Our journey with the REI Westward 6 Person Tent began when we realized it was finally time to update our family car camping setup. Our trusty tent we received as a wedding gift 11 years ago finally called it quits, and with four growing kids ages 4 to 9, we needed a roomy basecamp that could handle our big crew.
Finding a shelter that is spacious yet easy to pitch is crucial for us, especially since I often head out on solo-parent camping trips with all four kiddos. The Westward has already proven itself on several solo-parent getaways. It has quickly become an essential home away from home for our family, and we’re excited for many more years of memories made inside it.
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REI Westward 6 Person Tent Review
This tent stands out as the ultimate roomy basecamp for growing families. While a lot of groups end up splitting into two smaller tents, parents with young kids know how much easier—and safer—it is to keep the whole crew under one roof.
The Westward gives you tons of space without feeling flimsy, built with sturdy poles and durable fabrics made for family use. Setup is super simple, when I really need to I can do it completely solo, but my 8 and 9 year olds are great helpers. The tall ceiling gives you awesome stand-up headroom, and the massive front vestibule is a total game-changer for keeping gear dry and hanging out in rainy weather.
A nice covered vestibule entrance is a great main entrance, but if you need more airflow or a quick exit there is a second door in the back. There is also a zippered power access if you need to run a cord in
Specs
- Price: $549
- Weight: 19lbs 10oz
- Packed Size: 27.56″ x 12.4″ x 9.1″
- Floor Area: 80.83 ft²
- Vestibule Area: 35.08 ft²
- Peak Height: 77″
Features We Loved
This 3-season tent is packed with lots of useful features that our family has been loving.
Color Coded Set Up
We were particularly impressed by the color-coded poles and buckles. Even the sleeves to slide in the poles were color coded which made things so much easier.
My four-year-old can even pitch in by matching the colors or holding a pole steady while I lock everything into place. It’s a fun way to get the kids involved and guarantees our basecamp goes up smoothly every time.
Large Front Vestibule
We were blown away by the massive front vestibule, which honestly feels more like a covered front porch than a tent entrance. It gives us a huge, protected area to kick off dirty shoes, stash bulky gear, and just sit and relax out of the weather.
Having that extra covered space is a complete game-changer with four kids. Whether we’re escaping a sudden rain shower or peeking on birthday presents, it gives our family a cozy outdoor living room right outside the tent door.
And, if you want even more room you can grab a pair of REI’s Tarp Poles and extend the vestibule door for an optional awning.
Lots of Head Room
We love the towering peak height that allows adults to stand up straight without having to duck or hunch over. It gives the whole tent a super open, airy feel, making it feel more like a mini cabin than a standard camping tent.
Having all that headroom is a total lifesaver with four kids in tow. It makes changing clothes, tucking everyone into sleeping bags, and moving around the tent so much easier—no more awkward crouching required!
Mesh Ceiling and Mesh Windows
We love the full mesh top and large mesh “windows” that let you gaze right up at the starry night sky when the weather is clear. They also flood the interior with natural light and provide incredible ventilation.
Having all that mesh makes a huge difference when you’re packing six people into one tent. It keeps the air flowing freely so the space stays fresh and breezy, whether we’re sleeping under the stars or just hanging out inside on a warm afternoon.
Lots of Pockets
The mesh wall pockets inside are a total life saver when you have a big crew in one space. It gives everyone their own little dedicated spot for a headlamp, bedtime book, or water bottle, which keeps small gear off the floor and saves you from those frantic late night searches for a missing flashlight under a pile of sleeping bags.
Features We Didn’t Love
Not Great In High Winds
Because of those awesome tall walls and high ceiling, this tent can catch the wind like a sail if a big gust rolls through camp. On calm to breezy nights it holds up great, but if you’re setting up in an exposed, high-wind spot, you’ll definitely want to spend the extra few minutes staking and guying it out thoroughly to keep basecamp rock-solid.
Large Footprint Needed
Between the roomy sleeping quarters and that giant porch-style vestibule, this tent takes up a pretty hefty chunk of ground space! It’s a fantastic tradeoff for all that interior living room, but on smaller or tightly bordered tent pads at older campgrounds, you might have to get a little creative with your placement to fit the full setup.
Sleeping Layout with Square Shape
The more square shape of the tent makes it trickier to find a good sleeping arrangement. While you theoretically could all sleep in a line with 5 people it is tight. Someone almost always ended up along the side, turned perpendicular to the rest of us. We have tried a couple of different setups (see pictures below) that work well for our family, but five adults might not like sleeping along that edge.
Solo Pitch Takes a Little Patience
While the color-coded setup is super intuitive, maneuvering a tent this tall all by yourself can be a bit of a workout—especially if a sudden breeze catches the fabric before it’s pegged down. It’s totally doable once you get the routine down, but having a helper (even a little one holding a pole!) definitely makes the process faster.
Is the REI Westward 6 Right for Your Family?
Finding the right tent can definitely feel like a balancing act, as every family’s needs are different. But if you’re looking for a roomy car camping basecamp to keep all your kiddos comfortably under one roof, I can’t recommend the REI Westward 6 enough. With its standing headroom and massive vestibule, it makes camping with a big crew so much easier.
Check out our family tent guide to help you make the best decision for your crew.
Where to Purchase
You can grab The REI Westward 6 exclusively at REI Co-op! Check for sales on this tent around the holiday sales or it is typically coupon eligible.
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REI Westward 6 Person Tent Review
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