The North Face Kestrel

Review Date
June 30, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: August West(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $279.00 at REI 1997

Summary:
I've used this tent hundreds of times. I took it to Alaska, numerous festivals, all around the country and Puerto Rico. The only problem I've had happened when the fly-pole got a little crack. They almost took my tent stakes in P.R. at airport security, I talked them out of it though. No holes, tears, but, a bit damp any time it rains. Up in about a minute.

Customer Service:
Great. Repairing the pole will apparently cost $15.

Review Date
September 23, 2003

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: deaconbrown(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Price Paid:  $300.00 at local outfitter

Summary:
Bought this tent based on a number of factors, the name, and the weight. Like every other soggy reviewer, found out the hard way about the thread holes in the fly. Floor dimensions were a bit misleading, they say 7'5". Maybe right at the bottom of the floor, but because of the taper of the wall, it is alot shorter a foot off the ground. I'm 6'4" and have to sleep on an angle to avoid pressing on both ends. Two is tight to begin with, so forget about putting a pair of 6+ footers in.

On the up side, it goes together fast and simple, good ventilation, light weight, good zippers, and once you get the fly seams corrected, excellent in heavy rain and wind. I just expected more from The North Face.....

Customer Service:
Would have returned the tent, but some special sale condition applied, so only eligible for exchange.

Review Date
March 28, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: Bonimon(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler , from Boulder, Colorado, USA

Price Paid:  $188.00 at The North Face

Summary:
I want to warn potiential users of this seemingly decent tent to very wary of going out into wet conditions of any kind without seam sealing the rainfly on this tent! The North Face sewed through the seam tape in four spots and light to moderate rains found water wicking through the thread and dripping through the rainfly right into the corners of the living space. It was a miserable night and I was getting good use out of a Packtowel, trying to keep pools of water under control! I was glad my partner wasn't there with me that night, because I placed myself in the center, as far as possible from the corners in order to keep out of the water. If I had known the seam tape had been violated, I would've been working on it prior to this trip, but I thought: 'Hey this is a North Face Tent, I'm sure it's ready to go". This is not the case. In fact, when I returned the tent, I discovered that every Kestrel in the bin had the same problem! The Canyonland appeared to have similar sewn-through seam tape.

Customer Service:
Customer Service was hesitant to return my money, but did it anyway, because it's The North Face's policy.

Similar Products Used:
Kelty Vortex 2, Kelty Domolite 2, Walrus Terramoto 2

Review Date
August 4, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: jay sweet(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from edmonton, alberta, canada

Price Paid:  $0.00 at track and trail

Summary:
I have used this tent in the Canadian Rockies for two years. It is easy to set up, well ventilated, stable in snow and wind, dry in rain. The side doors let a little rain into the tent when you enter in a downpour, but if you push your gear out of the way and do a little mop-up, there is no problem. A palace for solo backpacking, a bit cramped for two.

Customer Service:
North Face is usually good. I've had no reason to complain to them about this tent.

Similar Products Used:
North Face Tadpole, MEC Tarn 2.

Review Date
August 4, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: jay sweet(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from edmonton, alberta, canada

Price Paid:  $0.00 at track and trail

Summary:
I have used this tent in the Canadian Rockies for two years. It is easy to set up, well ventilated, stable in snow and wind, dry in rain. The side doors let a little rain into the tent when you enter in a downpour, but if you push your gear out of the way and do a little mop-up, there is no problem. A palace for solo backpacking, a bit cramped for two.

Customer Service:
North Face is usually good. I've had no reason to complain to them about this tent.

Similar Products Used:
North Face Tadpole, MEC Tarn 2.