REI Hobitat 4 Tent

REI Hobitat 4 Tent – spacious 4-person car camping tent

The REI Hobitat 4 is a spacious home away from home that fits 4 people snugly or two people, a couple of dogs, and a ton of gear comfortably. The rectangular floor design maximizes space so there are no awkward nooks and crannies and the spacious design offers plenty of headroom not just in the center of the tent.

The UV-resistant awning-style rainfly extends out past the doors protecting the entry from wind and rain and the floor is specially designed to stay taut and repel water. The large oval front door and 3 windows have mesh for ventilation but also zip up to protect against the elements. There are also plenty of mesh pockets to store your essentials and keep your tent organized plus hang loops are found throughout the tent.

Tents of this size are typically difficult to set up and the Hobitat is no exception. Pole clips are color-coded to ensure a logical setup but two people are definitely needed to get the tent up, which shouldn’t be a problem since the Hobitat is a 4-person tent. With practice you should be able to setup the tent in 10-minutes without too much difficulty.

The quick & dirty:
Where you can find one:
REI: $269

Why they rock:

• Rectangular floor plan maximizes space and sleeps 4 comfortably
• Generous headroom allows most campers to stand up in the tent
• UV-resistant rainfly keeps entryways and tent dry
• Color-coded poles and clips make for an easier setup
• Plenty of interior pockets and hang loops keep tent organized
• Handy backpack-style carrying bag organizes tent components with extra space for the footprint (sold separately)

Seat-of-the-pants rating: 7 out of 10
This tent is fabulous for car camping. With 60 square feet of floor space, REI’s Hobitat 4 has plenty of room for families with small children or campers with pets and loads of gear. Keep in mind though that the tent may be too close for comfort for four full-sized adults and gear.

One concern is that the rainfly does not adequately cover the front and back of the tent so the tent may not be an ideal choice for especially rainy climates. A vestibule can be purchased separately for the tent and add some additional rain protection and storage.

Looking to buy? Here’s where you can get one:
REI: $269