The North Face Wawona 6 Six-Person Camping Tent

Product Information

The included footprint adds additional value to this well-constructed tent. The mesh is 40D polyester, the tub floor is 68D ripstop polyester, and the poles are DAC Pressfit aluminum. The interior square footage is small, but dual vestibules help to keep everything you don't need for sleeping separate. And while very lightweight, you'll sacrifice headroom in the tradeoff. Overall, this tent is small but mighty and a great addition to any campers toolbox, depending on your needs. They’re a good option if you’re tall (and struggle to stand upright in other styles of tents) or if you prefer to sleep on a cot rather than the ground.

We found it easiest to set-up the North Face Wawona 6 tent with two people, but do believe it could be done by a single person as well. The best camping tents are often big investments, and while some are much larger than others, nothing determines a tent’s overall value quite like durability. Even the most weatherproof tent on the market isn’t worth buying if it isn’t going to survive beyond a single season, so we put a lot of weight on durability during our testing. The tents above are given a “_ person” capacity, which typically ranges from four to eight people. This listing is based on the number of standard adult sleeping pads that can be laid (usually side-by-side) inside the tent. For example, the six-person REI Co-op Skyward is 120 inches long, so six standard pads (20-inches wide) technically will fit. But this doesn’t mean you necessarily want to max out your tent. This 6-person tent has a dome-shaped design with strong aluminum poles that will help shed snow, while its relatively low profile stands up to reasonable wind speeds. What makes the Aurora Highrise special, however, is its unique frame design. By using two extra-long support poles, Nemo was able to pull the walls of the Aurora Highrise out beyond vertical, which adds interior space but also gives the Highrise the special feature that landed it on our list: Rain-friendly windows.

Analysis and Test Results

Waterproofing is important, but when the seasons change and temperatures drop near freezing, three-season tents just won’t cut it. That’s where a rugged four-season shelter like the Mountain Hardwear Trango comes into play. An affordable four-person tent with a full-length rainfly. Vestibule converts into a pole-supported awning in good weather. See Review A significant upgrade in recent years is the improved pole structure designed to give extra stability in bad weather and make setup easier. A premium quality four-person shelter with solid weatherproofing and unique features. Rainfly doubles as a standalone portable shelter. See Review However, while we love the generous dimensions and clear attention to detail, the Snow Peak Alpha Breeze falls short in a few areas. In addition to being heavier and pricier than most options here (while also smaller), the tent’s slanted rear detracts considerably from usable space. Setup is also fairly involved given the unique pole structure, although many will find this to be a worthwhile trade-off for the convertible vestibule and all-around solid structure. In the end, the Alpha Breeze isn’t the most convenient or livable option here, but the combination of build quality, toughness, and sleek looks nevertheless stands out in the market.

Many campers head out in the warm summer months, which means a tent’s ventilation design is a key consideration. And in general, performance is closely tied to price tag. Many premium models utilize a double-wall construction (the outer rainfly is separate from the inner tent body) and lots of mesh, which help keep things reasonably cool and limits moisture build-up. In addition, deployable vents are often incorporated into the rainfly as a way to encourage more airflow, and some tents like REI’s Skyward 6 have adaptable rainflies that can be rolled up partway in mild conditions. Deploying one of the vents on The North Face Wawona 6 Nemo Aurora Highrise 6: A smart alternative to the Nemo above if you’ve got the money but prefer traditional vestibules. Tons of headroom, outstanding weather protection, and premium quality materials throughout. Read our full test and review of the 4-person model… One of the sturdiest and most weather worthy camping tents on the market. Added cold weather chops extend your camping into the shoulder seasons. See Review

What we like: All the benefits of the Wonderland above with seemingly endless customization for basecamping.

The Trango has been the go-to for hardcore expeditions and mountaineering pursuits since 1995, which means Mountain Hardwear has been steadily improving this shelter for nearly three decades at this point. The Trango has been our tent of choice for high-elevation camping this year, and our testers all agree that every inch of this shelter is as bombproof as they come. Since the Alps Mountaineering Camp Creek tent comes with a partial rainfly rather than a full-length version, I’d rate this as a 2-3 season tent. Color-coded poles, like these found on the North Face Wawona, take a lot of the guesswork out of pitching your tent.Excellent interior space, reliable weather protection, and an impressive “gear garage” vestibule. Premium tent quality at an affordable price point. See Review The Alps Mountaineering Camp Creek 6-person tent is an excellent option for car campers who want a tent for 2-3 season camping without the price tag of a premium brand.

Our group all felt that durability was another high point for the North Face Wawona 6, and the poles and tent floor shined particularly bright. Dome-style tents are generally better at standing up to bad weather and many come with full-length rainflys for added protection in heavy rain or snow. This is where the best waterproof tents earn their keep. There’s simply no doubt that any of the tents above will keep you dry in a rainstorm, and that’s peace of mind worth paying for. The tent stakes of the Wawona: Nothing major to complain, but might deserve an upgrade. Alternatives But you’ll need to offset this against how often you’ll be using the tent and in what weather conditions.

The battle for our top spot was a bit of a stand-off between the REI Kingdom 6 and The North Face Wawona 6. Larger tents typically come in a wider range of designs. It’s worth comparing different styles to figure out what type of layout will work best for you. The North Face Wawona 6 was part of our intensive field test, and as such, was evaluated on all the most important performance aspects of any camping tent worth having. We take a hands-on approach to everything from the up-close inspection of materials and craftsmanship to the big picture that is overall livability. The Wawona scored high marks pretty much everywhere, so if you’re considering one yourself, here’s what to look forward to. Space and Comfort We’ll also note that some models nowadays come with covered windows that can be left open rain or shine. These designs usually cost a bit extra, but there’s nothing like having extra airflow and a view of the outside world to keep claustrophobia to a minimum. Ease of Set-up Due to their shape, cabin-style tents are more susceptible to being damaged in strong winds than dome-style tents.