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The North Face Flint 2

rated 4.5 of 5 stars

The Flint 2 has been discontinued. If you're looking for something new, check out the best three-season tents for 2024.

photo: The North Face Flint 2 three-season tent

This tent is super easy to set up, is lightweight, comfortable for one person, yet big enough to accommodate two. It offers very good value for the price.

Pros

  • Easy to set up
  • Water tight
  • Door at the front so you can see the night sky

Cons

  • Aluminum pole may break
  • Zipper may wear out

This is the first tent I owned that came not from a big box store.  It was my first water tight tent, what a relief! Of course water may seep in through tiny holes in the bottom but that is expected without a tarp underneath. I used the tent numerous times on my commute and it held up very well.  The best feature is how easy it is to set up.

Initially the rain fly zipper was hard to use until I found out that they put it in the wrong way in the factory.  A zipper's slider has two different sides distinguishable by the thickness of the metal restraint. After taking it out and flipping it upside down the zipper worked perfectly. 

One time when I pulled the outside zipper and an aluminum pole broke. I attribute this to me not being careful enough by not pushing the fly back with the other hand. I replaced it with a fiberglass pole element scavenged from a K-mart tent after cutting and belt-sanding it to size. 

The fly zipper eventually wore out. That zipper has two sliders one of which is never used so I flipped them and can keep using this fantastic tent after years of intensive use that only cost $145 when I bough it. 

Some of these flaws are expected for a tent with this low price used intensely for such a long time so I ignore them.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $145

A great beginners tent for one or two campers. More than enough space for one camper plus gear and just enough cozy room for two (without gear). Super easy setup and take down.

Pros

  • Easy/quick setup
  • Reliable rainfly
  • Plenty of ventilaton

Cons

  • No inside storage pockets
  • Rainfly too close to entrance

We bought this tent for our first adventures into camping/backpacking this summer. Testing it out at close-by campsites, the Flint 2 quickly presented itself as a great investment. The most noticeable perk was the quick setup. Most of our memories of setting up tents as kids involved headaches and confusing pole arrangements. Right out of the bag with some cool "Ikea-esque" illustrated instructions, we set this guy up in a matter of minutes.

The rainfly hugs the front opening a little tight, but we didn't even need to use it so we rolled it up to the side with some really convenient clips that you can use to wrap it up onto itself so it stays out of the way and off the ground.

Overall, the tent is just as quick and cozy as we thought it would be, with virtually no complaints.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $130

I bought this tent to use solo and it's light enough to do so. It's a roomy option for a solo camper with enough gear room for most trips. It pitches within a couple minutes and stays dry on the bottom without a footprint.

I do have to point out a big flaw in this tent. With the door on the end and the way the fly is configured, water pools above the door on the zipper material and then starts pouring into the interior of the tent. I don't know if this is just from massive condensation of the pool or water soaking through, but it is a big weakness.

I was out in the Rockies this past weekend with a ton of rain and it poured down pretty well. As well, the way the water pools on top, when you open the door, the water falls in the tent. I figured I'd just tap on the side of the fly from the inside to make the water fall down the side and it seemed to work.

If you were to use this tent in potentially wet weather, bring a tarp.  It adds weight, but keeps you dry.

Price Paid: $150

It's easy for a Cub Scout to set up and easy for take down. It has gone through many storms and high wind scenarios and held up wonderfully. I was wondering if someone can tell me the length of the poles though, my son left them at camp.

Pros

  • Durability

This tent is compact and easily set up by a 10-year-old. My son has gone though many different types of storms with this tent and had no complaints.

The only thing I have to complain about is the replacement piece prices, Ouch! almost $90 for two poles. If anyone has the length of the poles so I can buy a different company, I would appreciate it.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $125

Great for backpacking and if you like a tent that is very easy to set up.

Pros

  • Easy setup
  • Lightweight
  • Good size for backpacking

Cons

  • A bit small for 2 people

This tent is awesome for the backpacker or individual who just likes a sturdy, yet super lightweight tent. For two people, this would be a pretty snug fit, especially if you want to throw any gear inside for weather protection.

I use it for just myself and can throw my pack and all my gear in there and sleep comfortably. The rain flap makes for dry sleeping in poor weather and the whole thing takes maybe 5 minutes to set up, so easy!

Highly recommend.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $200

Roomy and very easy setup.

Pros

  • Very roomy

Cons

  • Water pooling on fly

I bought it used for 35 bucks at REI's scratch and dent section and find it to be very comfortable for two people and also lots of room when going solo.

It does have one flaw with the water pooling up on top of the fly right above the zipper door, but a couple taps on underside and problem solved.

I also like the green color, it blends in to the greenish brown of the background. Perfect if you need to poach a spot. 

Source: bought it used
Price Paid: $35

Simple, well-made.

The most important word describing this tent has been omitted. FREESTANDING. No stakes needed. Try driving stakes in the Rocky Mountain West. They will come out about the same time the coyotes do: 2 a.m.

I own a few freestanding tents, will never buy anything else.

Your Review

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The Flint 2 is a two-person, two-pole “X-design” tent that will provide three-season shelter protection; plus, it’s nearly the weight of an ultralight tent at a fraction of the cost. The 40-denier nylon canopy with no-see-um mesh offers abundant ventilation, while the 70-denier nylon floor is fully tapped to keep ground moisture out. A 75-denier polyester fly with a polyurethane coating takes the bite out of cold winds and beats back rain and snow. A simple color-coded tent pole system with clips throws up in just minutes, so you can spend more time enjoying your destination. Internal pockets and gear loops for hanging a gear loft (sold separately) help keep your belongings organized.

Features:
* Light and simple clip pitch
* Color coded clips and pole for easy set up
* Fully taped nylon floor
* Abundant gear loops
* Fully waterproof guy-out points
* Internal pockets
* Durable steel stakes

Specs

Price MSRP: $149.00
Historic Range: $73.93-$169.00
Reviewers Paid: $35.00-$200.00
Minimum Weight 4 lb 5 oz / 1.8 kg
Packed Weight 4 lb 15 oz / 2.2 kg
Seasons 3-Season
Sleeping Capacity 2
Doors 1
Floor Length 87 in / 221 cm
Floor Width 44 in / 112 cm
Floor Area 30 sq ft / 2.8 sq m
Vestibules 1
Vestibule Area 6.3 sq ft / .6 sq m
Peak Height 42 in / 107 cm

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