The North Face Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT Tent
Rating
Versatility: 8
Size/Weight: 9
Features: 7
Construction: 6
Sleep Quality: 7
OVERALL: 7.4
When you need something breathable and versatile.
When it comes to mountaineering and alpine adventures, your shelter is more than just a place to sleep—it’s your lifeline in some of the harshest environments on Earth. The North Face Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT Tent is designed to meet the demands of serious climbers and adventurers, blending the lightweight portability of a bivy tent with the durability and livability of a basecamp shelter. Built with The North Face’s proprietary FUTURELIGHT fabric, this single-wall tent promises exceptional breathability and versatility for everything from technical alpine routes to winter ski tours.
Pros: Lightweight and packable, great breathability and has a removable vestibule.
Cons: Fragile carbon-fiber poles prone to snapping, vestibule setup is finicky and time-consuming, limited interior space and organisation features.
Verdict: A great tent for climbers and mountaineers who need a lightweight, versatile shelter for short expeditions, though its durability and setup quirks may limit its appeal for longer trips or harsher conditions.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Sleeping Experience, Features Analysis, Construction and Durability, or the Final Verdict, or check out how The North Face Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT tent compares to others in our list of the Top 5 Backpacking Tents.
Specs:
Open Size: 208 x 122 cm
Packed Size: N/A
Weight: 2.7kg
Approx Price: £627.00
First Impressions
The North Face Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT Tent strikes a unique balance between a lightweight bivy shelter and a strong expedition tent. Its single-wall design, combined with a removable vestibule, immediately makes it quite versatile. The tent’s compact footprint and internal pole system suggest it’s built for various terrains and harsh conditions, but the initial setup reveals some quirks, particularly with the vestibule and guy lines, which require patience. Despite these slight annoyances, the tent’s FUTURELIGHT fabric and thoughtful ventilation system make it a versatile option for rougher treks.
Sleeping Experience
The Assault 2 has a surprising amount of livable space for a single-wall tent. The interior, while snug, has enough room for two average-sized adults, with decent headroom when sitting up. The ventilation system, featuring multiple vents and FUTURELIGHT fabric, effectively minimises condensation, a common issue with single-wall designs. With some additional waterproofing, during a week-long test in heavy snowfall and high winds, the tent remained dry and breathable, with only minor frost buildup on the interior walls. The vestibule adds valuable space for gear storage and cooking, making longer stays more comfortable. Just know that the tent’s small size and lack of interior organisation features may feel limiting for longer outings.
Features Analysis
The Assault 2’s standout feature is its FUTURELIGHT fabric, which excels in breathability. The tent’s ventilation system, including large vents and mesh-covered openings, further make it very liveable. The removable vestibule is a game-changer, giving you the flexibility to shed weight for climbs or add space for basecamp-style comfort, however, the vestibule setup is finicky and the thin carbon-fiber poles, while lightweight, feel fragile and prone to snapping in high winds. The internal pole design simplifies setup but could probably benefit from a more symmetrical and durable hub system.
Construction and Durability
The Assault 2 is built to withstand extreme conditions. The FUTURELIGHT fabric proved its worth, remaining breathable and waterproof despite heavy snowfall, although, if you know the weather will be raining while you’re away, it might be best to waterproof the outside yourself. The tent’s reinforced corners and sturdy guy lines held up well in high winds, though the thin carbon-fiber poles can be a weak point, with the possibility of snapping during moderate gusts. The vestibule’s sleeve material is also prone to damage if not handled carefully. While the tent’s overall construction is solid, its lightweight design comes with some durability trade-offs.
Final Verdict
The North Face Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT Tent is a versatile, high-performance shelter that bridges the gap between bivy and basecamp tents. Its FUTURELIGHT fabric and ventilation system set a new standard for single-wall designs, giving it great breathability and weather resistance, except, perhaps, for its waterproofing. The finicky vestibule setup, fragile poles and limited interior space, however may not suit everyone. For climbers and mountaineers looking for a lightweight yet durable tent for technical routes or short expeditions, the Assault 2 is an great choice. For longer trips or more extreme conditions, a heavier-duty expedition tent might be better.
Why not visit our list of the Top 5 Backpacking Tents 2025 to see how The North Face Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT tent compares?
Water & Outdoors reviews are written by our staff writers, who combined have over fifty years of experience on the water and outdoors. We may earn commissions if you choose to buy through a link you’ve clicked on our website, however this does not influence our reviews. For more information, please see our Editorial Policies.