Mountain Hardware Wedge 3

[Blues Traveler]

After trying out four different tents I think i've found the one i've been looking for. A free standing easy settup tent with plenty of room and an unbelievable amount of overhead storage. Above the door is what is called a tension shelf. A huge pocket where you can actually stow a jacket.

Here's a link to the tent for more pictures.

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=3&prod=1348&cat=49&viewAll=False

Light Wedge 3 http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/Wedge3wfly.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/Wedgeedia.gif

Light Wedge? tents are simple backpacking tents for two or three. Featuring Mountain Hardwear?s patented tension shelf for strength and storage, the 70D nylon and mesh canopy has a single, D-shaped door, two mesh ceiling vents and one rear vent. Atlas 7001 poles are strong and light. Guaranteed watertight construction. Superlight option: pitch with fly and Pitch Light? footprint to shave pounds. Footprint sold separately.


MSRP: $225.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity 3
Minimum Weight 6.31 lb / 2.86 kg
Packaged Weight 7.23 lb / 3.28 kg
Floor Area 44.02 sq ft / 4.09 sq m
Vestibule area 11.84 sq ft / 1.10 sq m
Length 7.87 ft / 240.00 cm
Width 6.23 ft / 190.00 cm
Number of doors 1
Number of poles 2
Number of vestibules 1
Exterior height 4.13 ft / 126.00 cm
Interior height 3.90 ft / 119.00 cm
Tension shelves 1
Gear loft rect
Packed diameter 7.09 in / 18.00 cm
Packed length 18.90 in / 48.00 cm
Type 3 Season

? #8 YKK zippers with nickel-plated sliders and pull-tabs for durability and noise reduction
? Two mesh top vents and one rear window vent
? Opposing double slider fly zippers for ease of ventilation
? 2-pole wedge design is lightweight and roomy
? Back-tacked stress points add strength and durability
? Bias bound zippers allow for ease of use and extended zipper life
? Vestibule brow pole provides increased space and creates an awning over front entry
? Catenary-cut seams create taut canopy and improve fly strength
? D-shaped doors stay off ground when open
? Gated Power Clips at pole intersections
? Large front vestibule with wide opening for storage and easy entry
? Locking pole tips for ease of set-up
? Mesh doors and windows maximize ventilation and weight savings
? Off-ground perimeter seams form a waterproof tub
? Large mesh pockets and webbing hang loops keep things organized inside the tent
? Taped, full coverage polyester fly. Keeps weather out and resists stretch when wet
? Gated Power Clips at all pole/tent connections
? Single full-size mesh door
? Taped floor seams (not all tents have a floor seam)
? Tension shelf provides strength, support for vestibule and storage
? UVX window on front vestibule
? Large, clear, non-yellowing, non-clouding UVX film windows

[FrioPoint]

Thanks for the review. It is a good looking tent. My 14 year old Moss Tent is still
doing fine, but I've been thinking about getting a newer one. I'll go to REI and look
at the Mountain Hardware.

[QUOTE=Blues Traveler]After trying out four different tents I think i've found the one i've been looking for. A free standing easy settup tent with plenty of room and an unbelievable amount of overhead storage. Above the door is what is called a tension shelf. A huge pocket where you can actually stow a jacket.

[headdoc427]

After trying out four different tents I think i've found the one i've been looking for. A free standing easy settup tent with plenty of room
I agree. I've used a number of tents and have been very impressed with my most recent purchase of a Mountain Hardware Alcove 3. Lots of space, constructed in a way that leaves both doors upright. Strong, lightweight 3-4 season tent. Packs very small for such a roomy tent.

[STeveGray]

I agree. I've used a number of tents and have been very impressed with my most recent purchase of a Mountain Hardware Alcove 3. Lots of space, constructed in a way that leaves both doors upright. Strong, lightweight 3-4 season tent. Packs very small for such a roomy tent.

Interesting. I also just purchased the Mountain Hardware Alcove 3. REI Outlet had a great deal on them (got it for ~$150). Haven't used it beyond setting it up in the living room (don't think I can really count that!) I can't wait to get out and use it outside. It looks very nice.

[Mellow]

Interesting. I also just purchased the Mountain Hardware Alcove 3. REI Outlet had a great deal on them (got it for ~$150). Haven't used it beyond setting it up in the living room (don't think I can really count that!) I can't wait to get out and use it outside. It looks very nice.


Is this the tent? This one says it's a GT, can't wait to hear an official review once you guys get a chance to take them out.

http://images.rei.com/media/652814.jpg
Clink for link to REI (http://www.rei.com/product/47982680.htm)

[headdoc427]

http://images.rei.com/media/652814.jpg

Yea! Thats it, or at least it looks like it.

REI Outlet had a great deal on them (got it for ~$150).

DANG! Tell me it aint so. I paid $200 and thought I got the steal. After I purchased mine it disappeared from the online outlet. Thought I got the last and the best deal.

Haven't used it beyond setting it up in the living room (don't think I can really count that!) I can't wait to get out and use it outside. It looks very nice.

Me too!

[STeveGray]

Is this the tent? This one says it's a GT, can't wait to hear an official review once you guys get a chance to take them out.

Yep. That looks like it. Notice that the front door is vertical. The door on most tents is at an angle so the top of the door is closer to the center of the tent than the bottom. This vertical door makes getting in and out very nice. I've had the experience (more than once) of stepping into a tent but not ducking my head in quite far enough and banging the top of the doorway when I try to straighten up a little. I'll admit to being clumsy but this will solve the problem.

With the rain fly on it has a very large front vestibule and a small vestibule in the rear. It doesn't have the tension shelf that the Wedge does but it has sewn-in pockets at each of the four corners. They call it a 3 but I'd call it a 2 1/2. The diagram in the instructions shows that to fit 3 people in there they have to sleep head to toe. That's OK with me since I'm using all that space for just little old me. :)

Three color-coded poles make set-up pretty easy. As you can see the poles are clip-on so that part's quick, too -- no threading poles through sleeves. Very slick, me thinks.

[STeveGray]

DANG! Tell me it aint so. I paid $200 and thought I got the steal. After I purchased mine it disappeared from the online outlet. Thought I got the last and the best deal.

:D We both did exactly the same thing. I bought it on REI Outlet online for ~$200. The very next day I got an email from REI with an e-coupon for 20% - 30% off any one item from REI Outlet. (I can't remember the exact % off they were offering.) I called them to see if they'd apply it retroactively to the tent I'd just ordered the day before. The call-taker checked with her supervisor and said they would. They billed the full $200 then gave me a credit for the % off. Woo Hoo! :D

[headdoc427]

Yep. That looks like it. Notice that the front door is vertical. The door on most tents is at an angle so the top of the door is closer to the center of the tent than the bottom. This vertical door makes getting in and out very nice. I've had the experience (more than once) of stepping into a tent but not ducking my head in quite far enough and banging the top of the doorway when I try to straighten up a little. I'll admit to being clumsy but this will solve the problem.

With the rain fly on it has a very large front vestibule and a small vestibule in the rear. It doesn't have the tension shelf that the Wedge does but it has sewn-in pockets at each of the four corners. They call it a 3 but I'd call it a 2 1/2. The diagram in the instructions shows that to fit 3 people in there they have to sleep head to toe. That's OK with me since I'm using all that space for just little old me. :)

Three color-coded poles make set-up pretty easy. As you can see the poles are clip-on so that part's quick, too -- no threading poles through sleeves. Very slick, me thinks.

Hey, on your tent, how did you attach the rain fly to the rest of the tent. The instructions included with the tent indicated a snap and buckle system that my tent does not have. I hooked the rain fly grommets to the tent poles where they were sticking-out the bottom of the tent stake straps - If all that makes any sense.

[STeveGray]

Hey, on your tent, how did you attach the rain fly to the rest of the tent. The instructions included with the tent indicated a snap and buckle system that my tent does not have. I hooked the rain fly grommets to the tent poles where they were sticking-out the bottom of the tent stake straps - If all that makes any sense.

Well... let's try this again. I posted one reply but got an "invalid thread" message and now I don't see my reply so I'm assuming it didn't really post. :mad:

What you're saying makes perfect sense and I can easily picture it based on my memory of what I did putting mine up. (However... we're working with an old man's memory here... :confused: )

I remember spending quite a bit of time puzzling over the drawings that pass for instructions, trying to figure out what they were trying to say when it came to attaching the fly. I do have adjusting buckles on the fly straps but no snaps. There is a single grommet and I also ended up putting that under the tent pole. That wasn't as neat as I thought it should be and I didn't end up with a nice taut rain fly so I want to fool with it some more to see if I can figure something else out.

The tent stake straps have two grommets. I used the inboard grommet for the tent pole and the loop at the end would be for the stake. What's the purpose for the grommet between the inboard grommet and the stake loop? It seems logical to me that it would have something to do with the rain fly but I couldn't see any way to make that work so I ended up putting the fly grommet under the tent pole, exactly as you did. Not happy yet with the way that turned out, though.

If I can't figure it out I may end up taking it to my local REI store to see what kind of magic one of their salespeople can work with it.

[headdoc427]

Well... let's try this again. I posted one reply but got an "invalid thread" message and now I don't see my reply so I'm assuming it didn't really post. :mad:

What you're saying makes perfect sense and I can easily picture it based on my memory of what I did putting mine up. (However... we're working with an old man's memory here... :confused: )

I remember spending quite a bit of time puzzling over the drawings that pass for instructions, trying to figure out what they were trying to say when it came to attaching the fly. I do have adjusting buckles on the fly straps but no snaps. There is a single grommet and I also ended up putting that under the tent pole. That wasn't as neat as I thought it should be and I didn't end up with a nice taut rain fly so I want to fool with it some more to see if I can figure something else out.

The tent stake straps have two grommets. I used the inboard grommet for the tent pole and the loop at the end would be for the stake. What's the purpose for the grommet between the inboard grommet and the stake loop? It seems logical to me that it would have something to do with the rain fly but I couldn't see any way to make that work so I ended up putting the fly grommet under the tent pole, exactly as you did. Not happy yet with the way that turned out, though.

If I can't figure it out I may end up taking it to my local REI store to see what kind of magic one of their salespeople can work with it.

Sounds like we both went through the exact same process. You at least have some adjusting buckles on the rain fly. I do not have these. Like you, I don't get the two grommet and loop system on the tent. I assumed the loop was for tent stakes, but then what's the two grommets for? I plan on doing the same - go to REI and talk with them. Though I didn't look closely at it, I remember they had a couple Mountain Hardware tents set up, may-be they use the same attachment system.

Sorry for Hijacking this thread.

[Mellow]

Sorry for Hijacking this thread.

Hey, it's all about camping.

[STeveGray]

Sounds like we both went through the exact same process. You at least have some adjusting buckles on the rain fly. I do not have these. Like you, I don't get the two grommet and loop system on the tent. I assumed the loop was for tent stakes, but then what's the two grommets for? I plan on doing the same - go to REI and talk with them. Though I didn't look closely at it, I remember they had a couple Mountain Hardware tents set up, may-be they use the same attachment system.

I didn't have the tent with me but I was in my local REI store yesterday so I talked to a salesman and described the issue to him. He said the second (outboard) grommet would be the correct one to use for the tent poles when the tent is new. The inboard grommets are there so you can still keep the tent taut when it gets old and has been used and stretched out. RE the rainfly he said we're doing it correctly. It's supposed to go under the tent pole. He said you can also remove the pole from the tent strap, slip the rainfly strap on, then put the pole back in the tent strap grommet. We're also correct about the loops. They're for the stakes, if you use them. Since the tent's free standing I probably won't use them much. Anyway, there you have it. Basically we're doing everything correctly.

I'm going to try the switch to see if it works better to put the rainfly straps on top instead of under the tent straps.

[mongo]

Steve just watch weather conditions when not using the stakes. I came back from breakfast and found my tent with saddlebags inside wrapped around a tree at Knights Key last March. I was only there for 1 night and thought the bags would hold it down for the mile walk to the diner, I was wrong.

[STeveGray]

Steve just watch weather conditions when not using the stakes. I came back from breakfast and found my tent with saddlebags inside wrapped around a tree at Knights Key last March. I was only there for 1 night and thought the bags would hold it down for the mile walk to the diner, I was wrong.


Wrapped around a tree??!! :eek: I definitely would have thought it would be safe with saddlebags in it. Oooo. Thanks for the "heads up." I'll definitely rethink that decision!

[headdoc427]

I didn't have the tent with me but I was in my local REI store yesterday so I talked to a salesman and described the issue to him. He said the second (outboard) grommet would be the correct one to use for the tent poles when the tent is new. The inboard grommets are there so you can still keep the tent taut when it gets old and has been used and stretched out. RE the rainfly he said we're doing it correctly. It's supposed to go under the tent pole. He said you can also remove the pole from the tent strap, slip the rainfly strap on, then put the pole back in the tent strap grommet. We're also correct about the loops. They're for the stakes, if you use them. Since the tent's free standing I probably won't use them much. Anyway, there you have it. Basically we're doing everything correctly.

I'm going to try the switch to see if it works better to put the rainfly straps on top instead of under the tent straps.
Thanks for the update. I"ll try the fly straps on top, too. But, I bet I stay with the under thing, seems troublesome to reconnect each pole to attach the fly. Thanks.

[STeveGray]

OK, Headdoc, I said I'd post after I tried it out so here it is. When I set this up in the living room I had a problem with the rain fly not being taut and touching the tent rather than standing away from it the way it's supposed to. When it's pitched, it isn't a problem. Staking out the fly to form the front alcove tightens everything up just fine. (I was kind of reluctant to drive stakes into the living room floor. Figured I'd be unlikely to win friends and influence people if I did.)

As suggested by the salesman, I experimented with moving the fly straps to the top of the pile of straps under the pole but I don't think it made any real difference and it wasn't worth the effort, so I won't do that next time. I didn't need or use the guy lines provided with the fly so I could have tightened it up even more if necessary. It was windy but once everything got staked out securely the tent handled the wind just fine. Even though it's free standing, it definitely needed to be staked in the wind, though.

The tent was very roomy. I could be an absolute slob and almost didn't need the vestibules at all. I've got a few pictures I could post with the tent set up if I can remember to post them when I get home.

All in all, I'm very happy with the tent. It's a keeper.

[headdoc427]

OK, Headdoc, I said I'd post after I tried it out so here it is. When I set this up in the living room I had a problem with the rain fly not being taut and touching the tent rather than standing away from it the way it's supposed to. When it's pitched, it isn't a problem. Staking out the fly to form the front alcove tightens everything up just fine. (I was kind of reluctant to drive stakes into the living room floor. Figured I'd be unlikely to win friends and influence people if I did.)

As suggested by the salesman, I experimented with moving the fly straps to the top of the pile of straps under the pole but I don't think it made any real difference and it wasn't worth the effort, so I won't do that next time. I didn't need or use the guy lines provided with the fly so I could have tightened it up even more if necessary. It was windy but once everything got staked out securely the tent handled the wind just fine. Even though it's free standing, it definitely needed to be staked in the wind, though.

The tent was very roomy. I could be an absolute slob and almost didn't need the vestibules at all. I've got a few pictures I could post with the tent set up if I can remember to post them when I get home.

All in all, I'm very happy with the tent. It's a keeper.

Hey thanks for the update and glad to hear the tent works well. Got to get mine out there too. Thanks.

[mongo]

Wrapped around a tree??!! :eek: I definitely would have thought it would be safe with saddlebags in it. Oooo. Thanks for the "heads up." I'll definitely rethink that decision!

Usually it would have been good with sadlebags in it. That time it was settup about 50 feet from the ocean and it was gusty.

[STeveGray]

Usually it would have been good with sadlebags in it. That time it was settup about 50 feet from the ocean and it was gusty.

Still... You don't always know the weather characteristics of the spot your camping. I just camped in the San Jacinto mountains just above Palm Desert. A wind comes up in the evening there. If you aren't aware of the weather pattern you could be in for a rude surprise, and it only takes one time. I had visions of your tent looking like swiss cheese after it had been wrapped around a tree. It probably wasn't really that bad, but the possibilities got my attention.

If I'm just over-nighting and not really leaving the site, I probably won't bother. I'll be there to judge the weather. But if I'm leaving it up and leaving the site, it's getting staked. Better safe than sorry.

[Mark]

+1 on staking.

We were camping in the desert in March and had winds strong enough to break a carbon fiber tent pole come up without warning...
I'm glad the stakes were there... picking cactus out of our gear wouldn't have been fun... especially if we had missed a few spines... yeeow... !!!

We now return you to the Mountain Hardware Wedge Product Review.
:D
Mark

[STeveGray]

We now return you to the Mountain Hardware Wedge Product Review.
:D
Mark

What's a thread without the occasional hijack? ;)

[Blues Traveler]

On my way to WestFest 06' I did have a failure with the Wedge 3. 3rd night out in Monument Valley UT. After the 3 of us finished setting up our tents we all heard something go POP! Weather was very warm and we all decicded to leave off our rainfly's. The noise came from my tent and you could clearly see a broken pole. The end of one pole towards the top slit about 1". Lucky for me I had one of those little repair tubes from REI. Upon my return I went back to REI where I bought it. There tent expert had never seen anything like it. As he handed me another from a new tent on the floor he did compaired the new to the old. The new was bigger in Dia. Looks like un upgrade he said and handed me the complete set. REI is AWSOME! No haggling over the problem he just handed me the whole set. Did mention he was going to ask the Mountain Hardware rep about it next time he saw him.

[STeveGray]

Great! Thanks for sharing this. It's really good to know. Lots of times, rather than hassle, I just replace small parts myself. I do a lot of business at REI but haven't taken much of anything back. It's helpful to know ahead of time they've got a good attitude about it.

[ST1300 ALICIA]

Interesting. I also just purchased the Mountain Hardware Alcove 3. REI Outlet had a great deal on them (got it for ~$150). Haven't used it beyond setting it up in the living room (don't think I can really count that!) I can't wait to get out and use it outside. It looks very nice.


When do you think the Alcove 3 GT might go on sale again. Lists right now for $360.00. I am interested but thats a Lotta money for a tent. I would want to get the footprint also. Was that a closeout on a discontinued version of the tent maybe.

[STeveGray]

When do you think the Alcove 3 GT might go on sale again. Lists right now for $360.00. I am interested but thats a Lotta money for a tent. I would want to get the footprint also. Was that a closeout on a discontinued version of the tent maybe.

Hi Alicia. The full price is kinda rich for my blood, too. I got really lucky with the price I got it for. Not only did I pick it up from REI Outlet, so it was discounted, but I also had got an email offering an additional 20% off or something like that.

My recommendation is to keep an eye on REI Outlet. You can sign up for emails from them but I also just bring up the site periodically to check what's there. You never know. Tent manufacturers seem to come out with "new improved" models almost every year so that renders the previous year's model obsolete and moves them into the Outlet. I'd pay particularly close attention beginning in the late fall and going through the winter. That's when it seems retailers are stocking up for the spring rush when most people's thoughts turn to summer camping. I think retailers want to move the old merchandise out to make room for the new so that's when you're most likely to find the bargains. JMHO.

[Blues Traveler]

Has been a little over 1 year since my first posting on the Mountain Hardware Light Wedge 3. The tent has held up just GREAT after many camping trips over the last year. Used at least once a month, sometimes 2 and on our 11 day trip to Colorado. Still looks like new and have had only one problem with it last summer on our BIG trip to Colorado last summer. While in Monument Valley I had one of the tent poles pop after settup. Split right on the end/fitting. Lucky for me I had spent the 75 cents on one of those little repair tubes from REI that slips over the damage. They work GREAT and are well worth the cost and having along in my kit for making assorted repairs. I took the poles back to REI where I was givin a new complete set of poles from another new tent. There tent expert took a good look at the old set and the new. Seems the new set of poles have a greater wall thickness. Maybe an upgrade? Dont know but they are heavier duty.

I expect many years use from this tent and should be the last tent i'll ever have to buy unless I see something new that I just got to have. Have never had a problem with rain. Just last night I finally got around to sealing all the seams on the rainfly. While doing so I inspected all the seams which looked just fine but did them anyway as we are all headed up to the Kern River this weekend for WARP 3 with the ADVrider group and are expecting some sort of rain.

[Lat]

+1 for the Wedge 3! Laughable that they call this a 3 person tent, but anybody that has been shopping tents this decade has the heads up on that issue. I have been enjoying mine since '05 and still love it for all the features. It is a little under ventilated for mid summer in Texas unless you leave the rain fly off. Helps to point the door into the breeze if there is one and leave the vestibule open in the warm weather.

Got this shot at Texas Motor Speedway a couple of Saturdays back. Did the mc escort thang for our local MS 150. Major fun well appreciated by the "real bikers". I highly recommend the experience. ~Jeff

http://jlphotos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/BMW/photo/862582651_xSxCa-L.jpg