User Review: The North Face Tadpole 23

Summary

No tackiness yet.

If I'd seen these reviews regarding the sticky situation with the rainfly coating, I wouldn't have purchased this model, but at the time (about three/four years ago), it was one of the first all-net canopied tents available at our local REI store.  I jumped on it, ostensibly to use for overnights in nice weather (without the fly) for mosquito protection.  

Alaska is bear country, and it's reassuring to be able to scan 360 degrees with the spotlight from inside the tent, after hearing twigs snapping, or some other weird noise that goes bump in the night, as, invariably, in a regular nylon tent, the sound comes from the direction of a solid sidewall rather than the door. (This nifty feature only works without the rainfly, obviously.)

My Yam Orange and Nickel Brown model hasn't developed any of the tacky/sticky qualities mentioned by other owners; don't know if that's an age-related problem, environmental factor, or just bad quality control at the factory in China, but so far, so good.

With a half-dozen other tents for varying conditions, I wouldn't intentionally use in crap weather (however, this is Alaska, so even the best forecast can turn into a week of rain ) but will edit review for changes in condition or performance, as they occur.