Mountain Hardwear  Trango 4 Tent

Was very disappointed to not find a single review of this tent on REI. Granted, it's insanely expensive but if you're looking for a very roomy but absolutely bombproof tent - you've found it. Our family has owned the Trango 4 since 2008 and it still looks brand new - depite being through some absoutely awful weather. Having it for such a long period of time, I think it's finally time for a proper review. First off, this definitely is NOT a backpacking tent. Only way I'd take this backpacking is if you split the gear between 4 people (which can be done). Otherwise, this is one heavy tent at well over 10 pounds. However, it's absolutely worth that weight in gold once you face any severe weather. When I was searching for a tent, my criteria was fairly straight forward... I want a tent which can be used for car camping, but is actually more bombproof than my car - with the bonus of comfortably sleeping 3 people. Yes, this is advertised as a 4 person tent, but I'd consider it better for 3 people unless you like being shoulder to shoulder. The great thing about this tent is the rigidity, even without the tent staked or guyed out. Typically I'll only stake down the tent and rain fly, but have no need to use the guy out points on the fly. This tent has been through 60-70mph winds with driving rain in the local desert with this configuration, and DIDN'T EVEN BUDGE. Literally, the tent didn't move dispite the fact that other tents in the campground were ripping to shreds and blowing away. This tells me there is still plenty of margin and I guarantee this tent could probably withstand 100+mph winds fully guyed out. This might be a winter mountaineering tent, but it seriously meets every requirement for a desert camping tent as well. It's design makes it impervious to sand blowing up underneath the fly and into the tent, due to the limited mesh in only the door and top areas - both of which can be fully sealed in this type of sand (or snow) storm. In good weather during the spring or summer, the tent can easily be pitched without the fly and provides plenty of ventalation for those warm summer nights. Bottom line, you can't buy a better tent if you intend to have one that will likely last for the rest of your lifetime (and then some) if taken care of properly. My tent still looks new after nearly 6 years and plenty of punishing environments. If you have the cash, don't hesitate to make this investment in your shelter.

Like the preceding reviewer, I have owned a Trango 4 Tent since about 2008, and it has performed superbly well. I had to send it back to Mountain Hardware following a trip to the Escalante a couple of years ago due to a zipper problem (keep the zippers clean), and the people at the Mountain Hardware service department are wonderful. This tent is worth every penny in quality, workmanship and follow-up service. Highly recommended.

After six years of ownership of a Trango 4 tent, I had to return the rainfly for repair due to the seam sealer tape having dried out and delaminated. Mountain Hardwear sent me a brand new and improved replacement rainfly -- within a week. The people at Mountain Hardwear aim to please. Their products are outstanding, and so is their customer service. Highly recommended.