Ajax 3P

REI tents only punch above their price point until they don't. I had a Quarter Dome 2 completely fail after maybe 10 nights, and REI DID NOT stand up for their supposed warranty. They told me that I needed to send my tent to a third party repair company at my own expense. WHY TF DID I BUY AN REI PRODUCT BECAUSE OF THE REI WARRANTY IF THE WARRANTY DIDN'T ACTUALLY EXIST? Meanwhile, I have a Marmot Ajax 3p that's still going strong after 10 years. Fuck REI. They ceased to be about the co-op a long time ago. Now they're all about DEI hipster lifestyle salespersons who have never spent a single night in the woods and ripping off stupid newbies who think they're buying a decent product. Don't be that stupid newbie like me.

Marmot 3 p. Handled 45 mph wind and 35 degree weather on top of mt Pisgah last year with down pouring rain. Didn’t even put the guy lines out. Tent was flawless. No leaks whatsoever.

I would go to Sierra and get whatever tent they have. I got a Marmot 3P for $80 for scouting. The other day they had a pretty good one for $80. As a scout master I tell you almost all kids ruin equipment. If not your kid another kid nearby will. Buy cheaper and let them "own" their own equipment and learn to treat it right

You'd likely be better off buying a Mongar 2P than either of those tents, even with the discount. We have a Marmot 3P that gets used for car camping but its way too heavy to hike with.

I camp a lot - most weekends in the summer and plenty or fall and winter camping. I have a 3-person Marmot that I absolutely love. I’ve had cheaper tents, and camped with people with cheap tents, and have seen them struggle when a fierce storm comes up unexpectedly. I’ve never regretted getting quality gear. Check used sales. If you’re near an REI they sell used gear. Also Che FB Marketplace or eBay. Any local gear store might be able to steer you towards good resale shops.

A tent with 3 separate areas is going to be huge and weigh 25 pounds. On top of that how do you plan to fit that with all of your cooking supplies. I'd get a 3p marmot and call it good.

My wife is all about this. I went from backpacking, to car camping with her in a 3P Marmot tent with a plug-in air mattress… to a 6P REI KingDome… and now she wants a 10P Tent. I’m surprisingly not mad about it… it’s luxurious AF. Super glampy. I’m starting to really get into car camping lol