User Review: The North Face Roadrunner 23

The North Face Roadrunner 23
Above: The current Roadrunner 23, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed August 10, 2008 by bige

Rating:
Design: 3-season backpacking tent
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Clips would be easier
Weight: 5
Price Paid: $250?

I bought this tent a few years ago and it is a bit different than the current model. I can't remember what year mine is, but I would guess 2004/2005. Specifically, my tent has less mesh and the poles must be fed through sleeves rather than clipped to like the current model. Because of this, my tent is a bit heavier, but functionally about the same.

That being said, I would start off by calling this tent a 3.5 season tent when compared to other "3-season" tents on the market. I've gone backpacking with friends who bought other 3-season tents, and, while a bit lighter and easier to pack than my Roadrunner, their tents lack in strength and rigidity.

Specifically, I was backpacking up in the Italian alps with a buddy. I brought my Roadrunner and he brought his Kelty Teton 2. Everything was going great when a freakish August hail storm came through. My Roadrunner remained watertight and warm while my buddy was perfectly miserable with water seeping through the floor and a totally inadequate rainfly for the wind conditions which hit us. That being said, I did pay twice what he paid and his packed up much tighter/lighter.

Setup also leaves something to be desired. I have to feed the poles through long sleeves which can be a pain, especially when you're in a hurry. But, it looks like they fixed this on the current model with clips.

I now concentrate on fast/light packing and utilze a bivy/tarp setup when going solo. Because of its weight, this tent rarely sees my pack list now unless I'm hiking with my kids or a partner I don't mind sleeping next to. But, if I thought I'd be spending some time up in the mountains and was expecting some harsh weather, I'd definitely take my Roadrunner.

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