User Review: REI Taj 3

Summary

This is a good sturdy tent. Lightweight and quick to set up once you get the hang the of it. The large nets for the doors and ceiling make it very breathable.

I absolutely love this tent. It packs up easy, and is easy to set up. Though, the odd shape made it tough to set up the first time. This is definitely a tent that you should set up and become familiar with before going out. The shape also makes it extraordinarily difficult to put up in windy conditions. Of course, anything is tough to do in a really windy conditions, but I found this tent to be particularly tricky.

The last small complaint I have is that the vestibules, if you chose to put the rain fly on, are really small. This disadvantage is mitigated thanks again to its trapezoidal footprint, which allows you to fit a lot of gear inside.

My Taj 3 is a couple of years old now and it has held up great. It did well through some nasty storms without breaking a pole or having any other kind of problem. The stakes are easy to put in and the tent holds well. Through all the wind the tent staid taut. While bragging about its strength I must confess that I have never had in the snow, and I would have some worry if it was stuck in an unseasonable snow fall. Other than that it handles moisture well. It is easy to keep sleeping bags away from the edge to help keep ventilation out, again those vents really help.

The large vents on either side and on top make it quick to dry out. The rain fly also has a couple of vents that provide a decent cross breeze; though, there could be more.  All things considered, it is a great tent. The head room and internal storage capacity are terrific, but I would make sure to keep it away from snow.