The Cloud Up 2 is an affordable two-person backpacking tent made by Naturehike.
It is a slightly bigger (and heavier) version of the Cloud Up 1, which was designed for solo campers. If you’ll be camping with a buddy, a loyal dog, or just a lot of kit that you don’t want to leave outside, the Cloud Up 2 might be the better choice for you.
I know that choosing a tent can be a bit overwhelming, so in this review, I’ve broken down everything you need to know about the Cloud Up 2. If you still have questions at the end, don’t hesitate to get in touch via the comments!
Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Review
Who is the Cloud Up 2 For?
The Naturehike Cloud Up 2 is for budget-conscious 3 season campers who don’t want to skimp on performance or quality.
While it’s certainly not the lightest or most spacious option on the market, this tent is reliable and comfortable, without a hefty price tag.
Design, Material, & Performance
For its price, the Cloud Up 2’s design, material, and performance are more than reasonable. It’ll keep you safe and dry in bad weather, and it’s really easy to set up.
No tents are perfect, though, so I promise to be honest as I break down how this tent performs in the great outdoors.
Waterproofing & Wind Resistance
With a waterproof coating that resists up to 3000mm of water, this tent will keep you dry in most weather conditions.
Many Naturehike tents are coated up to 4000mm, so if you think you might camp in rainy weather regularly, you might want to check out something like the Mongar 2 instead.
That said, 3000mm will be fine for most rainy days. Just make sure to respray your tent with a waterproof coating each time the rain batters it.
The frame is made of strong aluminum, which performs better in cold weather than ultralight carbon fiber poles, which can snap under pressure.
So long as you set out your guy lines and peg out the tent nice and taut, you shouldn’t have any problems in windy weather.
Durability
Keeping in mind that this is a budget-friendly, entry-level tent, the Cloud Up 2 is reasonably durable.
The rainfly is thick for the weight, with fully taped seams, and the included groundsheet will prevent rips or tears on your tent floor.
So long as you use your groundsheet, regularly respray with a waterproof coating, and take a little care when you set up the tent, it should last for many camping adventures.
That said, it simply won’t last as long as a more expensive expedition tent, but what else can we expect?
Ease of Set-Up
While the Cloud Up 2 is certainly no pop-up tent, the pitching process is simple and straightforward. Most campers can set up this tent within a few minutes, thanks to its hub-style poles and quick-clip design.
You will want to set up the additional guylines (the extra rope is included with the tent) to stop the rainfly from flapping throughout the night.
This flapping can stop you from getting to sleep, and also transfers water from the rainfly to the inner tent.
To see how the set-up process works, you check out this short video from Naturehike:
Comfort & Liveability
The Cloud Up 2 isn’t the most spacious of two-person tents.
This tent has a total floor space of about 36.5 square feet (3.4 sqm), including the space allocated for the vestibule, which is fairly tight.
For some perspective, on average, adult humans need around 20 to 25 square feet (1.9 to 2.3 sqm) of sleeping space to be comfortable at night.
So, this tent is actually best for two smaller campers or a single larger camper rather than two tall adults.
Moreover, because this shelter has just one vestibule, your gear space is quite limited, so you’ll likely need to stash a lot of your gear outside at night.
That being said, this tent is nice and ventilated for the summer months. You can just pitch up the interior for an extremely breathable sleeping compartment and save the rainfly for colder and wetter nights.
Portability
At 4.7 pounds, you’ll be able to use this tent for backpacking without any worries. It’s heavier than the sort of tent you’d want for long-distance thru-hiking, but it’s fine for a couple of nights on the trails.
You can also share the weight between two packs if you share with a buddy; just bear in mind that the floor space will be a little cramped for two adults.
The Upgrade
It is now possible to buy an upgraded version of the Cloud Up 2. The basic design is very similar, but the tent frame is stronger and more robust.
There is also an additional vent to help reduce condensation, so it’s a much better choice for humid conditions.
What Users Are Saying About This Tent
I haven’t had the chance to sleep in the Cloud Up 2 myself, so I trawled the internet for some honest user reviews.
Overall, the feedback is very positive.
Users love how easy the tent is to set up and say that they got great value for the money. They love that it is lightweight, and many users report that it stayed dry in wet and windy conditions.
The major drawback from the user perspective is the limited ventilation, and some people found condensation building up in the basic model.
For those who invested in the upgrade, this does not seem to be a problem.
What I Love About the Naturehike Cloud Up 2
I love that this tent is easy to set up, affordable, and reliable in rainy weather. It makes enjoying the outdoors more accessible for everyone, even if you don’t have tons of money or camping experience.
The user ratings are extremely positive, which is one of the things I pay attention to the most before buying a new piece of kit.
What I Don’t Like About This Tent
The Cloud Up 2 could be rather cramped for two adults sharing. The floor space would be better for an adult and a child at the most, especially as there is one vestibule to store your kit.
I would prefer to see two doors for a two-person tent because it can be annoying to climb over each other as you come and go.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Affordable
- Suitable for backpacking
- Waterproof & Windproof
- Seam-taped rainfly and floor
- Footprint included (By the time of writing this review)
- Easy to set up
Cons:
- Only one vestibule and door
- Limited ventilation in the basic version
- Cramped for two adults sharing
Alternatives
To be completely honest, the Cloud Up 2 is more like a one-and-a-half-person tent than a two-person tent. So, rather than carrying the extra weight for a tent you can’t comfortably share, it might make more sense to go with the one-person version of the Cloud Up instead.
Read our in-depth review of the Naturehike Cloud Up 1.
If you’ll be sharing your tent with another person, you’ll probably be a lot more comfortable in the Naturehike Mongar 2. This tent is much better for taller people, and it also has two doors and vestibules to leave more room to spread out inside the sleeping compartment.
Read my in-depth review of the Naturehike Mongar 2.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 is a fantastic tent that puts portability, durability, and affordability at the forefront of its design.
However, like any tent, it has its shortcomings, particularly in terms of the limited size of its interior living space, which makes it less than ideal for taller campers.
I would recommend this tent for reasonably mild conditions, though it can handle a bit of wind and rain when you’re out and about in the colder months.
I hope you found this Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Tent Review helpful, and I wish you many happy camping adventures!
FAQs
Is Naturehike a Good Brand?
Naturehike is a low-budget camping brand that produces surprisingly good kit for the price. The gear isn’t suitable for extreme conditions, but it comes highly recommended for beginner to intermediate campers.
Gaby
Gaby is a professional outdoor educator, guide, and wilderness medicine instructor. She holds a master's degree in outdoor education and spends most of her time hanging out with penguins and polar bears in the polar region. When she's not outdoors, you can find her traveling, reading Nietzsche, and drinking copious double espressos.
