The North Face Lightspeed

This tent is identical to the Lightspeed but is about eight inches longer and is suitable for people up to six feet five inches tall. Two skinny, friendly people without gear will fit inside, but this is better considered a one-person tent.

The upper part of the body is mesh with a foot wide strip of ripstop along the length of the top. This permits ventilation from four directions when used without the fly. The ripstop panel in the top provides a little shade and in circumstances when condensation is a problem prevents drips from falling through the netting. The vestibule opens directly off the end of the tent easing entry, but it is only large enough to hold a pair of boots and a waterbottle. The tent is stable in winds if well staked out. It is a safe haven in a downpour.

Recently I backpacked six days in the rain (this was not my intent). One night it rained four inches, but there was not a leak despite the puddle of water I ended up in. Every day in the rain I looked forward to a warm dry tent and every night the little Lightspeed provided it.

I have several tents. This is my favorite, light, roomy for one, dry, with good summer ventilation.