I was introduced to the differences between 3 season and 4 season tents on a 10 week expedition in Chilean Patagonia (near mount St. Lorenzo and the Campo de Hielo Sur, in the 11th region.) The 3 season tents we had started failing us immediately (the Keltys were a joke) and it was clear to all of us that for heavy duty use on glaciers or high wind conditions, that tough 4 season tents were mandatory.

The 4 season tents we had in Chile were all Sierra Designs tents and while I haven't had my Trango 3.1 Arch on the glacier in Patagonia, I know that Mountain Hardware was started by people who left Sierra Designs to make even better outdoor equipment.

Let's get to the point:
The Mountain Hardware Trango 3.1 Arch is the strongest tent Mountain Hardware sells due to the quality of the aluminum pole material and the design of the tent which has 7 different points where the poles meet and cross each other. In addition, the "Arch" designation means that Mountain Hardware has integrated into the Trango 3.1 a patented internal guy-line system which allows the occupants to increase the rigidity of the tent via the internal supporting guy-lines. Also, the Trango line sports the heaviest duty materials and toughest coatings that Mountain Hardware sells.

Features include:
- 7075 E9, .380" Easton aluminum four-pole design with seven pole crossings for maximum strength
- sleeping room for 3 people (can squeeze in 4 in an emergency)
- Two full-size double doors with mesh for venting or ripstop nylon for weather/privacy
- Front vestibule (with UVX window) has full-length pole support for maximum space
- patented Tension Arch internal guy system for really bad weather stability
- 70-denier nylon taffeta with a 5,000 mm, 3-layer polyether urethane coating for most durable tent floor coating in the business
- Mesh roof vent with zippered ripstop cover
- 10 lbs. 14 oz. / 4.93 kg
- No skimp, top-quality YKK zippers
- Suggested U.S. retail (reg.) $625

The Trangos all come with a tube of seam sealer and I highly recommend that you use it on the inside of your fly before you go out. The trick to sealing the seams is to set up the tent and put the fly on upside-down to easily coat the seams and allow the sealer to dry.

Who needs this tent?
If you're someone who spends a significant amount of time in tough conditions outdoors, either heavy rain, heavy snow or high wind conditions, the Trango 3.1 may be your best bet in a 4 season tent. The size of the 3.1 makes it perfect for 3 people but even 2 people can manage it and live in the lap of luxury. In an emergency, 4 people can squeeze into this tent as well, making it a very versatile size. The quality of the materials and construction make it one of the most expensive 4 season tents on the market but if taken care of and not abused, it should provide for years of safe nights where ever you take it. This tent is ideal for a mountaineering expedition or any longer trip when you might expect bad weather.

A final important note about the Trangos is that many of them come with a grey/orange colored fly and I highly recommend that you search out this brigher colored fly vs. the darker one that they sell. When you're tent-bound in a snowstorm for days on end, I can't tell you how important it is to have a bright-colored tent fly to brighten your spirits. It may seem inane but it really makes a difference in morale.

Thanks for reading my epinions and please take the time to rate it or write me a comment if you so choose.

Gen

Recommended: Yes