This tent has reached A LOT of positive ratings over the years. But of course, there’s nothing like an unbiased, second opinion. I set out to see if the ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 2 Tent was actually as good as individuals are claiming it to be.
In case you’re wondering about the vast amount of 5 stars that this tent has accumulated over the years, if they are actually legit or completely fake, I will be finding the real truth regarding this tent.
So keep reading to discover all the features and benefits this tent has to offer, as I write my full ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 2 Tent review in this very post.
Great Value For Money
Summary:
The ALPS Taurus 2 Tent does a great job at combating the elements. It has no problems resisting the rain or standing strong in high wind conditions either, while it has been known to camp in a little snow too. There are a few cons that are worth mentioning, such as the weak floor and side windows that can not be closed. But all in all, I find it to be one of the best 2 person tents in the same bracket.
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Specifications
Product name: ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 2 Tent
Cheapest place to buy: Amazon.com
Color: Grey/White
Size: 2 person
Rating: 3 season
Weight: 7 lbs. 7 oz.
Center height: 3′ 8″
Base Size: 5′ x 7’6
Tent Area: 37 sq. ft.
Packed size: 6″ x 22″
Product Description
This tent was solely created for 3 season use. It is a 2 person tent with 2 vestibule areas to keep your equipment safe and dry from the elements. After some thorough research into this tent, it looks like it can withstand some WINTER weather as well!
The company claims that the zippers on this tent are near-flawless, while the rain fly can withstand heavy downfalls and keep you bone dry in the process.
It consists of a 2-pole, freestanding design to provide ultimate simplicity – resulting in a fast and easy set up.
The doors are enhanced with extra-large zippers to make getting in and out of this tent a lot easier than it has to be.
Key Features
Vestibule and Doors – With the 2 vestibule rooms comes 2 large doors to make it easier to get in and out of the tent. Place your equipment under the full-coverage rain fly for protection against the elements while you sleep snug and comfortably inside the tent
Mesh Windows – One unique feature that I found interesting was the windows that are located on the door. These work great for extra ventilation in the warmer months, while it reduces condensation build up as much as possible in the colder months too
Ventilation – Even when the rain fly is on you don’t lose the ventilation either. And that’s simply because the rain fly has its own vents to ensure you continue getting fresh air while you are using it
Seams – The floor seams have been sealed from factory to help keep the rain out from the bottom of the tent. The factory-sealed rain fly also gives you more protection, stopping the rain from seeping through the seams and into the tent
Is This Tent Unique
The ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 2 Tent isn’t truly unique. A lot tents that are created by ALPS use similar designs, just containing different features or slightly different concepts.
However, it is still incredibly different from the other 2 person tents that are available from other brands. And at this price range, it does an amazing job at keeping the rain out and standing up in strong winds. You don’t find that too often in an inexpensive tent.
Who Should Buy This Tent?
It is a 2 man tent, but obviously most 2 person tents are JUST enough space for 2 people and that’s it.
But since this one comes with 2 vestibule areas and being in a lightweight “range”, it makes a perfect choice for backpacking in the wilderness, or even car camping due to the weatherproofing abilities that it offers.
Housing Combinations Include:
- 1 person + gear inside tent
- 2 people + gear inside vestibule area
- 2 small people + child + gear in vestibule area
- 1 person + dog + gear in tent
There are a lot of common combinations for getting set up inside this tent, but the bottom line is this: camp with someone you’re comfortable with, because it’s going to be a tight fit.
And it doesn’t matter if your equipment won’t fit inside the tent either, because that’s what the 2 vestibule areas are for.
Where Can I Buy?
The price of the ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 2 Tent varies from $70-$110, can be purchased from Amazon.com and has free shipping available. This product comes with a limited lifetime warranty and a 30-day return policy.
If you find any malfunctions on this the tent you can send it back for a replacement. Even if you simply don’t like it, you can get a full refund.
See It On Amazon While It’s Cheap
Alternative/Similar Tents
If you don’t like the weight of this tent, there’s another one that makes a great alternative and still does extremely well against the elements. The Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Tent works like a charm and only weighs 4 lbs. 11 oz.
Furthermore, the Kelty Grand Mesa 2 Tent is also another great choice for camping, especially in the summer time! The all-mesh walls that it provides gives you FULL panoramic views of the outdoor world!
Both of the tents mentioned above are a little more expensive than the ALPS but still higher quality too.
Do I Recommend This Tent?
It stands the test of time, while the claims about it being highly waterproof turns out to be 100% true when many other tents just don’t cut the butter.
What I like about this one is that it’s actually waterproof. It holds up on strong, windy days/nights and is definitely better than other 2 person tents within the same price range due to the strength that it provides against the elements.
The ALPS Taurus 2 Tent is highly recommended!
The Verdict
It is really difficult to find a tent, in this price range, that’s highly durable and able to stand strong when the wind is thrashing it around.
And that’s why it makes a great, affordable tent for someone on a budget. It is perfect for those individuals who don’t want to splash out on a $200 tent that offer the exact same features and water resistance, just much lighter.
After my findings I have finally come to a conclusion: whether you’re wanting to camp in the rain, wind, snow (because it can handle a little snow) or the scorching sun due to the great ventilation, this tent will make a great choice, because it is highly recommended!
View The Current Price On Amazon
If you enjoyed this article or you have any more questions about this tent, please leave a comment below.
Great Value For Money
Summary:
The ALPS Taurus 2 Tent does a great job at combating the elements. It has no problems resisting the rain or standing strong in high wind conditions either, while it has been known to camp in a little snow too. There are a few cons that are worth mentioning, such as the weak floor and side windows that can not be closed. But all in all, I find it to be one of the best 2 person tents in the same bracket.
Awesome post Brandon! I’m actually a great fan of camping. Good to see there is a tent out there that can withstand crazy winter weather, I will most definitely consider this in my next purchase.
Bianca
Well this tent isn’t ACTUALLY made for winter weather, however it has been proven to stand up in strong winds and keep the rain out – to a point of course. Glad you liked it and hope you pop by again, Bianca 🙂
Kind regards,
Brandon
Great post, I’m not much of a camper but if I was this tent would be high on my list. I like the way you were honest enough with your readers to give the pros and cons of this tent.
Hi Rose, glad you found this review helpful. You should definitely try out camping if you haven’t done it yet, oh and it’s also good for bonding with the family 🙂
Thanks for the comment,
Brandon
Hi, Brandon. Thank you for your sharing!
I like camping but I don’t own a tent. Every time I want to camp, I have to borrow my father’s tent. So, I am looking for a good tent to buy and use it. I think Alps Mountaineering Taurus 2 Tent is good. Becuase I can camp with my girlfriend and it seems that the space inside it is large enough. Also, I can use it in winter.
Hi Anthony, yea sure. It is a good choice for minor winter conditions, not the hardcore conditions like snowing nonstop or days of downfall, however it will still stand in hours of rain. I’m glad you found this post helpful.
See you around,
Brandon
Hey Brandon, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have been looking to downscaling the tent I have at the moment, my kids are grown up and doing their own thing now. This size tent is exactly what I’m after. A good price and free shipping, I’m glad I did a bit of research and found your review.
Thanks, Shane
No worries buddy. There’s nothing wrong with downscaling, at least with a lighter tent you can go for extended hiking trips, something I like to do every now and then. I also find that it’s a very nice price, especially with the amount of weatherproofing it has.
Thanks for the comment Shane!
Kind regards,
Brandon
I really like your post, Brandon! Always been curious of camping because I live in a South East Asian country and I wonder how it is to camp here. Will you be able to recommend the right tent for me that’s perfect for a tropical climate weather? Thanks! Nonetheless, I will consider all of your suggestions here but I want to know your personal opinion.
Hey there Miguel. Yea, sure. You will want a tent that has great ventilation, especially in hot and humid weather. The CORE 6 does a great job, while the ALPS Mystique (1 person) tent is another good option if you wish to go solo camping.
Hope this helps,
Brandon
Yeah this is great! My tent just get spoiled last week! I think I can consider this one, overall really good for camping use. Thanks for your informative post!
I’m super glad you found my review useful Dino. It is really a great tent and I wouldn’t mind getting one for myself sometime!
Anyway, thanks for stopping by.
-Brandon
Great overview and detailed information for this tent, great price and also as you say durable and can withstand strong winds which is exactly what I need for where I intend to go. Feel much more comfortable now to buy it after reading your review!
Well that’s the entire reason behind a tent, to keep you safe from the elements. If it can’t do that, it is virtually worthless. But of course, this one is from ALPS so it is definitely on the better side of tents. The weatherproofing abilities are amazing.
Thank you so much for the comment,
Brandon
Hi Brandon,
This 2 man tent looks pretty cool and ticks a lot of boxes. I like how it has a vestibule area but I have some concerns over the side windows that can’t be closed. We do a lot of camping in Scotland, especially in the Highlands and we have a big problem with midges (like small mosquitoes). Do you know how close-knit the mesh is? These little blighters can usually get through mesh.
Craig.
Hello Craig. Great question – I haven’t seen any complaints about any mosquitoes getting through the mesh, but I would say that they won’t be able to get through. If it’s from ALPS, there’s a high possibility that they won’t be able to get through. As all there tents are very high quality.
Thanks for the good question,
Brandon
For someone who has no idea about tents this review gives all the information (both negative and positive: which I appreciated). I don’t do much camping but I have friends who love it. Will forward this information to them. Thanks for sharing!
Hello Dira, thanks for commenting on my article and leaving your feedback. I’m sure your friends will love to have you go camping with them, while I have no doubts that you will enjoy every moment of it as well 😀
Take care,
Brandon
I remember camping back in high school. My family always went to either New Hampshire or Maine but we used the same tent every year until it got ripped. As long as these tents can withstand some wind, they’re good.
By the way, great selection of tents for couples or solo camping you got here!
Hello Wenxi. Yes, this tent does handle rough weather conditions. I’m glad you noticed my alternatives that I provided as well.
Kind regards,
Brandon
I like the fact that I will have a peace of mind knowing that I would not get wet inside this tent. Sounds like it would be the perfect starter tent for the novice camper. Also, a tight squeeze with 2 people may not really be all that bad. Great description of the ALPS Taurus 2, answers all questions I had while reading it!
Thank you Nathan.
My sleeping in a tent days are over as I have chronic back problems. This is a very thorough and in depth review and thanks for providing it. I always found whatever the size of the tent was the exact amount of people that could sleep in it. 2 people can sleep in it without gear. There is no room as you state for much else once the two of you are inside. I always go bigger but I would rather pay more for comfort. Really well done, enjoyed this article.
That doesn’t sound too good, Peter. But you are definitely correct. The tents’ size rating is based on how many people can sleep in it as they lay down like sardines.
Manufacturers don’t take into consideration the amount of gear you have, that’s what the vestibule area is for.
And you could simply keep your gear in the car if you have too many people in the tent.
Otherwise your other option would be to have less people so you can have more room for your gear.
Thanks for the comment! I wish you all the best in your future ventures.
-Brandon
Hi there! Awesome review! I always have problems with my tent leaking when I camp and it’s really annoying… I will be sure to keep this tent in mind once camping season comes around. That’s awesome that it can withstand some snow and all the other elements as well. I do have a concern about not being able to close the windows, but I am sure I could rig something up to block them off when i want them to be. Thanks for posting this!
-Ashley
Yes, I agree with you Ashley. A tent that can’t keep the rain out is almost worthless! As long as you can put something up against the window to give you more privacy, then it’s definitely a tent to consider, as long as you don’t press it right up against the window though, otherwise you’ll be increasing the chances for condensation to occur.
Thanks for the comment.
Take care,
Brandon
I bought this tent several years ago after a stormy night in a $30 Wal-Mart tent. I vacation on my motorcycle and tents are a lot cheaper than motels. It’s the perfect size for just myself and my gear.
My first stormy night, I was expecting to get wet, but the tent kept me and my gear dry. On cooler nights it seems like the rain fly helps keep it a bit warmer inside, but that could be just wishful thinking.
The plastic windows on each end have never bothered me. They’ve got so many creases it would be difficult for anyone to see inside. For the way I use a tent when traveling, it’s perfect. Goes up quick, comes down quick so I can get back on the road.
Thank you for your feedback on this amazing tent. I knew after reading the online reviews how well it performed and you just went and proved that claim even more.
It’s good that the small window panels aren’t much of an issue, as I’m sure it’ll put buyers off a little bit. But nonetheless a very affordable tent and WELL worth the price!