REI Quarter Dome T3 Plus Tent

Cost: $400

Product description: The REI Quarter Dome T3 Plus is a freestanding tent that pioneers innovative architecture to keep weight low, ensure high interior volume and bolster strength and stability. Features include: REI-exclusive Tension Truss enhances structural stability and prevents deformation in the wind, DAC NSL hubbed poleset, Pole clips provide quick and easy tent set-up, Dry Entry vestibule offers convenient access and ample storage capacity, Fully adjustable, high-level vents, Silicone-treated, lightweight ripstop nylon fly, Bathtub floor with seam-sealed corners, No-Wick welded construction, Multiple interior storage options provided by various combinations of mesh side pockets and hang loops, Tapered, easy-to-stuff compression stuff sack, 6 stakes, 4 guylines?and tighteners, pole repair tube, pole and stake bags.

 Product specifications: Capacity - 3-person / Minimum trail weight - 5 lbs. 7 oz. / Packaged weight - 6 lbs. 1 oz. / Packed size - 8" x 25" / Floor dimensions - 94" x 72" (47 square feet) / Peak height - 44" / Number of doors - 2

 

(This review is of the 2012 version of the QD T3+. We make no claims about the current version.)

Bob's impressions: We bought this tent when we knew we wanted to backpack, but were more concerned with space and convenience than weight and bulk. As a result I have to say that I've since bought a much lighter two-man tent for solo and duo trips.

That is not to say that once we've pitched this thing it isn't a great tent - it most certainly is. We love it. It is well-made and well-designed. The QD is easy to pitch for two people and only slightly more difficult for one (I did use it for one solo trip). It breathes quite nicely - we've never had any condensation (but much of our camping is in dryer areas), it spills the wind fairly easily, and I think the teardrop doors, though a bit small, are superior to other designs that drop onto the floor or into the dirt. The QD's doors are attached at the top and store in a mesh pocket. It can be a bit awkward on entry and exit, but is still an efficient and clean system.

Packed with the separately purchased footprint ($40) and some extra stakes, our T3 Plus weighs in a just under 6 and a half pounds.


Italics indicate manufacturer's remarks and details.