REI Taj 3

Review Date
January 7, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.33 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by: Jitterbug ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $82.00 at eBay

Summary:
I've used the Taj 3 many times as a leader for the volunteer group Inner City outings. This tent has always come through for me in rain, cold, and wind. You can fit two adults and a good amount of gear or 3 or 4 kids, who always have a ball.
It's got a lot of mesh for warm night star viewing and a low slung fly for rainy nights. It also has a 53 inch peak so nobody feels claustophobic in this tent. Buy with confidence, use with pleasure!

Customer Service:
You know it's good with REI as the maker.

Similar Products Used:
Sierra Design Muir Trail

Review Date
September 24, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.50 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: Kristin(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Arlington Heights, IL

Price Paid:  $85.00 at REI - Clearance Sale

Summary:
I bought this to replace my old worn out car camping tent. It is a very roomy 2 man tent and a slightly tight 3 man tent. Lots of head room. It rained for 4 days on its first test and the rainfly did leak at the velcro tabs. Thanfully most of the water ran down the poles. I've seam sealed it but haven't had a chance to test it. It has stood up to 45MPH winds without incident. Ventilation is good with the rain fly open, but not great when the fly is completely closed.

Overall, excellent solo car camping tent or roomy backpacking tent for 2.

Customer Service:
REI has great CS, but this tent was bought as a resale item and does not come with any warrenty or CS. It was a risk, but also a steal at that price.

Review Date
July 30, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: TwoTiredGal(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $229.00 at REI Flagship Denver

Summary:
Got the tent and took it right away to Moab for a week-long test. Perfect size for my dog, me, and all the crap a girl needs when car camping. The vestibules were perfect for gear on one side and a shade-seeking dog on the other. I agree that 3 people is really pushing it for this tent but 2 people would definitely fit... along with a dog. (=

As a modest person, I wasn't thrilled with the window on the rain fly because whether it's night or day, others can see right in. But I just bought a little hankerchief and pinned it to the loops near the window. Worked great!

Customer Service:
Haven't needed them yet but am glad to see others have had such good experiences with them!

Review Date
September 25, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Ty (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
The taj 3 had heaps of room for 4 kids. The vestibules had room for all our gear. I took it to austrailia on a boyscout trip. We hiked 80k and camped for 5 nites. It rained like 4 inches on the third nite. By the way, we were on the southern coast. we were bone dry. It was a sight to be the only boys out of fifty to be dry! After that nighte, the taj 3 was my new favorite. i hope you will enjoy this awesome tent as much as we did!

Similar Products Used:
north face road runner 3
kelty vortex 4
wind foil 3

Review Date
September 8, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Melissa (Unregistered User) ,  Car Camper , from Seattle, WA USA

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This tent rocks! It's perfect for two people and a dog or child. It's a snap to put together and it has great finishes (an attic and other pouches for your stuff.) I love the head room. The way it was designed, you get great light coming through the fly. It's a joy to be inside. This is my all-time favorite tent.

Similar Products Used:
Halfdome Plus, Clipper