I remember one of my first backpacking trips into the Sierras. I was young, overly ambitious, and my pack was laughably heavy. The culprit? A hand-me-down “2-person” tent that weighed nearly ten pounds and packed down to the size of a small keg. Every grueling uphill mile, I cursed that tent. When I finally set it up, it was a convoluted mess of fiberglass poles and confusing instructions. That experience taught me a crucial lesson: in the backcountry, every ounce matters, and simplicity is king. The search for a tent that is light enough for long treks, simple enough for a tired hiker to pitch in minutes, and durable enough to withstand an unexpected squall is a journey every outdoor enthusiast takes. It’s the difference between a trip defined by freedom and one marred by exhaustion and frustration.
- WATERPROOF & LONG-LASTING: Polyester rain fly & groundsheet & bathtub with PU 5000 coating is firmer than you expected. Weatherproof material with...
- LARGE SIZE & LIGHTWEIGHT: Ultralight 2 person tent! Tent's size 7'3''x 4'11''x 3'10''(220x150x115 cm). Weighing just 5.29lbs (2.4 kg) total, or 4.52 lbs...
What to Consider Before Buying a Backpacking Tent
A backpacking tent is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for survival and comfort in the wild. It’s your portable home, your shield against wind, rain, and insects, and your private space to rest and recharge after a long day on the trail. Its primary benefits are providing shelter and security while being light and compact enough to carry over long distances. Choosing the wrong tent can lead to a miserable, and potentially dangerous, experience—from sleepless, wet nights to the sheer agony of carrying unnecessary weight up a mountain pass.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the classic backpacker’s dilemma: the need for reliable, lightweight gear on a sensible budget. This includes weekend warriors, thru-hikers just starting, scout troop members, and even motorcycle or kayak campers where space is at a premium. It’s for the adventurer who prioritizes trail weight and packability without wanting to spend a small fortune. Conversely, it might not be the best fit for car campers who aren’t concerned with weight and prefer palatial, multi-room tents, or for extreme mountaineers who require a 4-season tent built to withstand heavy snow loads and arctic winds.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Weight & Packed Size: For backpacking, this is paramount. A tent’s weight is often given as “trail weight” (tent, fly, poles) and “packed weight” (everything included). Look for a trail weight under 5 pounds for a 2-person tent. Equally important is the packed size; it needs to fit comfortably inside or strapped to your backpack.
- Weather Protection & Seasonality: Most backpacking tents are “3-season,” designed for spring, summer, and fall. The key metric here is the water resistance rating, measured in millimeters (mm). A PU rating of 2000mm is considered waterproof, so anything higher, like the PU 5000mm on the Clostnature, offers exceptional protection. Also, check for factory-taped seams, which prevent water from seeping through the stitching.
- Livability & Space: A “2-person” tent can be misleading. Always check the floor dimensions. Will it fit two standard sleeping pads side-by-side? Interior height (peak height) determines if you can sit up comfortably. Features like dual doors and vestibules dramatically improve livability, allowing you to store gear outside the sleeping area and exit without climbing over your partner.
- Ease of Setup & Durability: After a long hike, the last thing you want is a complicated tent setup. Freestanding designs with a simple two-pole, clip-based system are typically the fastest. For durability, look for aluminum poles over cheaper, heavier fiberglass, and ripstop polyester or nylon fabrics that can withstand the rigors of the trail.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Clostnature Polaris 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent stands out in several areas, particularly its balance of robust weather protection and a backpacker-friendly price point. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Clostnature Polaris 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
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First Impressions: Unpacking the Clostnature Polaris
Pulling the Clostnature Polaris 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent from its shipping box, the first thing we noticed was the compact and efficient carry bag. At just 16.5 by 5.9 inches, it’s impressively small, easily fitting into the side pocket of a decent backpacking pack. The total weight felt right in line with its 5.29-pound specification—not the lightest on the market, but remarkable for its price category. Unzipping the bag revealed neatly bundled components: the inner mesh tent, the polyester rainfly, two shock-corded aluminum poles, a bag of 14 aluminum stakes, and guylines. The quality of the materials felt solid upon initial inspection. The polyester fabric of the fly and floor had a substantial feel, clearly coated for water resistance, and the aluminum poles snapped together with a satisfying click. There were no complex hubs or confusing pole structures, just a classic X-pole dome design that screamed “easy setup.” It immediately gave the impression of a no-nonsense shelter designed for practicality and reliability on the trail.
The Upsides
- Exceptional waterproofing with a PU 5000mm rating and taped seams.
- Incredibly fast and intuitive setup, easily done by one person in minutes.
- Excellent livability features, including two doors and two vestibules.
- Great ventilation due to the full mesh inner tent design.
- Outstanding value for the price, offering features found in more expensive tents.
Potential Drawbacks
- Floor material lacks a true “bathtub” design, making a footprint essential for optimal performance.
- Vestibule space is adequate for boots but may be tight for large backpacks.
Performance Under Pressure: A Deep Dive into the Clostnature Polaris
A tent’s true character is revealed not in a backyard test but on a windswept ridge or during a midnight downpour. We took the Clostnature Polaris 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent into the field to see if its impressive specifications translated into real-world performance. From pitching it in the dark to weathering a storm and simply living in it for a few days, we analyzed every facet of its design.
Effortless Setup and Takedown: A Backpacker’s Dream
Clostnature claims a three-minute setup time, and we found this to be refreshingly accurate. The design is the epitome of simplicity. It’s a freestanding, two-pole dome, a time-tested system that’s nearly foolproof. After laying out the inner tent, you simply assemble the two identical aluminum poles and slide them into the grommets at the four corners, creating an ‘X’ shape. From there, a series of plastic clips on the tent body snap onto the poles in seconds, raising the structure. Even for a single person, fatigued after a 10-mile hike, this process is quick and requires no wrestling with stubborn pole sleeves.
This ease of use was a common thread among users. One kayaker, after paddling several miles, praised the “easy set up” even on difficult river gravel. Another solo camper, a 5’2″ woman who had never set up a tent by herself before, found it perfectly manageable on her own. The rainfly drapes over easily, and four buckle clips—one at each corner—secure it to the inner tent. Four adjustable tension straps allow you to get a taut, wind-shedding pitch. Takedown is just as fast. The tent rolls up easily, and we were particularly impressed with the carry bag. Unlike many tents that require a factory-perfect roll to fit back in the bag, Clostnature provides a slightly oversized carry bag, a small but hugely appreciated detail. We were able to pack the tent, fly, poles, stakes, and even a separate footprint back into the bag with zero struggle, a sentiment echoed by users who loved the “nice carry bag with plenty of room.”
Weather Resistance and Durability: A Shelter in the Storm
This is where the Clostnature Polaris 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent truly punches above its weight class. The key specification here is the PU 5000mm waterproof rating on the rainfly and floor. To put that in perspective, many high-end, far more expensive tents offer ratings between 1500mm and 3000mm. This high rating, combined with factory-sealed seams, provides an immense sense of security when the sky turns gray. During our testing, we encountered an intense overnight thunderstorm with heavy, driving rain. We remained completely dry inside. Water beaded up and rolled right off the rainfly, and there was no seepage from the floor or seams.
Our experience is strongly supported by user reports. One camper recounted a “pop up storm of 30+ sustained winds with heavy sideways downpour” and gave the tent “10 stars” for its performance. Another user, after 30+ nights in the tent through heat, rain, wind, and even snow, called it “shockingly good” for the price. The full-coverage rainfly extends nearly to the ground, offering excellent protection from wind-driven rain and creating the two vestibules. While the included aluminum stakes are basic, they held firm in moderately soft ground. However, one point of contention is the floor design. While rated to PU 5000mm, it’s not a deep “bathtub” style floor where the waterproof material extends several inches up the sides. As one user noted, “it is lacking a bathtub floor and a groundsheet is necessary.” We wholeheartedly agree. Using a footprint (sold separately) is crucial to protect the floor from abrasions and prevent any potential for splashing or pooling water to find its way in. It’s a small extra step that ensures the tent’s long-term waterproof integrity.
Livability and Interior Design: Comfort on the Trail
For a lightweight backpacking tent, the interior space is surprisingly generous. With floor dimensions of 86.6″ x 59″, it’s wider than many competitors in its class. We found it comfortably fits two standard 25-inch sleeping pads with a little room to spare. One user noted it’s the “first two man tent that actually sleeps two adults comfortably with two comfortable air pads.” While it’s cozy with two people, it’s palatial for a solo hiker and their gear. The peak height of 45.28 inches is ample for most people to sit up comfortably without their head hitting the ceiling, a huge plus for changing clothes or waiting out a storm.
The standout feature for livability is the dual-door, dual-vestibule design. This is a game-changer. It means no more awkward midnight climbs over your tentmate for a bathroom break. Each person gets their own entry and their own sheltered space outside the door to store muddy boots and a wet pack. While some users felt the vestibules were too small for large packs, we found them perfectly adequate for keeping essentials out of the rain. The entire inner tent is made of mesh, which serves two critical purposes. First, it provides phenomenal ventilation, drastically reducing condensation buildup—a common problem noted by a camper in humid Florida. Second, on clear, warm nights, you can leave the rainfly off and enjoy an unobstructed view of the stars, protected from bugs. Small but thoughtful details like two interior pockets for stashing headlamps and phones, and a gear hook at the peak for hanging a lantern, round out a very well-conceived interior. The zippers, as one happy owner mentioned, are “the smoothest I have ever had,” operating without snagging on the surrounding fabric.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the sentiment for the Clostnature Polaris 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent is overwhelmingly positive, especially concerning its value. Many experienced campers are, like us, “shockingly” impressed by the quality offered at such an accessible price point. A user who has spent over 30 nights in the tent with their Scout Troop through all kinds of weather praised its quick setup and flexibility. Another, a seasoned camper who spent years in the vast wilderness of Mongolia, found it to be the perfect budget-friendly re-entry into the world of camping, satisfying a deep “need for a return to nature.”
The most commonly cited praises are its ease of setup, its legitimate waterproofness in heavy rain, and the convenience of its two-door design. However, the feedback isn’t without criticism. A few users have reported long-term durability issues after extensive use, such as a corner grommet failing or stitching on a minor cord breaking. While these seem to be isolated incidents, and the company was noted for its responsive customer service in one case, it’s a reminder that this is still a budget-oriented tent. The most consistent critique, which we share, is the lack of a true bathtub floor, making a footprint a near-mandatory accessory for anyone camping in wet conditions.
How Does the Clostnature Polaris Compare to the Alternatives?
While the Clostnature Polaris excels in the lightweight backpacking category, it’s important to understand how it fits into the broader market. The right tent is entirely dependent on the type of camping you do. Here, we compare it to three very different options to highlight its specific strengths.
1. CORE Family Cabin Tent 10-12 Person
- SPACIOUS INTERIOR: Features a nearly straight-wall design for ample standing room and easy movement
- SLEEPING CAPACITY: Measures 14 by 10 feet with an 86-inch center height; fits two queen-size air beds; comfortably fits 5 people with gear or up to 10...
This comparison is about purpose, not direct competition. The CORE Family Cabin Tent is a massive, multi-room shelter designed for large groups and car camping. With space for 10 to 12 people, room dividers, and a tall ceiling you can stand up in, it’s a portable basecamp. Its weight and packed size make it completely unsuitable for backpacking. If you’re planning a family camping trip at a designated campsite and arriving by car, the CORE tent offers unparalleled space and comfort. However, for the solo or duo adventurer heading into the backcountry, the Clostnature Polaris 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent is the only logical choice, prioritizing portability and efficiency over sheer size.
2. Coleman Weatherproof Rainfly for Instant Tents
- Get better airflow by cracking your windows, even in the rain
- More protection from the rain
This product isn’t a tent at all, but an accessory—a replacement or supplementary rainfly for specific Coleman Instant Tents. This highlights an important consideration: the all-in-one nature of the Clostnature package. When you purchase the Polaris, you receive a complete, ready-to-use shelter system (inner tent, rainfly, poles, stakes). The Coleman rainfly is for someone who already owns a compatible tent and needs to enhance or replace its weather protection. It serves a completely different need and is not a standalone solution for shelter.
3. KTT 12-Person Family Cabin Tent
- Large space:Inside dimension14.1ft length*10ft width*6.58ft height, fit 4 full air mattresses(6.7ft*5ft/200cm*150cm),can accommodate 8~12 person,3 doors...
- Unique design:3 doors 3 Windows with mesh,divided into two rooms by separation curtain.and more comfortable.There are 2 rooms with 8 top corner hooks and a...
Similar to the CORE tent, the KTT 12-Person Cabin Tent is built for large-group car camping. It boasts features like two rooms, three doors, and straight walls to maximize interior volume, making it feel more like a small cabin than a tent. It’s an excellent choice for family gatherings or festival camping where comfort and space are the top priorities. The trade-off is, again, immense weight and bulk. Choosing between the KTT and the Clostnature is a clear-cut decision based on your adventure style: if you’re carrying your house on your back, the lightweight and compact Clostnature is your ally. If your car is doing the heavy lifting, the KTT offers a luxurious amount of living space.
Final Verdict: Is the Clostnature Polaris 2-Person Tent Worth It?
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is a resounding yes. The Clostnature Polaris 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent represents one of the best values in the outdoor gear market today. It successfully bridges the gap between affordability and performance, offering features like a PU 5000mm waterproof rating, a full-mesh body, and a dual-door/dual-vestibule design that are often reserved for tents costing two or three times as much. It’s light enough for backpacking, incredibly easy to set up, and has proven its ability to stand up to serious weather.
It’s the perfect tent for backpackers on a budget, newcomers to the hobby who want reliable gear without a massive initial investment, and anyone who values practical, no-fuss design. While we strongly recommend pairing it with a footprint to maximize its lifespan and weather resistance, its minor shortcomings are easily overshadowed by its immense strengths. It’s a dependable, comfortable, and accessible shelter that opens up the backcountry without emptying your wallet.
If you’ve decided the Clostnature Polaris 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent is the right fit for your adventures, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API