Big Agnes MTN GLO Rattlesnake 3 Tent Review, best 3 man tent

Big Agnes® MTN GLO Rattlesnake 3 Tent Review

Editor: Mark

When I first heard of the Big Agnes line of MTN GLO tents, I was intrigued. Having a light built into the tent—when out in the middle of nowhere—was just one of those ideas that radiated with me from the first moment I heard about it. Yeah, we all need light at night. Why not just have it built into the tent? That light source runs on three AAA batteries or can be powered by any USB source.

Just the Facts:
Here is a quick list of specs and features for the Big Agnes MTN GLO Rattlesnake 3 tent review:
• Features two doors and two vestibules
• Quick Stash on tent body door makes stowing unzipped door simple and easy
• Symmetrical pole structure in simplifies set up
• Media pockets located above sleeping area enable clean ear bud cord routing from phones or other devices
• Storm flaps on vestibule zippers
• Reflective guy lines and webbing on tent corners
• Fly and floor are silicone treated nylon rip-stop with 1200mm waterproof polyurethane coating
• Tent body is breathable nylon and polyester mesh
• All seams taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane tape (No PVC or VOC’s)
• DAC pole system with press fit connectors and lightweight hubs
• Plastic clips attach tent body to pole frame
• 8 aluminum hook stakes
• Four interior mesh pockets and two internal media pockets
• Gear loft loops included–fits Wall gear loft (sold separately)
• Compatible with Big Agnes Entertainment Center loft and PowerCase/Loft- sold separately
• Fast Fly setup available – pitch a shelter while leaving the tent body behind. The Fast Fly configuration requires the footprint, rainfly, poles and stakes.
• Weight as reviewed – 5lbs, 4 oz.
• Price as reviewed $400

My Story

I took the Rattlesnake 3 into the Wind Rivers for a week-long backpacking trip. I don’t mind telling you from the top that it was everything I had hoped it would be. The tent is very attractive. It has clean lines and is feature packed. It has reflective guy lines and webbing at the corners of the tent. I was thinking how neat the tent looked when compared to the drab stuff that some of the rest of our party was sleeping in.
The MTN GLO technology is pretty cool. The little MTN GLO package, which includes the LED lights that follow the tent seam at the top of the tent and the little battery pack, weigh next to nothing. What you get for the few extra ounces that you add to your total weight far outweighs the negative. It was well worth it!
You see from the feature list that this tent is a mature, well-thought-out article. The zippers are strong. The material is top grade and coated with waterproofing. The tent is highly functional with pockets and protective flaps, with tie downs for the doors and all the little extras that leave a very very short list for the “I wish they would have…” department.
I liked the way the fly and the tent worked together to provide a convenient and functional shelter. Double doors and vestibules meant that we were quickly in without messing up the other guy’s stuff, or dragging mud and dirt across everything. One night, when things were a little damp and muddy, we jumped into the tent, closed the vestibule, took off the mucky shoes, and then got into the tent quickly and cleanly before the mosquitos swarmed. I think Big Agnes has made it easy to do the things that you need to do when you are camping out and there is weather and other natural conditions (like mosquitos) to deal with.

There In summary, I give the Big Agnes MTN GLO Rattlesnake 3 tent the following marks (of a possible 5):
Quality – 4.5
Usability – 4.5
Design Features 5
Weight 4.5
Overall 4.6

What They Could Do Better:

Not a heck of a lot. The Big Agnes MTN GLO Rattlesnake 3 tent is a step above.
You know, one of the common problems to solve at night is the lighting issue. It’s a hassle trying to see things with a hand-held light and a headlamp can have its inconveniences as well. The MTN GLO technology is convenient, runs on three AAA batteries, and provides enough light to read or to see as you get ready to sleep.
This tent is a high performing tent that will give you a great return for your investment. This is a great solution when buying a really feature-rich tent that you intend to keep around for a while. Big Agnes knows their stuff and works hard to give you value and quality for your outdoors gear dollars.
I will say that putting three decent-sized adults into this tent will be a little cramped. I sleep two 6 ft-ish adults in my 3 man tents and they are so much more functional and comfortable when you go that way. And, by dividing the weight of the tent into two parts, each party need only pack in about 2 1/2 lbs., which is a pretty good deal in my book.