The North Face Sequoia 6 Person Tent is a freestanding easy to use and very light single-layer tent supported with aluminum poles, and suitable for year-round use.
Key features & benefits
- Dome type tent.
- Freestanding.
- Single layer.
- One door.
- One window.
- Aluminum poles.
- Very easy to use.
What this The North Face Sequoia 6 is about
If you follow this brand, then you might be surprised with what you see here. Namely, this is a new version of the tent. Not so long ago they had a tent with the same name but with a very different shape.
But they discontinued that version, and the Sequoia 6 tent which you have now is a completely different structure. I would say it is far inferior to the previous version. Namely, the tent is without vestibule, and it is a single-layer design.
The good side of this new design is that it is now fully freestanding, and it is also very light but not really compact, more below. In other words, you can set it up anywhere, and you can also move it short distances and rotate as you wish.
The tent is with a single U-shaped door shown above, and this is a double-layer structure with zippered mesh and zippered panel layers. The picture below shows the tent with the mesh on the door. As you see from the pictures, you can roll up both layers and fix under the pole.
There is a rear window as well, and they call it an emergency exit because the mesh on it is also zippered. Below you can see how it looks, both layers can be rolled and fixed down.
Other details
- There are two internal hang loops for lanterns.
- A few wall pockets are available for keeping essentials at hand.
Materials
The poles: You have three of them and this is aluminum. Two main poles are X-crossed and pre-bent so they add extra volume in this tent. One short roof pole is added to make the door nearly completely vertical.
This all, together with its impressive height of 75 inches (191 cm) and the rear window, makes the tent far more livable than standard dome tents. It is almost like a cabin tent inside.
The poles attachment to the tent is through long roof sleeves and clips on the sides, in addition to the usual grommets on the ground. With such a simple design it is very easy to set the tent up, and one person can do this easily in just a few minutes.
The fabric: They use polyester, so this is all a moderately durable 75D recycled taffeta with a 1200 mm PU coating. This may look like a low value but you do not need more.
The footprint
Note that they also have The North Face Sequoia 6 Footprint which you might want to use to additionally protect the floor of the tent. The fabric is the same but the waterproof rating is a bit higher, 1500 mm.
You can use such a piece to create an awning, it may be very useful in the case of rain, with this you would have a dry entry and extra covered area for gear.
Ventilation
The tent is equipped with two roof vents with supporting bars, one is shown below. These are large openings and you need them in view of the tent’s single-layer structure.
With a clear sky you will have enough air circulation through the front and rear mesh openings. However, in the case of rain, you would want to have floor vents. They are missing here. It is hard to understand what they were thinking with this design.
How to dry this tent?
From the text above you realize that condensation can be a real issue here. I have quite some experience with tents of that type. You can expect it always to be wet from inside after sleeping in it.
So when you get home you will have to dry it properly. Hang it on a string on a terrace or porch, but this must done in phases, you dry the outer fabric, and then turn the tent inside-out to dry the inner.
Who is the Sequoia 6 tent for
Regarding the area, the tent is officially for 6 people and for this you have 81.1 ft² (7.5 m²) of the floored area. This gives around 13.55 ft² (1.26 m²) per person.
The dimensions are such that you might indeed put 6 narrow sleeping pads on the floor without any extra space. But note that there are no vestibules for storage, so if you are using this tent for camping, it is best to downgrade it to maximum 4 people or so. Parents with two small kids might manage in this tent.
Regarding seasons & climate, the tent is single layer but fully closable, so I have no doubt that it can be used in all seasons.
In fact, I see it better suited for a cooler environment than for warm summer camping. The mesh areas are only on the door and the window, but you have to keep those closed in the case of rain.
The tent is tall but reasonably aerodynamic so it will perform well in most normal conditions. But this is not a tent for extreme weather situations, note that there are only four simple guylines around.
Note also that the poles attach from outside, so you can set this tent up even when it rains, and the inner will remain protected. This dry setup design is something you will like, and I can tell you this from my own experience with such tents that have external poles.
On the other hand, there are no awnings and vestibules, so getting in and out in rain is not so great experience. In other words, you have no dry entry points here and this can be annoying when you camp in the rain.
Regarding the weight, this is a very light tent with its 12 lb 3.4 oz (5.55 kg). For a 6-person tent this is remarkable. But this is because of its single-layer construction and its modest size. This means it can be carried by a group on a trail, and I have added it to my list of 6-person backpacking tents.
Though the packed size is far less great, in fact it is quite bulky for its single-layer design, the numbers are below. You can compare it with the Big Agnes Dog House Camping Tent 6 Person built in the same style. But it is possible to transport such a shelter on a bicycle.
Regarding the price, I would say it is a bit steep but almost reasonable if you can afford it and if you like the tent. The links are given below so please check for updates.
Specifications
- Weight: 12 lb 3.4 oz (5.55 kg).
- Official capacity: 6 people.
- Dimensions: 118 x 99 in (300 x 251 cm).
- Inner area: 81.1 ft² (7.5 m²).
- Inner area per person: 13.55 ft² (1.26 m²).
- Peak height: 75 in (191 cm).
- Packed size (L x D): 29.13 x 10.04 in (74 x 26 cm).
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
In conclusion, The North Face Sequoia 6 Person Tent offers a lightweight and easy-to-use shelter solution for outdoor enthusiasts, especially those looking for a manageable option for group camping.
Its freestanding design, supported by aluminum poles, ensures hassle-free setup wherever your adventures take you. However, its single-layer construction and lack of vestibules may pose challenges during rainy conditions, requiring careful consideration of weather conditions before your journey.
While its packed size may not be the most compact, its lightweight nature allows for easy transportation, making it suitable for backpacking trips or car camping adventures alike.
Note that they also have the The North Face Sequoia 4 Tent with the same features.
Below you can see how this tent stands against my standard rating criteria that I apply consistently to all of them here in the site so that you can easily compare:
The North Face Sequoia 6 Person Tent
Pros
- Very tall.
- Easy to use.
- Aluminum poles.
- Very light.
Cons
- No floor vents.
- No dry entry.
BEST PLACEs TO BUY:
For more tents of this shape please check in the category Dome Tents. Check in my another text how this tent compares with the Big Agnes Dog House 6 tent. But if you need a tent with a vestibule, have a look at the Quest Redwood 6 person tent.
Let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below. Bookmark this site and come again, this will keep you informed, as you realize I add texts here on a regular basis. Thank you for reading.
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