The Best New Camping Gear at REI (2026): Tents, Coolers, Bikes, More
Ask most people what they love about camping, and they probably won’t tell you about how easy it is to set up their tent or
Ask most people what they love about camping, and they probably won’t tell you about how easy it is to set up their tent or how long the ice lasts in their Yeti. Yes, your tent should go up quick, and your cooler should keep things cold, but then thoughts of gear should fade away as you focus on enjoying paddleboarding, hiking, or reading in a hammock. The secret to success is gear you can set and forget. REI's latest camping gear promises to do just that—and does so without costing a fortune. The Co-op’s 2026 line of camping and hiking gear features some new products, along with updates to old favorites. I’ve spent the last few months putting many of the company’s items through their paces, and the following emerged as my favorites. A Sturdy, Family-Friendly Car Camping Tent The Westward 6 is a spacious, cross-pole design, family-friendly tent for three-season camping. It comfortably sleeps two adults, three kids, and one dog. It could theoretically fit six adults, though this would feel crowded. Setup is relatively simple, thanks to the color-coded poles. After you've completed the process once or twice, you’ll be able to set up your tent in 10 minutes flat. One caveat: If you're expecting inclement weather during your camping trip, you should spend the extra time to stake the tent, especially the guylines on the rainfly. But even with this extra step, setup is about as simple as it gets. The 77-inch peak height means you won't need to crouch as you move around inside, and the huge front vestibule provides space to store dirty gear, which helps keep the tent’s interior cleaner. There are plenty of storage pockets around the tent for stashing gear, plus a clip suspended in the center that can support a heavy-duty lantern. With two doors, which each also have windows, there's plenty of ventilation when you need it, and the tent’s light blue color keeps things relatively cool, even in direct sunlight. The bug-proof mesh paneling on the walls, doors, and windows also helps with temperature control, allowing warm air to vent out the top of the tent rather than turning the whole thing into a greenhouse. For smaller groups, there's also the Westward 4, which is essentially the same great tent, just a smidge smaller.
A Luxury Camping Pad for Less Courtesy of REI Save to wishlist Save to wishlist REI Co-op Westward Dreamer Self-Inflating Bed $199 REI REI's Westward Dreamer Self-Inflating Bed is the best deal around for a luxury camp pad. My top pick camp pad, the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing, is slightly better at insulating heat (boasting an R-value of 7 to the Dreamer's 6.7), but for summertime use, the $60 cheaper Dreamer is the better buy. This updated version (it was previously called the REI Camp Dreamer XL) now includes a repair kit and an improved valve system, which makes fine-tuning its inflation level much easier. (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 stuff sack that makes it easier to carry around (and gathering it into the bag isn’t too tough). The included inflation sack is one of the bigger and better options you'll find in a pad like this. It requires about four bags full of air to get the pad to a nice firm start, which you can then adjust to your preference by letting out air until it’s at your ideal level. A Warm Sleeping Bag Courtesy of REI Save to wishlist Save to wishlist REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 $149 REI My favorite sleeping bag for car camping, REI's Siesta Hooded 20 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 when you want it. The Siesta's 20-degree-Fahrenheit rating makes it warm enough for use in three seasons in most places. And unlike most rectangular bags, the Siesta has a hood, which helps on those cold nights. Thanks to the Siesta’s warmth and wider shape, you can skip buying a restrictive mummy bag for a trip to your local campground. Why cramp yourself if there’s no need? The Siesta's rectangular cut makes for a much roomier, more comfortable bag. The Siesta is made of recycled polyester throughout, with a polyester filling. Despite that, the lining on this bag is noticeably softer than many others we've tested. A Lightweight Sleeping Bag Courtesy of REI Save to wishlist Save to wishlist REI Co-op Campwell 30 Sleeping Bag $100 REI When the Siesta would be overkill—as would be the case right now, in the middle of July—the Campwell 30 is a great option.
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