Taurus 2

Alps Mountaineering has bomb proof tents, but they tend to be a little heavy. Not sure why Luke on YT wouldn't like Alps Mountaineering tents, unless he was using it for backpacking. The Alps Taurus is going to be hot, it doesn't have a lot of mesh. There's the Alps Acropolis that has mostly mesh with a full rainfly and two vestibules. Another that's almost all mesh with a full rainfly and two vestibules is the Klymit Cross Canyon. I have this and it's been through some major rain, wind and thunderstorms. I bought it on Costco Next. Both of these tents have lots of headroom. I do guy out the Klymit if there's going to be inclement weather. Both of these tents have aluminum poles and clips. I'm not a fan of the sleeves like on the Nature Hike Kota 4. I have sleeves on a Eureka Space Camp 4 and I'd much rather have all clips, I find them faster to set up. The Space Camp 4 has really good headroom, but Eureka has stopped selling tents. Sometimes you can find old "new" stock pretty cheap. The Eureka Space Camp also has big vestibules. For what it's worth, I'm not a fan of the pole style on the NH Kota, I like two poles that cross each other, then possibly a brow pole, and that's it.

My Scout troop uses ALPS Mountaineering Taurus tents with aluminum poles. They're great and do not break the bank. We used to use Eurekas with fiberglass poles and were constantly replacing poles or complete tents when the poles eventually split. I think I've only replaced 2 or 3 poles since we switched.

I have a similar Kelty Gunnison 4 tent. Bought it 20 years ago so it is on it’ll last legs. Check out Alps Mountaineering. I bought a 2p and 5p and like them as much as my Kelty.

For shelter/ tent… I will give you a pro tip…. Start with a 2man tent… I really like the Alps brand for entry level tents and here is why. We use them in Boy Scout troops where the kids are tough on gear…. They stand up…. You can get them off Amazon for the best prices and there is a huge selection…. They also back up their gear if something breaks- if the tents gets wet - set it up at home to air it out dry….

Alps mountaineering got me into backpacking. Even after I took up backpacking as a very regular activity, the 2-person tent was among the very last items to be replaced. Just the right dimensions, good weight, reliable, and damn near bulletproof. It outlasted a hail storm that would have given me concussions otherwise. To be fair, I was freaking the hell out in that tent the entire time...

I like the Alps tents. Wife and I moto camp off our KTM’s and the two person has aluminum poles (fiberglass poles break) and two vestibule for our Mosko luggage and riding gear. It keeps it all dry but out of the tent. I use a stuff sack to pack it small.

I've had an ALPS Mountaineering 2 person for years. Its been a great tent for me. Less than $140 at the time.