There’s a moment on every long trail, usually around mile ten with the sun beating down, when the weight of your pack becomes a singular, all-consuming thought. Every ounce feels like a pound, and you start mentally auditing every piece of gear you chose to bring. For me, the biggest offender was always the tent. For years, I was caught in the classic backpacker’s dilemma: either carry a heavy, “bombproof” tent that felt like hauling a small boulder, or spend a small fortune on an ultralight shelter that felt as fragile as a spider’s web. Finding that perfect balance—a tent that is light enough to forget on your back, durable enough to trust in a storm, and affordable enough to not require a second mortgage—felt like searching for a mythical creature. This frustrating compromise is what led me to finally test the Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent, a shelter that promised to break the mold.
- 2024 NEW CLOUD UP PRO: The Cloud up Pro is the upgraded version of Cloud up 2 Person Tent; 1. A ventilation window is added above the front door, to...
- BACKPACKING TENT: Made of lightweight & wear-resistant 210T polyester fabric, this two person tent only weighs 4.25lbs. The tent packs up fairly...
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 wilderness. It’s your portable sanctuary, your shield against wind, rain, and insects. The main benefit is providing a safe, dry, and relatively comfortable space to rest and recover after a long day of hiking, allowing you to tackle the next day’s journey with renewed energy. Without a reliable tent, you risk exposure, poor sleep, and a miserable outdoor experience. A great tent becomes a home you can set up in minutes, anywhere in the world.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values mobility and efficiency in the outdoors. This includes backpackers, thru-hikers, bikepackers, and minimalist campers who need to carry all their gear on their back. They prioritize low weight and a compact packed size above all else. Conversely, this tent might not be suitable for those who primarily car camp, or for families needing expansive interior space. If you need to stand up to change clothes or fit multiple cots and chairs, you should consider a much larger, cabin-style family tent instead.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Pay close attention to the floor dimensions (length and width) and the peak height. A “2-person” designation is often very optimistic, fitting two standard sleeping pads with little room to spare. If you are tall or prefer more personal space, consider sizing up or using a 2-person tent for solo trips.
- Capacity/Performance: Understand the difference between “minimum trail weight” (tent, fly, poles) and “packed weight” (everything included). A 3-season rating means it’s designed for spring, summer, and fall, handling moderate wind and rain but not heavy snow loads. A waterproof rating like PU3000mm+ indicates the fabric can withstand a 3000mm column of water, which is more than sufficient for heavy downpours.
- Materials & Durability: Tent poles are critical for stability. 7001 series aluminum is a strong and lightweight standard in the industry. For fabrics, polyester (like the 210T used here) is slightly heavier than nylon but has lower water absorption and less stretch when wet, which helps it maintain a taut pitch in the rain.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A “freestanding” design means the tent holds its shape with just the poles, allowing you to easily pick it up and move it before staking it down. This is incredibly convenient on rocky ground. Long-term care involves always drying your tent completely before storing it to prevent mildew and cleaning it with appropriate gear cleaners, never a harsh detergent.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person 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:
- 2 PERSON TENT - This lightweight two-person small tent has enough space for you and a friend. This tent for camping is ideal for hiking, fishing, weekend...
- WeatherTec system's welded corners and inverted seams keep water from getting in
- 【Sturdy Folding Frame】The 10 X 10 pop up canopy frame is made of sturdy high-quality steel tube with rust-resistant power-coated, which is strong,...
First Impressions: A Lot of Tent in a Tiny Package
Pulling the Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent from its stuff sack was my first clue that this wasn’t just another budget tent. The entire package is impressively small and light, packing down to a tight cylinder that disappears into a backpack. The minimum trail weight is listed at 4.25 pounds, and on my own scale, the complete package came in just under that. The material of the rainfly and floor, a 210T polyester, felt substantial and not at all flimsy. The stitching along the seams was clean, and all major stress points appeared to be reinforced. What truly impressed me was the inclusion of a dedicated footprint—a feature often sold separately for a hefty price by premium brands. The 7001 aluminum poles snapped together with a satisfying thud, feeling both lightweight and robust. The 2024 upgrades were immediately noticeable, with a new kickstand vent above the door and a slightly higher, more D-shaped entryway promising better ventilation and easier access than its predecessors.
What We Like
- Excellent weight-to-price ratio, making it accessible for new backpackers.
- Impressive weatherproofing with a PU3000mm+ rating and fully taped seams.
- Includes a custom-fit footprint, adding significant value and durability.
- Extremely fast and intuitive setup thanks to the freestanding, single-pole design.
Limitations
- Interior space is very snug for two adults; it’s more of a luxurious 1-person tent.
- The single door and small vestibule can be awkward for two people to manage.
Deep Dive: The Cloud Up Pro in the Wild
A tent’s true character is only revealed on the trail, when the wind howls and the rain starts to fall. After several trips into the backcountry, from forested valleys to exposed ridgelines, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for what the Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent gets right, and a clear understanding of its limitations.
Weather Resistance and Durability in the Field
My biggest concern with any budget-friendly tent is its performance when the weather turns nasty. The Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent put those fears to rest on our very first trip. We were caught in a persistent, wind-driven rain that lasted for over four hours. Inside, we remained completely dry. The PU3000mm+ rated 210T polyester rainfly shed water without issue, and the “bathtub” style floor kept any ground moisture from seeping in. The fully taped seams, a feature often found on much more expensive tents, did their job perfectly. The single-pole hub system, made from 7001 aluminum, creates a taut, aerodynamic dome structure that proved remarkably stable. On a subsequent trip, we faced winds gusting over 30 mph. By using all the included guylines, the tent barely budged, and the noise inside was minimal. This experience mirrors what many users have found; one backpacker noted taking it through a snowstorm and heavy rain without any issues, while another confirmed it was “stock-still and very solid” in winds gusting up to 45 mph. This level of weather protection is simply phenomenal for a tent at this weight and price point.
Livability and Interior Space: A Realistic Look at “2-Person”
Here we arrive at the tent’s most significant compromise. Let’s be clear: calling the Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent a “2-person” tent is technically accurate, but practically ambitious. The floor dimensions are 82.7 inches long by 51.2 inches wide. This is just enough space to fit two standard 20-inch wide sleeping pads side-by-side, with a little room left over. For a solo hiker, it’s a palace. I could comfortably fit myself, my 65L pack, and all my gear inside with room to spare. The 41.3-inch peak height was just enough for me (at 5’11”) to sit up without my head brushing the ceiling, making changing clothes or organizing gear much more comfortable than in a bivy or a true 1-person tent. For two people, however, it’s “cozy.” You’ll be sleeping shoulder-to-shoulder. The single front door becomes the main point of contention. The person sleeping in the back has to crawl over their partner for a midnight bathroom break. One user, standing at 6’2″, found getting in and out to be a chore and noted the challenge of avoiding tracking in dirt and water. Furthermore, the vestibule is quite small, with only enough room for two pairs of boots and one backpack, forcing the second pack to be stored inside or left to the elements. For couples who don’t mind the close quarters, it’s perfectly workable. But for friends, or anyone who values personal space, it’s best viewed as a roomy and lightweight solo shelter. This is a common sentiment among reviewers, who frequently recommend the 2-person model for solo use to get that perfect balance of weight and interior room.
Setup, Packability, and Trail Weight: The Backpacker’s Dream
This is where the Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent truly shines and earns its place in a backpacker’s kit. The setup is brilliantly simple and lightning-fast. The single, interconnected pole system means there’s no confusion about which pole goes where. You simply snap it together, place the ends into the four corner grommets of the footprint and inner tent, and the structure is up. From there, you clip the inner tent to the poles and throw the rainfly over top. A first-timer could easily have it fully pitched in under 10 minutes; with practice, we had it down to about 3 minutes. The freestanding design is a massive advantage, allowing you to pitch it on solid rock or wooden platforms where stakes are useless. At a minimum trail weight of 4.25 lbs, it hits a sweet spot. While not “ultralight” by purist standards, it’s significantly lighter than most entry-level backpacking tents. Split between two people, you’re each carrying just over 2 pounds, which is excellent. Even for a solo hiker like myself, carrying the full 4.25 lbs is a very manageable weight penalty for the luxury of the added interior space. The fact that this weight includes a robust footprint, high-quality stakes, and guylines makes the value proposition of the complete Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent package simply outstanding.
What Other Users Are Saying
After scouring countless user testimonials, a clear consensus emerges about the Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent. The overwhelming sentiment is positive, with users frequently calling it the “best value for money” in its category. One long-term user, who has owned the tent for three years and taken it to multiple national parks, praised its exceptional durability and weather resistance, stating it held up perfectly in both snow and heavy rain. Many beginners highlight the incredibly easy setup, with one first-time tent user noting she could pitch it easily by herself. The included footprint is another point of universal praise, with hikers appreciating the added durability and value.
The criticisms are just as consistent and align with our own findings. The most common complaint is the tight fit for two people. As one reviewer aptly put it, “it might be a 2 person tent for children, or two small people, but it is definitely tight.” Another user, who is 6’2″, described the single door as a “pain to get in and out of” and found the vestibule to be “tiny.” These are not dealbreakers for most, but rather important factors to consider. The tent is almost universally recommended as a spacious solo tent or a cozy couple’s tent, but not for two large adults who aren’t on intimate terms.
How Does the Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent Compare?
The Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent occupies a specific niche—lightweight, affordable, and geared for backpacking. The alternatives provided serve entirely different camping styles, which helps to highlight exactly who the Naturehike is for.
1. unp 10-Person Family Camping Tent Waterproof Weather Resistant
- Spacious for 10 Person: Unique 18 ft x 9 ft x78 in, well fitting 10 sleeping bags or 3 queen air mattress, ideal for family camping
- 【Spacious for 10 Person】Unique 18ft x 9ft x78in, well fitting 10 sleeping bags or 3 queen air mattresses, ideal for family camping.
This UNP tent is on the opposite end of the camping spectrum. It’s a massive, multi-room family tent designed for car camping, festivals, or group outings. Weighing over 20 pounds, it’s not meant to be carried anywhere. Its strengths are its cavernous interior space, high ceilings you can stand in, and room dividers for privacy. Someone would choose this over the Naturehike if their priority is comfort for a large group at a stationary campsite. The Naturehike is for the individual or pair moving through the backcountry, while the UNP is for the family setting up a basecamp.
2. GoHimal 8 Person Camping Tent Waterproof
- 【 High-Quality Waterproof Fabric】: The inner layer and outer layer are expertly crafted with 190 T ripstop polyester fabric, offering outstanding...
- 【Breathable and Ventilation Design】: The camping tent has 1 large mesh door and 4 mesh windows. The top canopy design allows for maximum ventilation...
Similar to the UNP tent, the GoHimal 8-person tent is built for group car camping. It offers a large living space, weather protection for families, and features like a privacy divider. It competes on space and comfort for stationary camping trips rather than on weight and packability. If you’re planning a weekend trip with the kids or a group of friends to a designated campground, the GoHimal is a logical choice. If your adventure involves hiking more than a few hundred yards from your vehicle, the lightweight and compact design of the Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent is the only viable option.
3. camppal 1 Person 4 Season Tent
- [Professional 1 Person Tent]: Size: Inner tent(L8.2ft x W2.95ft x H2.95ft), Outer tent: L8.2ft x W(2.95ft +1.31ft) x H3.11ft, 3500-4000mm Water Resistance....
- [Waterproof and Stable]: Outer tent with the water proofing value of 3500mm, seam taping on the zipper, velcro wrap with PVC & seam taping, 4 bottom corner...
The Camppal tent is the closest in spirit but is built for a more extreme purpose. As a 4-season solo tent, it’s designed to withstand heavy snow loads and harsh winter winds, making it ideal for mountaineering or cold-weather trekking. It sacrifices some ventilation for increased warmth and structural integrity. A user would choose the Camppal for serious winter expeditions where survival is the top priority. The Naturehike, as a 3-season tent, is far more versatile for the majority of backpacking trips, offering better ventilation for warmer weather while still being robust enough for typical storms.
Our Final Verdict: The Best Value in Backpacking Shelters?
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent is one of the best values on the market for solo backpackers and cozy couples. It masterfully balances weight, weather-worthiness, and price in a way that few competitors can match. The build quality is excellent, the setup is a breeze, and the inclusion of a footprint makes it a complete, trail-ready package right out of the bag. Its primary weakness is its snug interior for two people and the inconvenience of a single door and vestibule.
We recommend it without hesitation to the solo hiker who wants the luxury of extra space without a significant weight penalty. It’s also a fantastic choice for couples starting their backpacking journey who prioritize a low pack weight and don’t mind close quarters. If you need a reliable, lightweight, and storm-proof shelter that won’t empty your wallet, this is the one to beat.
If you’ve decided the Naturehike Cloud up Pro 2 Person Tent is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API