Gear Guide 2009: The North Face Minibus 33 Tent Review

The Minibus is just like its namesake: Roomy, big, and heavy.

Best Headroom

Everything about this tent is oversize. It has the highest ceiling (48 inches) in this category, and other dimensions are equally large (92-inch length and 14-square-foot vestibules). Downside: The Minibus is also the heaviest tent among the three-person shelters reviewed here, making it best for shorter treks and car camping.

The freestanding, double-wall tent is surprisingly easy to pitch given its size, and it’s also plenty stable, thanks to short brow poles. The tops of the doors angle out slightly, which prevents rainwater from penetrating the interior when the vestibules are opened. $429; 6 lbs.12 oz. Thenorthface.com

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