Buying a canvas tent is quite an investment. Part of taking care of it is waterproofing. Here is our step-by step guide on how to waterproof a canvas tent.
The REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent is a six-person, three-season, car camping tent.
Contents
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Stability is the keyword for the Wonderland 6 tent. Built as a combination of a tunnel tent and a dome tent, this is one freestanding tent that can withstand the rigors of rain and wind.
Targeted toward campers that aren’t planning to have a gigantic family and friend gathering, the Wonderland 6 is an ideal weekend size for three or four campers.
Comfort and Space
Floor Space
The REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent’s overall footprint is 10′ x 8′ 4″ (305 x 254 cm). A slight rain awning is pre-attached to each end of the tent.
While this isn’t the most spacious tent we’ve ever seen, it’s just about the perfect size for two, three, or four campers. The entire floor space of the tent’s interior is 83.3 ft² (7.7 m²). It’s just enough room, but not too much, for a relaxing car camping adventure.
Two campers are an ideal fit inside the tent if you bring outdoor furniture, or four campers if you plan to use the interior tent partition.
Head Room
As a welcome relief to tall campers (like me!), The REI Co-op Wonderland 6 has an Interior Peak Height (IPH) of 6′ 6″ (198 cm). It’s good to stand up straight when slipping into outdoor apparel.
Doors and Vestibules
One door is located at each end of the REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent. Your automobile is the closest vestibule if you’ve packed the tent full of campers since the Wonderland 6 lacks a vestibule.
An optional vestibule is available for purchase.
Primary Entrance
The front and rear entrances are interchangeable. Ideally, select one end of the tent as a sleeping area, and don’t use that end of the tent as an entryway. Interchangeable entrances and exits work well with two or three campers but may be impractical with four or five campers.
Doorway sizes
Each doorway is “U” shaped and is approximately 6′ x 6′ (183 x 183 cm). The unzipped doors are stored in hanging pockets.
Vestibule
The REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent doesn’t have a vestibule included with the base model. Your vehicle, or a campground gear storage locker, will be the closest protected space for your items.
An optional mud room is available if you’re willing to spend a bit more cash. With a size of 8′ 4″ x 6′ 5″ (254 x 196 cm), the mudroom adds 56 ft² (5.2 m²) of exterior storage space. The mudroom lacks a floor, so it’s a good place for gear but not a good location for food.
Storage
Two mesh storage compartments are sewn into the corner of the tent, one positioned at the front of the tent and one at the rear. Each storage compartment contains two sections. The storage isn’t accessible from ground level, so you’ll need to stand up to reach them.
Overall, the interior storage is unsatisfactory. Given the steep purchase price, there’s a reasonable expectation that some storage is accessible at the ground level.
Breathability and Ventilation
The REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent has all kinds of air movement potential! A removable rainfly reveals a No-See-Um mesh ceiling and side panels. Ventilation ports over the doorways and windows at ground level ensure you’ll have as much or as little ventilation as you choose.
Windows
There are two side panel windows that aren’t protected under the rainfly. Each triangle-shaped window, approximately 3′ (base) x 3′ 6″ (height) (91.4 x 107 cm) provides 5.25′ (160 cm) of ventilation. The windows are zippable from the interior and are located 8″ (20 cm) above the ground.
Exterior Doorways
Two exterior doors may be tied back to allow 100% ventilation through their 6′ x 6′ (183 x 183 cm) openings. If the doorways are zippered closed, a partial polyester door cover can be zippered back to allow for cross ventilation via the 3′ x 3′ (91 x 91 cm) window.
Weather Resistance
The REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent provides reasonable weather protection. We recommend it as a late spring, summer, and early fall tent. Fundamentally, this is a tunnel tent that’s been augmented with additional support.
Wind resistance
An unusual “Ʌ” shaped center base pole configuration, and an augmented roof tunnel pole attachment provide reasonable but not excellent wind protection.
Rain resistance
Both the tent body and the rain fly are crafted from 75-denier polyester treated with polyurethane, providing (based on the previous tent generation published specifications) 1500mm of Hydrostatic Head moisture resistance. 1500mm of HH moisture resistance is adequate to keep you dry in a rainstorm.
Durability
Previous generations of the Wonderland 6 had issues with bent poles during windy seasons. The new “Ʌ” shaped center base pole is an attempt to rectify this issue while maintaining the spaciousness of a tunnel tent.
Tent Floor
The bathtub-style tent floor is a polyurethane-coated 150D polyester. We absolutely recommend the footprint.
Poles
The REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent has five lightweight aluminum poles ranging in size from 12 to 16mm. The poles are color-coded and pre-connected to each other with shock cords.
Ease of Use
Feedback from users is that setup is generally completed with two campers in ten minutes or less.
How to Set up the REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent
- Spread the ground cover
- Place and spread the tent over the ground cover
- Extend all poles
- Attach the center pole (shortest pole) to the top of the tent
- Attach color-coded poles to the correct grommet at the tent base
- Gently bend the appropriate pole into the proper “⋂” shape and attach the tent to the poles with the pre-attached connectors.
- Repeat the same steps at the center of the tent and attach the intersecting poles to each other with the pre-attached connectors.
- Repeat the same step at the opposite end of the tent.
- Attach the rainfly
- Stake the tent into the ground
- Stretch the guy lines and stake them into the ground
- Tighten the guylines
Packed Size and Weight
The REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent weighs 22 lbs 15 oz ( 10.4 kg) and has a packed size of 13″ x 32″ (33 x 81 cm).
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stability
- Mesh ceiling and side panels
- Interior space
Cons
- Add-ons increase purchase price
- Unusual lower level window configuration
- Lack of storage
Rating
| Comfort and Space | 8/10 |
| Weather Resistance | 7/10 |
| Durability | 9/10 |
| Ease of Setup | 9/10 |
| Size and Weight | 9/10 |
