Is the ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5 Outfitter Tent going to keep you dry in the rain?
Will it stand strong in the wind?
Is it high quality or going to break in the first couple of uses?
All these questions and much more will be answered in this ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5 Outfitter Tent review.
ALPS have produced high quality products in the past and I want to see if this one stands up with the rest.
Outstanding Weatherproofing!
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Functionality
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Waterproof
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Strength
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Value
Summary:
The ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5 Outfitter Tent has ZERO condensation buildup, holds out all rain no matter how hard it’s coming down and stays standing in strong winds.
My only qualms are the cheap stakes and small vestibules, but other than that I love this tent due to it’s HEAVY DUTY structure and materials.
It lasts for years of frequent use!
 Pros |
 Cons |
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What Others Are Saying About It
There isn’t much feedback for this product, however, I did manage to fish some things up worth mentioning.
- It is extremely well made and an absolute BREEZE to setup (under 10 minutes with 1 person)
- It’s on the costly side but pays off in the long run due to its strength and high quality construction
- Has 0 signs of wear-and-tear even after 10 times being used in the wilderness
- It lacks in outside viewing opportunities with the rain fly off but makes up for it with heat retention and privacy
- The stakes are on the cheap side and will probably require ground hogs on rocky terrain
- The vestibules are on the small side – luckily there are 2 of them
- A true beast at battling condensation, as there is never any moisture buildup
Description
The ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5 Outfitter Tent is easy to assemble thanks to the freestanding two-pole design, aluminium poles and pole clips.
The heavy duty floor is made from 210D 110T Nylon Oxford and specifically designed to withstand years of use out in the field (twice the weight and durability of a normal nylon floor).
Oversized zippers have been placed on the doors and vestibules to increase the overall lifespan even more, simply because when the zippers break so does the rest of the tent. These are a large No. 10!
It has factory sealed seams and 1500 mm coated rain fly for great waterproofing.
The rain fly extends over the door to create a vestibule area, which is where you store all your equipment. There is one over each door, 2 total.
Manufacturers claim it has great ventilation, a mesh roof for stargazing and mesh panels on both door for cross-flow ventilation without sacrificing your protection against mosquitoes!
Is It Waterproof?
There’s been no complaints about any problems with the waterproofing according to the online reviews I could find.
People seemed to experience heavy downpours and stayed completely dry.
Because of this, and since no one is complaining about rain getting in, I have no reason to think it lacks waterproof abilities because it definitely does not.
It’s a beast in heavy rain and everything is sealed from factory, making it ready to go straight out of the box!
Is It Windproof?
The rain fly goes all the way to the ground and clips onto the buckles right next to the stakes, creating immense strength in high wind conditions.
I’ve seen users claim they were in 30-40 MPH winds and 50+ MPH gusts! And it still stayed standing.
Of course there will be some noise but that’s expected.
Just be sure to stake everything down properly and everything is clipped on. Last thing you want is for your rain fly to fly off in the middle of the night in a rainstorm!
Details
Base Size: 8 x 10 feet
Center Height: 6 feet
Tent Area: 80 ft²
Vestibule Area: 32 ft²
Packed Size: 9 x 25 inches
Minimum Weight: 12.6 pounds
Total Weight: 13.6 pounds
What’s In The Box
- Rain fly
- Aluminium poles
- Pole bag
- Stake bag
- Aluminium stakes
- Guy ropes
- Repair swatches
- Gear loft
- Mesh storage pockets
- Tent body and tent bag
What Makes This Tent Unique
Well first and foremost, there’s a lot included in the purchase.
It’s rare when manufacturers provide a FREE gear loft.
Plus the fact that it’s a 5-person tent. Big outdoor companies overlook 5-person tents for the simple reason it is an odd number (well that’s my theory, lol).
However, a 5 man tent works great for a group of 4 people without being too squished up.
Who It’s For
The ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5 Outfitter Tent is designed for a group of people to sleep in.
It is way too heavy for a solo camper or even a couple.
So one way to make this tent work is by splitting the weight up between AT LEAST 3 people, 5 people maximum.
The different bags included in the purchase make it easy to split the weight up between everyone!
Pricing & Purchase Details
Access to this tent can be found at Amazon.com.
They have the best prices above everyone else, the fastest delivery (next-day delivery for Amazon Prime members) and even a 30-day return policy.
This means any defects experienced in the first 30 days of receiving it you can send it back for a repair.
Furthermore, if you don’t like your purchase you can also get a full refund, no questions asked.
Alternative Tent
The Eureka Assault Outfitter 4 Tent also has amazing wind and rain resistance and will not break in the first few uses.
It can actually withstand snowfall unlike the Outfitter 5.
It’s in the same price range, has more more features and bigger vestibules if that’s more important to you.
The Verdict
Of course the Taurus 5 Outfitter Tent is on the expensive side, however, in my opinion it is the best 5-person tent I’ve reviewed thus far.
It truly stands up to the claims of being EXTREMELY durable, as it will last for many years of frequent use.
The Oxford floor is super strong and the rain resistance on this thing is amazing.
Everyone has nice things to say about the ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5 Outfitter Tent and the negative reviews don’t even exist.
ALPS mountaineering have done an outstanding job once again and I have no problems with this tent other than the low quality stake and small vestibules.
However, the pros outweigh the cons and it really does keep you safe in fierce weather conditions!
The ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5 Outfitter Tent is highly recommended.
Get the Taurus 5 Outfitter Tent At Amazon!
Leave a comment below if you still have unanswered questions 🙂
Outstanding Weatherproofing!
-
Functionality
-
Waterproof
-
Strength
-
Value
Summary:
The ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5 Outfitter Tent has ZERO condensation buildup, holds out all rain no matter how hard it’s coming down and stays standing in strong winds.
My only qualms are the cheap stakes and small vestibules, but other than that I love this tent due to it’s HEAVY DUTY structure and materials.
It lasts for years of frequent use!
Hi Brandon, thank you for this very informative post. My family love camping so this tent would be perfect for us. I am a firm believer in” getting what you pay for”, so I would rather make the investment now and have a quality product, appose to a cheap product which will fall apart and constantly need replacing . I certainly do hope this ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5 lives up to its promises.
Although that’s true 99% of the time, there ARE some instances where you can find absolute bargains. These types of tents are high value for money.
I’ve compiled my list of high value tents here.
And of course the ALPS Outfitter 5 lives up to the promises. I’ve reviewed many ALPS tents in the past and they NEVER fail to deliver on their promises. I go into more detail on the ALPS brand here.
Good luck Evelynn and thank you for the comment 🙂
Brandon, I found this review to be thorough and interesting. It sounds like this ALPS tent is very durable and can handle pretty heavy wind gusts and even rainy downpours and keep your group (of up to 5) dry the entire time. For under 14 pounds, this would be worth taking with you on a group camping trip. Thanks for the review – Shirley
It is made with stronger material than traditional polyester most other tents use and lasts a LONG time as a result. It’s one of the more high quality tents on the market and I can’t recommend it enough.
Thanks for stopping by and leave your thoughts Shirley.
Nice review!
I wish I had done more camping this summer. I am really in need of a new tent and I actually really like this one. The weather here can be random, even during the summer months and having a tent that can withstand the rain is a plus! Well written and saved for future use!
To be honest it’s never too late. Camping is done year-round but different seasons means different skill levels and gear needed.
Summer camping is by far the easiest but other seasons are good too. Here’s a rundown on what to expect. Good luck!
Thank you Brandon, so much for this post! My father in-law loves camping and hunting! I think it’s gonna be great present for Christmas.
Thanks Alyona! Christmas isn’t too far away and it’ll be here before we know it, so get in quick!
If a camper wants to stargaze, they should go with a bivvy. With a tent, I want a dependable shelter from the elements.