Our Take
The REI Co-op Skyward 6 Tent earns its keep as a roomy basecamp option for car campers who hate crouching, with that 78-inch peak height letting most folks stand up straight inside.
Setup is dead simple and the 150D floor can handle rough ground, but the skimpy rainfly and single door are real compromises at this price point.
It sleeps three comfortably despite the "6" in the name, so set expectations accordingly.
A solid fair-weather tent that does space and ease well, just don't count on it in serious storms.
Ask our AI for instant answers from our reviews and specs — comparisons, sizing, and who it's best for.
How We Rated It
Pros & Cons
PROS
- ✓Huge 78-inch peak height
- ✓Versatile 19.5-square-foot vestibule
- ✓Tough 150D polyester floor
CONS
- ✕Tiny cap rainfly
- ✕Single door only
How It Compares
| Tent | Score | Est. Price | Weight | Sleeps | Seasons | Floor Area | Vestibule | Doors | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 REI Co-op REI Co-op Skyward 6 Tent This tent | ★ 8.2 | $449 | 15 lbs 7 oz | 3 people | 3-season | 83 sq ft | 20 sq ft | 1 | ✓ Current |
| ★ 8.2 | $200 | 23 lbs | 3 people | 3-season | 99 sq ft | — | 1 | vs → | |
| ★ 8.1 | $220 | 24 lbs | 3 people | 3-season | 90 sq ft | 50 sq ft | 1 | vs → | |
 SpringBar SpringBar Highline 6 Canvas Tent | ★ 8.1 | $599 | 76 lbs | 3 people | 4-season | 100 sq ft | — | 1 | vs → |
| ★ 8.1 | $280 | 23 lbs | 3 people | 3-season | 99 sq ft | 0 sq ft | 1 | vs → | |
| ★ 8.3 | $300 | 32.25 lbs | 3 people | 3-season | 99 sq ft | 17 sq ft | 1 | vs → |
What We Think
Standing 78 inches tall at peak height, the REI Co-op Skyward 6 is built for campers who refuse to crouch inside their tent.
That's a full 6'6" of headroom, which means most adults can stand upright, change clothes without awkward contortions, and actually enjoy being inside rather than just sleeping there.
The Skyward 6 scored a 8.2 overall, earning high marks for livability and setup ease while showing some expected tradeoffs in weather protection at this price point.
User Reviews
Owners are overwhelmingly positive about this tent, and the feedback is remarkably consistent.
The most common praise centers on that towering peak height, with tall campers specifically calling out how rare it is to find this much vertical space without stepping into expedition-grade pricing.
The 150D polyester floor also gets frequent mentions from owners who appreciate not babying their groundsheet on rough sites.
This tent scored a 9.6 in User Reviews, which is exceptionally high for any cabin tent at this price.
Ease of Use
A 10-minute setup time for a tent this size is genuinely quick, and owners confirm it's achievable solo on your first attempt.
The aluminum pole structure is straightforward without being flimsy, and the single-door design, while limiting, does simplify the pitch.
If you want even faster setup, the CORE 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent pitches in about 60 seconds with its pre-attached poles, though it weighs 8 pounds more and costs less than half the price.
The Skyward 6 scored a 9.0 in Ease of Use.
Space & Comfort
With 83 square feet of floor area and that 78-inch ceiling, the Skyward 6 delivers genuine room to move.
The 19.5-square-foot vestibule adds meaningful gear storage, keeping muddy boots and camp chairs out of your sleeping space.
Owners with kids mention using the vestibule as a dedicated shoe zone, which any parent will appreciate.
This tent scored a 8.0 in Space & Comfort.
Quality & Durability
The 150D polyester floor is notably thicker than the 75D floors common at this price, which matters if you're camping on gravel, pine needles, or any surface that punishes thin materials.
Aluminum poles are a meaningful upgrade over fiberglass, offering better flex recovery and longer lifespan.
This tent scored a 8.0 in Quality & Durability.
Weather Resistance
Here's the honest tradeoff: the Skyward 6 uses a small cap-style rainfly rather than a full-coverage design.
A recurring theme in negative reviews is that the minimal fly leaves the vertical cabin walls exposed in wind-driven rain.
For fair-weather car camping, this is fine, but it's not the tent you want if your campsite regularly sees sideways storms.
The CORE 6-Person Lighted Instant Cabin Tent with Full Rainfly offers complete coverage for $300, though you're adding 17 pounds to your load.
This tent scored a 8.0 in Weather Resistance.
Value for Money
At $449, the Skyward 6 sits in a competitive middle ground, as our guide to the best cabin tents explores in depth.
You're paying for REI build quality and that exceptional peak height, but budget-conscious campers can find similar livable space for less.
This tent scored a 7.5 in Value for Money.
Features & Extras
The single-door design is the Skyward 6's clearest limitation, and owners consistently flag it.
When someone needs to exit at 2 AM, everyone between them and the door knows about it.
This tent scored a 7.0 in Features & Extras.
Who It's For
The Skyward 6 is ideal for tall campers and families who prioritize standing room and easy setup over storm-ready protection.
If you camp primarily in summer and shoulder seasons at established campgrounds, this tent delivers genuine comfort.
It's also a smart pick for anyone tired of hunching inside their shelter.
The Bottom Line
The REI Co-op Skyward 6 scored a 8.2 and earns it through exceptional livability and a setup that won't test your patience.
The small rainfly is a real limitation in rough weather, but for fair-weather family camping, that 78-inch ceiling changes how you experience a tent.
If standing up matters to you, this is the one.
Full Specifications
| Tent Type | Cabin |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Sleeps | 3 people |
| Weight | 15 lbs 7 oz |
| Floor Area | 83 sq ft |
| Vestibule Area | 19.5 sq ft |
| Peak Height | 6' 6" |
| Floor Dimensions | 120 x 100 in |
| Doors | 1 |
| Setup Time | 10 mins |
| Pole Material | Aluminum |
| Poles | 7 |
| Floor Fabric | 150-denier coated polyester |
| Rainfly Fabric | 75-denier coated polyester |
| Footprint Included | No |
| Made In | Imported |
| Warranty | None |
| Additional Notes | Vestible |
| Price | $449 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the REI Co-op Skyward 6 best for?
How long does the REI Co-op Skyward 6 take to set up?
How does the Skyward 6 handle rain and wind?
Is the REI Co-op Skyward 6 worth $449?
How much headroom does the Skyward 6 actually provide?
How does the REI Co-op Skyward 6 compare to the CORE 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent?
How does the Skyward 6 compare to the SpringBar Highline 6 Canvas Tent?
What do owners say about the REI Co-op Skyward 6?
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