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 April 6, 2009 by east_stingray

Rating:
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Very easy half-sleeve/clip combo. Poles are sturdy and good design.

Unlike the other reviewers, I have been impressed by my Tadpole tent. Knocking down the rating for a 2 person tent because it isn't big enough for you and your buddy to blow up queen air mattresses in is bad form. This is why you research gear before you buy it.

This is a very comfortable 1-person tent with room for gear inside, or a very sensible 2-person tent for NORMAL sized guys with gear in the vestibule. I am 6' and 170lbs, and have shared this tent with many backpacking buddies about the same size as me. Obviously, if you are 7' and/or 250lbs, you CANNOT expect to sleep two in this tent. Just like you can't have a size 11 foot and wear a size 8 shoe.

I have not had leaking problems, but I use a footprint that I made out of 4-mil painter's dropcloth from Home Depot.

The screen roof is amazing for hot nights or stargazing when rain is not expected. Toss on the fly (or pitch it by itself if you're a minimalist) and you're good to go for rain.

I generally do not like North Face products as my experience has been that they are expensive, "trendy", and usually lower quality than other brands. Despite that, I'm impressed by this tent. They even thought of the little things... like glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls.

Bottom line: this tent is a bit heavy if you're an ultralight guy, but the performance has been excellent for me from river trips to woods camping to cross-country driving trips where I couldn't afford a motel.

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Product Description

Price

Campmor 2 purchase options:	Tadpole 23 Tent - 2009- Slightly Soiled Return	$159.96	Buy Now
Campmor 2 purchase options:	Tadpole 23 Tent - 2009	$179.97	Buy Now