TNF Says Take The Minibus

Amusingly The North Face is bigging up its entertainingly named Minibus 23 tent as the idea companion for lightweight summer backpacking trips along with the Spire 40 pack.


The Minibus - we're not sure if that's sort of Mini Bus, as in transport, or Minibus, as in Greek-sounding minimalist thing, or maybe both - definitely looks interesting. It uses a revolutionary pole system to give a box-like shape to the tent which in turn maximises the internal space in the tent. It uses the  'ingenious Jake’s Foot fabric tensioner at the tent floor corners', it says here, easy-to-use Ball Cap clips on the brow pole ends and comprehensive colour-coded pitch system.

The idea is that it's low enough to cheat the wind and tough enough for mountain use, but still roomy enough for two people to be comfortable even given the relatively modest weight of 2.7kg. You also get a big porch area for cooking and storage, a fly-sheet that combines PU proofing with a silicone coating for maximum water repellancy and  a comprehensive 'high-low venting system to minimise condensation.

Also available is a slightly larger Mininbus, the Minibus 33, which sleeps three people and weighs just over 3kg. More details at www.thenorthface.com