The North Face Triarch 2 Review

Good comfort, weather resistance, and durability bolster the score of this tent.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

A door and corresponding vestibule on each side of the tent offer convenient access and gear storage for two people. It has a roomy feeling when setting up and settling inside. Access in and out of the tent is comfortable — aided by the two triangular doors which extend to the brow pole.

Each side features a 7-square-foot vestibule which offered space to cook in and then later shelter packs and boots from rainy weather.

All-mesh walls mean airflow is excellent, banishing condensation and encouraging air movement. The fly even features ventilation ports and allows enough space between the inner tent and fly walls for breathability.

Ease of Set Up

The Triarch 2 did not excel in ease of set-up. Two different testers, both with outdoor industry tech experience, had to reach for the directions while setting up the tent for the first time.

Weather Resistance

The complex-looking pole geometry in The North Face Triarch 2, while somewhat of a pain to set up, means stability — even during a springtime windstorm. We loved the fact that despite rainy conditions, we and our gear stayed bone-dry, and the included footprint helped insulate and keep things dry from a muddy camping spot. The pole geometry (poles supporting all four corners and the ceiling) increased stability in windy conditions, and we felt confident leaving this tent pitched on a windy day.

Thanks to the heavy-duty-feeling fly and excellent ventilation, we felt like the Triarch 2 holds up well in bad weather. We wish the fly would come down lower to the ground, but the bathtub walls on the inner tent are high enough to prevent splashback. The 15D nylon ripstop fly with a PU coating and silicone finish held up well to drizzly spring days. At the end of the day, we trust the Triarch 2 when the weather turns.

Durability

This tent's fly features a 15D nylon ripstop with both a PU and silicone coating, and we feel confident it would hold up well to repeated use in the field. The 75D nylon taffeta floor felt sturdy and ready for action, and we appreciated the added protection of the PU coating.

Weight & Packed Size

The tent weighs 3 lbs. 12 oz. for a trail-ready configuration, including a gear loft, footprint, and poles. It's a very competitive weight in comparison to the other tents we reviewed, many of which landed in the 4-lb.-something category.

However, the Triarch feels slightly bulky for its weight, packing down to 7" x 22". As light as this tent is, we'd like to see a smaller packed size for extended backcountry travel. It's not limiting, but we feel perhaps the heavier nylon fabrics inhibited the packed size slightly.

Value

We reviewed other tents in the same price range that we felt held more value to the backcountry traveler. If interior space is not at a premium and you're seeking an attractive tent that can stand up to varied weather conditions, the Triarch is worth looking at.

Conclusion

The North Face's Triarch 2's freestanding architecture features vaulted arches at the head and foot box as well as vertical sidewalls for plenty of moving space, helping maximize a smaller interior space. An ample selection of tabs and a large gear loft inside maximize storage space. Large, triangle-spaced double doors offer easy access, and each door features vestibule space for convenient gear storage. Inside. It's a solid, weather-beating choice for backpackers in mixed conditions.