Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Evaluation

Backside Line

The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is a incredible crossover-style tent that hits all the precise notes. It’s completely sized—neither too large nor too small—providing a well-recognized but refreshing design that we will’t get sufficient of. But it surely doesn’t cease there. The all-mesh sidewalls and the good, thoughtfully designed fly make it a great alternative for decent summer time nights underneath the celebrities. 

It’s one of many smaller tents we examined, so it might not be for everybody. Nonetheless, in the event you’re in search of a flexible tent fabricated from high-quality supplies that may be pitched in minutes, and comes with an included footprint—all at a really affordable value—then maintain studying as a result of the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 may simply change into your new favourite tenting tent.

We hit the street for six weeks to place this tent to the final word check, crossing six states and tenting in each front-country and backcountry eventualities. We scrutinized each element of the Mineral King to make sure it really lives as much as the hype.

Consolation

The Mineral King 3 is just not designed for standing room, so most adults received’t be capable of stand upright contained in the tent. Whereas this can be a downside for these in search of a tent with a tall peak top, it’s vital to acknowledge that this tent prioritizes portability and ease of setup over vertical area. Households or campers who prioritize spacious interiors the place they’ll comfortably stand and transfer round may must discover different choices.

Nonetheless, for individuals who worth a extra compact, versatile tent that balances consolation with a smaller footprint, the Mineral King 3 may nonetheless be a fantastic alternative. The Mineral King is comfy for 2 adults and a canine however can really feel a bit cramped with three adults.

Sturdiness

Mountain Hardwear has been producing top-quality gear for a very long time, and the Mineral King follows that custom, although it targets a barely completely different demographic than different tents in our lineup. Making a tent lighter and extra packable doesn’t imply it’s decrease high quality—usually, it’s the alternative. The tent physique, ground, and rainfly supplies have held up nicely, even in less-than-ideal climate. The DAC Pressfit poles assemble simply and really feel as sturdy, if no more so, than these of its opponents. The Mineral King 3 has the vibe of a backpacking tent, with premium supplies that guarantee it’s going to final for a lot of seasons.

Climate Resistance

In comparison with lots of the different tents we examined on this class, the Mineral King stands out for its skill to deal with excessive winds. Its low-profile design and form assist it shed wind successfully, making it appropriate for extra uncovered areas.

Amongst all of the tents we examined this season, the Mineral King 3 encountered essentially the most excessive climate. We did discover that the rainfly can sag a bit if not totally guyed out. Sadly, the tent doesn’t include sufficient stakes to safe the fly fully, which is vital to forestall the moist fly from touching the mesh inside tent. Whereas we didn’t expertise any leakage, it’s price noting that contact between the fly and the inside tent can permit water to pool and doubtlessly seep by means of.

The Mineral King is a wonderful alternative for decent days as a result of it ventilates nicely, even with the fly on. With out the fly, the tent physique is nearly totally mesh, permitting sizzling air to flee simply.

Ease of Setup

Out of all of the tents we examined, the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 stood out for its distinctive ease of setup. A single particular person can pitch this tent in simply minutes, due to its intuitive design. The tent options simply two pre-bent poles and one cross-section pole that come collectively effortlessly, eliminating the necessity for cumbersome pole sleeves.

The light-weight supplies additional simplify the method, as you don’t must take care of a heavy tent when elevating it from the bottom. This streamlined meeting makes the Mineral King 3 a wonderful alternative for campers who worth each effectivity and ease of their setup and tear-down routine.

Options

One of many causes we’re so impressed with the Mineral King 3 is the variety of options packed into such a small tent. It’s the one tent in our lineup that features a footprint, which can not appear to be a giant deal to some, however a footprint is an important a part of any tent setup. We’re thrilled to not must buy it individually.

The Mineral King 3 is likely one of the extra compact tents we examined, with a decrease peak top. Whereas this may increasingly not swimsuit all campers, Mountain Hardwear has made an effort to maximise consolation with two exceptionally massive doorways and a pre-bent pole design. The big doorways make it simple to enter, exit, and transfer gear, whereas the pre-bent poles assist optimize inside area. Although most adults received’t be capable of rise up totally inside, altering garments isn’t too tough, even close to the sidewalls.

The tent’s air flow is superb, due to the 2 kickstand vents and twin zippers on the rainfly. This method helps preserve a snug local weather contained in the tent, making it simpler to sleep nicely in any climate.

Some of the distinctive options of the Mineral King is the rainfly, which might be partially rolled up towards the highest of the tent. This lets you benefit from the stars whereas nonetheless having a part of the tent protected. The rainfly can shortly be rolled down in case of unhealthy climate, providing each comfort and peace of thoughts.

Ought to You Purchase the Moutain Hardwear Mineral King 3?

The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is a wonderful alternative for {couples} or small households in search of a smaller front-country tent that may double as a backpacking tent in a pinch. With its comparatively light-weight and easy design, this tent shines as a flexible crossover possibility.

The Mineral King 3 is good for 2 adults and one baby, however past that, you could need to contemplate different choices. Moreover, in the event you’re completely tenting in front-country campgrounds the place area isn’t a problem, you may want a tent with a bigger footprint and better peak top for added consolation.

What Different Tenting Tents Ought to You Think about?

REI Half Dome 3+ Evaluation: The Half Dome 3+ is lighter, bigger, and just a few {dollars} extra. It’s a more sensible choice in the event you plan to do extra backpacking, however the Mineral King 3 gives superior options and higher sturdiness towards the weather.

Marmot Tungsten 4: The Tungsten 4 can also be bigger than the Mineral King and simply barely costlier, however as a real four-person tent, it’s heftier. The principle variations come all the way down to how a lot room you want and whether or not you favor premium supplies and an included footprint.