The North Face Tadpole 23

[Digby]

Do you own a North Face Tadpole 23 tent? Have you been pleased with it? How does it perform? What do you like most? Are there any drawbacks? What are the worst conditions in which you have tested it?

[Marmot]

The porch on these things is rubbish, too long and thing with too much of a downward slope to be of any use. I have a friend with one, and he thinks its ok. Its very stremlined, so if pitched correctly wcan srvive the most hardy of winds.
The D shaped doors, which when opened supposedly keep the door out of the mud, however arent designed properly and when opened still allow the doors to get trampled on.
However they are well ventilated and is of course made to TNF standards

[jbgraham]

I have a knock off of the Tadpole, which is a compliment of sorts. Mine is a full eight feet long, which is good when using a long sleeping bag. Water tends to pool at the top of the arch, and it took several coats of seam sealer to stop it leaking in this area. The vestibule isn't good for much more than boots, but I don't cook in a tent anyway, there are too many bears where I live. It is my favorite tent (I have eight) because, at 5lbs, it is my lightest free standing tent. I have used it in winter, in moderate conditions when no snow is forecast, but for more extreme above tree line camping I prefer my VE25. I like to stake out the fly, rather than hook it on to the rings of the frame, as this makes it more taut and offers better protection from wind driven rain. My wife likes it because she can put it up without my help.