Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 Tent Review

Ease Of Set-Up
I easily put together the Trango 3 and I did not need the instructions to do so.  The poles and straps are color coordinated contributing to the easy set-up.

Weatherproofing & Ventilation
This tent was exposed to rain, sleet, ice, snow and wind and repelled all of it, keeping the interior dry. The tent kept a taut pitch during these conditions and in periods of high wind the tent proved stable and secure.

I used this tent with two other persons during the testing phase and found the ventilation to be good, but perhaps not quite as good as other tents in this category. At least two more tents could have improved ventilation.

Living Space & Vestibule
The Trango 3 provided plenty of room and great living space options due to a number of good storage options. I easily moved around the tent, sat up and changed clothes, and still had plenty of room to store gear. Although most of my testing was with only one other person (not two), I based living space for this three-person tent on the excess space available in context of the other factors evaluated in this category.

This tent contains two vestibules, one each in the front and the back, with the front vestibule significantly larger than the rear vestibule. The front vestibule provides room for multiple backpacks or expedition duffels and still allows you to enter and exit without much effort. The rear vestibule is effective for storage, but die to its small size, entry and exit was not easy.

Weight To Space And Function
In this category of three-person tents, the Trango 3 is heavy at 11 pounds, 3 ounces. However, this excess weight seems to have a direct relationship to its strength and durability. This tent provides many positives in terms of function and living space, and we affectionately called it the “Resort!”

Durability
This tent is tough and durable and quite frankly seems bombproof.  The zippers are tough and work well, even in dry conditions, and in wet and icy conditions. The tent fabric handles both wind and heavy snow well.

The Verdict

The Trango 3 provides great storage, is easy to set up and has plenty of room for up to three people comfortably. Although quite heavy and not as well vented as other tents in the test, the Trango 3 proved durable and spacious for occupants and their gear.

See More From Gear Trailblazer

KUIU Ultra Merino 120 LT Zip Off Bottom Review

In the chilly backcountry, ascending steep uphills always has me sweating, even in sub-zero temperatures. My body just seems to run hot when I’m pushing hard. But here’s the catch:...

Fishpond Delta Sling Pack Review

The Fishpond Delta Sling Pack is a large-capacity bag that combines the features of a sling and a waist pack with a unique (and very comfortable) storage solution. OrganizationShaped like...

Black Diamond Recon Stretch Ski Shell Review

Materials The Black Diamond Recon Stretch is constructed out of BD.Dry 3 layer material that is fully waterproof, windproof and breathable. Its highly waterproof rating of 20,000 mm is equivalent...

Metolius Crag Station Review

Comfort/FitThe Metolius Crag Station is only available in one size, fitting 6-foot users of average climbing build. The dense foam in the back panel is the only suspension component, but...

Trango Crag Pack Review

Comfort/FitThe Trango Crag pack comes in two sizes, regular and short. The regular size fits this 6-foot-tall tester with medium build well. The double aluminum vertical stays (can be bent...

Orvis Women’s Ultralight Convertible Wader Review

This smart-fitting wader hits all the notes: It’s light but tough, affordable yet serviceable–a real crowd-pleaser that offers most of what most anglers need and want. Fit The Ultralight Convertible...

Columbia OutDry EX Diamond Piste Jacket Review

Materials The Columbia OutDry EX Diamond Piste Jacket features new technology for fall 2018. It uses Omni Heat 3D lining which they tout as groundbreaking technology for its ability to...