The REI Co-op Wonderland X Tent is a popular option for those seeking a reliable, spacious, and versatile tent for their outdoor adventures. Whether you’re going on a camping trip with friends, exploring new hiking trails, or embarking on a family vacation, the Wonderland X Tent has many features that make it a standout option. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at this tunnel-type tent, its inner tent, materials, ventilation, who it’s best suited for, and more. By the end of this review, you’ll have a better understanding of whether the REI Co-op Wonderland X Tent is the right choice for your next outdoor adventure.
Overview
The REI Co-op Wonderland X Tent is a tunnel-type tent that features a freestanding design, making it easy to set up and use. The tent has multiple awning configurations that can be adjusted to provide shade and protection from the elements. The large vestibule/porch offers a spacious area for storage, cooking, and relaxing. The tent also boasts six doors, providing easy access from any side of the tent.
1. Tunnel-Type Tent
The REI Co-op Wonderland X Tent is a tunnel-type tent, which means it has a long, narrow shape with a rounded top. This design provides plenty of interior space while minimizing the overall footprint of the tent. The tunnel shape also helps to minimize wind resistance, making the tent more stable in windy conditions.
2. Freestanding Design
The tent features a freestanding design, which means it does not require stakes or guylines to set up. Instead, the tent is supported by a frame made of X-crossed poles and six ridge poles. The freestanding design makes it easy to move the tent around and adjust its position as needed.
3. Six Doors
The tent has six doors, providing easy access from any side of the tent. Each of the doors allows for an awning configuration, adding versatility to the tent’s design.
4. Multiple Awning Configurations
The tent has multiple awning configurations that can be adjusted to provide shade and protection from the elements. Each of the six doors allows for an awning configuration, so you can create awnings wherever you want. This may be convenient as the sun changes its position in the sky, allowing you to change the position of the awning for better shade.
5. Large Vestibule/Porch
The tent boasts a large vestibule/porch that offers a spacious area for storage, cooking, and relaxing. When the inner tent is in place, you have a fully covered and protected front vestibule, making it a great space for sitting and cooking or keeping all your gear.
The Inner Tent
The inner tent is attached to the shell when it is set up. It is located inside the shell tent and provides additional privacy and protection.
1. Design and Configuration
The inner tent features two doors on opposite sides, which provide easy access and ventilation. When the inner tent is in place, two of the shell side doors cannot be used, but they can still be rolled up to provide a view from the inside.
2. Large Vestibule
The inner tent creates a large front vestibule when attached to the shell. This vestibule is fully covered and protected, making it a great space for sitting, cooking, and storing gear.
3. Ventilation and Windows
The inner tent is equipped with windows on the sides and both doors feature mesh and panels. This allows for ventilation and provides additional views of the surroundings.
Other detail
Compatible with most 4WD wagons and small to mid-size SUVs for easy docking and accessibility.
- Plenty of pockets are available to store and organize your camping essentials.
- Includes a durable and eco-friendly recycled polyester duffel carry bag, complete with a shoulder strap and grab handles.
- Comes with separate stuff sacks for flying, an inner tent, poles, and stakes for convenient packing and transportation.
Materials Used in the Tent
Poles and Stakes:
The tent comes with 12 poles made of DAC MX aluminum, which is known for its durability. The poles have varying diameters of 6, 13.8, and 14.5 millimeters. The package also includes 20 stakes, 16 reflective guylines with cleat-lock tighteners, and 4 additional guylines with cleat-lock tighteners. Additionally, a pole repair sleeve is included to provide quick repairs in case of damage.
Fabric:
The canopy, fly, and floor of the tent are made of 75D-coated polyester and 150D-coated polyester, respectively. These materials are known for their durability and can withstand harsh weather conditions. Although the official waterproof rating is not provided, REI states that the tent’s fabric is silicone-treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. The fabric is also PEPU-coated to resist hydrolysis and mildew. Moreover, the fabric is treated with titanium dioxide to inhibit premature aging from UV rays. The fabric is blue sign-approved, which ensures that the materials are safe for human and environmental health.
Ventilation
The doors and windows with mesh and the tent are designed to provide good ventilation. The fly is not completely to the ground, which allows for the inflow of fresh air from below. Moreover, there are vents above each of the 6 doors, which provide additional ventilation options.
It is worth noting that the vents are strategically placed at a height that minimizes the risk of rain getting inside the tent during side winds. This design feature ensures that you can enjoy good ventilation without worrying about rain or other weather elements getting in. Overall, this tent offers excellent ventilation options that are well-suited for a variety of weather conditions.
Who is it for?
Regarding the area:
The REI Kingdom 4 Tent is designed for a group of 4 people. The inner tent offers a spacious area of 70.5 ft² (6.5 m²), which means a comfortable space of 17.6 ft² (1.6 m²) per person. Additionally, the porch provides 38.3 ft² (3.5 m²) of floorless space, making it an ideal place to sit, cook, and keep gear. In terms of seasons and climate, although the tent is strong and stable, the manufacturer recommends using it as a 3-season tent. However, with its fully closable design, it is suitable for year-round use in any weather or climate.
Weight and packed size
The REI Kingdom 4 Tent is a heavy item, weighing 35 lb 1 oz (15.9 kg). This can make it challenging to transport, but the tent is designed for car camping, so weight may not be a significant issue. The packed size of the tent is 27.4 x 14 x 12.8 inches (70 x 36 x 33 cm), which is quite bulky. Although the carry bag provided makes it easier to transport, it still requires a significant amount of space.
Price
The REI Kingdom 4 Tent is a high-end tent with excellent materials and construction, and as such, it comes with a steep price tag. Despite this, the tent is worth the investment, and with a brand like REI behind it, you can expect it to last for many years. Overall, the REI Kingdom 4 Tent is an ideal choice for car camping enthusiasts who prioritize comfort and space over weight and packability.
Specifications:
- Weight: 35 pounds 1 ounce (15.9 kilograms)
- Official capacity: 4 people
- Inner dimensions: 100 x 100 inches (2.54 x 2.54 meters)
- Inner area: 70.5 square feet (6.5 square meters)
- Inner area per person: 17.6 square feet (1.6 square meters)
- Porch area: 38.3 square feet (3.5 square meters)
- Peak height: 75 inches (191 centimeters)
- Packed size: 27.4 x 14 x 12.8 inches (70 x 36 x 33 centimeters)
Pros
- Provides full protection from the elements
- Spacious porch area
- Multiple doors for easy access
- Features DAC poles for added durability
- Unique and stylish design
- Freestanding construction for easy setup
Cons
- Heavy weight may not be suitable for backpacking or hiking
- An expensive price point may not fit everyone’s budget
- Bulky-packed sizes may be difficult to transport or store.
Conclusion
The REI Kingdom 4 is an outstanding tent with a unique and innovative design, offering excellent protection from the elements. Its spacious inner tent, combined with the large porch, provides plenty of room for four people and their gear. The use of durable materials and the strong and stable construction make it suitable for year-round use. The multiple doors and vents ensure excellent ventilation and easy access. However, the tent’s weight, bulkiness, and high price may be a drawback for some users. Overall, the REI Kingdom 4 is an excellent choice for car camping enthusiasts who are willing to invest in a top-quality tent with great features and performance.
