This is probably the best tent I have ever owned. I can set it up in under 5 minutes (including use of the footprint and rain-fly) and take it down and have it neatly packed in it's sack under 5 minutes as well. On top of the ridiculously easy setup/take-down, it's pack size is TINY... it's barely bigger than a loaf of bread, not even exaggerating. The DAC aluminum poles are super lightweight and still manage to feel indestructible and the ventilation is unbelievable. My only complaint about this tent is the half rain-fly bat-wing style thing... it seems to let too much rain hit the actual tent canopy and due to the laws of water and condensation, a tiny bit can get through to the inside of the tent and you may wake up with damp packs if you keep them at your feet like I do... this is pretty minimal and unless you're into camping in the rain, it shouldn't be much of an issue at all.

Customer Service

Since this tent is discontinued, I recently had to contact North Face warranty center (a division of customer service) to get a footprint... it was $30 and it arrived to me only 2 days after ordering it. North Face for the win.

First of all, this tent should not be considered a 3 season tent. Secondly, you probably shouldn't be taking a 3 season tent up Mt. Shasta in northern California. That being said, I found myself relying on this tent in a raging windstorm high on the mountain this spring. We were in a dug-out site, 3 feet below the surface of the snow...seemingly enough protection for your average 3 season tent. Not so for the slickrock. The 'rainfly' effectively directed all the blowing snow in the region into the tent as if it were expressly designed for this purpose. Everything in the tent became covered with the snow that blew straight in under the rainfly and through the mesh panel. The vestibules were too small for our packs, which had to suffer an night out in the storm. Our boots, the only thing that would fit in the dinky vestibules, were filled with snow in the morning. And when we were setting the tent up, one of the corner tabs that the poles stick into ripped right off of the tent, leaving a gaping hole. I was basically disgusted with everything about this tent. But you have to take that with a grain of salt considering the application. This tent absolutely sucks for snow camping, but it might be great in a rainstorm with absolutely no wind. And if the blowing snow was any indication, the ventilation was great!

Customer Service

it was rented, but they didn't charge us for the damages...

Similar Products Used:

REI Clipper - a MUCH better tent

just a quick note about the quality control on this one. after a couple of years of (to be fair) really tough use, i started getting pretty wet whenever i used my slickrock in the rain. it had maybe been degraded by all the UV it got exposed to in australia. anyway, i shipped it off to the north face and told them i was getting soaked - they sent me a brand new one right back. now that's a real lifetime warranty. so rest assured, this is a wise investment if it's the right tent for you.

Customer Service

fantastic - see above.

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the works.

I recently returned from a 30-day solo backpacking trip to Peru. I walked the Colca Canyon and hiked nine days through the Andes to reach the last Inca redoubt of Vilcabamba. I needed a tent that was lightweight and could handle the variety of environments presented by the Andes, everything from 900 meter humid jungle to 4200 meter passes. (Note: I hiked during the dry season.) The Slick Rock performed better in the Colca Canyon than in the jungle. The Canyon was warm during the day and quite cold at night, though at all times dry. I appreciated the huge amount of netting offered by the Slick Rock, which made for some fine stargazing. There was no problem with condensation. When I walked through the Andes starting at 3200 meters, crossing a pass at 4200 and then descending to 900 meters, the Slick Rock showed some design flaws. The weather during the entire nine days was wet, usually rainy and sometimes stormy, which meant that the half-fly scarcely covered my wet boots and stove---though they stayed dry. Every morning there would be condensation, though not nearly enough to get worried about. The biggest problem was with the doors. It was impossible to open them in the morning without some rain or dew falling in the tent. Again, this was not a big worry. The Marmot Equinox has a similar flaw. To be fair, the Slick Rock was not designed for what I was putting it through, conditions that would have destroyed many a tent! I should add that I really never got used to the half-fly. I came to miss a real vestibule. But these flaws were more than made up the Slick Rock’s extreme light weight and typical North Face quality build. It was a snap to set up and packed up very small. It endured Andean rainfall on many occasions but the rain never entered the tent---unless I opened the doors! Its small footprint came in handy on some tight Andean trails where a larger tent would not have fit. I will not take the Slick Rock again on such a journey, but will reserve it for desert treks and summer hikes in North America. Still, this little tent went through Hell in Peru---and survived without a scratch!

Customer Service

I have many North Face products, but have never had to use customer service.

Similar Products Used:

Marmot Equinox, North Face Cumulous, many others.

I am writing this review from Cuzco, Peru, where I have just finished taking the Slick Rock on an extremely difficult nine-day solo walk through the Andes and down into the jungle, ending at the Incas´ last city, Vilcabamba. (Before this, I took in for a few days through the Colca Canyon outside Arequipa, Peru.) The Slick Rock had to endure altitudes of 4200 meters (14,000 feet) to 900 meters (2700 feet). It rained about every night and through many days. Nights were bitterly cold. There was very little wind, however. This little tent, though certainly NOT designed for such conditions, preformed very well. It never leaked, even through pouring Andean rain, though there was condensation every morning, though not enough to concern me. I chose this tent because of its weight and quality of build. As I went solo, and had to lug nine days of food and gear, weight was of utmost importance. It was difficult to exit the Slick Rock without getting wet from morning dew, a design flaw it shares with the Marmot Equinox, which I also own. I own 11 tents (I have a backpacking club at my the school where I work in Argentina) and I would not hesitate taking the Slick Rock out again, but only below 1000 meters or so. It is a superb jungle tent, probably the best made. It is certainly the best jungle tent I have ever heard of--and I have been backpacking jungles for 16 years.

Customer Service

I have never needed North Face CS, though I own a great deal of its gear. TNF products are superb, period.

Similar Products Used:

Marmot Equinox, TNF Mountain, Sierra Desing Comet CD, etc.

Got to agree with most of the other reviews. Good, light, small packing tent for moderate weather and conditions. First thing you will notice is how small this thing packs, like a large loaf of bread. Sets up very easy, ventilates well and is a very spacy one person tent, fairly tight for two, if comfort is a priority. Having two doors is very handy when sharing the tent. I've had nothing but good luck with all North Face products and this tent has performed well so far. I'll definitely take my SD tent if conditions look unfavorable or extreme, but this is a great tent for the money.

Customer Service

Good so far

Similar Products Used:

Sierra Designs Omega CD

Wife and I used the SlickRock on our 8 day Georgia AT section hike. This tent had all the room we needed, was easy to set up and take down, and the weight savings were substantial. A little condensation at the foot of the tent in the single wall section, but we had other gear stuffed down there that probably contributed to that. We haven't had it out in severe weather, nor would we if we can help it, that is what our SD convertible is for. This tent 'Rocks for what it is designed for. 33 sq ft of space, two bat wing vestibules (boots, water bottles, poles, etc fit on each side) two doors. Ease of use. Recommend it

Customer Service

No problems with this product , but only good experiences in the past with REI

Similar Products Used:

SD Omega CD, Meteor Light, Alpha CD, Walrus Microswift

I love this tent. It is light, roomy (for 1 person) and easy to set up. User should be sure to sleep with head toward mesh, with vent open, to avoid puddles of misture in the night. Condensation not much of a problem when solo.

What can I say? One of the best backpacking tents on the market. Design: Half the tent is mesh (put your head here folks), and half is single wall. It has a half vestibule batwing style which can cover your boots, and it covers all mesh areas. The vestibule (and it is a vestibule, since it extends beyond the tent) has multi staking options, depending on the weather. Room: This is a BIG tent for one man, moderate for 2. If you don''t like your tent partner, you sure will in the morning. If needs be, it can fit 3 people, which I did when my friends tent broke. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR GEAR! Use a pack cover for crying out loud (REI has some great pack covers.) Leakage: There is leakage, especially if you set it up wrong. There are several ways to minimize this! a) Seam seal all areas that are stitched on b) Use a ground cloth or a foot print c) Oireent the tent so the fly gets the rain d) Set up the tent so someone else tent blocks the rain =P e) Add another layer of waterproof f) Thread the vestibules through the red loop g) DON''T TOUCH THE SIDES Ventilation: This tent ventilates incredibly well with the mesh. The vestibule helps direct the air (with some rain) to the mesh enclosure. There are two parts which can be opened or shut, depending on the climate (high on fly, low on single wall) Condensation: You''ll get some, but you sacrifice some things for weight, eh? Pack Size and weight: size of a bread of loaf. The weight with the footprint, stakes, poles, gearloft, tent, fly is about 4 pds 13 ounces Summary: One of the best 2 person light weight tents on the market. It has kept me considerably dry. The people who have had bad experiences either a)have an early model b)have defective tents c)don''t take precautions d) Not setting it up right I highly recommend this tent. I''m going to Philmont Scout Ranch this year (I went last year as well), and look forward to using this tent again! P.S Also, if you set it up underneath trees, it helps keep the tent waterproof longer, as well as absorb the impact of falling rain.

Customer Service

Havn''t had to deal with em yet. However, based on what others have said, I would say its about moderate.

Similar Products Used:

Too many to name

None

None

My review would pretty much mirror Aaron''s. I, too, took this tent to Philmont, and it had to house two big guys for nearly two weeks with rain every day. Condensation was a minor problem, but with two guys inside, the ratio of humans to space is high. Boots stayed dry every night in the small vestibule, and two doors is a big plus. The batwing fly makes entry really easy. I used the tent by myself on a later campout, and oriented the batwings to catch the breeze. It started to rain in the middle of the night, then the wind really kicked up, andI laid there wishing I had put the stakes all the way into the ground. At one point I thought the tent might take off, but it stayed put, and not one stake came out. The vents were open, and I stayed reasonably dry. Great little tent, especially for one person

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all sorts of other equipment