The North Face Roadrunner

Review Date
August 26, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Nicholas Yu(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Price Paid:  $220.00 at Expedition Shoppe

Summary:
North Face is known for their quality products this tent is no exception.

I have used this tent enough now to write a review, it is VERY easy to set up, from stuff sack to jumping inside is now (with practice) less than 10 mins.
I do find it a little small for two people, but since my wife is small, not really a problem.
I found that after a few days in the rain it started to leake right at the top of the fly, I have since seam sealed this and it works as it should.
Weighing in at about 2.4 kg (5.3lbs). It is relatively light. Maybe not light enough for solo. But for my use it is great.
I have never used in snow, nor would I want to. I find that the fly zippers tend to get stuck on the rain flap. Which IMO is annoying.
Other than that, it is a superb tent and you cant go wrong.

Customer Service:
Never had to contact them

Review Date
June 4, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Etienne_(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Canada, Quebec

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Blacks

Summary:
Super light, simple design, solid, waterproof: 2 days of hard rain and snow but a lot of condensation inside causing water drops make sure your sleeping bag is water repellent especialy down bags.
A loner tent two small for 2 person

Customer Service:
N/A

Similar Products Used:
N/A

Review Date
October 25, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: badhiker(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from AZ

Price Paid:  $199.00 at Campmor

Summary:
I have always liked TNF tents (though IMHO thought that most of their other equipment was/is nice but overpriced with exception of packs,which I have never liked but I guess they have developed some decent ones recently). I have borrowed or shared several over the years including VE25, etc. I never thought that I would own one but needed a nice size 2-person tent preferrably with 2 doors. After much research narrowed down to the Roadrunner and REI Half Dome Plus. I ended up with the Roadrunner for a few reasons though the REI tent is much cheaper, much lighter and has more head room. BTW went on 5 day hike with a guy that had the REI Half Dome and he loves it. So either way , probably ok. Reason I went with TNF include more width of floor, more vestible area (minor point-they're both small), more mesh area, slightly better reviews and TNF name. I have yet to use it under severe (3-season) conditions, though the fly seems pretty much bomb-proof although I have noticed due to the considerable space between ground and fly in the vestible area, that some dust and sand ( and I suppose snow in winter) tends to blow in to vestible and ultimately tent itself. This has not been a major problem to date, but I could see that there is a potential for some issues here...

Here's my take on this tent:

PLUS: Very high overall quality, lots 'o netting for ventilation,excellent interior floor space foor 2, 2 doors and 2 vestibles, nice interior storage pockets, decent set up ease (except fly - see below), cool stealth bomber look complete with windows when fly is used, tent body light weight, nice colors, neat compression stuff sack, etc.

MINUS: Fly heavy, bulky and somewhat tough to set up quickly and tightly, one of the door zippers a bit sticky (might have gotten some seam sealer on zipper though), could use a bit more head room, somewhat heavy and large pack size, but for two persons, not bad. That's about it!

SUMMARY: Definitely the nicest tent I have ever owned, probably one of (if not THE) nicest ever used. Too heavy for solo use although if I anticipated high probability of extended bad weather on a solo trip, I would probably take it. Would be nice if they offered non-vestible fly option to save weight/space,. Oh yah, the glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls are verrry cool...
Highly recommended.

Customer Service:
Never had any problems with TNF equipment ( though now, including tent only own a short handful of their stuff - but it's all top quality). Campmor is ok place to shop if you know what you want. I hav

Similar Products Used:
Eureka,REI, Other TNF, Other Cheap tents

Review Date
October 24, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: SSTGuy(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Cincinnata

Price Paid:  $199.00

Summary:
Great Tent Good set up for 1 person.
less than 10 min and it is up and ready to go. 2 vestibules are great with plastic mini-windows to look outside. 2 people will comfortably have a nice trip with this thing. Divide the tent up and each person will have less than 3lbs to carry. Even for one person the tent is very small.

Customer Service:
Have not used

Similar Products Used:
Kelty Mantra 7

Review Date
May 9, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by: ziggy42(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from San Mateo

Price Paid:  $149.00 at Killer Deals

Summary:
Bought last years Roadrunner2 model on closeout and so far I'd have to say I am pleased with my decision. Took it out on a solo trip with everything which was stupid since it was beautiful weather the entire trip. I will say it is too heavy for a solo trip but plenty of room df room for everything. Unfortunately I cannot comment on its weatherproofing because of the perfect weather. But for two people, it does not get much better than this tent: lot's of room, two doors, two vestibules and lots of mesh for those sizzling summer nights. Hope this helps.

Customer Service:
Don''''t know have not had to use them and a good portion of my gear is TNF.

Similar Products Used:
None