That is our assessment of the brand new REI Skyward 6 tent.
I like to go tenting with my youngsters. However nothing is worse than attempting to squeeze right into a 4-person tent with two rambunctious youngsters.
So I figured, provided that 6-person tents sleep 3 folks fairly comfortably, that we should always give it a shot.
I additionally love REI’s tents, and so after testing out the REI Wonderland 6 and loving it, we figured we wold give the REI Skyward a shot to see the way it compares.
The brand new REI Co-op Skyward 6 Tent is the up to date model of the REI Co-op Grand Hut that acquired rave evaluations.
On this article, we’ll assessment every little thing from the burden and dimensions to all of the tiny little options that make this tent an incredible selection for taller campers.
REI Skyward 6 Assessment – Nice for Taller Of us!
Sort: Cabin | Seasons: 3-season | Setup Time: 10 minutes | Weight: 15 lbs 7 oz | Inside Peak: 78″ | Ground: 120 in x 100 in (83.3 sq ft) | Vestibule Space: 19.5 sq ft
The model new for 2022, REI Co-op Skyward Tent, doesn’t disappoint!
Have you ever had a type of tenting experiences the place that you must bend over to enter, exit, and hand around in the tent?
You aren’t going to have that downside with the Skyward 6!
With 78 inches of top or 6 toes and 6 inches there’s a lot room to face and transfer about – it was constructed for tall folks! The good half is that it is a enormous enchancment over the earlier Grand Hut model (at 75″).
This tent is good for folks in search of a extra luxurious cabin tent shelter.
Nevertheless, regardless of its measurement, it’s nonetheless straightforward to arrange and take down. We have been capable of accomplish this with two folks in simply round 10 minutes the primary time round.
REI Skyward Tent – Key Options
Apart from the wonderful top that the Skyward presents, one of many key options to this tent is the outsized vestibule and awning.
The vestibule offers an extra 19.5 sq ft of drugs storage and the awning creates a dry and drip free entry.
The pre-bent aluminum poles are a wonderful addition and make setup and takedown a breeze.
And lastly, let’s speak about its weight. Coming in at solely 15 lbs 7 oz, this tent was lighter than the REI Wonderland 4 that we have been testing on the similar time.
Though the fly doesn’t supply full protection, the fabric fabricated from 75-denier coated polyester with a water-proof coating will get the job carried out.
The tent’s bathtub flooring is constructed from a 150-denier coated polyester as properly.
Lastly, the tent clips have been massively useful in permitting us to pitch the tent very quickly.
Who’s it for?
Given the smaller measurement at 83.3 sq. toes, we suggest this tent for couple tenting, small households with one youngster, or for Dad’s like me who need to convey their two sons tenting.
That is greater than sufficient room to simply match three folks, or even for tenting together with your canine.
Since it’s light-weight it’s sufficiently small to be transported on a bicycle and even break up up amongst backpackers (if the climate is OK).
REI Skyward 6 Execs and Cons
We discovered that although there are some cons, the professionals nonetheless considerably outweigh them!
Execs
- Setup and Takedown – We had such a straightforward time setting this tent up. It took solely 10 minutes and that was the primary time round. Truthfully, the toughest half was the stakes, as a result of the bottom was so dry. Though the stuff sack is barely smaller than we wish, we have been additionally capable of get the the tent rolled up and again in with none points.
- Peak – An enormous professional for us with the Skyward is the peak. If you’re underneath 6 foot, 6 inches, it is possible for you to to stroll round this tent with out ducking, squatting or the rest. Extremely suggest for taller folks.
- Privateness – Although the design is a bit older than we wish, the privateness that comes with this tent is fairly superb. You’ll be able to go away the rainfly off in good climate, see the celebrities, and but not have to fret that snoopers are peaking into your tent.
- Gear Storage – What we actually love about this tent is the quantity of drugs storage choices you get with the vestibules and awning. You’ll be able to simply retailer your footwear and different gear outdoors of the tent with out concern that they are going to get rained on (even with the awning open).
- Supplies/Building – An enormous professional for REI Co-op tents are their superior supplies. With the Pre-bent Aluminum poles, the robust as nails material, the tent clips, and naturally the sleeves make this a strong and heavy responsibility tent.
- Light-weight – I can’t let you know what number of occasions I’ve had an enormous tent taking over a lot house in my automobile. This tent is surpassingly light-weight and an area saver. It’s certainly packs down smaller than our 4 particular person REI Wonderland tent. Go determine.
Cons
- Expensive – Look. You need to get this tent on sale. It’s not low cost and was simply launched. From a worth to worth ratio, we undoubtedly suppose that it may very well be a bit inexpensive.
- Lack of Views – If you’re excited about extra home windows and views out of your tent, this tent presents restricted views from throughout the tent.
- Solely One Door – Solely having one door helps with climate resistance, however makes the tent barely tougher to make the most of.
- Partial Protection Fly – We want the rainfly coated only a bit extra of the tent. As a result of there are not any home windows on the edges, it isn’t an enormous situation, however this downside makes this tent much less worthy of taking right into a storm.
REI Skyward – An In-Depth Assessment
- House and Consolation
- High quality and Sturdiness
- Worth
- Climate Resistance
- Ease of Use
- Intangibles (distinctive options and key promoting factors)
- Person Critiques
Relying upon what you might be in search of in a tent, you’ll need to pay roughly consideration to every particular merchandise.
Total Rating
The entire above metrics are factored into our algorithm to create an Total Rating. The Total Rating goes to be the perfect for tents which can be high notch in each class accordingly.
The REI Co-op Skyward Tent had nice rankings throughout all the classes and got here in with a 7.9 total ranking.
House And Consolation
We discovered that the REI Co-Op Skyward 6 Tent, although it has much less house than another 6 particular person tents, was greater than satisfactory.
What you get within the further overhead top, greater than makes up for the loss in sq. footage.
Plus, you additionally get the added space for storing from the vestibules which is big.
And let’s not overlook concerning the gear pockets too:
We gave the REI Skyward 6 Tent a 7 out of 10 for house and luxury.
High quality And Sturdiness
This metric is fairly easy. We price the tents primarily based on their precise supplies and the standard of the development.
We additionally get suggestions from tent homeowners who put it their tents the take a look at over a protracted time frame.
Many tents make the most of a mix of the identical polyester or nylon supplies, however their development will be simply as essential. This all will get factored into the standard and sturdiness rating.
For the REI Skyward, we’ve got examined and prodded the tent and we just like the outcomes. REI makes a properly constructed and sturdy tent!
We gave the REI Skyward 6 Tent an 8 out of 10 for high quality and sturdiness.
Worth
All tents will not be created equally, and never all tents are priced equally both. Coleman for example produces an incredible price range tent, whereas Mountain {Hardware} produces a tent that may stand up to the weather. These tents won’t be priced wherever shut to one another.
REI comes someplace within the center. Like we mentioned above, it’s expensive and that could be a con. However if you happen to can snag this tent on sale, then the worth you get is even higher than our ranking.
We gave the REI Skyward 6 Tent an 7 out of 10 for worth.
Climate Resistance
Climate resistance is a straightforward metric.
Does the tent let in water, or does it not? Does the tent stand up to excessive winds, or collapse onto itself? Does the tent have good air flow in the course of the summer season months or does it get too scorching and stuffy?
The rainfly not providing full protection is a slight ding, mixed with the truth that even the perfect cabin tents typically received’t do nice in opposition to wind.
Nonetheless the supplies are wonderful, and the development is sweet. We didn’t have any issues with this tent even in pretty windy climate.
We gave the REI Skyward 6 Tent a 7.5 out of 10 for climate resistance.
Ease of Use
How briskly can a median consumer pitch this tent? How straightforward it’s to take down and/or make the most of further options?
Additionally, how a lot does the tent weigh? A tent weighing 70 lbs goes to attain barely decrease than light-weight 6-person tent that weights 20 lbs complete that may be pitched in the identical period of time.
The REI Skyward was fairly dang straightforward to setup and takedown. With the colour coded rainfly clips, and the pre-bent aluminum poles, we have been capable of get this setup in 10 minutes flat.
Whereas it was a bit difficult to get into the cary bag, we have been capable of do it on the primary attempt.
We gave the REI Skyward 6 Tent an 8 out of 10 for climate resistance.
Intangibles
These are the distinctive options or promoting factors of every particular person tent that give it a leg up on the competitors.
Clearly, on this case, it’s the HUGE vestibule, the privateness, and the awning functionality.
We gave the REI Skyward 6 Tent an 8 out of 10 for intangibles.
Person Rankings
Final, however not least are consumer evaluations!
We are able to get numerous nice suggestions from consumer evaluations, however they aren’t good. The typical tent proprietor received’t ever go away a assessment, so evaluations are sometimes left by customers who both have a extremely favorable or unfavorable expertise.
After all even that’s nonetheless good info, as a result of if 90% of tent homeowners go away a optimistic 5-star assessment, then that’s actually saying one thing. So we mix evaluations collectively from varied sources and give you a median consumer ranking rating.
So how can we repair this? We undergo and skim all the evaluations. We learn the nice, we learn the dangerous, after which we issue within the amount of evaluations and calculate all of into our ultimate Person Ranking rating.
We gave the REI Skyward 6 Tent an 9.5 out of 10 for consumer ranking.
Equipment
REI Co-Op Skyward 6 Footprint
Final, however not least, if you happen to do buy this tent, it would be best to decide up the footprint. Belief me, you should utilize a tarp, however a footprint is healthier IMO.
It simply makes it a lot simpler, so quite than attempting to safe the precise proper measurement tarp, or fold your tarp down, you might be able to go!
Skyward FAQ
Is The Skyward Tent The New Model of the Grand Hut?
Sure, the brief reply is that the REI Co-op Skyward 6 Tent is the up to date model of the Grand Hut 6 tent.
The specs are almost an identical, with the sq. footage being the identical, however REI added 3 inches of top to the Skyward making it 78″ tall!
Are There Any Variations Between The Skyward And The Grand Hut Tent?
The massive distinction is within the top. The Grand Hut was 75″ and the Skyward is available in at 78.”
Is The Skyward Tent It Price The Worth?
In our opinion, sure. Although it’s expensive, the premium supplies present the standard and sturdiness that hardcore automobile campers are in search of.
With a 10-minute setup, this can be very straightforward to make use of and offers nice climate resistance in comparison with less-expensive price range tents.
Does The Skyward Come In Any Further Sizes?
Sure, the Skyward tent additionally is available in each the 6-person model and a 4-person model.
Will The Skyward Tent Come In An 8-Particular person Dimension?
We aren’t positive. By no means, say, by no means, however evidently there isn’t a 8-person model.
Skyward In comparison with Different 6 Particular person Cabin Tents
Our Verdict
Sort: Cabin | Seasons: 3-season | Setup Time: 10 minutes | Weight: 15 lbs 7 oz | Inside Peak: 78″ | Ground: 120 in x 100 in (83.3 sq ft) | Vestibule Space: 19.5 sq ft
The REI Co-op Skyward 6 Tent is an all-around nice automobile tenting tent.
Made for taller folks in thoughts, the Skyward goes to be nice for tall campers, tenting {couples}, {couples} with a canine and extra.
You’ll be able to comfortably match three folks into this tent, or go all the best way as much as 6 if you happen to actually needed to squeeze them in.
It’s spacious and durable as will be. Not solely that, however the superb vestibule/awning system is an actual delight for these in search of additional gear storage.
Whereas this tent is dear, it’s properly value each penny. It’s a premium cabin tent and a invaluable addition to your automobile tenting gear!
