Ask most people what they love about camping, and they probably won’t tell you how easy it is to pitch their tent or how long the ice lasts on their Yeti. Yes, your tent should be set up quickly and your cooler should keep things cold, but then thoughts about gear should disappear while you focus on enjoying paddling, hiking, or reading in a hammock.

The secret to success is a team you can set and forget. REI’s latest camping gear promises to do just that, and it does so without costing a fortune. The co-op’s 2026 line of camping and hiking gear offers some new products, along with updates to old favorites. I’ve spent the last few months putting many of the REI items to the test, and the following emerged as my favorites.

A durable car tent ideal for families

The Westward 6 is a spacious, family-friendly tent for three-season camping. It has a cross-post design and can accommodate two adults, three children and a dog. In theory, it could seat six adults, although it would feel cramped. Setup is relatively easy thanks to the color-coded posts. Once you’ve completed the process once or twice, you’ll be able to set up your tent in 10 minutes. One word of caution: If you expect inclement weather during your camping trip, you should spend more time staking out the tent, especially winds from the awning. But even with this extra step, setup is as simple as it gets.

The 77-inch maximum height means you won’t need to bend over as you move around the interior, and the huge front vestibule provides space to store dirty gear, helping to keep the inside of the tent clean and less cluttered. There are plenty of storage pockets around the tent to hold gear, plus a center-suspended clip that can hold a sturdy flashlight. With two doors, each of which also has windows, there’s plenty of ventilation when you need it, and the light blue color of the tent keeps things relatively cool, even in direct sunlight. Insect-proof mesh panels on the walls, doors, and windows also help with temperature control, allowing hot air to escape through the top of the tent instead of turning everything into a greenhouse. For smaller groups, there is also the Westward 4, which is essentially the same big tent, just a little smaller.

A luxury camping platform for less

REI Cooperative

Westward Dreamer self-inflating bed

REI’s Westward Dreamer Self-Inflating Bed is the best deal out there for a luxury camping platform. My best camping pad, the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing, is slightly better at insulating heat (it has an R-value of 7 versus the Dreamer’s 6.7), but for summer use, the cheaper $60 Dreamer is the better buy. This updated version (previously called the REI Camp Dreamer XL) now includes a repair kit and an improved valve system, making it much easier to adjust your inflation level. (Pro tip: Don’t overinflate these oversized pads, as they’re more comfortable when they have some give.)

The Dreamer conveniently comes with a duffel bag-style bag that makes it easier to transport (and packing it into the bag isn’t too difficult). The included inflator bag is one of the biggest and best options you’ll find in a mat like this. It takes about four bags full of air to get the pad off to a nice firm start, which you can then adjust to your preference by letting the air out until it’s at your ideal level.

A warm sleeping bag

REI Cooperative

Hooded Nap 20

My favorite sleeping bag for car camping, the Siesta Hooded 20 from REI, is an impressively versatile bag, thanks to its double-zipper system. There’s a full-length zipper, which means you can turn it into a quilt on warmer nights, and there’s also a second, partial-length zipper on the other side, so you can have more airflow whenever you want. The Siesta’s 20-degree Fahrenheit temperature makes it warm enough for three-season use in most locations. And unlike most rectangular bags, the Siesta has a hood that helps on those cold nights.

Thanks to the warmth and roomier shape of the Siesta, you can avoid purchasing a restrictive mummy bag for a trip to your local campground. Why suffer from cramps if you don’t have to? The rectangular cut of the Siesta makes it a much more spacious and comfortable bag. The Siesta is made entirely of recycled polyester, with a polyester fill. Despite that, the lining of this bag is noticeably softer than many others we’ve tested.

A light sleeping bag

REI Cooperative

Campwell 30 sleeping bag

When Siesta would be excessive, as would be the case now in mid-July, the Campwell 30 is a great option. REI’s entire budget-friendly Campwell line proves that thousands of dollars in sports equipment and clothing are not prerequisites for outdoor adventures. Rather, you just need things that keep you warm and dry. The Campwell 30 sleeping bag can do just that: tackle your summer camping trips without a problem. It’s quite warm – you can open it completely to use as a double quilt and it’s small enough to keep you from having to worry about space in your trunk.

The Cadillac of portable refrigerators

Photography: Andrew Watman

Who doesn’t want a Yeti cooler? The brand’s Tundra, the rotomolded Cadillac of coolers, has been at the top of our guide to the best coolers for years. I like the Roadie because of the wheels. What many people forget is that these large coolers get very heavy (the Roadie 60 weighs 68 pounds when you fill it with ice, and that’s before you put food in), and without wheels, they’re a pain in the ass. Get the wheels, trust me.

The wheels are amazing too. Even on bumpy terrain, the Roadie rides smoothly. The Yeti is simply the best way to keep things cool for all your outdoor adventures, whether it’s a day at the beach, a week-long camping trip, or a summer-long road trip. If you don’t need the family-friendly capability of the 60, you can opt for the smaller Yeti Roadie 48 or Roadie 32. All three models share the same basic design with the handle on the long side and an included basket to store dry goods away from ice.

summer sun protection

REI Cooperative

Sahara Shade Hoodie

I hate wearing sunscreen. So when I’m outside, I make sure to wear a sun hoodie, like REI’s Sahara Shade Hoodie. Or I used to, before my daughter stole mine. He now uses it while teaching sailing during the summer, since the boats tend to have little shade. Sahara Shade uses REI’s ShadeFactor50, a UPF50+ fabric that’s also nice, soft, and lightweight. It’s also stretchy, allowing for a good range of motion, and its thumbholes prevent the sleeves from riding up and exposing your arms.

The original version is still available, but I think this year’s new styles, which I selected here (regular fit for men and straight hem for women), are a little nicer. The thumbholes have been redesigned and there is now a ponytail hole on the hood as well.

Moar’s Power

When you’re trying to work from the road, whether that means working overland full time or just for a few days, you need a reliable power system that can handle all your personal devices, a portable refrigerator, a water pump, a Starlink device, and more. Goal Zero’s newest version of its Yeti 1500 portable power station has everything you need: a battery, a charge controller, and a 2,000-watt inverter. It even has automatic power switching if you have access to shore power.

This is one of the best built and most rugged power plants I have ever tested. It has held up well to life in a vehicle. It was specifically designed to survive in high vibration environments, such as living in a pickup truck or off-road vehicle. The battery uses lithium iron phosphate, which has a longer cycle life than other chemicals (Goal Zero claims 4,000 charge cycles at 80 percent).

A fantastic bike for children

REI cooperative cycles

Rev 24 Kids Mountain Bike

I have three children and, over the years, I have bought them a total of eight bicycles. The Rev 24 is, without a doubt, the best of the bunch. It’s a surprisingly well-designed and well-built bike for the price, with a good frame, a variety of colors available, quality Shimano and Tektro components, and a stylish look. With 24-inch wheels and 2.6-inch tires, the Rev 24 is a bike suitable for most kids ages 8 to 12 (should fit kids between 4’2″ and 4’10” tall). I was a little skeptical about the value of 2.6-inch tires on a 24-inch wheel, but my son loves being able to ride on surfaces he couldn’t with narrower tires. The Rev 24 has definitely increased his confidence as a rider, especially on rougher terrain.

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