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Backpacker Magazine – October 2009
Gear Review: The North Face Mica 12 Tent
Unmatched in weather-worthiness, this solo tent earned top honors among testers.
The North Face Mica 12 Tent (Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo)
Solo
From Montana's Glacier National Park to Colorado's Gore Range, we tested seven one-person tents. The Mica 12 earned top honors for its unmatched weather-worthiness. "I had showers, thunderstorms, and high winds for three days," said our Idaho tester. "The narrow, low-profile shape cut gusts like a knife, and I didn't have one leak." We could climb in and out during a downpour without soaking the inside, thanks to a vestibule drip line that protects the interior.
Color-coded poles and stake tabs make setup easy after a couple of practice runs, and features like glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls and a fly window enhance livability. Interior space is adequate for sub-six-footers, but tall testers were cramped. Quibble: The tent doesn't come with an extra stake or cord to secure the fly along the back (without staking, it sags when wet).
Floor space 18 sq. ft.Vestibule 1 (6 sq. ft.)
Weight 3 lbs. 5 oz.
Price $230
Info thenorthface.com
Lighter
MSR's Carbon
Reflex 1 has carbon-fiber poles and an amazing amount of living space for the weight. It easily shed four afternoons of rain in Colorado's Indian Peaks Wilderness. $450; 2 lbs. 9 oz.; msrcorp.com.
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READERS COMMENTS
How about a tarptent??? They are a good option balancing price, weight and space. Made in the U.S. by a small company to boot!
Posted: Nov 15, 2009 Overhill
No No No No to small especially for the weight and too spendy besides come on Backpacker we need a decent all weather solo tent that doesn't weigh a ton and a better job on gear evaluations out of you.
Posted: Nov 12, 2009 William Biggerstaff
Why carry a tent instead of a bivy sack? Have you ever tried cooking under the fly of a bivy sack in bad weather?
Posted: Nov 10, 2009 Richard
Who takes a solo tent anyhow?! Take a bivy sack and save 2 lbs.
But if one did take a tent, this 2 person NorthFace Spectrum 23 tent is (slightly) less weight and has 10 more sq ft of space: http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/The-North-Face-Spectrum-23-Tent-2-Person-3-Season/TNF1198M.html
The weather is mild in the Sierras compared to most places, but more often than not, a 3 season tent or bivy works just fine for me. The winter tents are just too heavy...
Posted: Nov 06, 2009 Winter Camper
for anyone 6ft or taller, doesn't sound encouraging. I'll stick w/my BigAgnes Seedhouse SL1, more space and lighter. too bad, TNF makes durable tents.
Posted: Nov 06, 2009 M
There are many larger and lighter tents than the Mica 12. Over 3 pounds for a solo is crazy!
Posted: Nov 06, 2009 Tag
Why would anyone buy The North Face Mica when the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2 has more space and weighs less?
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 Victor
I just finally replaced my beloved 3lb 6oz REI Roadster with a Gossamer Gear "The One".It is luxuriously roomier and 17oz! (not inc stakes and uses hiking poles for easy set up). I love this tent!
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 Rebecca Treat
The answer to the question is blowing in the advertising wind its blowing in the wind
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 4bears
What about the Big Agnes Fly Creek? It has the same floor space as the Kelty & only weighs 1# 10oz...
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 Gimpy
Wow. That North Face weighs 2# 4 oz. more than my solo tent, and costs more. However, if i was looking for a fleece jacket in 78 colors to prove to a college campus that my parents had money, I'd go North Face.
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 Joe
WHY IS BACKPACKER STILL PUSHING 3LB SOLO TENTS AS A GOOD CHOICE?
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 MIKE PATTON
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