Last year, at Kerlingarfjöll in the Icelandic interior at windforce +11 only one tent was still standing : a VE 25

I have 3 tents : a Fjällräven Akka 4 seasons, a North Face Westwind and the VE-25

I use mine since 1994 and I still set it up for 30-40 times a year. Foams are bad and the sealing of the stitches on the bottom flysheet (do not know the name) had to be renewed (did it myself).

You cannot go wrong with this tent, ask Ran Fiennes if you do not believe me.

Someone commented about its colour, but you do not want a white tent on the south pole, once you're in trouble.

I love my VE-25, the only other tent I would consider instead of this one is a Hilleberg.

You dont need to worry about what you pay- just as long as you pay and buy the NF VE25 now. All other tents I've seen in Colorado are toys and may work in the lower 48 anywhere but Colorado. After the Perregrine, and a host of Coleman and Columbia tents, The North Face tents are the real deal. Back packing or car camping in Colorado The VE 25 meets the rigors of rain, wind, snow or hail for the weather can change instantly and The NF VE 25 is more than a safe haven. (Yes we have over 300 days of sunshine). It's a snap to put up, stake and protect you from any weather in short order day or night. Trust me we had a Columbia Bugaboo before the VE25 and it got trashed in the rain and wind on 4th of July at 11 Mile Canyon. I was in the NF VE 25 two days later with no regrets on the purchase. I'll be able to camp right through the fall for flyfishing or just getting into the mountains anytime in any weather. B Everett, Parker Colorado

Customer Service

No problem when calling. The manual is in need of better description.

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Perregrine is excellent; Coleman is okay but not rain proof; Columbia Bugaboo is worthless beyond the back yard.

I purchased my VE-25 tent in 1987 and have used it in many extreme conditions. I noticed a year ago it was becoming sticky rather I cleaned it or not. I sent it to them knowing that material breakdown was not covered by the warranty. They notified me they would not cover repair or replacement of my tent but it said call for other options.

I called and was told the option was to get a new tent at 50% off. I purchased a new VE-25 for 280.00. That is less than half the going rate for a new tent.

I have seen reviews pro and con about the NF warranty. Even though my tent was 22 years old I had taken great care of it all these years of heavy use and other than my sticky problem it was in great condition and returned to them packed in clean shape. Actually the warranty dept said based on the SN it was manufactured in 1981 making it 28 years old!!! Are you kidding me!!!

I can't say enough great things about TNF warranty dept and their products, I have used them for over 25 years with no problems until now and they took great care of a loyal longtime customer.

Thanks TNF

Tim

Customer Service

The best folks I have ever delt with.

I have a 1996 model VE-25. I have been is some extreme climates from torential rains to heavy snow and heavy winds. The tent has never leaked and even hinted on giving way.

I have no idea why others are having troubles. My only comment is to question others maintenance of their gear.

Great tent. Last tent I will ever have to buy. If I ever do need to replace it, I will definetly buy another. Oh, and the color....easy to spot on a snow covered slope.

Purchased after my Sierra Designs tent was stolen. Thought I was getting a roomier but equivalent quality tent. Wrong, wrong wrong.

Hard to set up. Heavy. Required a ton of guying out to shed snow properly. Stayed dry until the floor started peeling. Zipper always caught in the extra material around the door. (And the color - oh my gawd, whoever thought that would be appropriate in a wilderness setting? Clearly someone focused on being the showiest tent on Everest, not tucked away in a quiet forest.)

Anyhow, never lived up to the wonderfulness of my first wife, er, tent. Finally, about 5 years ago, the warranty dissolved into nothing ... Last week I found it as I cleaned out the basement. Bitter taste left in my mouth from that one. Now the d@#* thing is in some landfill where it belongs.

Customer Service

I've read these reviews as I prepared to write my own and don't understand how I got absolutely no customer service and other folks got their misused and abused tent replaced for free. My tent had the waterproofing peel off and NF claimed it was moldy (I couldn't see it at all) and therefore the warranty was invalid. This is the second NF product (backpack was the other) I had in which they refused to honor their warranty. I will never buy another NF product.

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Sierra Designs (forgot the name, but bought in it 1981 and lived in that sucker for two years and used it for several more before it was stolen in '96). Of course their tents are all pink and orange and neon color now, too. Ick.

This tent looks like it can handle anything mother nature will throw at it but fact is if your spending £500 on a good mountain tent don't buy this one. Due to it will not last 4 years of use like there other competitors tents. they offer product life time warranty but in fact the materials i.e groundsheet is only covered for 2yrs. So that means there product life time warranty is not worth the paper it is writen on. In fact if you want quality products that will last don't buy North Face products at all.

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Mountain Hardware muir trail tent 8yrs old and still looks as new now as it did then.

Just replaced my old 1990 VE-25 after years of wear & tear. North Face helped me somewhat due to their "lifetime" warranty. I have car-camped, backpacked, mountain climbed in just about every sort of weather one can imagine. From puring rain that turned the tent into a virtual raft (that never leaked) while in Virginia, high winds aside Missouri River that nearly inverted the tent, to cold snow pack of Adirondaks, the VE-25 as been 'old faithful' and never let me down. Will never purchase another tent!

Customer Service

Very good. Paid 50% for replacement tent 16 years later through North Face.

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Eureka, North Face.

This is a great tent. it is strong in heavvy wind, small enough to carry on a motorbike or car, not for backpacking though. I like the easy way of putting it up. After a few times of practice you can pitch it in 15 minutes. On your own that is. It gives room for three persons and 3 backpacks. WHy I chose this one is because of the peace of mind it gives me during a storm. What I didn't like is that you have paste the seams. it takes half an hour. but i love it though.

Customer Service

dont know

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none

Now I would like to add more to my previous review concerning the N.F. VE-25 tent. Used it this past weekend at Nimisula Campground. Set-up is getting easier for me. Finally figured how the rain fly attaches to the tent body. Speaking of set-up, the tent is pretty simple and quick. The longest thing is attaching the velcro wraps to the tent poles. Other than that, its fairly easy. I'm happy to report we stayed completely dry thanks to the polyester rain fly even though it rained all Friday night. Unlike nylon flys, polyester flys stay taunt and does not sag when wet. This sure is true of my VE-25 tent. The tent offers plenty of room for two adult personages plus room for gear. I really appreciate the head room this tent offers, it made nightly card games a real pleasure! Also the front- poled vestible is fairly spacious, offering enough room for muddy boots and a dry place to cook in foul weather. I found it easier to exit through the rear door however for those late-night potty breaks-more room for a large guy like me! All in all, I like my North Face VE-25 tent more and more, especially since I'm getting used to it. Not a bad tent. Makes a great campground tent, would'nt use it for backpacking [too heavy!!].

Customer Service

Never used it yet!

Similar Products Used:

REI Geo Dome, Diamond Brand Mountain Home 2 tent

I just purchased the N.F. VE-25 recently and officially took it camping for one night just south of Akron in order to figure out how to set it up. The pitching instuctions are on the vague side, especially when it comes to the part of attaching the the fly to the tent body. I have the 2002 model and I like the room the tent offers. Seems to be fairly well constucted. Has the new style circle-shaped doors and the clear windows. I can't wait to use it this coming winter. More later.

Customer Service

Never used it yet

Similar Products Used:

REI Geo dome, Diamondbrand Mountain Home 2, Diamondbrand Free Spirit 2