Gear Review: The North Face Tadpole 23 DL Tent

The North Face Tadpole 23 DL is a 2-man, 3 season lightweight tent. Mine arrived last week and as soon as I got it I pitched it up in my back garden and slept in it that night - sad I know but I just had to try it out. It's designed ruffly the same as the Spectrum 23 which, I've also got, but it had an outer fly which stops you getting wet with condensation. Be warned thought; pitched it tight using the side guy points otherwise the fly will touch the inner and you'll still get wet on!

The Tadpole has DAC Featherlite NSL RC aluminum poles that use reverse-combi technology which make it a sinch to pitch. It has a lot of ventilation and a decent amount if space in the porch to store your pack and boots and cook if it's bad weather outside. Weighing in under 2.2kg it's the ultimate trekking tent and if you share the load with your hiking buddy you won't even know it's there.

I loved this tent the only draw back however is that with all the ventilation it can get a bit frosty so pack a nice warm sleeping bag. I took my TNF Cat's Meow which, can handle temperatures as low as -7 degrees. I still got a bit cold up on Dartmoor even in that bag so check the forecast! Saying that though this is a good tent and if you shop around you can pick one up for as low as £170.

Good camping

Dan