I recently wrote about our backpacking trip to Big Creek. I overpacked a bit on that trip, carrying in gear that I didn’t use, but one piece I was exceedingly glad to have: NatureHike’s Tagar 2 tent to sleep in. We experienced a wide range of weather and outdoor conditions, including warm sunny weather, bugs, and rain.
The Tagar 2 has been my go-to tent on recent trips. It is supposed to be a 2-person tent, but it is really only spacious enough for me, unless I’m camping with a snuggle buddy. I’m 5’10” and it is plenty long enough for me, but people over 6’ may find the legroom in short supply. It’s also pretty light, coming in at about 3.5 pounds, but that doesn’t include the pegs (lightweight titanium pegs included) or the ground mat. These add another half pound or so. It is also very compact, packing down to about football size.
One of the standout features of the Tagar 2 is its ease of setup. It is a single pole tent - one pole that arcs from end to end, held in place with tension from the stakes. (There is a second short pole that goes on top to keep the shape.) The poles and grommets are color-coded, which helps with the setup. All told, from laying the ground cover to making the final adjustments, it set up in less than 10 minutes.
The big take away for me from the weekend was how it stood up to the conditions. The tent’s material is lightweight but also quite durable. The seams are well-sealed, and the zippers are smooth and reliable. On this trip, there were lots of bugs, but as long as I kept the door and window zipped, I was completely safe. I did, however, get eaten alive when I was outside my tent!
During my trip, the Tagar 2 weathered the mixed conditions quite well. The windows and vents allow for plenty of air circulation in the warm humidity we experienced Saturday during the day. We also experienced quite a bit more rain than we were expecting - the river rose about 4 feet in the span of a couple of hours! The Tagar 2 kept everything in my tent completely dry. The only water that passed into the tent was from the door being opened and closed during the downpour. Even then, the vestibule area helped keep excess water out.
There’s a vestibule on either side, which provides extra storage space for gear. During the downpour and overnight, I kept my boots in the vestibule, and they were perfectly dry during the hike out on Sunday. This area allows for dry storage outside the tent so that you don’t track in dirt, mud, or water.
The Tagar 2 remains my go-to tent for backpacking when I’m sleeping alone (when my wife goes, we take a bigger tent). It is exceptional for backpacking due to it being lightweight. It has been completely reliable, and durable. I haven’t had any issues with damage at all after at least a half dozen trips. It sets up easily and quickly, and it has now proven itself in the rain.
For its price point (you can get it on Amazon for about $120, but I found it cheaper elsewhere), the Tagar 2 offers excellent value and performance, earning a well-deserved place in my gear list.