sturdiness and waterproofing, plus as you said in this review roundup the setup is often not quite what’s advertised 😂
I’ve been considering the Gazelle T4+ for its roominess, ventilation & ease of set-up. Have some concerns over how it will hold up in heavy rain & wind. The other tent I am looking at are the Teton Mesa tents but airflow looks like it could be a problem. Thank you for the review
We had the gazelle T4. I loved that tent. My son and I spent 2 cold rainy days in it. I extended the ground tarp too far and still we were completely dry the whole time. It rained so hard that i ran to get takeout for our meals and kept warm w/ a little buddy heater. Nearly everyone around us went home. Since we were dry, we stayed until someone could drive up to help us take it down. I loved that tent. The only reason I sold it was because it didn’t fit in my car and was too heavy for me to carry. (My son is unable to help me because of his limitations and its cumbersome size.) a family friend bought it and has a pickup truck. He loves it and camps often. Hope this helps a little. (Our camp experiences differ from the “norm.” I’m older and he’s had more Neuro-surgeries than you’d need to know. I just love to make memories by traveling to places we couldn’t normally afford and camping with my other son/daughter-in-law and grandchildren)
I've seen that the Wonderland actually struggles more with rain than the Wawona does, specifically around the side vents / windows, since the rain fly doesn't cover them. Also, the pole quality between the Wonderland and the Wawona is apparently an issue. The Wonderland footprint and height looks amazing tho, which is making my decision harder with this current REI sale.
I’d love to see the Nemo Aurora High rise reviewed. I’m between it and the Northface tent you feature here. I love your videos and they are making purchasing a replacement tent less intimidating since we are getting something more premium this time around.
We go camping every other month throughout the entire year usually for 4 days at a time. I am not concerned about 4 season tent I live in Georgia and for most part it stays pretty mild. However, my question is this would I be able to improve the water penetration in the cheaper tents by treating them regularly with Scotchgard? Our Coleman Montana 8 person just took a fatal blow this weekend with high winds, but we had it for approximately 12 years so no complaints. Thanks for the info and your time.
For future reviews, you gotta check out Gazelle tents. I'll never buy another brand of tent. They are the best. Thanks for the in depth review. That was a lot of work.
Yeah, I want to try a Gazelle. I’ve just finished testing 7 budget tents for an upcoming video, and Gazelle was out of the price range for that. But for the next batch I’d love to do Gazelle and/or some Nemo options. Cheers.
@@littlecampfires They are not budget tents, but they take abuse and last. Also, they're not a one-off design so getting parts is easy, which most tents can't claim. I have at T4 plus Hub Tent, and it's huge. My family and I have used and abused it and it keeps going. Takes Colorado summer storms like a champ and the Arizona heat with ease. They're worth the cost.
Great comparison video.. I actually have the REI Kingdom 6 which is the previous model before the wonderland.. kind of one of those situations where there are improvements they could have made to the kingdom line but for some reason chose to rename the tent and makes changes that just absolutely didn't seem necessary. One big thing is the previous model of this tent which is pretty much 90% if not 95% the same is they took away the massive front vestibule on this new wonderland.. That was the best part about the kingdom. The wonderland as did the kingdom comes with a mudroom which is a big huge attachment similar to the North face for an extra $100. I think it was also important to remember that with REI tents you can buy the separate ground cloth which perfectly fits the tent and even attaches to the tent spikes. You also pointed out that the pockets were high along the sides which is different than the kingdom and I think they did that because they've got those V's in there now. Don't know what purpose of serves but I just feel like companies especially REI makes changes to products that are not always great. In my opinion as a fan of REI I would not buy that new wonderland tent mainly because of the loss of the massive vestibule which allows you to literally store chairs coolers shoes and so much more right outside the tent door without fear of getting wet or condensation. The new wonderland six unlike my kingdom 6 is a no-go for me.. also you didn't mention it and I'm not sure if it's changed but the kingdom 6 comes with a storage that is pretty great and has backpack straps. And as a side note today July 1st 2023 through July 4th the wonderland 6 teny is on sale for $349 which is a fantastic price if you're not bothered about the vestibule.
First, thank you for your videos. Very informative and helpful. I’m sorry if you’ve addressed this already but how about 8-person tents? I’ve got a family of 6 and am looking for a larger, quality tent. Any thoughts on the older REI Kingdom 8? There are a few used ones online that I’m considering. Thank you in advance.
I haven't done any reviews of larger 8/10 person tents (except for one Walmart 10P tent). But have you considered 2 4-person tents? That's probably logistically easier for a lot of larger families, rather than going for one big tent.
@@littlecampfires Thanks for the reply. I haven’t really thought about doing 2 4-person tents. I currently have 1 4-person tent and 1 2-person tent; we’ve been using that method. As the kids grow I think that we’ll need/want a little more space. I like the idea, and considering that there doesn’t appear to be many quality tents beyond 6-person, that might be a really good option for us. Thank you. I think you just altered my focus on getting an 8-person tent. What tent/s would you purchase if you were going to purchase a large, quality tent? I’m guessing it would be a 6-person of some brand. I would enjoy hearing your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
I have searched the web for a cabin style tent similar to the Coleman style instant tent that doesn’t have the mesh ceiling! Is there any 6-8 person tent on the market that doesn’t have mesh ceilings? I don’t want a canvas tent.
I’m not sure there are any. Mesh ceilings are super common for that type of tent, because it helps with air flow. You could have a look at the REI Skyward, it does have mesh ceilings but it’s a solid cabin tent IMO.
finally someone puts some effort into it. unlike other just putting commercial videos of the companies, thank you for your effort sir. much appreciate!
This immensely helped my husband choose a tent for camping with our family this summer/fall. Thank you!
Which one did you end up getting?
I can personally recommend the Wawona tent. Our family has the Wawona 4, and have used it camping while roadtripping several times. We camped at Badlands National Park, and there was a terrible windstorm around 3 AM. Several other people had their tents completely leveled. Ours was fine, no bent poles, etc. Great tent!
Can you suggest the website where I can buy
I am from India
I can also attest to the Wawona 4. I went camping last fall and it started to rain pretty hard at the campground. I was bone dry while my neighbors had to quickly pack their campsite and leave because their tent was wet inside.
@@rayrenz3599Does the Wamona 4 or 6 come with the vestibule? The REI website makes it seem like only the 6 maybe(?) does, but not disclosing a $200 attachment in this video seems like it must be wrong?
@@bhattizia6910 Amazon sells them.
The North face Wywona 6 is just awesome!!!! After years of Coleman I finally took the leap. The quality is just amazing.
Great breakdown! Love how you walked through each tent individually and showed how many people you can ACTUALLY sleep in them. Awesome.
Hey folks - I've just updated my tent categories to a new and improved scoring system, thanks to some useful feedback from viewers. Here's what the updated scores looks like:
1. REI Base Camp 6 (7.57 out of 10)
2. REI Wonderland 6 (7.21 out of 10)
3. The North Face Wawona 6 (6.57 out of 10)
4. Eureka Copper Canyon LX 6 (4.57 out of 10)
5. Coleman Instant Cabin 6 (4.57 out of 10)
6. Coleman Skydome 6 (3.79 out of 10)
The new list of categories are as follows:
1. Setup
2. Living Space
3. Waterproofing
4. Wind Resistance
5. Ventilation
6. Build Quality
7. Features
I think this will result in a more balanced scoring, and this is the scoring method I'll be using going forward. Thanks to those who suggested some of these revisions!
Best 6 person tent review, someone gets it. More than i can say for other channels.
Ditto on the Nemo 6 person tent review. Thank you for your detailed review on all the included tents.
This is a great video. My wife and I bought the 2020 version of the Northface Wawona 6 back in 2020. It's amazing except for the set up time. I hate seeing it up so much. But it's never leaked and on us and has stood up to extremely high winds and rains. Extremely solid.
just get the 10x14 Kodiak Canvas and be done with it forever.... , I got one 10 years ago and it outlasted every other tent I've owned... the thing that sold me on it was a video showing it in someones backyard in an EF2 tornado and it didn't budge....I've had ours in many storms and no leaks and very stable...plus the cotton cavas breathes so much better than synthetic fabrics and totally waterproof...it is heavy and expensive but it's worth the weight and cost.
Mold and mildew tho
Here in the south, we live by those blue tarps. They keep rain out of our homes for… years after hurricanes blow holes in the roofs lol
I like the green ones better as to blend into the surroundings :)
Finaaaaaaally!!! After scrolling sooo much time I finally found the perfect video 😭 thank you so much for this
Big Agnes Mad House 6 and Big Agnes Bunk House 6 would be great ones to review in the premium category. Great video, thanks!
Completely agree
We camped in Oklahoma this last weekend and got some rain. The Colemam Skydome leaked badly in one of the seams above the bathtub liner. I was able to fix it with some duct tape but was not happy with it since my bedding got soaked!
Great video, we've been using an REI Kingdom 6 for years now and it has been a great tent.
Yeah - the Kingdom 6 has actually been phased out by REI now. They’ve essentially replaced it with the new REI Wonderland tent.
Thanks for review! I was stuck between the REI and Wawona. I did a lot of research before buying and went with The North Face Wawona 6. It's a very tough tent with stronger poles, fully seamed so won't get water inside when ground is fully soaked, way better vestibule, better ventilation when needed, it has more guy lines so can handle higher winds than the REI tents. I recommend buying a Wawona 6 footprint when buying The North Face tent.
Great video. Clear, concise, & articulate just like your others. Much appreciated.
As a tent camper for the last 50+ years I always buy a tent that has a canopy attached to it. Hanging an overhang let’s you stay dry before entering the tent and let’s you sit outside when it rains.
I know this video is 1+ years old, but I’d really like to see your thoughts on the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P Tent. And, maybe a Highrise vs Wawona?
Thanks!
Yes, Wawona 6. It got us through very high winds, and thunderstorms and hail. The vestibule design is great, able to put in two regular camp chairs and a camp table, can cook in there in the rain, only thing I'd change is making the length of the side and front vestibule 2-3" longer towards the ground so it isn't so drafty in the cold wind. Strongly recommend the separate footprint, and always buy serious stakes, that's likely what kept our tent solid in the high winds and hail, it was flopping around some, although guyed taut, and there were a few worrisome moments, but it held up. Large enough for 2 of us and the dog on a queen air mattress or double cot, and room to store stuff on both sides. There is a $199 vestibule addition for the Wawona 4, fyi.
I love the design of the new Wawona 6 but would prefer that the large vestibule be removable. Also, the Wawona 4 is better size for just me. I haven't found any info on the vestibule addition, if you can pass anything on that would be great (I'm between Wawona and Gazelle, buying in the next week). Thanks!
2 years ago,I bought the wawona 6 (before watching this video) and has been a great tent. I've used it one to twice a month (we're with the boy scouts) and it is great even with the summer heat in Mexico or Texas.
Really good and detailed comparison. Would love to see Marmot Halo tent in your next comparison video!
Yes, I would also like to see the Halo included, Marmot makes a fantastic tent!
Would love to see the Nemo Wagontop and kodiak canvas tent. Interested to see how a single layer and canvas tent would compare.
I wish we had watched this video earlier, thankfully we bought the right one, so far haha. Thank you for the video!
Great video! Thank you! We have Eureka Copper Canyon 8 and we loooove it. Absolutely incredible in heavy rain.
honestly, this is deserves more reviews. The #6 coleman was absolutely spot on
Fantastic video! New cub scouts mom here and needed this!
Have you looked into the gazelle tents? They seem to be very popular but i wonder if it's worth the money.
Would love to see Big Agnes and MSR tents reviewed.
Excellent and informative video. Would love to see a follow up video with more interior information.
Great video. I've found myself binge watching your tent vids. Excellent reviews and many thanks! Alps Mountaineering, Camp Creek Two Room. 10'x13', that is a tent I would like to find out more about, whether or not it can match up to Eureka's LX Series. Keep On Keeping On...
Very helpful review! Thank you! Though I’m surprised number one lacks a vestibule. That’s pretty important for family camping, especially in bad weather.
Great review, would love to see the Nemo Wagontop reviewed
Great detailed review. Got the base camp 6 and I agree with all your points.
The Nemo Aurora High Rise 6 person would have been a top contender. That tent is amazing. It held up in 70 mph winds when I camped in KY this past spring. My 1 complaint is the smaller vestibule.
You can fix any weatherproofing issues with a tarp over your tent
Perhaps you could evaluate Kelty, SpringBar, Big Agnes, and Gazelle?
Low end tents are junk. I think leaks, crappy zippers, and poor ventilation end up discouraging people from enjoying the camping experience.
Buy good quality.
I love my Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 person tent. Great for backpacking and bike packing. But I’m looking for a more roomy stand up tent.
Thanks for the reviews. Well done!
You a natural at this
You needed the rainfly on the coleman tent to make it similar to the others.
Great video man! I've actually been looking at couple of these myself and it was very interesting to see how they perform. Also it's great to see you back!
Thanks, Casey - glad it was helpful!
I watched a couple of other videos and finally get to here! I love the information you put it out there for us to reference~~great content~~
I saw a review of the Gazelle T3 tent. I own the T4. I have used that tent in three seasons. But to tell you the truth, I’ve used it and winter also. Add an electric heater and it works just fine. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve never used it in snowy conditions. The Gazelle line of Tents are considered pop-up, and you just unfold them and pull the four sides out and then pop the top up, then add the fly. It steaks out with 12 steak points. The Doors there are two of them, kitty corner from each other. It has a removable Velcro bottom tub design that is removable. I am not big on that. That is because at each corner it is very difficult to get a perfect seal with the Velcro going around the carbon fiber structural members. I’ve had it in Highwind 55 mile an hour plus and yes, it shakes and is quite noisy, but I believe all Tents do the same. I did have one failure with the top collapsing down in high wind, which caused the rain fly to depart the tent on three sides.! it turns out the top hub, which is in two pieces and held together with a long 3/16 screw with 2 nuts had loosened up and allowed the carbon fiber rods to slip out of their gimbal no real damage was done, and I was able to reinsert the top rods into the hub and tighten the plate with the nuts that hold it all together. However, I did replace the rain fly. because of damage to three elastic straps that got ripped off the moment the dome dropped inside and the fly was ripped off the tent. If I wanted to repair the rain fly, it would be very easy as no other damage was done.
My T4 has been through a lot. I’ve thunderstorms in Highwind. And I just never thought of checking out all of the hubs which there are five to make sure the screws and nuts were tight so if you buy a T4 or T3 or any of the other Gazelle pop-ups do yourself a favor and add a bit of Loctite on the threads to make sure the nuts do not back off and give you a frightening scare in the middle of a windstorm.
PS I love my Gazelle T4😊
I bought the Gazelle T-4 Hub, it really is the best tent I have found, yes you can pop it up in about a minute with one person. Give it a look and pair it up to those you listed.
Ditto on the T-4! Such a good tent.
GREAT video, thanks! I've been researching 4 man tents, because it's just me, an air mattress and some gear. REI had the 4 man base camp on sale, but now it's sold out. I should have jumped on it. Arrggh, now it's back to more research.
You could consider the 4P REI Skyrise. I haven’t tested it before, but REI has it steeply discounted this week. It looks similar in shape to the Eureka Copper Canyon.
I only mention it because I was considering one myself, or possibly the 6P size, given how good the discount is.
@@littlecampfires I have been looking at it. It is a good discount!
After 14 years we are looking to replace our Kelty Green River… we camp for 2-3 months every summer and throughout the year. I am hoping I can find something comparable. It is still going strong no use some issues with the poles and a few wear and tear holes. Trying to decided Marmot Torreya or REI or North face or if Kelty is still the best brand
I was really hoping to see inside the tents more but gave plenty of information. Thank you.
A couple points everyone watching this should know...
1. He rated a tent that utterly broke/failed over one that didn't
2. Any tent u buy should be waterproofed and seam sealed before you use it and redone every season
3. Using the stakes that come with any tent (even 600.00 ones) is typically a bad idea... since you need to have a variety of stakes for different soil types
4. Do not ever buy a tent for "cool factor"
5. Weather proofing is worth way more than any other consideration. You can't control weather and it changes without warning
6. Basic but high quality is always a best bet, And is available in several tents not mentioned in this review.
Which ones do you recommend? Sounds like you know what you are talking about.
@@N02tradamus what is your budget? Do you have any size or weight constraints? What season/s do you camp?
@@west-Co_exploration I’d like it 13lbs or less. Something I can use for backpacking or just camping with family. Like to have the flexibility. 4 people but thought 6 person tent to make more room. No budget. Looking for the best.
Easy setup. Good rain and wind protection.
@@N02tradamus keeping a six-person tent under 15 lb is a seriously limiting factor. If that's your priority you don't have a lot of choices. I found three highly rated tents in that weight range but I know almost nothing about them. I would say through experience that the lighter weight the tent is the less sturdy it is in wind and rain. But you might give these a look...
Big Agnes bunkhouse 6
Coleman peak1 six person
Nemo Aurora high-rise 6
@@west-Co_exploration what if weight is not an issue? And sturdiness and weatherproofing was a higher priority? Thanks
Thank u for the review! I’m buying my first tent and found your videos super helpful 🙏🏼
Love my 4 man Kelty from REI bought on clearance. Great rain fly!
Great video! What is your most recent video in the premium-size 6 category? We are taking a month long European camping trip with dog in tow and starlink office as well. Suggestions welcomed!
The North Face Wawona might be the best for that. You could use the vestibule area as a sheltered mini-office.
@@littlecampfires Thank you! The Wawona with vestibule is a great idea.
Thx. I need something good for hot weather... but I also want to do some winter camping too. Not sure if I can get all in one... or if I'll need 2 tents.
I’d like to see the eureka space camp. I like the size and 2 vestibules and attributes but I’d like to get input on set up/take down. Wind and rain conditions and the zippers
Thanks for the comment - I hadnt heard of that one before!
I'm in the market for a smaller 4p, but this is still Really useful information - thanks.
Curious about your thoughts on the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6. I would have thought that would have been a contender.
Yeah - I’ve been asked about that one a couple of times. I’d love to test it, just haven’t gotten to it yet :)
This is great. Curious what you think of the Big Agnes Big House 6-Person Tent
I'd love to see a review of the Nemo Aurora Highrise
Very nice! It is the wawona 6 for me. I’ve researched tents many times myself, and this hit on all marks. The availability of the vestibule for a rainy day, north face quality, really sealed the deal. You should also look at the MSR offerings (Habtitude 6) as well as big Agnes and marmot, also the Nemo Wagontop is the cats meow. The Coleman’s (and I had 2), really suffer in the pole department. The fiberglass poles would last 3 seasons at most. And it’s a shame. You build memories in these nylon bags and it’s a shame to throw them away. The cost of pole replacement outweighs the cost of the tent.
Hey - thanks! And good suggestions: you’re the 2nd person to suggest the Nemo Wagontop, so I may have to test that one out. I’ve also seen the MSR one, but haven’t dug into that or the Big Agnes options in much detail.
And agreed on the Coleman poles. It’s a shame they aren’t more durable, but to be fair, they have such low prices compared to the Wawona (and others) they’ve got to cut costs somewhere.
Great points - thanks for hanging out on my channel!
You are an absolute legend, and the best in the game
Do you have the Wawona? Can you set it up without the huge vestibule while keeping rain protection if you're just going for a quick night or two and don't want it?
Have you reviewed them Nemo Wagontop or Big Agnes Big House or Bunk House?
I’d be really interested in your take on those!
You should’ve had the rain fly for the Coleman instant tent. It is rain proof with the rain fly. It works very well in cooler temps.
Thinking the same, had mine 4 years,, not 1 issue and have camped in all weather...this guy is favoring
I've had my Coleman instant tent with a rain fly for over 10 years, even had it in a heavy wind/rain storm in North Dakota, it held up nicely, and handled Yellowstone's large temperature changes. I did buy a new one this year, because the ceiling fabric was looking thin, as a retirement gift to myself so I know there won't be any issues as I want to travel around the country
Thinking the same. When the video mentioned less ventilation, then REI base camp tent is for 3-4 season, it's for late fall or early spring; but not mentioned when evaluate Coleman instant tent, that is exactly what I intend to use. Also, the door of the Coleman instant tent has a leveled doorsill, I cannot tell how many times I was tripped on the doorsill on other tent with rounded door corner. Seems in this evaluation , the ranking is based on the price.
@@RockyPatrol the rain fly is an additional purchase though. He tested what came in the bag.
Have you reviewed any of the NTK brand of tents? I’ve been looking at those.
Outstanding review! I appreciate it!!!
Well Done young man, so glad to find you.
The Eureka copper canyon tent leaks when heavy rain. It actually leaks bad
I am thrilled with my tipi style tent. Please review a few of those. Holds up to winds and doesn't have the tripping hazards if the rope tie downs. Covers the unique aspect too, we get comments and questions about it. Easy set up.
Hey Julie - that’s cool. Which one do you have?
Travel camper converted to tent camper here. Thank you for your channel. You have been the most informative thus far. I’m looking at a LLbean king pine dome tent. Any thoughts on those. I was looking at buying used on local market place. I want to make sure I like this style of camping before spending $300-400. Thanks
Thank you! I have been trying to compare several of these by reading reviews, and this was extremely helpful! If you make a part two, please consider reviewing the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P. It is another tent I haven't been able to find any decent information on, but looks interesting.
I recently bought the Nemo High-rise and returned it shortly after setting it up. It was pretty easy to assemble and had a lot of space and standing room, but the center clip to the lantern in the middle of the ceiling immediately broke when I unclipped it. I also worried about the long term durability of the pole sleeves. If you're willing to spend the kind of money on the Highrise, then you might consider the Kodiak Canvas tent. It's bomb proof, breathable, and will last for decades. I also recently got the REI Basecamp tent, and I really liked it.
We bought the Nemo and set it up in our yard to test it. It slumped horribly over the windows to the point that it looked like rain would gather there, and I have since read reviews that confirm that. We thought maybe we had set it up wrong, but 3 other attempts yielded the same results. I then called the company and the person on the phone was no help at all...we returned the Highrise 6 for full refund from REI.
Great video! Really liked how you described the targeted group of people for each tent!
You should try out the Marmot Limestone 6p. We just got it and it is perfection. It’s on sale for $370 many places right now. I watched a ton of your reviews before choosing it. Even though you haven’t tested the Marmot Limestone, your videos were super helpful in helping me know what to look for and figure out what we wanted. I’ve been camping for a long time but learned a lot of new things through your channel!
Good tip - thanks for weighing in!
I’m out of tent cash currently, but I’ll keep that one in mind!
How is the ventilation in the Marmot Limestone 6pm? Thanks in advance! Looking at it and it looks good.
@@kevinberntson4239 That is probably the one weakness of the tent. I do wish it had more vents. We did some camping last summer in Kentucky where it is pretty warm at night… and the tent was warm, which to be honest wasn’t bad when camping with little kids who aren’t the best at staying in their sleeping bags. We also camped in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Lake Superior where summers are much cooler and the temperature in the tent was perfect.
Great review, stumbled upon your channel while finding for some
Camping gear
Good job just subscribed do you have any reviews of truck tents
In future reviews and in inside dimensions, 9x9 10x10.... this would be helpful to me.
Have considered investigating SUV tents like the Napier Backroadz SUV Tent
Thank you for your detailed reviews of these tents. If there is any chance of a review of a Whiteduck Prota it would be much appreciated.
Imagine setting up a tent in the middle of an airfield (Oshkosh) where the winds don’t get broken up by anything and occasionally an airplane taxis by. Then add a thunderstorm as the late July weather blows through. This summer I ended up in a 50 gallon tent! It was the first time it has ever failed me but it is time for a replacement. And did I say I stand 5’8” and don’t relish getting dressed horizontally? And it needs to pack into the back of a private plane so 50# is not cool. And I need to be able to set up alone.
Your opinion of the Ayamaya 6-person pop-up tent? I'm a 77-year-old and going on a cross-country car trip ...will be staying at campgrounds all the way and back...so a fast set up and take down are high on my list of wants/needs
Really appreciated your help!
very helpful an concise. Thanks!
Do you have any reviews on the MSR tents, or Big Agnes?
Excellent video! Please add the Nemo Wagontop 6 to your next video!!!
Nice suggestion, Brian. I’ve seen that tent online and it looks really cool. I’ll make a note of it!
@@littlecampfires Perfect timing, as a new 6-person tent is my next purchase!
@@littlecampfires Just remember to guy line it out properly!!
Dude. Where have you been, your standardized tent score is great. Been watching a couple of yours a night. You should definitely do some of cores tents to compare with colemans and Magellans. Looking into getting either the 6 person dome tent or the 9 person isntant.
Hey Robert - did you see this weeks new tent video? If not, go check it out. It’s a new batch of 7 tents and if you like the systematic scoring you’re gonna love it!
Great review! Very informative and useful! I appreciate your work!
Very informative video. Three of which I have been researching and now considering the REÍ. Thanks
Seems like REI Basecamp will be my new tent...up grade from REI halfdome, :D How high were the winds you were testing under? OEM Stakes? would you suggest MSR stakes for the Basecamp? Thank you for this video. Very useful.
15-25 mph winds. OEM stakes are solid in my opinion. And no worries- glad you enjoyed the video. Just hit the like button for me if you don’t mind :) Thanks!
Excellent reviews! I just subscribed to your channel and am looking forward to seeing more of your content!
This was so great! Would love to see you do something like this that focuses on tall popup tents. I’m drawn to the ease of setup but it’s hard to evaluate the sturdiness and waterproofing, plus as you said in this review roundup the setup is often not quite what’s advertised 😂
I’ve been considering the Gazelle T4+ for its roominess, ventilation & ease of set-up. Have some concerns over how it will hold up in heavy rain & wind. The other tent I am looking at are the Teton Mesa tents but airflow looks like it could be a problem. Thank you for the review
We had the gazelle T4. I loved that tent. My son and I spent 2 cold rainy days in it. I extended the ground tarp too far and still we were completely dry the whole time. It rained so hard that i ran to get takeout for our meals and kept warm w/ a little buddy heater. Nearly everyone around us went home. Since we were dry, we stayed until someone could drive up to help us take it down. I loved that tent.
The only reason I sold it was because it didn’t fit in my car and was too heavy for me to carry. (My son is unable to help me because of his limitations and its cumbersome size.) a family friend bought it and has a pickup truck. He loves it and camps often. Hope this helps a little.
(Our camp experiences differ from the “norm.” I’m older and he’s had more Neuro-surgeries than you’d need to know. I just love to make memories by traveling to places we couldn’t normally afford and camping with my other son/daughter-in-law and grandchildren)
I’m looking for some advice!
I want a tent that’s easy to put up and withstand elements. Just camping as a hobby in my 60’s!
Try the gazelle tents. Easy set up but heavier.
I've seen that the Wonderland actually struggles more with rain than the Wawona does, specifically around the side vents / windows, since the rain fly doesn't cover them. Also, the pole quality between the Wonderland and the Wawona is apparently an issue. The Wonderland footprint and height looks amazing tho, which is making my decision harder with this current REI sale.
What are your thoughts on the Nemo Wagontop?
Looks awesome - but I’ve not had the chance to test it yet.
I’d love to see the Nemo Aurora High rise reviewed. I’m between it and the Northface tent you feature here. I love your videos and they are making purchasing a replacement tent less intimidating since we are getting something more premium this time around.
We go camping every other month throughout the entire year usually for 4 days at a time. I am not concerned about 4 season tent I live in Georgia and for most part it stays pretty mild. However, my question is this would I be able to improve the water penetration in the cheaper tents by treating them regularly with Scotchgard? Our Coleman Montana 8 person just took a fatal blow this weekend with high winds, but we had it for approximately 12 years so no complaints. Thanks for the info and your time.
It's most often the seams. Any of the leaky tents can probably be improved with good seam seal, it's just a pain. That said, I do it!
would love to see a review of MHW Breaker 4 :)
For future reviews, you gotta check out Gazelle tents. I'll never buy another brand of tent. They are the best. Thanks for the in depth review. That was a lot of work.
Yeah, I want to try a Gazelle. I’ve just finished testing 7 budget tents for an upcoming video, and Gazelle was out of the price range for that. But for the next batch I’d love to do Gazelle and/or some Nemo options. Cheers.
@@littlecampfires They are not budget tents, but they take abuse and last. Also, they're not a one-off design so getting parts is easy, which most tents can't claim. I have at T4 plus Hub Tent, and it's huge. My family and I have used and abused it and it keeps going. Takes Colorado summer storms like a champ and the Arizona heat with ease. They're worth the cost.
Are these American or Canadian prices and are any of them set up to put a stove and chimney in
Great comparison video.. I actually have the REI Kingdom 6 which is the previous model before the wonderland.. kind of one of those situations where there are improvements they could have made to the kingdom line but for some reason chose to rename the tent and makes changes that just absolutely didn't seem necessary. One big thing is the previous model of this tent which is pretty much 90% if not 95% the same is they took away the massive front vestibule on this new wonderland.. That was the best part about the kingdom. The wonderland as did the kingdom comes with a mudroom which is a big huge attachment similar to the North face for an extra $100. I think it was also important to remember that with REI tents you can buy the separate ground cloth which perfectly fits the tent and even attaches to the tent spikes. You also pointed out that the pockets were high along the sides which is different than the kingdom and I think they did that because they've got those V's in there now. Don't know what purpose of serves but I just feel like companies especially REI makes changes to products that are not always great. In my opinion as a fan of REI I would not buy that new wonderland tent mainly because of the loss of the massive vestibule which allows you to literally store chairs coolers shoes and so much more right outside the tent door without fear of getting wet or condensation. The new wonderland six unlike my kingdom 6 is a no-go for me.. also you didn't mention it and I'm not sure if it's changed but the kingdom 6 comes with a storage that is pretty great and has backpack straps.
And as a side note today July 1st 2023 through July 4th the wonderland 6 teny is on sale for $349 which is a fantastic price if you're not bothered about the vestibule.
First, thank you for your videos. Very informative and helpful. I’m sorry if you’ve addressed this already but how about 8-person tents? I’ve got a family of 6 and am looking for a larger, quality tent. Any thoughts on the older REI Kingdom 8? There are a few used ones online that I’m considering. Thank you in advance.
I haven't done any reviews of larger 8/10 person tents (except for one Walmart 10P tent). But have you considered 2 4-person tents? That's probably logistically easier for a lot of larger families, rather than going for one big tent.
@@littlecampfires Thanks for the reply. I haven’t really thought about doing 2 4-person tents. I currently have 1 4-person tent and 1 2-person tent; we’ve been using that method. As the kids grow I think that we’ll need/want a little more space. I like the idea, and considering that there doesn’t appear to be many quality tents beyond 6-person, that might be a really good option for us. Thank you. I think you just altered my focus on getting an 8-person tent. What tent/s would you purchase if you were going to purchase a large, quality tent? I’m guessing it would be a 6-person of some brand. I would enjoy hearing your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
Would be great to compare the Rumpus 6.
I have searched the web for a cabin style tent similar to the Coleman style instant tent that doesn’t have the mesh ceiling! Is there any 6-8 person tent on the market that doesn’t have mesh ceilings? I don’t want a canvas tent.
I’m not sure there are any. Mesh ceilings are super common for that type of tent, because it helps with air flow. You could have a look at the REI Skyward, it does have mesh ceilings but it’s a solid cabin tent IMO.
Thanks dude, very neat!👍