I have two REI tents, a 2 man Half Dome for backpacking and a 5-person for car camping. Both have been great tents for me.
R.E.I. Tents.......GO or NO GO? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter JLH911
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I recently bought an REI Base Camp 6.
I'm still unsettled on it.
Basically its a bomber tent, love the construction, holds up to wind and weather well, and very roomy for the family inside.
However...camping in southern utah...the thing filled with sand on a windy weekend.
Of course...pretty much EVERY tent of this size, and nature is going to fill with sand in Southern Utah...you can't fight it. The only way to avoid it is with a 4-season...which is too hot for summer camping anyway, not to mention insanely more expensive. Or a Springbar tent...but no thanks that thing weighs more than my 80-series, and MUST have stakable ground to put it up.
Thus...my dilemma. But it was a decent tent...just trying to find a better option that might keep the sand out and not finding it.
I'm still unsettled on it.
Basically its a bomber tent, love the construction, holds up to wind and weather well, and very roomy for the family inside.
However...camping in southern utah...the thing filled with sand on a windy weekend.
Of course...pretty much EVERY tent of this size, and nature is going to fill with sand in Southern Utah...you can't fight it. The only way to avoid it is with a 4-season...which is too hot for summer camping anyway, not to mention insanely more expensive. Or a Springbar tent...but no thanks that thing weighs more than my 80-series, and MUST have stakable ground to put it up.
Thus...my dilemma. But it was a decent tent...just trying to find a better option that might keep the sand out and not finding it.
re_guderian
SILVER Star
I work with Scouts and take them wheeling. I also take them hiking. I've shopped at REI for 30 years. If it offends you, don't shop there.
Anyway, on topic, I'm tall, 6'4", and have yet to find a decent 2-man tent to use. I just picked up the new version of the REI Half-Dome 2 Plus tent. It is 10" longer than the regular HD2, and 4" wider. So far, so good. Set up was easy enough. I'll have a field test report next week. Got it 20% off of the list $200 price, so not bad. I'm thinking it'll make an excellent 1-man tent for tall folks like me.
Just a follow-up on the half-Dome 2+. Spent 4 nights camping in it a few weeks ago, wind, rain (downpours) and no complaints. Way roomy for a tall person like me. Easy, quick, one-man setup and take down. Love the vertical side walls. Only downside I'd say is that you need to stake the fly for best protection, so choose your ground accordingly.
I buy most of my gear from backcountry and steep and cheap, but I must say that I have never been let down with rei tents. I have the taj3.. I also have a kelty though..
re_guderian
SILVER Star
What do you think of your Kelty tent? I was looking at the Parthenon 8 for a family camping tent. It's humungous...
I had a Kelty Ridgeway 2 man for years. Great tent. Finally dry rotted in the sack from being stored in my basement for too long. Just watch their fly design. Some of them are designed for fair weather car camping and sacrifice storm-proofness for ventilation. Buy one of their true 3 season or backpacking tents and you'll be happy.
REI is junk. There stuff is great for a person who wants to look like a outdoorsy person. In real life, they suck. I hike about 10 months out fo the year on and off. Almost every weekend. they are CRAP
- Thread starter
- #48
- Thread starter
- #49
Howdy
Why you not looking on Eureka! tents? The quality is the best, the price is the best and our U.S. military personnel are using this tents all the world.
Check Amazon or better go their outlet website ( you need to wait here for the tent you want to be put in sale) and you can buy a tent more the half the price that is in stores (if you find in the stores).
I bought a tent last year that is about 2 pounds for almost 35$ + 6...$ shipping and the quality is better then one with 200$ from REI. Now, I am looking to get my hands in a profesional expedition tent used on Everest....that is sell for 600 $ +, but online, one their outlet website is about 300$.
Eureka Camping Tents | Camping Gear for Life Outdoors
Eureka Camping Center
Good luck
Actually, I just bought a Eureka Timberline 2 person tent.
When I saw it, it looked very familiar and I realized they were the same ones that we used as Boy Scouts.
This model of tent is the FJ40 of tents, the way I see it;millions sold and time tested design!
Eureka Timberline 2 Tent - Camping Tents
I saw many a Timberline tent (huge, bigger than the link above) and huge REI tents you can stand up in this past week up at Mt. Rainier National Park.
Those two brands seem to dominate the 112 sites up there.
Those two brands seem to dominate the 112 sites up there.
re_guderian
SILVER Star
Contributors to the Mud board have been really helpful as I've worked to revive a dormant (left for dead) fj62, so I hope I add a bit to the tent side of this conversation....
For a quality bomber structure in a reasonably affordable group camping tent ($350-400), the REI Base Camp 4 & 6 are hard to beat. For pitching in backcountry locations (accessible only with a fj) or where wind and snow are likely (ie fall hunting trips or camping) this is a great structure.
The REI Kingdom tents are very popular and feature an interior zip close wall - to create two rooms. This is a great tent for families and use in campground locations.
I haven't yet seen mention, the the Big Agnes Big House 4 & 6 tents are worth reviewing as well. Big Agnes is based in Steamboat Springs CO. There is a funny profile of the founder at: REI Blog: Weblog for an active community of people who love the outdoors | OR Report 3: A Little Face (and Tent) Time with Unconventional Thinkers . Last time I visited there was a rusty fj60 for sale in their parking lot...
At the Outdoor Retailer tradeshow (earlier this month) the tent trends for next spring will include more "garage" vestibules (big enough for bikes - not a lifted truck). Look for new group camping tents from Marmot, Big Agnes and REI. Key aspects to look for when shopping - peak height/usable head height, aluminum vs fiberglass poles. quality of material & coatings, rain fly coverage, and fit and finish.
There is a "finder" to help sort through the available tents online: Find Your Perfect Tent Now at REI
For the Utah sand comment - keep an eye out for C-Gear Sand Free Mats. They were at Outdoor Retailer and tested their product in hostile, sandy places with combat helicopters.
There is a younger tent brand - NEMO Equipment - that has struck up a good relationship with Overland Journal. Their tents are more focused on more backpacking oriented sizes and many feature an innovative air beam technology.
Here is an image of the BaseCamp tent:
For a quality bomber structure in a reasonably affordable group camping tent ($350-400), the REI Base Camp 4 & 6 are hard to beat. For pitching in backcountry locations (accessible only with a fj) or where wind and snow are likely (ie fall hunting trips or camping) this is a great structure.
The REI Kingdom tents are very popular and feature an interior zip close wall - to create two rooms. This is a great tent for families and use in campground locations.
I haven't yet seen mention, the the Big Agnes Big House 4 & 6 tents are worth reviewing as well. Big Agnes is based in Steamboat Springs CO. There is a funny profile of the founder at: REI Blog: Weblog for an active community of people who love the outdoors | OR Report 3: A Little Face (and Tent) Time with Unconventional Thinkers . Last time I visited there was a rusty fj60 for sale in their parking lot...
At the Outdoor Retailer tradeshow (earlier this month) the tent trends for next spring will include more "garage" vestibules (big enough for bikes - not a lifted truck). Look for new group camping tents from Marmot, Big Agnes and REI. Key aspects to look for when shopping - peak height/usable head height, aluminum vs fiberglass poles. quality of material & coatings, rain fly coverage, and fit and finish.
There is a "finder" to help sort through the available tents online: Find Your Perfect Tent Now at REI
For the Utah sand comment - keep an eye out for C-Gear Sand Free Mats. They were at Outdoor Retailer and tested their product in hostile, sandy places with combat helicopters.
There is a younger tent brand - NEMO Equipment - that has struck up a good relationship with Overland Journal. Their tents are more focused on more backpacking oriented sizes and many feature an innovative air beam technology.
Here is an image of the BaseCamp tent:
just buy it and use it, if you dont like it you will get your money back with no questions. I love REI.
i have a kingdome 6 and it is a great tent. it is cetainly not "junk" or "crap" like stated from above and it all carries a lifetime warranty. I think if you are going to throw out statemants that say they are junk/crap then you may want to elaborate on what experiences you have had rather than how much you hike...
anyhoo. shop Cabela's they suport guns and wheeling!!!!!
anyhoo. shop Cabela's they suport guns and wheeling!!!!!
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interesting points about anti-access etc.
A thought came to mind: not shopping someplace because of a stance is an admirable thing but not very effective unless you tell them WHY you're not shopping there. And v.v.
A thought came to mind: not shopping someplace because of a stance is an admirable thing but not very effective unless you tell them WHY you're not shopping there. And v.v.
REI Hobitat 4
I have the REI Hobitat 4 and it is a great tent. I have taken it all through the George Washington Forest and several other places on the Appalacian Trail. It has held up great in rain, wind and snow. I recently had it down at my place in Hatteras, NC during the recent hurricane and it didn't even get a drop of water in it! The reason that I had it up during the storm was to see if it could handle it and it did. I was not in it at the time though. I highly recomend this tent for families because of its size and comfort.
I have the REI Hobitat 4 and it is a great tent. I have taken it all through the George Washington Forest and several other places on the Appalacian Trail. It has held up great in rain, wind and snow. I recently had it down at my place in Hatteras, NC during the recent hurricane and it didn't even get a drop of water in it! The reason that I had it up during the storm was to see if it could handle it and it did. I was not in it at the time though. I highly recomend this tent for families because of its size and comfort.
