Love the tent so much tho one complaint
I won't complain about the weight of the tent since I wouldn't expect a durable 8-person tent to be lightweight...this was bought for car camping. My only complaint (which obviously really bugs me) is that for some bizarre reason the windows are either way down by the ground or else too high to look out of if you're sitting, even in a chair - or on the roof which is only useful if you're looking straight up without the fly on. Also, the windows on the front and back doors only zip open halfway to see out and get ventilation (these are the ones too high up to be useful as windows). I get a little claustrophobic and would like to be able to see out of the tent when I'm not standing or lying on the floor. If I'm lying on the floor, I can see out the super low windows but only if my mattress isn't too high and only if I'm in one of the "rooms" on either end. If I were sleeping more toward the middle of the tent I'd really feel claustrophobic without being able to see out easily enough and feel the breeze right near me (even though the general ventilation is good). One of the reasons I got the tent was cause we're a family of 5 and because if we sleep more on the ends and less in the middle, there's room in the middle for a table and chairs if it's raining. That would be another time it would be nice to see out, dang it! Ok all that said (whew!), it's otherwise the best tent I've ever owned. Surprisingly easy to set up; great poles; good-sized front vestibule with extra storage in back area as well; not too huge looking on the outside considering how much space there is on the inside - and just looks really nice; it also seems to be very well-made. I researched hard and found no other tent that would sleep so many while still being so durable. This is it! Oh one other thing - it takes up a pretty big space but if some small camp site doesn't allow for such a big tent, one could just not stake the ends out so far or the vestibules.
Research Queen at
Campmor on
08/08/2011
Happy with purchase
I use reviews when shopping to decide on what to purchase so I wanted to add my review for others. Prior to purchasing last summer I could not find many reviews so I rolled the dice. Just got back from 1 week in the Adirondacks 8th lake campground. This was the 1st live field test. Purchased this tent to accommodate a family of 4 which includes two adult cots, child's inflatable bed and a pack-n-play. Plenty of room. The room dividers might be useful for storing gear behind but do not provide enough room for an adult to sleep behind, within a cot at least.
The tent is really easy to put up, I can do it alone. It rained 3 days at a steady clip, only sign of moisture was the form some water droplets on the floor under my daughters air mattress from a puddle that got between footprint and bathtub flr (foot print should be 6 inch's smaller IMHO so water can't get there unless it's a total flood). Other than that we were bone dry the entire time.
Solid construction, excellent poles and design, seems like it can withstand some severe weather. The awning front is what also attracted me to this tent, many do not have one. I purchased 2 adjustable poles to pitch it out to create a true canopy/shelter. The grommets are small and the pole tips didn't fit so I just rigged it in field; make sure you check before purchasing additional poles that they fit unlike me…
Only negative is in the sun during the day it was very warm. Even though it's an all mesh ceiling, with rain fly on it only has moderate ventilation. Not an issue unless your 21 month needs to nap during day in which I need a fan on sunny days when the sun would hit it. Hope this review is helpful.
The Best Yet
I had not tent camped in 20 some years and my 7 year old son wanted to go camping. So we looked at a lot of tents and it came down to the MM6 or MM8, ended up buying the eight just for the extra room. Very simple tent to setup with the color coded poles, and not having to thread them through sleeves like the old days, just grab the hooks on the tent and slide them over the poles, simple enough to do by yourself but the extra hands help. The only fault I could find was the directions they were not detailed at all. On our third night camping on a Lake Michigan beach a storm rolled in with strong winds and heavy rains, the windward side of the tent collapsed from the wind, got out and checked the fly tie lines and all were in place, could not figure out what was going on. The next morning after a closer look I found some small ties on the inside of the rain fly I had not noticed before, these are meant to be attached to the tent poles from the fly and when the fly is staked makes the tent very rigid. When the next storm hit the tent withstood the wind like I expected it to, just wish this was in the directions. Cant wait to use it again this summer, looking for another North Face experience. Thanks for another great product
Great Tent
I bought this because I reviewed all the 8 person tents I could and it came down to the fact that this had the biggest footprint/square footage of all the higher quality tents. I can easily standup in the tent and I am 6'1" tall. I have a family of 5 and I am sure it is more than big enough for all of us plus 1 dog.
It's is easy to set up, me and my 11 year old daughter did the first time, but had to refer to the directions alot, which at tines are not really clear.
My only concern is that the floor seems kind of thin, so it looks like I will have to buy the footprint to help with this.
Best tent for 2 to 8!
We have backpacked for years; however, with the arrival of grandchildren, we found that we needed to change our camping style. We bought our first recreational tent - the Mountain Manor 8 last year. We have used it on numerous occasions with our son, daughter-in-law and our two grandsons (5 years & 8 mos). Yes, it's big enough for a pack & play, 4 adults and a small child with room to spare! We have camped in wind, rain and sun and have been dry and warm through all. It assembles quickly and easily - just as quickly as our two-person backpacking tents. Overall, this is a fantastic tent which has exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend this tent for all families.
North Face knows how to make tents!
North Face makes sturdy and reliable products. My other tent is a smaller 2 person NF tent. It has kept me dry and comfortable for 10 summers of Wildland Firefighting. Using it 3 to 4 months out of the year. I bought this tent knowing that if properly taken care of... I will be able to pass it down to my kids as they get older. This tent did not disappoint it handled the wind and rain with ease. Heavy duty poles and stakes are a bonus. And finally a tent that you don't have to be a geometrical genius to fit back in the bag.
Josh the family camper. at
Campmor on
06/06/2011
Great Group Tent
We use these with a youth program and they are great due to their sturdy construction and metal poles, the students can easily put them up but they are sturdy enough that they won't destroy them the first season. Plus, they clean up well. Kids like the light mount on the ceiling. On the con side, North Face makes a quality product, but you pay for the name... also this particular product came from China
Camping palace
We used it for one long outdoor weekend so far. It is a palace where you can fit two queen matresses, a portable crib and still have plenty of space for a small table, if you need one.
The only thing I could complain about is the floor. I would expect it to be slightly thicker for that price range product. I have to get the foot print asap.
Mountain Manor Excels
Overall AWESOME tent. Easy to put up (did it without help in about 15 minutes). Kept us dry for three days of rain. Replaced our trailhead 6, much more room. 8 in a sleeping bag configuration, probably more like 5-6 on mattresses.
Only change I would make is some outside ties to pull the Fly up for more circulation. That said, camped in a cool Virginia Sept and were very comfrotable.
Great tent
I bought this tent back in July. We have taken in twice out to Camp. I am extremely happy with the tent. The tent was new and beat everyone's price in the internet. When I need camping equipment I look to Sunny sports first. I also went out and bought the North Face Docking station because I was so pleased with the Mountain Manor 8.