I haven't had this tent for very long, but am overwhelmed with sweat about it. After some of the other products I've used I can honestly say that I've finally found what I've been looking for in a tent. Good heat retention, stable in a storm, relatively easy set up, spacious, good ventalation, very waterproof, etc etc. It is a little bulky and heavy, yet when divided between 2 or 3 people it is very managable. It's just a shame that it took me this long to find such a tent.

Customer Service

never had the need.

Similar Products Used:

Sierra Designs, REI, Walrus.

I have the Expedition 25, not the VE-25 and I have had nothing but the best experience with it so far. I'm 6'3" and my brother is 6'6" and the length of the tent is very important, especially when you add in your winter gear. This was the only tent that we fit in without our feet or heads bumping against the walls.
Staking it out takes a few minutes, but once done very little will disturb this tent. We've been hunkered down in some pretty heavy winter storms above treeline, had snow drift over the top and the fly never even touched the tent fabric, very impressive. All in all it's a great tent. Heavy and overkill for backpacking or a one nighter - probably. But, if it's all that is separating you and the elements and without it you'de be a world of hurt, it's worth every ounce.

Customer Service

Never needed them.

Similar Products Used:

My lighter mountaineering tent is the Wild Country Mountain. I love it too!

Yes this is a large atent and it is not light but if you are not in ideal weather conditions this is the tent. It can be the condo in the woods. I agree it can be too much tent for most backpackers but it can also become a home away from home. I've been caught in serious rain storms in it and never wondered if it would fail. Besides the weight the other downfall in this tent is ventilation. I would not use it in the middle of summer somewhere on the east coast.

Customer Service

TNF is usually pretty good with their service.

Similar Products Used:

REI, Sierra Design

this tent is nice because it's waterproof and very roomy. i think it's a little heavy to be taking long distances and its not worth the money.

Similar Products Used:

None

I PURCHASED THIS EXTRODINARILY WELL DESIGNED AND LONG LASTING QUALITY TENT AA A LAST YRS MODEL. I HAVE CARED FOR IT WITH THE NECCESSARY RESPECT IT DESERVES. ON EVERY TRIP..BE IT FOR 3 DAYS-4WEEKS IN LENGTH THE VE-25 HAS OUT PERFORMED ANY EXPEDITION TENT I HAVE EVER BEEN IN OR BORROWED. ITS A MASTERPIECE AND ALTOUH IVE HEARD N.F. IS NOW MANURFACTURING OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND REPORTS OF THEIR QUALITY NOW FLUXUATING...ALL THE GEAR I DO HAVE FROM NORTH FACE HAS CARED FOR ME THROUGH EXTREME CONDITIONS TO THE MILDEST, YR AFTER YR. I ADMIT I HAVE A DIVERSITY OF BRAND GEAR, STILL N.F VE-25 IS SUPERIOR AS A EXPEDITION TENT.

Customer Service

ALWAYS EXTREMLY CURTEOUS, TIMLY AND VERY PARTICULARLY ATTITIVE TO DETAILS.

Similar Products Used:

EUREKA MTPASS AND TIMBERLINE SIERRA DESINS-VARIOUS

I've had this tent for 15-16 years. Bought it when they first came out with the model. The VE-25 was U.S. made back then. The design has changed slightly since then. My model has the front vestibule and features two "snow doors" (large, circular openings in canopy and fly for potential ingress/egress). Nothing else substantially differs from the current models insofar as I can tell.

It has been a good tent, but it hasn't received a lot of use. When it was purchased, there was far less choice among brands (and far fewer models to choose from) in the tent market. Basicially, it's too heavy for a two person backpacking tent -- it really is a mountain/expedition type tent and excels only for that use. It is best used in cool to cold temperature conditions -- it isn't particularly well-suited for summer heat.

The living space accomodates two with some gear easily; with three people, it's crowded. Setup isn't particularly easy, but it's not too difficult either. I have found it hard to get a seamlessly taut pitch, but it's ok. The flysheet will sag almost against the tent wall along one of the sections between poles unless staked out.

It may sound like I don't think much of the tent, but that isn't true. It is well-made, keeps you dry in a storm, and has a strong architecture. I just don't go on polar expeditions (don't winter camp much either) and don't have much need for a high altitude basecamp type tent.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it. One of the webbing grommets has pulled itself partially loose, but it's not worth sending off to never-never land to get that fixed.

Similar Products Used:

Marmot Solstice (1984 three-pole hoop tent); Moss Stardome II, Bibler Juniper, Bibler Kiva, Marmot Nutshell, Walrus Arch Rival XV; old (1980's) Marmot Taku.

I got this tent from campmor a couple of weeks ago and I've been living in it since. It's the only place i've slept. and the only complaint I have is that it gets quite hot in the sun, but it is a mountaineering tent, so I can't complain too much. I have also had a small problem with something leaking on the edge of the vents in the fly, I haven't had the time to really look and see what it was. i have the new model with the little window, alhough they are better than none. I love the ventilation system not quite summer vents, but it is cool on design. and when I bought the tent it was very slightly used, I couln't tell besides the dirt on the stakes, so I got it for $349 which is still a lot for a tent, but definatly better than the 500 retail price.

Similar Products Used:

None

This tent was not worth all of the money. There seems to be too many poles and it's hard to get the fly tant. What I think is really stupid with this tent is that the poles are triangler and don't stick into the snow at all. Also the zipper on the door kept getting caught in the material and was really annoying when the temperature goes down to -45 C, because you have to use your bare hand.

Customer Service

The North Face seems to make there tents a bit out of the times and don't really stay up to the "break throughs" in outdoor tecnolgey.

Similar Products Used:

I have used the Stratos fron The North Face and have been more satisfied with it then the VE-25. I would say that this tent is not worth all of the money that it costs, but if you can get it for cheaper, then do it.

I've used this tent for a few years and I don't see a change in the near future. There is plenty of room for 2 (3 is a little tight). It is a little on the heavy side, but if you do any high altitude winter camping it is well worth it. This is one tight tent; the storms the VE-25 has seen would have shredded my old Jansport. Highly recommended.

Customer Service

None yet

Similar Products Used:

Jansport and Sierra Designs

(Aside: Acutally, I'm a paddler but you didn't have that as a category. Since I enjoy paddling in the mountains of the NWT, I chose Mountaineer.)

I've had my VE-25 for three years and it's been down a couple of NWT rivers and some local ones. Last year on the first night of a canoe trip down the Dumoine we had a fierce thunderstorm that lasted over 4 hours. I was the only person with a dry tent although I did have one little leak that was easily taken care of with a towel.

One review complained that it was too small for three people but too big for two. I think it's great for one and just right for two. I find that after a long day of whitewater, it's relaxing to fit the poles in the sleeves and set up the tent. As a canoe camper, the weight is only noticeable on the portages. I'll be taking it backpacking for the first time this soming weekend so may have more to say about that when I return.

My onlycomplaint is that the tent does not fit nicely into the waterproof blue barrels that I use on canoeing expeditions so I end up carrying an extra dry bag for the tent.

Similar Products Used:

Canondale (with one vestibule)