Wild campingThe North FaceTent

The North Face Trail Lite 2 review: considered comfort for couples

A versatile 2-person tent offering bags of room and great features — tested on Dartmoor in everything from heat to howling rain.

By Adrian Wilson

✓  Recommended The North Face Trail Lite 2 RRP~£280Weight2.01 kgSeasons3-season The good ✓  Very roomy inside
✓  Two spacious vestibules
✓  Lots of clever storage pockets
✓  Very easy to pitch
✓  Performs well in wind and rain
The not-so-good ✗  Inner-pitch first design
✗  Comes with only 10 of the 14 pegs needed
✗  Premium price for a 3-season tent
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At a glance

Buy The North Face Trail Lite 2 on Amazon →

Overview

The Trail Lite 2 is a cavernous 2-person dome tent designed by one of the biggest brands in the business. A thoughtfully designed shelter, it packs down small, weighs only 2 kg, and is a doddle to throw up — even in windy conditions. Unlike most 2-person shelters that are only suitable for one person and kit, the Trail Lite 2 is a true 2-person tent. It offers oodles of space — more than enough for two people and gear — and it comes with lots of smart storage pockets built into the inner that help you keep the inside tidy.

At £280, it's at the top end price-wise for a 2-person dome backpacking tent. And while there are options that cost less (like the Naturehike Cloud Up 2), we think you get a solid all-rounder for your money — particularly if you're after a genuinely livable 2-person shelter rather than a technical, minimalist option.

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How we tested

We tested this tent on a handful of summer trips on Dartmoor National Park. We started in hot, dry and still conditions, then cooler and rainy, then finally some truly miserable weather: strong winds and sustained rain with temperatures hovering between 8–14°C. We performed each test solo — erecting and packing away the Trail Lite 2 entirely on our own — and across all conditions, it was nothing less than user-friendly and comfortable.

Features and performance

Space, storage and the ceiling pole

Out of the box, the Trail Lite 2 comes with 10 pegs, 2 crossing poles and a singular additional pole mounted just off-centre to maximise space. This extra pole stretches the ceiling of the inner, allowing for increased head space inside the tent. North Face has fitted a wide mesh pocket to this part of the ceiling — turning what might have been just welcome headroom into handy storage. We used it constantly as a headtorch lantern mount.

Space-wise, this is one of the most cavernous 2-person backpacking shelters we've tested. The various storage pockets inside let you pack everything away neatly — which has a huge impact on sleep quality. A clean space equals a clean mind, after all. And the two vestibules are roomy enough for wet kit and boots.

Pitching and the inner-pitch caveat

Pitching is simple: a standard dome-style crossing pole system that slots into the tent's four corners. The quality of materials and ease of poles means the tent goes up in minutes even in windy conditions. That said, the Trail Lite 2 is an inner-pitch-first tent — meaning you erect the inner before the fly. This creates a real challenge in rain: practically impossible to keep the inner dry if you pitch in a downpour. We always opt for outer-pitch-first shelters like the Robens Chaser 1 for this reason, and it's worth bearing in mind on UK trips where rain is always a threat.

Quick tipCheck the peg count before you head outThe Trail Lite 2 comes with 10 pegs as standard, but really needs 14 to peg out all points including the guy lines. We'd suggest buying 4 extra tent pegs before your first trip — at this price point, it's a frustrating omission.

Weather performance

Despite its broad walls and dome-style design, the Trail Lite 2 does a great job at repelling high winds and heavy rain. On Dartmoor in wind and sustained rain, it held its shape without sagging or pooling. The vestibules kept wet kit out of the sleeping area, and the inner stayed comfortable and dry throughout. It easily beats the likes of the Big Agnes Fly Creek 2 on weather performance, which is more weight-optimised but less capable in bad conditions.

Comparison with rivals

Where the Trail Lite 2 loses points for its weight (2.01 kg is easily beaten by options like the Big Agnes Fly Creek 2), it makes them back in practicality: more space than any comparable 2-person dome tent, two roomy vestibules, and excellent performance in the wind and rain. The Terra Nova Southern Cross 1 is the obvious step up for solo use in genuinely serious conditions, while the Trail Lite 2 is the better call for couples wanting livability over pure performance. For most 3-season British trips, it's one of the most comfortable backpacking tents for two on the market.

Our verdict One of the most comfortable backpacking tents for couples on the market right now. The Trail Lite 2 is a super comfortable shelter from a big name brand. Performing excellently in a range of conditions — especially for a lightweight 2-person backpacking shelter — we'd confidently take this thing on a huge variety of trips, from spring wild camping in the Lake District through to wet and windy autumn backpacking. Being a true 3-season tent, we wouldn't use it in British winter conditions — but those aren't what it was built for. Keep in mind the inner-pitch-first design on rainy days, and pick up a few extra pegs before your first outing. Beyond those caveats, this is an excellent all-rounder that more than justifies its price. Buy now →

FAQs

How does the North Face Trail Lite 2 perform in wind and rain?Very well. Despite its broad dome design, it shrugs off high winds and heavy rain effectively. On Dartmoor in strong gusts and sustained rain, it held its shape without sagging or allowing ingress. We stayed dry and comfortable throughout.

How easy is the North Face Trail Lite 2 to pitch?Very easy. The crossing pole system goes up in minutes thanks to the high-quality manufacturing, and you can pull the fasteners on each corner to get the fly remarkably tight. The main thing to note is that it's an inner-pitch-first tent — always pitch it before the rain arrives if you can.

How much space is there in the North Face Trail Lite 2?It's one of the roomiest lightweight 2-person backpacking tents we've tested. A true 2-person shelter, there's plenty of space for two bodies, sleeping bags, pads and gear — plus the numerous pockets built into the inner keep everything organised. The two vestibules are also genuinely roomy.

Is the North Face Trail Lite 2 worth the money?At around £280, it's pricey for a 3-season tent — but the build quality, livability and weather performance justify the spend if you'll use it regularly. For couples who camp frequently across the UK's varied conditions, we'd call it fair value. If you're camping just a few nights a year, consider whether you need the premium build.