REI Co-op Wonderland 4 Tent Review

Floor area:

69.4 sq. ft.

Peak height:

75 in.

Weight:

21 lbs. 11 oz.

Capacities:

4P, 6P

What we like:

Massive interior, quality materials, and great ventilation.

What we don’t:

Expensive and not a strong performer in rough weather; we liked the discontinued Kingdom more.

Rating:

(4.3/5)

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Performance

Interior Space

With a tunnel-like design, large doors at each end, and a substantial 75-inch top height The REI Co-op’s Wonderland 4 Tent is an absolute top choice for livability. The pole structure is great for the job of stretching the walls and creating an upright appearance and its taller size is fairly uniform throughout (something dome-style tents cannot compete with). Additionally, Wonderland’s two full-size and rounded doors make it incredibly easy to go into and out even with mats and sleeping pads placed inside. It’s one of the more practical four-person tents available and beats REI’s one-door Skyward 4 that we also used on our trip to Utah. It also compares very well against popular options such as the North Face’s Wawona 4 (68-in. maximum elevation) in addition to Marmot’s Limestone 4P (61 in. ).

For floor space, Wonderland 4 is a good choice. Wonderland 4 is a square shape with dimensions of 99 centimeters in the corner (just less than its 100 100 inches. measurements). When in use, these spacious dimensions provide a perfect combination for two to three adults. We were able to put a double-wide bed (NEMO’s Roamer Double) as well as a 25-inch wide camping mat that had enough room at the ends to be able to get into and out without having to sit upon the pad. Like most camping tents we recommend that you size up if you prefer having additional space. A family of four is more comfortable using the 20-inch lengthier Wonderland 6.

Weather Protection

The redesign REI tackled a major issue regarding the leaky vents for the roof, but did not make any significant improvements. The Wonderland’s rainfly has been reduced in overall coverage, with a few blinds that cover the doors, and large cutouts on each side. The awnings are large enough to keep the rain out (blowing rain is a different story) The doors have a solid mesh covering the mesh and are strengthened by seam taping (the same is true for windows along both sides). However, the truth is that the Wonderland is less effective overall than the rainflies with full coverage that are typical in this price range which includes the ones you can get from the Limestone from Marmot and Halo as well MSR’s Habitude. It’s crucial to remember that buying the Wonderland Mud Room will boost the storage capacity and protection significantly, however it will cost the additional price of $125.

One disadvantage of the upright design is that it isn’t able to function very well in high winds. The tent is sturdy and well-constructed, but it lacks high-quality strong aluminum poles (as an excellent variety of hooks for guylines) The tall sides aren’t so aerodynamic as dome-style tents when the wind is really rough. In fairness it’s likely not an issue for many campers as the Wonderland was found to be significantly better when it rained as opposed to REI’s more expensive Skyward. However, for those who camp in remote locations, want to camp during all seasons, or require a robust design Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Model, Marmot’s Halo, or REI’s Base Camp are better alternatives.

Ventilation

While it’s true that the REI Wonderland 4-in-1 Tent doesn’t exactly rank as the most efficient performance in the face of severe conditions, it’s a great ventilator. The upper part of the tent’s body is made up of mesh and can be opened up to reveal the solid fabric that covers the top portion of the doors to reveal the mesh. This is when the rainfly that resembles an awning comes in handy since it can be opened up to reveal the mesh part of the doors, without compromising the security in mild (and that is not blowing) rain. This is a wonderful feature to have in hot and humid weather. There are also three-dimensional mesh “windows” on each side of the tent, which can be opened to allow views or to improve airflow. In the heat of midday in Moab, this arrangement proved extremely effective and prevented the inside from becoming too hot even when the fly was set. It’s also important to keep in mind that mesh that is exposed can be a point of entry to blow dirt and dust, so it’s important to choose carefully which doors you open.

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Storage And Organization

The discontinued Kingdom included the most efficient storage and organization options on the market. It had pockets that ran throughout the tent. REI went for a less formal strategy with its Wonderland 4 and included two pockets that are vertically stacked at every corner and an attached hanger at the center of the tent for the purpose of securing an outdoor lantern for camping. Although there’s plenty of storage with eight pockets they’re not high enough to reach from a position that’s not ideal for sleeping (an issue when trying to reach for a lantern or headlamp at the end in the dark). Additionally, you’re not getting secure outdoor storage unless purchasing the Mud Room and Mud Room II, which is an impressive upgrade for $125. In the end, I’d rate the general organization as mediocre: It’s easy to place equipment in all pockets, but we’d prefer that they were lower to allow for better access, and we’d love to have a vestibule at this price.

Build Quality and Durability

With prices of $499 for the Wonderland 4 and $599 for the Wonderland 6, we set high expectations for quality, and REI is able to meet those expectations on the whole. Everything from the sturdy aluminum poles, to the zippers and mesh fabric, are made to last and have been performing flawlessly so far. We were also delighted to discover the hubs made of plastic that connect the poles on both sides have been set low and do not feel too much stress (these hubs can cause failure).

There’s also high-quality seam tape along the interior. The coated fly and 150-denier floor are extremely durable and resistant to abrasions and tears. We’ve decided to not use the footprint and have had no problems to report but having a ground cover can be a good method of preventing damage over the long haul ( REI sells one for just $60 and you could build your own). Another plus is that REI provides stakes (18) and guylines (8) for you to correctly put up the tent in bad weather and wind (tent manufacturers tend to skimp on the number of stakes).

Weight and Packed Size

With a weight of 21 pounds and 11 ounces in total, the Wonderland 4 is one of the heaviest four-person camping tents currently on the market. In reality, weight matters less when you’re camping in a car as opposed to backpacking in the wilderness. However, the weight is still important to consider especially if you’re walking for more than a short far from the vehicle. For comparison, REI’s Skyward 4 (13 pounds. 11 oz.) in addition to Base Camp 4 (16 lbs. 14 oz.) reduces the Wonderland substantially, as are other options that are popular, such as MSR’s Habitude 4 (12 lbs. 10 oz.) as well as the Marmot Limestone 4P (10 pounds. 13.5 oz.). The NEMO Wagontop 4 is similar in size at 20 pounds and 1 ounce providing better protection overall and storage capacity, however, the single-wall design doesn’t ventilate like Double-wall Wonderland.

Despite its massive design, the Wonderland’s dimensions (listed as 12×32 inches.) are adequate for the size of a camper’s tent and the bag for stuff is not ideal. It’s not just that REI remove the great backpacking bag that included compartments specifically for the rainfly, the tent body, and poles, but the bag is not very large and requires a lot of care to squeeze everything in. We generally don’t like the extra effort involved when traveling by backpack (it’s normal to make space) However, we appreciate the added benefit of large bags for stuff when camping.

Setup and Take Down

With aluminum poles that are color-coded and instructions that are attached to the stuff bag and the stuff sack, the REI Wonderland 4 was fairly easy to install. The group we were with struggled at times during the initial attempt, which took place in the dark of our campsite in Moab. However, once we got the knack of it–and were able to quickly recognize the color codes at the poles’ ends, it proved to be very easy. It’s actually possible to put the tent by yourself within 10 minutes, something I was able to even with a light breeze which made the process a little more fun. In light of the massive dimensions and the height of Wonderland, it’s quite a high compliment.

Sustainability

REI is known for its commitment to sustainability. The Wonderland range incorporates the process of solution dyeing mesh. As compared to traditional production techniques, solution dyeing uses less energy and water when production. We would have liked to see them include other measures such as bluesign-approved or recycled materials, however, it’s an improvement from the fading Kingdom.

Other Versions of the REI Co-op Wonderland

We reviewed the four-person Wonderland in this review, as well as having experience with the larger version that can accommodate six people. With a cost of an additional $100 over the 4P model, Wonderland 6 is more spacious. Wonderland 6 adds 13.9 square feet of flooring (83.3 sq. feet. in total) with 3 in a room for the head (78 in. at its maximum). There is also an internal wall that divides the space with a the center zipper that creates two separate rooms. In addition, the the weight increases slightly to 22 pounds and 15 in. Other features remain identical, with two doors, strong materials on the fly as well as the floor, and a similar pole structure that offers excellent living space for large groups and families. Another (albeit extremely special) option from the newly launched Wonderland line-up includes The Wonderland the X which is an adaptable variant of the model that can accommodate four people that comes with an inside tent that is clip-on and separate living space. The set-up can be used in a variety of ways to eat sleep, or just relax but it’s pricey at $1,249 and is definitely not enough for the majority of people.

Mud Room Accessory

We’ve talked about the Wonderland Mud Room several times during this article and here’s a quick review: The Wonderland’s awning-style rainfly offers inadequate coverage and lacks vestibule area it is clear that the Mud Room provides a means to increase protection and outdoor storage space by creating a covered area near the entrance that is directly connected with the tent. It’s an expensive cost of $125, which brings the total cost to $624. But it offers a huge area of 56 sq. feet for the vestibule (the “floor” measurements are 100×77 inches. ) and interior loops to hang equipment or clothes that are wet, as well as walls that can be removed and then rolled up to form the appearance of a sun shade (the two doors can be turned back to improve the airflow without significantly impacting security).

What We Like

• A tunnel-like form, huge doors, and a generous 75-inch height The huge doors, the tunnel-like shape, and the 75-inch peak height make Wonderland 4 Wonderland 4 one of the most comfortable four-person tents available on the market.
• The mesh-heavy construction, the windows on every side, and an awning rainfly offer excellent airflow and ventilation.
• Excellent build quality, with strong aluminum poles, top-quality fabrics, and top-quality seam taping on the interior.
• It’s relatively easy and straightforward to set up the size of a camping tent.
• REI comes with the right stakes as well as guylines that you can set up the tent in bad weather and wind This isn’t always the situation with camping tents.

What We Don’t

• The awning-style rainfly is minimal and is not able to provide adequate protection from the force of blowing or heavy rain. It also does not provide a vestibule space.
• It’s expensive at $499 when you consider the limited security and absence of storage on the outside (and you’ll have to shell out to get an additional $125 for the Mud Room to solve these problems).
• A tall and upright silhouette isn’t able to withstand powerful winds.
• Pockets are too high to be accessible while lying down.
• The Stuff Bag is fairly basic that requires careful packaging to accommodate all the tent’s elements inside (we do not like the backpack design that has compartments).

Comparative Table

The Contest

REI’s Wonderland is in the middle of REI’s campsite tent range in terms of cost and quality, however, it is a significant savings by purchasing the Skyward 4 Tent that replaces their famous Grand Hut series in 2022. It costs less than $150 compared to the Wonderland 4, the Skyward 4 is considerably lighter and more comfortable to carry around, weighing 13 pounds and 11 ounces, but offers great all-around comfort with its 78-inch height (3 in. more than Wonderland) and a spacious 60 square feet of floor space. But it has only one entrance, and although the rainfly is able to cover the entranceway and create a 19.5-square-foot vestibule however, it leaves three single-wall sides open for the weather. As with the Wonderland Skyward’s storage bag is also compact and requires a lot of effort to fold and roll to accommodate all the parts. If the lighter weight (and cost) appeals to you, we’ll consider the Wonderland the better-rounded and competitive design from REI.

If you’re comfortable going out in adverse weather, REI’s own Base Camp 4 is the most weather-proof model within their selection. Contrary to the long and tunnel-like Wonderland that is the Wonderland, the Base Camp has a traditional dome-shaped shape that can stand better against the force of winds. It also comes with a full-coverage rainfly which offers more protection against storms that are heavy and blustery. But, although the overall living space is decent with a decently big 59.7-square-foot space and two large doors that are rounded The Base Camp feels noticeably less spacious due to its smaller 60-inch peak height, and the absence of walls that are vertical. Also, it uses less mesh and doesn’t air-condense similarly to Wonderland. The end result is that the final choice between these two options will come down to the way you rank security (the Base Camp wins out) in comparison to the features and the livability (the Wonderland gets the edge).

Out of the REI lineup, Big Agnes’ Bunk House 4 is a standout due to its effective balance between inside space and protection against wet weather. It’s stacked against Wonderland Bunk House, it’s a great place to hang out. Bunk House is smaller, with a floor area of 58 square feet space and a 70-inch top height, however it is smaller by about 6 pounds, and has a rainfly that covers the entire area for extra protection during a storm (bonus the fly can be set up in its own capacity to create a minimalist shelter) and provides 33 sq. feet of vestibule space for storing equipment. It’s big! Agnes did not skimp on features either, with amusing features like an awning-style door that can be staked to serve as a sunshade, a backpack-style stuff bags that make it simpler to carry the tent around to and from camp, and a large “welcome mat” near the front door to store dirty shoes. The Bunk House is priced 100 dollars more than Wonderland however, most committed campers will appreciate the extra expense (especially when you plan to add to the price of $125 for the Wonderland Mud Room).

Next on the list next is Marmot’s Limestone 4P. At a price of $389, it is a great value. ($110 lower than Wonderland 4), the Limestone offers plenty of sleeping space to accommodate four (59.2 sq. feet.) It’s simple to pitch and provides better weather protection (especially during high winds) by having a fully-covered rainfly and taut DAC poles. It does sacrifice headroom due to the 61-inch peak height, however the poles of Marmot do well in expanding the walls to create a spacious interior. Similar to the Wonderland and the Limestone, the Limestone can also be a great ventilator, with mesh-heavy construction and strategically placed vents to keep the air moving (although there aren’t windows). In all it’s tough to compete with Wonderland’s high and tunnel-like structure, however, the Limestone is more balanced for us.

The comfort and convenience of the REI Wonderland are hard to surpass, however, the MSR Habitude is very close. Similar to the REI Habitude, the Habitude is an ideal choice for families who have a standing height (73-in.) interior, generous floor space (62.5 sq. feet.), and functional features set that includes several hanging loops, pockets in the interior and even a porch light that is built-in for easier entry and exit when it’s dark. As we’ve come accustomed to from MSR Habitude, the Habitude is also built to last with sturdy poles as well as a polyurethane-coated surface for additional protection against water, and it’s significantly more weather-proof thanks to an all-weather rainfly. Also, it’s lighter than Wonderland by 9 pounds, though this is mostly due to the thinner fabric (68D flooring and Fly) and the single door. Both are enormous and unquestionably large options for groups or families However, Wonderland’s double door layout and the lower price of $61 are likely to influence the majority.

Editor’s note: Typically, we offer a live price comparability table in our reviews of outdoor gear However, the Wonderland is only sold through REI Co-op. The Wonderland 4 Tent page is here and help us out through the process. Thanks!