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The North Face Talus 23

rated 4.0 of 5 stars

The Talus 23 has been discontinued. If you're looking for something new, check out the best three-season tents for 2024.

photo: The North Face Talus 23 three-season tent

Let's be honest: a lot of two-person tents are more like, well, one-and-a-half-person tents...you can get two people in 'em if the two people happen to be under 5'10" and 170 pounds, otherwise you're going to be very, very cozy. Then there's the question of where you put all your gear.

With the North Face Talus 23, you don't have a lot of worries on either score. This three-pole tent is a dream. Sturdy, lots of head room, easy to set up even in the dark (uses clips and sleeves), and two big vestibules to put your pack and boots into. I've stayed snug, dry and secure through torrential downpours in the Talus (and so have my backpack and hiking boots). Absolutely no worries. And at about $170, it's a bargain (I got mine at a discount, about 30% off, for a nifty $120).

Downsides? Okay, nothing's perfect. The Talus is just a bit on the heavy side, coming in at a bit over 6 lbs, 12 ounces.

Otherwise...practically perfect.

Update: March 1, 2007

This is a truly great tent that is, legitimately, big enough (and comfortable enough) for two average-sized adults. Sturdy, three-pole structure/free-standing/two big vestibules...wow! Handled gale force winds and rain on a trip to Michigan a couple of years back as my son and I played cards and read inside this snug and dry tent. Our gear--two backpacks, boots, fishing poles, etc--stayed nicely dry in the vestibules.

Outside Magazine described this beauty as "being on steroids." Pretty good description. I'd rate this as a "very good" tent for two; great tent for one.

Downside: a bit on the heavy side at between 6-7 lbs (but you really don't mind when the wind is up and storm's raging), but otherwise exemplary.

Design: three-season, freestanding
Sleeps: 3
Ease of Setup: Piece o' cake; under five minutes
Weight: approx. 6 1/2 lbs.
Price Paid: $160

I have used this tent for about a two years in southeast Alaska on mostly overnight three-day trips. I haven't had it in any torrential downpours, but it works reliably in a constant drizzle for a day or so.

The Good:
This tent is a super easy to set up, but not easy to set up well (see the bad). Stable as a rock! It is reasonably light for a two person tent, but those two people should know each other really well, or will after using the tent. Anyone taller than 6'1" will touch their head and feet on the walls when lying down.

The Bad:
Ventilation with the fly on is poor unless you have some experience setting up this tent. I was on the shoulder of Mt. Guinness in Juneau on a clear and sunny morning right when the sun hit the tent around seven in the morning it started raining inside due to condensation. I think that they could have designed the vestibules to be more accessible/useful.

Overall this is a good tent for the price. I bought the optional gear loft after a half dozen trips and it seems to save a lot of space.

Design: Three-season
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Super Easy
Price Paid: $100

This tent has served me well for a long time now. I use it as a basecamp on mountain climbs, and it has seen high winds, torrential storms, and a little snow. Similar 3-4 season tents are built almost the exact same. The only difference is the 3rd cross pole is continuously sleeved and there's less ventilation with the 4 season tents.

I don't know how people don't fit in this tent. I'm 6'0" and have never had a problem touching the sides, and I sleep stretched out. It is a little heavy, but I have packed it in for solo trips for just myself. The protection it offers is a nice security and it creates a great home to come back to in those summer Sierra storms.

The only problem I have with it is the lack of view. In a hard storm all battened down, there is no view to the outside world. Great headroom also, allowing several people to sit and escape the mosquitos...I highly recommend this tent and all the fusion pitch designs by North Face.

Design: 3-season - light 4 capable
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: 1 person can easily pitch.
Weight: Worth it when you need it.
Price Paid: $99

I use this tent by myself for kayak camping in Missouri right on the river gravel bars or in established campgrounds. It sets up fast and is very stable....last August it went down to almost 40, but I was warm....no condensation got in the tent.

I'd love to have my wife with me, but this would small for two people as you will be on intimate terms by morning--like it or not. Plenty of room for me and gear...and the vestibules are adequate. I did buy a gear loft and I think this will help. All the poles and tabs are color coded and I strongly recommend a foot print.

One problem--the doors are not mesh, so with the fly on it has become a little warm inside, but the fly doors can be clipped open to the poles and that does help. Plenty of ventilation without the fly. Light weight, easy to set up, and TNF quality.

4.5 out of 5. See you on the river!

Design: three seasom modified dome
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: easy
Weight: about 6.9 pounds with fly, etc.
Price Paid: $117

I bought this tent in 2006 for cycle touring in oregon. I've used it about 30 times or so in 2 years and I've never had problems with it leaking, and living in Oregon I've been rained on a lot.

However, there are some things that could be better:

1. There's no view from inside if you have the fly on, which can be depressing if you have to spend time inside due to rain.

2. My friend just used it with the footprint and fly and got soaked. I've never used it that way and have been fine, so that might be something to watch out for.

Other that that I think it's a solid tent. I think it might weigh a bit much if you're a hiker but for biking and camping it's great.

Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: easy
Weight: not sure
Price Paid: $170

I got this tent at the North Face warranty sale for a ridiculous low price $20 bucks I couldn't say "no." The tent isn't too bad except you kind of have to be on the small size. I'm 5'10 and I had trouble going thru the doors and I touched the top and bottom of the tent when I slept. The vestibule is big enough for boots and that is about it. I would think big solo tent or for kids, not for two full size adults unless you are short. Also I had it in the rain and water puddled on the top.

Design: Three season freestanding dome
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: 3 poles easy to setup
Weight: ??
Price Paid: $20 (NF warranty sale)

I am 6' and my husband is 6'5" and we have had awesome adventures in this tent. It can get a little tight, but that is what camping with your partner is about. As a two person there is not much room for storage, but the vestibules are great unless it is down-pour conditions.

We made the mistake and did not get a footprint. Please do NOT make this mistake, it has taken years off our tent. We fish, hunt, canoe, kayak, hike and some times just like to sleep outside to be outside. We would never go anywhere without it.

Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Easy

Mine is the older version bought in 2000. Lots of room inside and a good tent for the money. I've probably spent more than 100 nights in this thing and other than some water around the foot area in some torrential all-night downpours it's never let me down (probably needs to be seamgripped). Mine survived 75 MPH winds, up to 4 inches of wet snow, sandstorms, and winter blizzards. The room and durability comes at a price though... a bit on the heavy side for backpacking. I just purchased a lighter backpacking tent so the Talus is now relegated to motorcycle camping.

Design: 3-1/2 season freestanding
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Easy
Weight: Heavy for backpacking
Price Paid: $200

This is a first rate, 2-person tent. One person set up takes no more than a leisurely 5 minutes. I can't imagine a simpler design. Very roomy as 2-person tents go with the rather straight sides granting a feeling of added space. The tent works well in driving rain, with the tent staying dry and sturdy. Only "complaint" that to me makes the tent less than ideal is that when the rain fly is on you can't see out.

Design: three-season
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Very easy
Weight: 6+ lbs.
Price Paid: $160

I've had this tent since around 2003 and use it 5-10 days/year. It's a great size - luxurious 1-person and a comfortable 2-person tent. This year it weathered a torrential rain of 5-7 inches overnight, and didn't leak one drop. It has handled snow and wind with no effort. A great 3-season+ tent!

Design: three-season freestanding
Sleeps: 2

(-)condensation
(-)no fly mesh/view
(-)reverse opening at door
(+)stable in storm

Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: easy
Weight: nornal
Price Paid: 180£

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