The very first time we set up the Westward 6, we stood at the campsite debating whether to tuck it under the trees for shade or leave it wide open to properly test the ventilation and wind resistance. We went full exposure mode — and I'm so glad we did.
The kids took one look at that bright blue color and the tent's massive footprint and instantly declared it their personal kingdom. “Off limits to adults!” they announced, before we'd even finished hammering in the first stake.
We started without the rainfly, which made the whole setup ridiculously fast — thread three poles in under three minutes, with one person — and turned the interior into a breezy, well-ventilated playground. At 5'9", I only had to duck a tiny bit through the door, but once inside, I could stand up straight and walk around comfortably.
Adding the vestibule took another two minutes. It made entry a little more of a duck-and-scoot situation, but it gave us a handy front porch. In direct sun, the vestibule definitely heats things up, but cinch the fly tight, and the vents open right up, keeping the whole tent surprisingly comfortable.
Overall, the kids had an absolute blast turning the tent into their own private base camp. It took some serious negotiation (and a few bribes of snacks) before they finally let the adults back in!
Our friends slipped into the White Duck Avalon 20 tent next door. While the Avalon is a fortress and allows many adults to walk around, it was noticeably hotter and stuffier. Not to mention it was 150 pounds and took two big guys 30 minutes to wrestle into place.
Few tents offer more space and standing room for the price and weight. This tent is comfy. The high peak height and near-vertical walls make it feel almost as tall as it is wide. With 80.8 square feet of floor space, it comfortably accommodates three to four people with gear, even though it can technically fit six smaller sleeping pads and bags. A structural brow pole prevents the ceiling from dropping sharply at the edges, so tall campers can stand up, walk around, and change clothes without constantly hunching over. The 35-square-foot, pole-supported vestibule, which serves as a covered front porch where campers often set up chairs to lounge in the shade or wait out passing showers.
These tall tent walls support themselves in light winds. But once the wind exceeds 10 mph, they start to buckle unless you stake them out properly. Because it uses a partial-coverage rainfly (the rainfly does not meet the ground on all sides), the Westward 6 is purpose-built for mild-to-moderate three-season conditions rather than gnarly, prolonged storms. The mesh-heavy canopy and open design offer incredible ventilation and airflow on hot summer days, preventing the stuffy greenhouse effect common in fully enclosed dome tents. However, this design trade-off means it can feel drafty in colder temperatures. Again, the tall profile also catches the wind easily, making it absolutely crucial to fully guy out and properly tension the structure to maintain stability when gusts pick up in exposed environments. We would not hesitate to bring this tent when rainstorms are forecast. But it is not designed for massive winds, which would shake it a lot and allow dust in from under the rainfly.
It took one person (and a 6-year-old supervisor) 16 minutes to set up this tent with the rainfly for the first time. With a little practice, we got that time down to around 7 minutes with one person. This is a standard setup time. Not blazing fast. Not all that slow. Because the guylines are key for high winds, be sure to allow extra time to really stake the tent out well. Also, we recommend buying extra tent stakes as there are not enough included to use every guyline.
Each pole is thoughtfully color-coded at the end to tell you which sleeve it goes in. That said, there are still a bunch of poles. During setup and takedown, tent pole sleeves can snag during threading, requiring patience rather than force. Additionally, owners frequently note that the included stakes are inadequate for a fully guyed-out setup, making it highly recommended to purchase extras before heading to the campground.
Between the fun color, big space, and extra vestibule space, this tent ranks high on family friendliness. The towering headroom minimizes the claustrophobia that often leads to campground bickering, giving kids and adults plenty of distinct zones to spread out. The massive front awning provides a protected mudroom for shedding dirty boots and wet clothes before entering the main sleeping area, keeping the tub floor clean. Thoughtful touches like external storage pockets, half-moon zippered windows for easy visibility, and a PowerPass port for routing extension cords make it an ideal basecamp for family-oriented car camping.
REI quality is consistently excellent, and the Westward 6 is no exception. The poles and stakes feel burly and solid — they don't flex or bend even in strong wind. The zippers glide smoothly every time, and after months of regular family use, the tent material still looks nearly brand new with no major damage or wear. It uses thick aluminum poles rather than cheap fiberglass, so the tent's skeleton is built to handle regular, repeated use over many seasons. REI also scores points for using PFAS-free fabric treatments in the tent's weatherproofing.
For families of 3–5 people, the REI Co-op Westward 6 is an outstanding tent — one of the top two or three we recommend to most families. It's not cheap, but it's worth the investment if you value tall interior standing room, excellent warm-weather ventilation, and a large covered porch for relaxing outside. It makes an incredibly comfortable and livable basecamp for weekend car camping in mild to moderate weather. However, it may not be the best choice if you frequently camp in exposed, high-wind areas or expect heavy, multi-day rain — the partial rainfly design leaves it more vulnerable than fully armored tents. If you're on a tight budget or only camp occasionally, there are more affordable options that may better suit your needs.
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Price | $569 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | Excellent spacious family tent that shines in mild, warm-weather car camping |
| Pros | Spacious with excellent standing headroom, outstanding ventilation in warm weather, quick and easy one-person setup, run, family-friendly design with large vestibule |
| Cons | Requires extra stakes for stability, can feel drafty in colder conditions |
| Rating Categories | REI Westward 6 |
| Space and Comfort (35%) | |
| Weather Resistance (25%) | |
| Ease of Setup (15%) | |
| Family Friendliness (15%) | |
| Quality (10%) | |
| Specifications | REI Westward 6 |
| Measured Weight | 19.1 lbs |
| Measured Max Inside Height | 6' 8" |
| Measured Floor Dimensions | 10' 0" x 8' 1" |
| Floor Area | 80.8 ft |
| Number of Doors | 2 |
| Windows | 2 |
| Pockets | 9 |
| Room Divider | No |
| Vestibules | 1 |
| Measured Vestibule Area (total) | 32.5 sq ft |
| Measured Packed Size | 24" x 10" x 10" |
| Floor Materials | 150D polyester |
| Main Tent Materials | 75D polyester (with 40D nylon mesh) |
| Rainfly Materials | 75D polyester (PU coated) |
| Number of Poles | 5 |
| Pole Material | Aluminum |
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Extras | E-port for electirical power |
