The North Face Triarch 2
This freestanding two-person tent handles the rowdiest three-season storms, making it ideal for hikers who want maximum protection with minimum weight.
Brand: The North Face Gear Reviews
Model: Triarch 2 Tent
Strength
We rarely see such strong pole geometry in a tent this light. The stable configuration (with poles supporting all four corners and the ceiling) and taut pitch proved impressively solid in 35-mph winds in Utah’s Dirty Devil canyon. Below 25 mph, the Triarch 2 offered quiet, flap-free refuge—even when testers didn’t bother to stake out auxiliary guylines. An effective drip line (using near-vertical side walls) keeps rain out when the door is open.
Livability
The 50-inch width and 43-inch peak height feel spacious for sub-6-footers (taller testers were limited by the sloping walls that compromise the 84-inch floor length). The triangular doors extend all the way to the brow pole, making getting in and out easier. Two 7-square-foot vestibules shelter boots, packs, and a compact kitchen while keeping the zipper within easy reach from inside.
Setup
A how-to diagram on the stuffsack makes for a no-fail pitch: Our tester did it for the first time, solo, in 20-mph winds.
Ventilation
“Airy in the warmest, muggiest weather,” says a tester, crediting the all-mesh walls. Tradeoff: The mesh also admits windblown dust and sand.
Versatility
In fast-pitch mode—with just the fly and included footprint—the Triarch becomes a breezy sunshade. Caution: The fly’s head and foot ends stop 14 inches from the ground, exposing fast-pitch sleepers to blowing dust and rain.