The North Face Northstar 4 Tent

2021-05-09T20:00:00

Well thought out venting to allow use in the summer. Serious rain fly with vestibule to keep out the worst rain in the Northwest. This is a rare combination.

Kudasai

Originally posted at

2021-04-14T20:00:00

This is a great tent that feels like a very solid structure when pitched. The tent includes a footprint and heavy duty improved stakes. The tent is not hard to pitch as everything is color coded. I really like the vestibule, it is great for keeping an expedition cooler out of the sun and for containing the rest of your gear as well. The vents include nifty "kickstands" that allow them to stay popped open for greater air flow. Overall this is a solid tent and I'm happy with my purchase.

Climber M.

Originally posted at

2021-04-07T20:00:00

Took this out on a two day car camping adventure. Easy to set up and very roomy. Our family is mom, dad, 10 year old plus 55 pound dog. Lots of room for all our bedding and gear. I loved that there are THREE doors - this really minimizes being stepped on. We each claimed an entrance closest to where we had our sleeping gear. I also love the dome shape of this tent.

love c.

Originally posted at

2021-03-28T20:00:00

It is a great tent, but much more heavy than advertised, The stakes are so heavy, I will buy another set much lighter. Otherwise, it is great for backpacking if you are a group of 3-4 to share the weight. We went camping in Big Bear, CA, temperature was -4C (24F), my friends got frozen condensation inside their tent, we got nothing at all.

Alex

Originally posted at

2020-07-07T09:08:52

I am looking forward to using this tent. I bought this tent as a replacement for Marmot Limestone 4P tent, which I liked a lot, but under a number of microbursts on a camp next to one of my favorite rivers, the main poles distorted badly and one of them actually broke. TNF North Star 4P looks like it will easily handle the microbursts because of its design (geodesic, 6 poles vs. 2) and the fact that the poles, themselves, are just plain stronger. Also, the tent looks like it will have adequate ventilation for warm nights. One of the things that I liked about this tent is that after other tent purchases, I have had to buy reflective paracord just to make sure that I don't stumble over the tent pegs; this tent already came with reflective paracord for all of the pull outs. Another nice thing is that most new tents have a strong odor in the interior, this one doesn't. I even tried this tent with two Roll-a-Cots and they fit. One disadvantage to this tent, is that it does take a while to set up. I can do it by myself, but it is nicer to have another person.

Wayne S.

2020-07-05T20:00:00

Purchased 4/2020, pitched twice. Good overall quality however already having a slight issue with one of the zippers, will attempt to clean and lubricate back to life. The body and fly have excellent ventilation ports while inside storage pockets are more than plentiful. If pitched correctly resists wind and rain easily. Setup is a task not for the easily frustrated while the stakes are pure trash (see photo). The overall weight of the thing is far beyond what is advertised with the entire tent weighing in at 20.2 pounds in the stuff sack (Body and poles are 11.8, fly 5.9 and stakes 2.3 pounds each while the described "TOTAL WEIGHT" is 13 lbs, 12 oz (that's a difference of nearly 6.5 pounds, a LOT in my book. As this is a car camping tent not huge issues and as stated above an overall good quality for the price. Unfortunately, a footprint is not available secondary to scarcity of materials with the pandemic, hope to get one soon to protect the floor.

Joe C.

Originally posted at

2020-06-26T11:36:43

I have only used it once in really good weather but have found it to be fairly easy to set up and the ventilation system is great. Hardly moves in 25 mile an hour winds..

SCOT S.

2020-06-16T08:06:35

Great tent. Has 3 doors. Vestiblule is only on one door which is good. I was concerned with ventilation but for us, it had plenty of air flow through the tent. Had a lot of wind and the tent held up to it very good.

William S.

2020-06-14T20:00:00

I just received this tent 6/13/20. I was unclear about the number of doors. To clear this up. The tent without fly has 3 doors that are all the same. The upper is zippered with bug netting. The rain fly has 1 vestibule and 2 zippered doors to access the tent. That is 3 doors. Do not listen to the 1 door information. The tent has 3 upper vents. 3 lower vents with kickstands and the same double wall configuration. With the 3 doors that is 9 separate vents. I have only set it up in the backyard for 2 days of rain. It appears to be quite bomber. With the amount of re unforced guy wires this thing could take a beating. Well worth the cost. My only down comment is some of the stitching is not so straight where multiple layers were combined. Now it's let's see how the zippers end up in 10 to 15 years. The design is awesome. Great job TNF!

Greg l.

Originally posted at

2020-06-11T19:22:28

Are there lighter tents? Yes. Are there more breathable tents? Yes. Are there cheaper tents? Yes. Are there more bombproof tents? Yes. But I have never found a tent that is all of those things AND supremely roomy and comfortable for my family and 130 lb dog. If you want to backpack, buy a backpacking tent. If you want to stargaze, buy a 2-3 season tent. If you want to save money, buy a cheap tent. If you want to go to Annapurna, buy an expedition tent. But if you want an amazing family/car camping tent, buy THIS tent!

GEORGE B.

2020-04-27T20:00:00

North Face offered an excellent replacement for my VE25 whose time has come beyond repair, as has my winter backpacking camping days being 60 now. The Northstar 4 offers similarities to the VE25 and with improvements at this stage in the game for my age - like standing up with near head room (I'm 6'1") withing the lovely dome aesthetic that I've always liked. The front entrance flap is very useful which I use as a shade awning supported with two collapsible poles staked out. Storage inside is plenty but would like a partial gear loft and ground cloth fit for the tent footprint. Of course it's a medium weight tent but can be used for four people backpacking with one backpacker carrying the tent and minimal supplies. We find it an excellent car camping tent for our needs.

John R.

Originally posted at

2019-09-16T20:00:00

This is a shelter is for and functions very well as a rugged base camp set up. It is not for people who want light weight shelters. It is expedition grade and can handle some snow loading. I have used my Northstar 4 in the mountains and in coastal setups. The design is simple and brilliant with more than enough uniquely designed vents and three fully functional doors. It can take a lot of wind if setup properly and it is definitely waterproof. 5/5. Another great TNF product!

Excellocean

Originally posted at

2019-06-24T20:00:00

We have nothing bad to say about this tent. It's exactly what we were looking for - a solid, roomy, 4 season capable base camp. This isn't something that we'd ever consider backpacking with as it's simply too heavy, and we have a 4 season backpacking-specific tent to fill that need. We, being two adults and a dog, needed a tent largely for base/car camping here in the Yukon, where any weather can happen at any time with little notice. The Northstar 4 is roomy enough that we can move gear around it as well as make use of it numerous and ample pockets, so that it's a versatile space. From a traditional sleepin area at night, to a social eating area, to yoga/stretching area, this tent can easily accommodate making these changes, especially with a ceiling height that never makes you feel crunched in. With its shape, design, and stake out points, I'm not worried about it in a windstorm, unlike some base camp tents that may be more square in design. While we not used it yet in subzero temps, it's proven that it vents incredibly well in even extended overnight downpour. This is the type of tent that might be best for car camping or ski/snowshoe touring with a pulk. Or for backyard camping if you have more guests than sleeping quarters. While setup isn't particularly quick because it's a geodesic dome, it's not complicated and can be easily done solo. One thing I'd like to note is that another reviewer wrote that this tent has only one door. This isn't completley accurate and I feel could benefit from some clarification. The tent actually has 3 doors, however only one door can take advantage of the one large vestibule, whereas the remaining two doors have extended rainfly covers. Enough room to put shoes out, but not really what you might consider a useable vestibule. But regardless, all 3 doors can be easily accessed and opened from inside the tent and the vestibule has 3 different ways it can be opened. There are plenty of options! We love this tent!

Hamish

Originally posted at

2019-06-09T20:00:00

Doing more car camping than backpacking these days - traveling with dogs, more equipment, etc. We needed something bigger to meet our changing needs. The Northstar 4 is perfect for us. Love the sturdiness, easy set up, size and amazing design. Everywhere we would want a pocket, vent for airflow, window/door sash and it's there. For the price I was surprised you didn't get a footprint (and or apparently can no longer buy one for this tent). Oh well, still very happy with the tent.

Gerhardt

Originally posted at

2019-03-25T20:00:00

wanted a tent that would last, i believe this one is it, very well made

timmylostboy

Originally posted at

2018-10-10T20:00:00

So far, this tent has been great. It's very spacious. I'm 5'9 and I can stand up in it. I camped for two nights in heavy rain and it kept me dry.

baclose

Originally posted at

2018-09-05T20:00:00

Took my newly purchased Northstar4 out over Labor Day for the fist time and loved it. Camped 3 nights on Loft Mountain in Shenandoah National Park. Almost canceled the trip prior to departure due to rainy weather but figured this tent could handle it, and it did just that. Stayed totally dry inside the tent throughout the entire weekend despite a few downpours. I was very impressed with all of the storage compartments and ample ventilation. If you are searching for a great all around tent that can more than handle whatever mother nature throws at it, look no further.

Andy

Originally posted at

2018-08-28T20:00:00

This tent exceeded expectations in every way. Just about the only flaw it has is the whopping 12 lbs it weighs. But with that 12 lbs comes a very spacious tent that's easy to assemble and pack up. Plenty of room for two adults, a kid and a large dog- and all of the gear that goes along with that. We encountered two days of heavy rain and thunderstorms during our first camping trip with it. The wind and rain were no match for this tent: it held firm, and we stayed completely dry. The ample ventilation prevented condensation buildup inside, and the vestibule made drying off the dog/kid a breeze before they got into the tent. This tent wouldn't be ideal for backpacking- but for car or canoe camping, it's perfect.

Camper C.

Originally posted at