Tadpole SL 2

I’m not sold on single walled anything so far, but with two young boys, I’m not in an ultra-light phase of outdoor life. I’m going to keep using the tadpole as my hiking tent.

For about 15 years this North Face Tadpole has been my main tent for backpacking. It’s insanely stable and dry in a storm, it’s perfect for a one- or two-nighter with my son, and it has a lot of sentimental value to me. (I’ve repaired the pole and re-sealed the tent since this photo was taken) For trips with my son or for bad weather trips, it will remain my go-to tent until it falls apart. But it’s also pretty heavy, at ~5+ lbs. I’m looking for a tent that would make for a good, lightweight option for when I want to cover some ground solo, something I can toss in a small pack with a lightweight setup for summer backpacking when I’m trying to keep mileage up and weight down. Is there anything that fits the bill for: -under $250 (not opposed to a used tent) -semi-freestanding -large 1p or small 2p -under 3lbs -not reliant on trekking poles (I don’t often use them) -good weather resistance is a plus but not a requirement

I backpacked with a Tadpole for many years. I mostly really loved the tent. It was super stable and sturdy. I swapped it out for an MSR Hubba Hubba over 10 years ago. Modern tents are lighter but a lot more expensive. I thought the Hubba Hubba wouldn't last....yet it has. The tent material is going strong. The lighter weight poles have taken a beating in some very strong winds. It is still super functional if only a little differently shaped than when I first bought it. I think the weight savings of most quality modern tents is a huge upgrade...if your pockets are deep enough. Gear comes with some pretty big sticker shock these days. It may not be light, but some days I miss the old army surplus stores that were once a staple for backpacking. That is until I heft my current much much much lighter pack.

My Durston is light and roomy. I started in the 60s. Paring it down isn't easy and sometimes means saying goodbye to old gear friends. I like my Featherstone Granite II, for a self-standing. My first of my own was a Eureka Timberline, the old Boy Scouts tent. NOT light. Somewhat claustrophobic. Much depends on how big you are. I used a Northface Tadpole for a while too.

I own Kelty, North Face and Marmot backpacking tents, and can attest to their durability, ease of use and agreeable weight. I've used them both in the backcountry as well as when going car camping.

I was thinking the tent is 82 inch long. I could sleep in it, but I would be more comfortably laying in a larger tent. I have a North Face tent that I thought was a great find, just to find out it's so tiny inside it annoys me (I think it is only around 80"). I would rather pitch a tarp and sleep in my bivy sack underneath.

Honestly you just need something with a fly. We’ve had a North Face, and Coleman and a McKinley all with fly’s and all have been perfectly fine riding out rainstorms. A ground sheet/tarp tucked under the tent is never a bad idea either as long as it’s not sticking out catching rain. Set the tent up properly with the guy lines out and you should be good. A vestibule has always been something we have too, one with the full fly not just mesh screens.