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 how long the ice lasts in their Yeti. Yes, your tent should go up quickly, 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 offers some new products, along with updates to old favorites. I’ve spent the last few months putting many of the REI’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, family-friendly tent for three-season camping. It has a cross-pole design and comfortably sleeps two adults, three kids, and one dog. It could theoretically fit six adults, though that 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 clean and less cluttered. 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, each of which also has 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

REI Co-op

Westward Dreamer Self-Inflating Bed

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 (having 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

REI Co-op

Siesta Hooded 20

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

REI Co-op

Campwell 30 Sleeping Bag

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. REI’s entire budget-friendly Campwell line proves that thousands of dollars’ worth of gear and performance clothing aren’t prerequisites for outdoor adventuring. Rather, you just need stuff that’ll keep you warm and dry. The Campwell 30 sleeping bag can do just that, handling your summer camping trips, no problem. It’s plenty warm—you can unzip it completely to use like a double quilt, and it packs small enough to save you from worrying about space in your trunk.

The Cadillac of Coolers

Photograph: Andrew Watman

Who doesn’t want a Yeti cooler? The brand’s Tundra, the rotomolded Cadillac of coolers, has been at the top of our guide to the best coolers for years. I like the Roadie for the wheels. What many people forget is that these big coolers get really heavy (the Roadie 60 weighs 68 pounds when you pack it with ice—and that’s before you put in your food), and without wheels, they’re a headache. Get the wheels, trust me.

The wheels are incredible too. Even on bumpy ground, the Roadie just rolls around smoothly. The Yeti is quite simply the best way to keep things cold for all your outdoor adventures, whether that means a day at the beach, a week-long camping trip, or a road trip that lasts all summer. If you don’t need the family-size capacity of the 60, you could opt for the smaller Yeti Roadie 48 or Roadie 32. All three models share the same basic design with the handle on the long side and an included basket to store dry goods away from your ice.

Summer Sun Protection

REI Co-op

Sahara Shade Hoodie

I loathe wearing sunscreen. So when I’m outside, I make sure to wear a sun hoodie, like REI’s Sahara Shade hoodie. Or I used to, before my daughter stole mine from me. Now she wears it while teaching sailing during the summer, since boats tend to be short on shade. The Sahara Shade uses REI’s ShadeFactor50, a UPF50+ fabric that’s also nice, soft, and light. It’s also stretchy, allowing a good range of movement, and its thumbholes keep 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 selected here (regular-fit men’s and straight-hem women’s), are a bit nicer. The thumbholes are redesigned, and there’s also now a ponytail hole in the hood.

Moar Power

When you’re trying to work from the road—whether that means overlanding full-time or just for a few days—you need a reliable power system that can handle all of your personal devices, a portable fridge, a water pump, a Starlink device, and more. Goal Zero’s newest version of its Yeti 1500 portable power station has everything you need: a battery, a charge controller, and a 2,000-watt inverter. It even has automatic power switching if you do have access to shore power.

This is one of the best-built and toughest power stations I’ve tested. It’s stood up well to life in a vehicle. It was specifically designed to survive high-vibration environments, like living in your van or off-road vehicle. The battery uses lithium iron phosphate, which has a longer cycle life than other chemistries (Goal Zero claims 4,000 charge cycles to 80 percent).

A Fantastic Bike for Kids

REI Co-op Cycles

Rev 24 Kids Mountain Bike

I have three kids, and over the years, I’ve bought a total of eight bikes for them. The Rev 24 is, hands down, the best of the bunch. It’s a surprisingly well-designed, well-built bike for the price, with a nice frame, a variety of available colors, quality Shimano and Tektro components, and a sleek look. With 24-inch wheels and 2.6-inch tires, the Rev 24 is a capable bike for most 8- to 12-year-olds (it should fit children in the 4’2″ to 4’10” height range). I was a little skeptical of the value of 2.6-inch tires on a 24-inch wheel, but my son loves that he can roll over surfaces he couldn’t on narrower tires. The Rev 24 has definitely increased his confidence as a rider, especially on rougher terrain.

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