The North Face VE 25
The North Face VE 25 ($569, 2010 prices) has been in production for two decades now, and probably has seen use at more high-altitude camps than any other tent on the market. Part of the reason for its popularity is its roominess--48 sq. ft. of internal space (enough for all but the most claustrophobic mountaineers)--and its relatively lightweight (9 lbs., 12 oz.). North Face rates the tent as a three-person design, but most climbers treat it as a two-person tent. Four poles provide exceptional stability, and the vestibule, with pole, adds another 10 sq. ft. of storage at the front and 5 sq. ft. at the back. Two doors make it easy to enter and exit the tent, and the polyurethane windows are cold-crack tested to -60°F.
Mountain Hardware Trango
The Mountain Hardware Trango ($525 to $725, 2010 prices) has been in production for a decade, and is available in two-person, three-person and four-person models. The side panels are designed to add strength to the tent in the wind by not stretching, and the thicker vestibule pole further strengthens the design. The Trango has two doors for ease of entry and exit, and two windows for checking the weather. The two-person version has 41 sq. ft. of internal space and weighs 9 lbs. The tent is 41 inches high, and the vestibule adds 11 sq. ft. of storage space.
Bibler/Black Diamond Fitzroy
Named after a peak in Patagonia that regularly sees some of the world's harshest weather, the Bibler/Black Diamond Fitzroy ($699, 2010 prices), is a 6 lb., single-wall tent that offers a substantial weight savings over traditional tents. The Fitzroy is classified as a three-person tent, but most mountaineers use it as a roomy two-person tent. Unlike Bibler's more compact and lightweight tents, such as the I-Tent, the Fitzroy has two doors and a vestibule that adds 6 sq. ft. of storage space. The Fitzroy has 35 sq. ft. of interior space and is 40 inches high. With four poles that attach on the inside of the tent, it also is exceptionally sturdy.
