Date: September 20, 2008
Personal info:
- Name: Mr R
- Age: 29
- Height: 6'5
- Weight: 170
- Location: Manitoba
I've been camping since I was young in Cubs and Scouts. I have camped in the backwoods of British Colombia as well as Northwestern Ontario and Northeastern Manitoba. I consider myself a 'medium experience' outdoorsman.
Product information: Northface Trailhead 4, 2007 edition
Capacity: 4
Trail weight: 18 pounds 2 oz
Total weight: 20 pounds 8 oz
Fly: 75 denier, 185t polyester taffeta coated with 1200 mm pu
Floor: 70 denier, 210t nylon taffeta coated with 2000mm pu
Stuff size: 28x9 inches
Poles: (#) 2 plus one for vestibule
Diameter: 13.0mm
Canopy fabric: 70 denier, 190t nylon taffeta
Area: 64 ft2
Product description: The North face Trailhead 4 is a 4 man, 3 pole dome tent that will fit 4 adults cramped or 3 adults with gear. There is enough room in the 2 vestibules for gear and the front vestibule has more than enough room to cook in bad weather. It's a basecamp tent, meaning that for backwoods use it is too large and heavy, however for families and car camping, it is pure luxury. The tent is completely double skinned meaning that the fly covers the entire tent and a bathtub floor ensures that even in the most energetic thunderstorms, your tent will stay dry. There are also medium sized pockets lining the middle and top of the tent allowing for maximum organization.
Setup: The Trailhead 4 is one of the easiest tents of it's size I have set up. By myself the total setup time with fly is about 8 minutes, with a friend it's about 5. You must set up the inside however, before the fly can be attached. The roomy vestibule has enough space to cook and store gear however in order to be kept tight and away from the tent, it needs to be staked out. The stakes are round aluminum 8 inch shafts. They are pretty standard and hold well in earth however not as well in sand and are easily bent.
Field test: I've used the trailhead 4 on a total of 9 nights in some pretty extreme rain and tempratures up to 30'C. In Rain the tent holds up extremely well. No leaks at all or any condensation inside the tent in the mornings. As far as ventilation, there are 2 vnts in the front vestibule however the only other airflow comes from between the rainfly and the ground. I found that to be sufficiant. Also the doors are double sided, one mesh one nylon, for those colder nights. The material of the rainfly is Ripstop and so the fly is very durable as well. My only complaint is the weight. I know it is not at all meant for backwoods camping, however they could have done with lighter fabric and a lighter pole system. All in all for a family tent it is a good value for the money. Good brand name with a proven track record.
Things I liked:
- Durable and weather resistent
- Lots of storage, in and out
- Large Vestibule
Things I dislike:
- Heavy
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