Tons of tent manufacturers falsely claim that their gear is appropriate for backpacking. When it comes to the Taga 2, you can trust what Naturehike is telling you. This tent is unbelievably light for the size, is affordable, and has fantastic user reviews.
However, it’s not the best choice for everyone, though, so make sure you read this Naturehike Taga 2 tent review before parting with your hard-earned cash.
Naturehike Taga 2 Review
Who Is The Taga 2 For?
The Taga 2 is an ultralight backpacking tent, perfect for one to two people who want to hit the trails. If you will be sharing, it’s better to use it with a close friend or family member because you will inevitably be in each other’s personal space.
At only 3 pounds, this tent is appropriate for use on a solo hiking adventure, in which case you’ll have a spacious and comfortable night’s sleep.
Design, Material, & Performance
Pole Design
The Naturehike Taga 2 saves a lot of weight thanks to its unusual pole design. You set it up with a single aluminum pole, but you can also reinforce the structure with your hiking poles if you’d like.
The frame will hold up in most weather, but you should avoid using this tent in the heavy wind because the single pole won’t perform as well as a more conventional tent.
Portability
With this tent weighing just 3 pounds, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a similar version that is so lightweight, especially at such a reasonable price. The Taga 2 packs down to 17.3 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches, so you’ll have no problem storing it with the rest of your kit.
That lightness does have some drawbacks. The tent has only one skin, meaning that it is less breathable, and the single pole won’t perform brilliantly in stormy weather.
Ventilation
Single-skin tents are famous for the condensation that builds up on their walls, so you must open the vent and avoid keeping any wet kit in the sleeping compartment.
There is a small vestibule where you can leave any damp items, but I recommend that you bring your shoes into the sleeping compartment, as the vestibule isn’t completely watertight.
It would be better if this tent had a second vent to allow for better airflow.
Comfort
The Taga 2 is reasonably comfortable for a single person, but you would probably find that you don’t have enough elbow room if you decide to share it with a friend. It would be fine for an adult and a child, but I wouldn’t recommend the tent for two adults.
There is only one door, making the tent less comfortable for two people to share. Leaving your rucksacks in the small vestibule will give you more space in the sleeping area; just make sure your kit is protected in dry bags, as the tent is not entirely watertight.
Durability
The Naturehike Taga 2 is an entry-level tent, so it will not last as long as a higher-quality model. The lightweight materials can rip or break more quickly than heavy-duty alternatives, especially when costs had to be kept low in the design process.
This tent will last longer if you spray it with a waterproof coating after each rainy camping trip and use a tent footprint to protect the floor.
At the time of writing this review, the Taga 2 comes with a free tent footprint, so you don’t have to worry about finding one of your own.
Waterproofing
The Taga 2 is made from 20D ripstop nylon, with PU 4000mm water resistance. This is a great start, but don’t forget that all tents should be sprayed with a waterproof coating once you buy them, as well as after each time they are used in wet weather.
You need to peg out the Taga 2 tightly and use the guy ropes to prevent the rainfly from becoming saggy and letting water into the sleeping area.
The seams do not appear to be heat-sealed, so I would recommend this tent only for light to moderate rain. Avoid using it in any severe weather.
What Do Users Think & Say About This Tent?
I haven’t had the opportunity to test this tent for myself, so I scoured the internet for some honest user reviews.
In general, people are very pleased with their purchase. They say that this tent is best for fair weather and that it is more like a one-and-a-half-person tent than a two-person tent.
Most people agree that this is a great value for the money, and say that the single-pole design makes for fast and simple pitching.
What I Love About The Taga 2
Finally, a budget tent that is genuinely light enough for backpacking! We get fed up with all the heavier tents claiming to be suitable for thru-hiking, so it’s a relief to see the real deal.
I love the affordability of the Taga 2, which makes exploring the great outdoors accessible for everyone. I love the spaciousness for use as a one-person tent, and I think the design is sleek and attractive.
What I Don’t Like
The weight-saving pole design and lack of taped seams mean that the Taga 2 can’t be relied upon in serious weather.
I don’t like that the sleeping compartment has only a single vent, which would be an uncomfortable choice for more than one person.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Ripstop rainfly
- 4000mm water resistance
- Vestibule for kit
- Extremely lightweight—suitable for thru-hiking
- UV protection
- Footprint included (At the time of writing)
Cons:
- Limited ventilation
- Cramped for two people
Alternatives
If you’re hoping to do some thru-hiking in more severe weather, you should check out the Alps Mountaineering Zephyr. This two-person tent is heavier than the Taga 2, but that shouldn’t be a problem if you’re sharing the weight with a friend (and trust me, you’ll be a lot more comfortable sharing this tent than the Taga 2!).
Being a double-layer tent with a more robust frame, the Zephyr will handle rain, condensation, and wind better than the Naturehike Taga. You’ll struggle to find a better-quality tent for the price.
Another option would be to check out a trekking pole shelter like the Arches Ultralight Trekking Pole Tent. You can save loads of weight by using your walking poles instead of a conventional pole frame, and a fine mosquito mesh means you can open your door wide for plenty of refreshing air without having to worry about biting insects.
Final Thoughts
The Naturehike Taga 2 is a great little tent for a thru-hike in fair weather. For the weight, price, and interior space, you really can’t ask for more.
The lightness of the tent does mean the quality of materials has suffered in some places. The single pole may be easy to set up, but it won’t be able to withstand any heavy wind.
With that in mind, I highly recommend this tent for a late spring or summer hike on the trails. Don’t expect it to perform as well at colder and wetter times of the year.
I hope you found this tent review of the Naturehike Taga 2 useful, and I wish you many happy camping adventures!
FAQs
What's the difference between the Taga 1 & the Taga 2?
The Naturehike Taga 1 is slightly lighter and smaller than the Taga 2, but otherwise very similar. The Taga 1 is meant to be for one person, while the Taga 2 is supposed to be for two adults, but most users complain that the Taga 2 is more realistically a one-and-a-half-person tent!
Personally, I would buy the Naturehike Taga 2 even when camping alone because I like bringing my kit into the sleeping area, where it’s less likely to get wet. If I were going to be camping with my partner, I would buy a different tent altogether.
Where is Naturehike located?
Naturehike is a Chinese company with head offices in Ningbo City, Zhejiang. Its tents are well known in the Asian market and have become increasingly popular in Europe and the USA.
Do Naturehike tents have a warranty?
You should check any warranty details with the supplier from which you purchase your tent. Naturehike tents do sometimes come with limited warranties, but some users complain that these haven’t been honored.
How light should my tent be?
This depends on your body type and the kind of activity that you will be participating in. If you plan on hiking with your tent, your kit should not weigh more than 20% of your body weight.
If you are camping in severe weather, you might want to choose a heavier and more weatherproof tent and make sacrifices with your kit weight elsewhere.
Why does my tent get wet on the inside?
If you are waking up to a wet tent, it could be due to a leak or a build-up of condensation. Make sure to spray your tent with a waterproof coating before use, and always open a vent to prevent condensation from forming on the tent walls.
About the author
Rachel is a freelance adventure writer and founder of Highly Sensitive Nomad. When she isn’t writing, she can be found wild camping in the mountains and swimming in the lakes of Europe.
