User Review: The North Face Tadpole 23

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

Reviewed September 19, 2007 by Ron T

Rating:
Design: three-season freestanding
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: quick
Weight: I weighed it at 5lbs 5oz packed
Price Paid: on sale at REI

I have owned this tent for about one year now. It has been used for over twenty nights in the back country. It has been used in the UP (Porkies), New Mexico's Gila Wilderness, Isle Royale and in southern Illinois in the Shawnee National Forest. It has seen a lot of rain and wind. It has never leaked a drop of water and has fended off 45 mph gusts on Isle Royale just recently. It sets up fast. Some mornings there is condensation on the inside of the fly, that is to be expected when the humidity is 85% with a dew point in the 60's.

It only gets 4 stars as it is really a luxurious solo tent vs 2 person. The vestibule is a little small and as a solo it is a bit heavy. I love my Tadpole it has been bombproof.