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Eureka! Taron 2

rated 5.0 of 5 stars

The Taron 2 has been discontinued. If you're looking for something new, check out the best three-season tents for 2024.

photo: Eureka! Taron 2 three-season tent

Always was a fan of Eureka!. Taron 2 best fit for my needs.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Dry, no condensation
  • Attractive

Cons

  • I wonder how many seasons it will last

After doing a lot of research on tents I bought the Taron 2. So far I've had it out twice, in the last two weeks nonetheless, and I am very happy with it. I must admit, I am a fan of the Eureka! brand. The last one lasted over 20 years and I just loved it.

I backpack and canoe camp a lot. I live 20 miles from the BWCA. My decision to get the Taron 2 was sort of a compromise, as there are lighter tents for backpacking. I decided that some extra room would be good, and I travel with a 70 lb. dog who I like to bring inside due to mosquitoes and weather. It is a full 2-person tent, so it is very roomy, which is nice.

I did not have a chance to seam seal it before using, but it rained hard the first time out and stayed perfectly dry inside. The second time out it rained all night long, a gentle soaker, and again the tent stayed dry. I will add that on the first outing there was a very strong wind with that rain, it was severe weather. The fly has an alum. pole to help form the vestibule on top and a small alum. pole near the ground that shapes the small ti-angle on the vestibule's snout.

The main vestibule is pretty large. I put all of my gear in there and I was still able to get in the tent. There is actually a vestibule in the rear as well. However, there is not a door on that side with this model. I hung my soaked clothes in there to dry. You have to lift the fly up to get in that one. If you stake out the fly it will not touch the tent at all, and it makes the tent very solid in high winds. This tent is very well ventilated, and I did not experience any condensation. (I've only used it in summertime so far, so we'll see.)

Also, I would add that I did not bother with a footprint. On one of those rainy nights my brother's tent did leak, and he does use a footprint as well. I don't want to add to the weight, but I think using one is a good idea. I think the fabric is maybe lighter than my old tent. I wonder about longevity. However, the Taron 2 is supposed to use a better stitching than than the Midori models, and it is a little more premium in that respect. I do not really like the lime green/yellow color of those models as much as the color scheme of the Taron 2.

I was expecting the stakes to be junk. I've read as much about Eureka! tents in general lately, but the stakes are exactly like the ones I would have got. They are alum. I-beam style, just like the Groundhogs. Maybe that is another thing that sets this model apart from the other models.

I was seriously looking at other tents before I decided on this one, both Eureka! and other reputable brands. I kept coming back to the Taron 2. I will put it through its paces until it falls apart. I hope that day is far into the future.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $160

Light, roomy, and dry. What more can you hope for?

Pros

  • Lightweight for size
  • Bone dry
  • Smart design

Cons

  • Discontinued
  • Setup time
  • Water drips from fly into tent if you aren't careful

I am admittedly a big fan of Eureka! tents, and the Taron 2 only solidified my fandom. I found this tent in unused condition on a popular auction site, and was able to get it for about half its original cost. It's gone on nearly every tent outing since. Rain, sun, snow...the Taron 2 soldiered on and is as good now as when I picked it up three years ago!

The setup time is a little longer than some small tents I have, but it is worth the effort. The aluminum poles feel very sturdy, and there is a short section that creates a sort of semi-dome in the fly. The fly also offers a generous vestibule large enough for a full 65L pack. There are lots of guy lines, and there has never been any worry due to snow or wind.

Inside, the tent offers enough room to spread out and sit up comfortably. At over 6' and 265 lbs, I use this as a one-man tent, and there is plenty of room in that regard. There are pockets throughout the inside, and a gear loft was included.  

The Taron 2 has gotten me through snowstorms, pounding rain, and fair weather equally well, with no water intrusion. When opening the fly after a rain event, some water can drip into the main tent from the top of the doorway if you aren't careful. A quick shake of the fly eliminates this, but it can be annoying. I've had no trouble with condensation on the inside, as the ventilation from the mostly-mesh walls is fantastic. There are vents built into the fly that keep air flowing, but not so much as to cause a breeze.

This tent has filled my needs perfectly, and despite its quirks, I have high hopes that it will last a long time. The Taron series has been unfortunately discontinued, but they can be found on the used market occasionally.  Eureka!'s replacement, the Midori, is similar, and would be my next choice to try out if the Taron were to fail.

Background

As a lifelong Scout and Scoutmaster, I've used many sets of gear and been exposed to many other's setups.

After acquiring this tent open but unused, it has been my primary for approximately 3 years.

Source: bought it used
Price Paid: $90

Great tent for backpacking trips for one or two people.

Pros

  • Weight
  • Price
  • Space
  • Wind resistance

Cons

  • One door
  • One vestibule

Great tent for the price, that's my choice for backpacking trips for 1 or 2 people.

1) Setup: 2 aluminum poles for the body and 1 more for the fly, it's an easy and functional setup.

2) Stability: It's a three-season tent, but I have tested in worst conditions where two other four-season tents were broken and this one had no problem resisting.

3) Weather Resistance: Great performance with rain weather conditions, and it has good breathability, thus avoiding condensation.

4) Ventilation: Because it's V3 System it has a really good ventiltion.

5) Room & Storage: This is the weakest point of this tent, because it only has one door and a fly, and the absence of another door and a fly is noticeable when two people use it.

6) Packability: With 2.7Kg it is not the lightest or smallest tent on the market, but that is not a problem as its size and weight are logical.

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Background

I have used this product a lot of times in a lot of different trails.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: 91USD (On Sale)

Well designed, lightweight, dry.

Pros

  • Design
  • Side entry
  • Easy setup

I purchased this tent because I have another Eureka tent and they are quality built for the price. This tent can be set up in minutes, its side vestibule design allows you to enter and exit without having to crawl in and back out.

The inside has enough room for me my bed and all my gear without feeling cramped and the vestibule has enough room to store my Helinox chair and table. The side entry also gives you more privacy when you are in the tent with the door open.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: Around $140

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Specs

Price Historic Range: $64.00-$179.90
Reviewers Paid: $90.00-$160.00

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