ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 2 OF Outfitter

I am using this tent for some of my cold weather camping here in Wisconsin. I like the simple design of this tent, being a quick pitching "wedge dome" with pole clips. Like the standard Taurus, it shares the same features but is more "beefed up" with an oxford floor and #10 zippers.

The color is pleasant being a light lime green with a beige tent body. Ventilation is very good even in these cold Wisconsin fall nights thanks to the mesh roof vents on the tent body. An excellent value and well made too!

Update: March 19, 2006

I had this tent for about a year and the thing is literally falling apart. After spending a week in the woods behind my house here in southern Wisconsin, I took the tent down for routine cleaning and drying. I couldn't help but notice that some of the fabric that attaches the clips to the top of the tent body is starting to tear from the top body near the top vent. Not good. There is a hole in the netting in the door. I should point out I do maintain my gear very well and my gear gets used (but NOT abused)--it does not sit in my some closet collecting dust.

What ever happened to the quality of ALPS tents anyhow? I bought the Taurus look alike (Orion) from REI-Outlet.com. Will it self destruct like the this Outfitter model??? Time will only tell. Can it be that they moved the manufacturing of their tents from South Korea to Communist China? I think that very well may be the problem there. My 2002 Taurus (manufactured in South Korea) was far better in quality than this 2005 Chinese made Taurus Outfitter. The rainly has held up but the tent body is gone. What happened ALPS???

My advice: move the manufacturing of your tents back to South Korea-Forget the CHEAP Communist Chinese labour.

Gripe over. :(

Update: October 7, 2006

This tent is wonderful. I had the privilege to use it down in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks, at the Roby Lake Trailhead. ALPS replaced my tent body that was torn up by some squirill earlier this year. ALPS quality is good.

If I could just have ONE tent this is it. This tent offers great vetilation and weather-proofing. I dare to say it is the perfect tent. I love the green tent body and rainfly. Very fitting for the outdoors.

Update: February 12, 2009

Last night a severe line of storms pushed through southeast Ohio. This weather was associated with a strong cold front. Winds reached 70 mph. Being camped on a high ridge at the Lamping Homestead Campground in Ohio's Wayne National Forest, my tent took the brunt of these storms. Along with these winds this storm system brought winds and rain all night long.

My ALPS tent performed beautifully through all this adverse weather. No water found its way into the tent and the poles simply flexed while being buffeted by the winds. This lasted through the entire night.

Yes, I would definitely recommend the ALPS Taurus Outfitter tent. Do use the included guy-lines though. They really help in keeping the tent stable.