Trail Ridge 6 Tent (6-Person)

I'm also 6'4 and in my experience the length isn't as important as the shape. I have an alps zephyr 2 and it's pitched down toward the feet end. It's 88" long but I don't feel as comfortable in it as I do in my older kelty trail ridge which is about the same length but the walls are more vertical so it feels much bigger and gives more clearance for my size 15 foot. Just my $.02.

Cool cool. We're a 7-person family. When we started camping, I think we were a 4-person family :) Early on, I got a 6p Kelty Trail Ridge tent that has held up wonderfully for us. I also had a 2p Marmot Limelight that made several trips before I warrantied it for a new, similar model. We've had more kids since and we've kept using those tents and have kept it modular, adding hammocks to those. So we'll bring different things depending on who's going and who wants to sleep where. I keep it pretty modular on pads and bags too, because the kids change size, some sleep hot, some don't care about broken zippers, etc, etc. I try to bring some extra things for troubleshooting sleep if needed (cheapo pads, liners, puffy jacket, hand warmers). I'd recommend you go budget tent within the performance brands that have good warranties, so you're not fretting over every scratch and bump, and I'd choose that Limestone 6. In fact, I'm tempted to buy one myself at that price! Where!?

I’m so sorry for your loss. For a quality tent that will pack smaller and lighter than what you have - I would check to see what Big Agnes, Nemo, Kelty and REI have along the lines of a dome tent with a vestibule. I have an older model Kelty (Trail Ridge 6) and it is rock solid. As far as a canopy goes I am in the same boat. I love my 10x10 easy up style but it can be cumbersome for quick trips. I can set it up in no time and I can’t see myself messing with a tarp and poles. I am going to a boat in site so will have to come up with an alternative for that one. For a chair that’s comfy with a smaller footprint I would suggest the GCI Kickback Rocker. Folds up like a camp chair, is light weight and very comfy even though it’s not cushioned.

it fits my kelty 6 comfortably with space on the size. it was very tight with my kelty 4

I like the Walmart brand Ozark Trail. We have had a smaller tent from them for quite a while (it does leak now but we set up a tarp over it). Our nicer Kelty tent tore and the zipper broke. They’ll fix them for you but I lose the receipt :(  Since you’re new I’d go on the less expensive side first. 

I've had my Kelty for about 12 years now and it has never failed to perform to my highest expectations. I highly recommend them.

Where do you camp, what is the weather like? Generally Kelty or Alps Mountaineerimg tents are the budget tents that are a step up from Coleman. Two layer (separate body and rainfly) are most forgiving. Full rainfly (covers the whole body) is best. More mesh in the body for hot and humid. Less mesh for colder climates.

Yeah the marketing is so bad. There are 3 season tents that are better suited for colder climates but they aren't advertised like that. So weird. In the south, I recommend Kelty tents a lot because their 2 layer tents have almost-full mesh bodies. I notice that people in the northern US swear by Alps Mountaineering tents... their bodies happen to have a lot less mesh in the body. They're like 3.5 season tents, lol (but they'd be bad in the south).