REI’s Best New Camping Gear (2026): Tents, coolers, bikes, and more

Ask most people What they love about camping 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 heat up quickly, and your cooler should keep things cool, but then thoughts of gear should fade away as you focus on enjoying paddling, hiking, or reading in the hammock.

The secret to success is equipment that 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, as well as updates to old favorites. I’ve spent the past few months testing many of the company’s items, and the following have emerged as my favorites.

Durable and family-friendly car camping tent

The Westward 6 is a spacious, family-friendly crossover tent for three-season camping. Comfortably seats two adults, three children and one dog. It can theoretically seat six adults, although this may seem crowded. Setup is relatively simple, thanks to the color-coded columns. After completing the process once or twice, you will be able to set up your tent within 10 minutes. One caveat: If you’re anticipating inclement weather during your camping trip, you’ll have to spend the extra time setting up the tent, especially the lines on the rainfly. But even with this extra step, setup is still very simple.

The 77-inch peak height means you won’t need to bend over while moving around inside, and the massive front vestibule provides space to store dirty gear, helping keep the tent’s interior clean. There are plenty of storage pockets around the tent to store gear, as well as a hanging clip in the middle that can support a heavy-duty lantern. 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 warm air to vent from the top of the tent instead of turning everything into a greenhouse. For small groups, there are also West 4which is basically the same as the big tent, but a little smaller.

Luxury camping pad for less

The Westward Dreamer self-inflating bed from REI is the best deal ever for a luxury camping pad. for me Top camp pillow choicethe Therm-a-Rest MondoKing, is slightly better at insulating heat (it has an R-value of 7 to the Dreamer’s 6.7), but for summer use, the $60 cheaper Dreamer is the better buy. This updated version (formerly called REI Camp Dreamer XL) now includes a repair kit and improved valve system, making adjusting the inflation level much easier. (Pro tip: Don’t over-inflate these oversized pads, as they are more comfortable when there is some give.)

The Dreamer conveniently comes with a duffel bag-style stuff sack that’s easy to carry (and packing it into the bag isn’t too difficult). The included inflation bag is one of the largest and best options you’ll find in a pillow like this. It takes about four air-filled bags to get a nice, firm start to the pad, which you can then adjust to your preference by letting the air out until you reach your ideal level.

Warm sleeping bag

for me Favorite sleeping bag for car campingThe Siesta Hooded 20 from REI is an impressively versatile bag, thanks to its dual zipper system. There’s a full-length zipper, which means you can turn it into a comforter on warm nights, and there’s also a second, partial-length zipper on the other side, so you can get more airflow when you want it. The Siesta’s 20°F rating makes it warm enough for three-season use in most places. Unlike most rectangular bags, the Siesta has a flap to help on those cold nights.

With 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 is no need? The rectangular design of the Siesta bag makes it roomier and more comfortable. Siesta is made from entirely recycled polyester, with a polyester filling. Despite this, the lining of this bag is noticeably softer than many others we’ve tested.

Lightweight sleeping bag

When napping is overrated — as it is now, in mid-July — the Campwell 30 is a great option. REI’s entire budget-friendly Campwell line proves that thousands of dollars’ worth of gear and performance apparel aren’t basic requirements for outdoor adventure. Instead, you just need things that will keep you warm and dry. The Campwell 30 Sleeping Bag can do just that, and handle summer camping trips, without a problem. It’s so warm, you can completely unzip it to use as a double comforter, and it packs down small enough to save you worrying about space in the trunk.

Cadillac coolants

Who doesn’t want a Yeti cooler? Tundra brand, Cadillac rotary coolers, was at the top of Our guide to the best coolers For years. I love the Roadie for wheels. What a lot of 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 your food in) and without wheels, they’re a headache. Get on your wheels, trust me.

The wheels are incredible too. Even on rough terrain, the Roadie rolls smoothly. The Yeti is simply the best way to keep things cool for all your outdoor adventures, whether that means a day at the beach, a week-long camping trip, or a summer-long road trip. If you don’t need a family-sized capacity of 60 people, you can choose the smaller size Yeti Rudy 48 or Rudy 32. All three models share the same basic design with the handle on the long side and a built-in basket for storing dry goods away from the snow.

Protection from the sun in summer

I hate wearing sunscreen. So when I’m outside, I make sure to wear a sun-protective jacket, like the Sahara Shade Jacket from REI. Or I used to, before you stole my daughter from me. She now wears it while teaching sailing during the summer, because the boats tend to be short in shade. The Sahara Shade uses REI’s ShadeFactor50 fabric, which is a nice UPF50+ fabric that’s also soft and light. They’re also stretchy, allowing for a good range of motion, and their thumb holes 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’ve chosen here (men’s regular fit and women’s straight fit), are a little prettier. The thumb holes have been redesigned, and there is now also a ponytail hole in the lid.

Muar force

When you’re trying to work out of the way, be that as it may Righteousness Full time or just a few days – You need a reliable power system that can handle all your personal appliances, a portable refrigerator, a water pump, a Starlink device, and more. Goal Zero’s latest version of the Yeti 1500 portable power station has everything you need: a battery, charge controller, and 2000-watt inverter. It even has automatic power switching if you have access to shore power.

This is one of the best and toughest power stations I’ve tested. It has held up well to life in the car. It’s specifically designed to survive high-vibration environments, like living in your 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 80 percent charge cycles).

Great bike for kids

I have three children, and over the years, I have bought them a total of eight bikes. Rev. 24 is, without a doubt, Best of the bunch. It’s a surprisingly well-designed and well-built bike for the price, with a nice frame, a variety of colors available, high-quality Shimano and Tektro components, and a stylish look. With 24-inch wheels and 2.6-inch tires, the Rev 24 is a bike capable of accommodating most kids ages 8 to 12 (should fit kids in the 4’2 to 4’10” height range). 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 roll on surfaces he couldn’t roll on with narrower tires. The Rev 24 has definitely increased his confidence as a rider, especially on rough terrain.

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