Newest Camping Gear at REI (2026): Tents, Coolers, Bikes, More

Ask more 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 needs to go up fast, and your cooler needs to stay cool, but the thought of gear should disappear when you’re looking to enjoy paddleboarding, hiking, or reading in a hammock.

The key to success is tools you can put on and forget. REI’s latest gear promises to do just that — and it does so without breaking the bank. The Co-op’s 2026 line of camping and hiking gear features new products, as well as updates on old favorites. I’ve spent the last few months putting a lot of the company’s products through their paces, and this one seemed to be my favorite.

A Sturdy, Car-Friendly Tent For Families

The Westward 6 is a spacious, compact, family-friendly tent for camping for three years. It comfortably sleeps two adults, three children, and one dog. It can fit up to six adults, although this may seem crowded. Installation is easy, thanks to the colorful trees. After completing this process once or twice, you will be able to set up your tent in 10 minutes. One warning: If you are expecting bad weather during your camping trip, you will have to spend more time to tear down the tent, especially the guylines on the rainfly. But even with this extra step, installation is as easy as it gets.

The 77-inch tip height means you won’t need to bend down while moving around inside, and the large front porch provides storage space for black gear, helping to keep the interior of the tent clean. There are plenty of storage pockets around the tent to store equipment, including a video stand in the middle that can support a heavy flashlight. With two doors, which also have windows, it has plenty of ventilation when you need it, and the blue color of the tent keeps things cool, even in the sun. Insect-proof mesh on the walls, doors, and windows also helps regulate temperature, allowing warm air to escape through the top of the tent instead of turning it all into a greenhouse. For smaller groups, there are also West 4which is basically the same big tent, just a smidge smaller.

The Most Advanced Low-Cost Campus

REI’s Westward Dreamer Self-Inflating Bed is the perfect way to create a luxurious camping space. Mrs top pick camp padThe Therm-a-Rest MondoKing, is slightly better at insulating heat (boasting an R-value of 7 to 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 an adjustment tool and valve control system, which makes adjusting the inflation rate easier. (Pro tip: Don’t mess with these oversized pads, because they’re comfortable when they’re full of treats.)

The Dreamer comes with a duffel bag that makes it easy to carry (and packing it into the bag is not too difficult). An inflation-linked fund is one of the biggest and best features you can find in a pad like this. It takes about four air pockets to inflate the pad, which you can adjust to your liking by deflating until it’s at the right level.

Warmth Bag

Mrs your favorite car camping sleeping bagREI’s Siesta Hooded 20 is an incredibly versatile backpack, thanks to its double zipper system. There are long zips, which means you can turn it into a quilt on warm nights, and there’s also a second, longer zip on the other side, so you can have more ventilation when you need it. Siesta’s 20-degree-Fahrenheit rating makes it warm enough for three-season use in most locations. And unlike most rectangular bags, the Siesta has a hood, which helps on cold nights.

Thanks to the Siesta’s warmth and spacious design, you can skip buying a maternity backpack to head to the local campground. Why put pressure on yourself if there is no reason? The Siesta’s rectangular cut makes for a roomy, comfortable bag. Siesta is made of recycled polyester throughout, with polyester filling. Even so, this backpack is much softer than many others we’ve tested.

Lightweight Sleeping Bag

When Siesta will be in full swing—as it will be right now, in mid-July—Campwell 30 is a good option. REI’s entire budget-friendly Campwell line proves that multi-thousand dollar gear and activewear aren’t necessary for the outdoors. Instead, you just need things that will keep you warm and dry. The Campwell 30 sleeping bag can do just that, take care of your summer camping trips, no problem. It’s super warm, you can open it up to use as a double quilt, and it packs down so you don’t have to worry about space in your trunk.

The Cadillac of Coolers

Who doesn’t want a cool Yeti? The Tundra model, the rotomolded Cadillac of cool, sits on top our guide to the best air conditioners for years. I love the Roadie on wheels. What many people forget is that these large coolers are very heavy (the Roadie 60 weighs 68 pounds when loaded with ice—and that’s before you put your food in) and without wheels, they’re a headache. Get the wheels, trust me.

The wheels are also amazing. Even on a long course, the Roadie just rolls well. The Yeti is the perfect way to keep things cool for all your outdoor adventures, whether it’s a day at the beach, a week-long adventure, or a summer-long road trip. If you don’t want the family size of 60, you can choose the smaller ones Yeti Roadie 48 or Method 32. All three models share a similar design with a handle on the long side and an included basket to keep dry items away from your ice.

Summer Sun Protection

I hate wearing sunscreen. So when I’m outside, I make sure to wear a sunscreen, like REI’s Sahara Shade. Or I loved my daughter before she stole from me. They are now worn for summer sailing lessons, as boats tend to be shorter in the shade. The Sahara Shade uses REI’s ShadeFactor50, a UPF50+ fabric that is also comfortable, soft, and lightweight. It also stretches, allows for good range of motion, and the small detailing prevents the sleeves from riding up and showing off your arms.

The original style is still there, but I think this year’s new styles, which I have chosen here (regular men’s and straight women’s), are a little better. Thumbboles are also made, and there is also a ponytail hole in the hood.

Moar Power

When you’re trying to work on the road – either way pass through all the time or for a few days—you need reliable power that can power all your appliances, portable refrigerator, water pump, Starlink device, and more. The latest version of Goal Zero’s Yeti 1500 electric scooter has everything you need: a battery, a controller, and a 2,000-watt inverter. It only has automatic switches if you have access to shore power.

This is one of the best designed and most durable power stations I have ever tested. It stands up well in the car. They are specially designed to withstand high vibrations, such as sitting in your car or truck. The battery uses lithium iron phosphate, which has a longer cycle life than other chemistries (Goal Zero claims 4,000 charge cycles to 80%).

Amazing Bike for Kids

I have three children, and over the years, I have bought them eight bicycles. Rev 24 is, hands down, is very good. It’s an amazingly well-built, well-built bike for the price, with a great frame, a wide range of options available, Shimano and Tektro components, and a great look. With 24 inch wheels and 2.6-inch tires, the Rev 24 is a capable bike for most kids ages 8 to 12 (it should fit kids in the 4’2″ to 4’10” range. I was a little skeptical about the value of 2.6-inch tires on a 24-inch wheel, but my son likes that he can roll over the top where he couldn’t stick smaller tires. The Rev 24 has boosted his confidence like rider, especially in rough terrain.

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