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

Brooks Cascadia 13 Review

The Brooks Cascadia is a mainstay of trail running, and fans of the past Cascadia models will find a lot to like here – comfortable uppers, a stable ride, and...

Lowa Renegade GTX Lo Review

Stability  For such a low profile shoe, the Renegade has deceivingly solid stability. It comes standard with a Vibram outsole that grips rock well when scrambling. The specific type of...

Black Diamond Vapor Review

ComfortThe Black Diamond Vapor is one of most comfortable helmets tested and received rave reviews from a variety of testers for its comfort. A key contributor to the Vapor’s comfort...

Saucony Xodus ISO 3 Review

The Xodus ISO 3 is the third iteration of Saucony’s popular all-terrain, well-cushioned trail shoe. It’s the most cushioned and protective trail shoe in Saucony’s line, and sits just above...

Best Ski Apparel Brands of 2024

It’s no secret that skiing is an expensive and gear-intensive sport. And whether you’re doing laps at your local resort or skinning deep into the backcountry, you’ll need a quality...

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...

Vasque Inhaler Low GTX Review

In my opinion, Vasque really stepped up its game in the light hiker category with the introduction of the Inhaler Low GTX, while still remaining true to its roots. It’s...