A Question about The North Face Tadpole 23 Tent 2-Person 3-Season

By milty502147504 (4) on March 30, 2008

I placed an order with REI yesterday for the TADPOLE 23. Their info shows up a little different from yours. You say the tent is 35 s.f. against their 27 s.f. You show its weight as 4.25# and REI shows it as 4.9# and "minimum" weight as 4.25#. (I find that tents are usually more than "packages weight" on my back, especially with the footprint too.) How long is this tent? REI shows it as only 87" which max's out for a couple of your 6'3" reviewers. I too am 6'3".None of the reviews states one can eliminate weight by eliminating the tent body to instead set up poles, footprint and fly for the warmer nights of camping and for ultralight packing. Is this an option? If so, how does the arithmetic work to lighten the load and is it recommended for windy nights?