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Mountain Hardwear Tangent 2, 4 Season Tent

Original Post
Will Cohn · · Denver, CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 185

So, I'm looking to buy a new four season tent and am seriously considering the Tangent 2.

I know that I want a double wall tent because I will be using the tent primarily for base camping. However, I like that the Tangent is also pretty light for a double wall which makes it more versatile than other double walls such as the Trango 2.

Less weight also means less room, but I most likely won't be using the tent for winter trips longer than a week, so I figured the lack of space shouldn't be a huge issue. And its supposed to be bigger than the Spire 2, an older Mountain Hardwear tent that I have considered.

Has anyone used the Tangent 2 and have any thoughts or buying advice? Because it's such a new tent I haven't been able to find many reviews.

Thanks.

jaredj · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 165

Seems like the 3 features that differentiate 4-season tents from 3-season (in terms of what I see in the marketplace are):

1. Relatively sturdier pole design for robustness to high winds and / or snow loading
2. Relatively more aerodynamic shape (think here holistically about the tent and vestibule(s)
3. Relatively less mesh to keep blowing snow out (and help keep in a little more warm air)

Surely there's others. For me personally, I value the shape / wind resistance the most. If it's snowing like a bitch (loading the tent and / or blowing in), I'm probably not going out in the first place, or heading home.

I've never tried the Spire or the tent in question you ask about. That said, every 3-season tent I've been in with this design (2-pole dome design, one or two vestibules on the side) has had floppy-ass vestibules in high winds. There's a lot of square footage of vestibule fabric to catch wind, and only a single point holding it down to the ground.

An alternative I recommend that keeps the weight down but meets your other criteria is the REI Arete 2 ASL. The REI tent is pretty light, but has a better vestibule design (more aero) and sturdier pole design (3 hoop poles instead of 2 or 2.5) than the tent you link. It's kind of a poor-man's Hilleberg Jannu. Its weight is still low compared to the full-on 4-season tents like a MH Trango, NF Mountain 25, or Sierra Designs Stretch Dome.

Adam McFarren · · Boulder, Colorado · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 50

Sorry, no experience with the Tangent, but I used to own a Spire2 and spent many nights in the alpine with it. Never had a problem with the vestibules flapping and the tent always pitched very taunt. One of my favorite tents for sleeping through a thunderstorm. Only got rid of the tent b/c it was a little heavy for 1 person for backpacking approaches and not very roomy for 2.

Will Cohn · · Denver, CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 185

Anyone have an opinion on the "Trident Corner"?

McFly · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 5

I have this tent. I bought it new this summer and I've used it probably half a dozen times now. Basically, it's awesome. It's fast to set up, reasonably light and has two vestibules/doors to store your crap. I haven't had it out in any major weather yet luckily, but it feels super bomber so I have no worries about it. The 'bathtub' design is also nice - no problem camping on snow, stays completely dry. I use it pretty much exclusively on alpine trips.

I wouldn't call it 'roomy', however. It fits two, but things are tight.

Edit:

Here's a picture of it doing its thing on Shuksan:

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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