Atlas™ Pole System

Stronger | Lighter | More Durable


Technology

Atlas Tent Pole sets are stronger, lighter, more durable and easier to service. Mountain Hardwear partnered with tent pole engineer Frank Tehan and Yunan Aluminum to design this innovative system. The system uses the cold-forged Atlas floating connector to join two identical pole sections, eliminating the need for a swaged pole or fixed insert.

Most poles break at the insert or swage points (where pre-bent pole inserts meet straight pole sections.) The Mountain Hardwear Atlas Tapered Floating Connector better distributes the stress throughout the pole, reducing the potential for failure.


Advantages

  • LESS WEIGHT, MORE STRENGTH: Atlas™ floating connectors are 45% lighter and 13% stronger than traditional inserts. They are the same weight, yet 30% stronger than swaged pole ends.
  • SMOOTH, EVEN FLEX ADDS STRENGTH: The Atlas™ floating connector’s tapered design allows the pole to bend in a natural arc, eliminating flat spots and greatly reducing stress at the joint. The result is a stronger pole that is less likely to fail.
  • EASIER TO SERVICE: Even the strongest pole can be damaged by extreme conditions. Field repairs are quick and easy. Patented ShokTip™ pole ends are easily removed to access the shock cord and dismantle the pole. No tools are needed.
  • REDUCED PACK SIZE: The more compact Atlas™ connector allows us to specify shorter pole sections. Typical pole packages have been reduced by 2" - 4" in length.
  • REDUCED CHANCE OF FAILURE: No risk of splitting ends due to corrosion of press fit. No jamming or flaring of ends. No glued/press fit parts of any kind to fail.

Atlas System Pole Types

Atlas Scandium XL™ is a dual-diameter pole system specifically engineered for four-season expedition tents. Built with super-strong Scandium aluminum alloy and cold forged Atlas, the Atlas Scandium XL™ is 25% stronger than previous offerings without sacrificing flexibility or weight.

Atlas Scandium SL poles are used in our Superlight tent series. Using Scandium Aluminum alloy, cold forged Atlas connectors and super-light silicon shock creates very light poles with outstanding strength and durability.

Atlas 7001 poles are used in our All Mountain series. The 7001 series alloy tubes improve on both the tensile and yield strengths of our previous offering, and the Atlas System reduces pole set weights by approximately 15%.