Naturehike Cloud Up Tent Review (Five Year Update)

Last Updated on 08/2025 by Mom Goes Camping

After five years of real-world testing, I can confidently say the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 has become one of my most trusted pieces of backpacking gear. I purchased it in 2019 as an affordable lightweight tent for backpacking trips with my daughter, and it’s since accompanied us through countless adventures – from peaceful summer nights to challenging storm conditions that truly put it to the test.

As someone who carries most of our gear and needed something lightweight without the premium price tag of brands like Big Agnes or MSR, the Cloud Up 2 seemed like the perfect middle ground. After years of use, I also acquired the Cloud Up 3p version, plus Naturehike’s Vik 1P and P Series 4P tents, giving me extensive experience with the brand’s entire lineup.

Both Cloud Up versions have endured serious backcountry conditions including high winds, torrential rains, sub-freezing temperatures, and one particularly memorable hail storm that had me questioning my tent choice until morning revealed we’d stayed completely dry. This comprehensive review draws from five years of hands-on experience to help you determine if the Naturehike Cloud Up will work for your backpacking style.

Shop the Cloud Up tents: Amazon

What is Naturehike?

Naturehike has carved out a unique position in the backpacking gear market by offering affordable lightweight equipment that actually delivers on its promises. Unlike many budget Chinese brands that cut corners on quality, Naturehike maintains consistent manufacturing standards and honest weight specifications – a reputation that’s earned them a devoted following among weight-conscious backpackers.

While their products may lack some premium features found in high-end brands, they excel where it matters most: durability, weight savings, and value. This philosophy makes them particularly appealing to beginners entering the ultralight world and experienced hikers seeking reliable backup gear without breaking the bank.

Quick Verdict: Is the Naturehike Cloud Up Worth It?

Bottom Line: The Naturehike Cloud Up tents deliver exceptional value for weight-conscious backpackers willing to accept minor compromises. They’re lightweight, surprisingly durable, and remarkably easy to set up, but the droopy walls and head-toward-door sleeping orientation won’t suit everyone.

Best For: Solo backpackers, parent-child pairs, budget-conscious hikers seeking ultralight performance
Skip If: You’re over 6 feet tall, need premium materials, or require multiple doors

Not sure this is right for you? Check out these other cheap ultralight tents for comparison.

Naturehike Cloud Up Tents: Complete Specifications

Model	Total Weight	Floor Length	Floor Width (front)	Max Headroom	Price Range
Cloud Up 2p (gray/yellow 10D)	3.3 lbs (1.5kg)	83″ (210cm)	50″ (127cm)	41″ (105cm)	$150-180
Cloud Up 2p (gray 20D)	3.97 lbs (1.8kg)	83″ (210cm)	50″ (127cm)	41″ (105cm)	$130-160
Cloud Up 3p (gray 20D)	4.4 lbs (2.0kg)	85″ (215cm)	65″ (165cm)	43″ (110cm)	$180-220

Cloud Up 2 vs. Cloud Up 3: Key Differences That Matter

After extensive use of both models, here are the differences that actually impact your camping experience:

Interior Space Revolution: The Cloud Up 3p features a crossbar on top that transforms the tent’s usability. This single addition eliminates the wall-drooping issues that plague the 2p model, providing dramatically more headroom and reducing the risk of condensation from contact.

Enhanced Ventilation: The 3p model includes additional vents that improve airflow. While I never experienced serious condensation issues with my older Cloud Up 2, the improved ventilation becomes crucial during extended periods of bad weather or winter camping.

Important Note: I own the older gray 20D Cloud Up 2 version. Naturehike has since updated the design with a V-shaped rear pole that reduces (but doesn’t eliminate) wall drooping. If you’re considering the 2p model, ensure you’re getting this newer version.

Weight Analysis: Where Every Ounce Counts

The Cloud Up’s primary selling point is its impressive weight-to-space ratio. Here’s what makes these tents stand out in the ultralight category:

Material Options Matter: The weight difference between fabric choices is significant. The 10D nylon version of the Cloud Up 2p weighs just 3.3 pounds, while the more durable 20D version tips the scales at 3.97 pounds. For perspective, that 0.67-pound difference equals carrying an extra water bottle – significant for ultralight purists.

Footprint Weight: Hidden Value

Here’s where Naturehike shines compared to premium competitors: their listed weights include everything you actually need. Many high-end brands quote “minimum trail weight” that excludes the footprint, stakes, and guy lines – extras that can add $50-100 and significant weight to your final setup.

Footprint weights:

2P footprint: 8.5oz (240g)
3P footprint: 12oz (340g)

While you can save weight by skipping the footprint, I strongly recommend using it. The tent floors, while surprisingly durable, benefit from the added protection against punctures from rocks and roots.

Interior Space: Real-World Capacity Assessment

After hundreds of nights in these tents with various companions, here’s my honest assessment of their real-world capacity:

Cloud Up 2P Reality Check: Perfect for solo camping with gear storage, or tight but manageable for a parent-child combination like my daughter and me. I’ve also used it with my hiking partner (both of us are small-framed), but it’s definitely cozy and our packs barely fit in the vestibule. Two adults with winter sleeping bags? Forget about it.

Cloud Up 3P Sweet Spot: This is where the design really shines. Two adults fit comfortably with room for gear, and the crossbar design means you can actually sit up without touching the ceiling. Despite the “3P” designation, I wouldn’t recommend it for three adults – think of it as a spacious 2P tent.

Cloud Up 1P Warning: Having examined this model, I cannot recommend it for anyone over 5’4″. The width is so restrictive that most sleeping bags would touch the walls, creating condensation issues and a claustrophobic experience.

My Recommendation:

Solo backpackers: Cloud Up 2P (the extra space is worth the minimal weight penalty)
Two skinny backpackers or parent-child: Cloud Up 2P works, Cloud Up 3P is more comfortable
Two larger backpackers or winter camping: Cloud Up 3P is essential

Setup: Remarkably Simple for Ultralight Design

One area where the Cloud Up truly excels is setup simplicity. Both the 2P and 3P models are freestanding and can be pitched in under five minutes, even by beginners.

What Makes Setup Easy:

Clip system: No wrestling with pole sleeves – the clips attach quickly and securely
Color-coded components: Stakes and guy lines are differentiated for quick identification
Freestanding design: Position first, then stake for optimal placement
9 stakeout points: Comprehensive anchor system for storm-worthy stability

Pro Setup Tips for the 3P:

Install crossbar first: If you set up the corners initially, the fabric becomes too taut to insert the crossbar easily
Color-code your poles: The front V-poles are wider than the rear ones – a dab of nail polish prevents confusion in the dark
Height advantage: If you’re shorter like me, install the crossbar while the tent is still collapsed

Fly-First Setup: A Rainy Day Advantage

The Cloud Up 2P and 1P models offer a “fly-only” setup option – invaluable when setting up in rain or when you want to minimize weight by leaving the inner tent at home for fair weather trips.

While theoretically possible with the Cloud Up 3P, the fly lacks pole pockets for the crossbar, requiring improvised guy line solutions. The crossbar area also isn’t reinforced, raising durability concerns for frequent fly-only use.

Packability: Backpack-Friendly Dimensions

The Cloud Up’s packed dimensions make it highly compatible with most backpacking setups:

Cloud Up 2P: 18×4.7″ (45x12cm) – fits easily under pack lids
Cloud Up 3P: 20×7″ (51x18cm) – still manageable for most packs

The modular design allows weight distribution between partners: one person carries the poles and stakes while the other takes the tent body and fly.

Weather Performance: Tested by Mother Nature

Over five years, my Cloud Up tents have faced some genuinely challenging conditions. Here’s how they’ve performed:

Rain Performance: Excellent
Multiple thunderstorms, including one memorable night of continuous heavy rain, and the tent never leaked. The seams have remained waterproof without any additional sealing, and the 2-inch bathtub floor (while minimal) has proven adequate for well-chosen campsites.

Wind Performance: Very Good
The freestanding design and comprehensive stakeout system provide excellent stability. However, the loose sections of rainfly will create noise in high winds – something to consider if you’re a light sleeper.

Hail Performance: Surprisingly Robust
During one particularly intense hail storm, I was convinced I’d wake up to shredded fabric. Instead, the tent emerged unscathed, a testament to the material’s durability despite its light weight.

Critical Setup Note: In bad weather, stake out all guy points completely. Partially tensioned flies will contact the inner tent, causing condensation issues.

Condensation Management: Better Than Expected

The Cloud Up 3P’s multiple vents and spacious interior make condensation rarely an issue. My older Cloud Up 2P lacks the vent found in newer models, yet condensation problems are still minimal due to the generous gap between fly and inner tent.

Worst-Case Scenario: During one particularly humid night with two adults in the 2P (rain, 40°F, high humidity), condensation formed heavily on the fly but stayed there rather than dripping into the tent. The key was ensuring neither of us touched the tent walls – easier said than done in the compact 2P.

Winter and Cold Weather Use

I’ve used the Cloud Up tents in sub-freezing temperatures multiple times, though never in snow. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Strengths:

Low-hanging fly blocks wind effectively
Condensation on fly doesn’t drip into tent
Setup remains manageable with gloved hands

Concerns:

Taller users risk touching walls with head/feet, leading to wet sleeping bags
Cloud Up 2P too small for two people with winter sleeping bags
No experience with snow loading on tent structure

Materials and Durability: Five Years Later

The ultralight materials are thinner than traditional camping tents, requiring more care during setup and use. However, their durability has exceeded my expectations:

Fabric Performance:
Despite regular use and occasional abuse from my kids, the tent fabric shows minimal wear. No punctures, tears, or seam failures after five years. I always clear the pitch area of sharp objects and use the footprint, which likely extends fabric life significantly.

Pole Durability:
The DAC aluminum poles have proven remarkably robust. They’ve withstood kids leaning against them, gear piled on the tent, and high winds without any failures or permanent deformation.

Hardware Longevity:
Zippers remain smooth, clips show minimal wear, and buckles function like new. The included stakes eventually bent with heavy use, but they’re adequate for most conditions.

Storage Solutions: Room for Improvement

Cloud Up 2P Storage Issues:
The single overhead pocket and decent-sized vestibule handle basic storage needs, but the lack of side pockets is genuinely annoying. Essential items like glasses, toilet paper, and electronics need easy access, and the overhead pocket requires crawling into the tent to reach.

Vestibule Capacity: Easily accommodates my 55L pack plus two pairs of boots, with room for additional gear organization.

Cloud Up 3P Storage Upgrade:
Four front-mounted pockets dramatically improve organization, though I wish for more distributed storage and multiple gear hooks instead of just one near the door.

Significant Limitations to Consider

Not Suitable for Tall People

At 83″ long, the Cloud Up 2P theoretically accommodates tall individuals, but reality is different. Anyone over 6 feet will likely need to sleep diagonally to avoid head contact, and sitting up comfortably is impossible with the 41″ maximum height. The Cloud Up 3P adds only 2″ in length, offering minimal improvement for tall users.

Naturehike P-Series 4P next to the Cloud Up 2. Notice the dramatic size difference!

Wall Drooping Issues

My older Cloud Up 2P suffers from significant wall drooping due to its single rear pole design. While Naturehike has updated the design with V-shaped rear poles, some drooping persists. This creates potential condensation issues when body parts contact the tent walls during cold weather.

The Cloud Up 3P’s crossbar design effectively eliminates this problem, making it the better choice for cold weather camping.

Alternative Options: If wall drooping concerns you, consider the Mongar 2P or Star River 2P by Naturehike, though both are heavier.

Awkward Sleeping Orientation

The tapered design means you’re supposed to sleep with your head toward the door – completely opposite to my preference of having feet accessible for easy boot access at the vestibule entrance. I consistently sleep “backwards” in the tent, which works but puts your head closer to the droopy walls.

Single Door Limitation

For solo use or my preferred perpendicular sleeping position, one door isn’t problematic. However, couples who prefer traditional side-by-side sleeping may find the single entry/exit frustrating, especially for middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks.

Value Analysis: Exceptional Bang for Buck

The Cloud Up’s price point represents exceptional value in the ultralight tent market. At approximately one-third the cost of comparable premium tents like the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2, it delivers similar performance with minor compromises.

While cheaper tents exist, none match the Cloud Up’s combination of low weight, freestanding design, and proven durability. The included footprint, stakes, and guy lines represent additional value that competitors often charge extra for.

Current pricing: Amazon | Aliexpress

Head-to-Head: Cloud Up 2 vs. Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2

The Cloud Up 2P is essentially a clone of the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2, making direct comparison valuable for purchase decisions.

Weight Comparison (Apples to Apples)

Marketing weights can be misleading. Here’s the real comparison:

Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2:
– Tent only: 1 lb 15 oz
– Required footprint: 5 oz (sold separately for $50+)
– Total practical weight: 2.9 lbs

Naturehike Cloud Up 2P (10D):
– Complete setup including footprint: 3.3 lbs

The 5-ounce difference represents a significant weight penalty, but the $200+ price difference might make that trade-off worthwhile depending on your budget and priorities.

Material and Construction Differences

The Fly Creek uses higher-grade materials with better long-term durability expectations. However, online comparisons from users who own both tents suggest the performance difference is less dramatic than the price difference would suggest.

Construction Differences:

Cloud Up 2P: 7 clips, 14 stakes, detached guy lines
Fly Creek HV UL2: 6 clips, 11 stakes, integrated guy lines, 3 interior mesh pockets

The Fly Creek’s three interior pockets are nice, but not worth $200+ to me personally.

*Shop the Fly Creek: Amazon | REI

Still weighing your options? Check out these cheap ultralight tents for backpacking.

Five-Year Update: Long-Term Performance Reality

After more than five years and countless adventures, the Cloud Up 2 continues to serve as reliable shelter. Here’s the honest assessment of long-term ownership:

What’s Held Up:

Zippers: Still smooth and reliable despite hundreds of cycles
Waterproofing: No leaks, no seam sealing required
Pole integrity: No failures, permanent bends, or connection issues
Fabric durability: No tears or punctures despite regular use

What’s Degraded:
The most significant issue is increased wall sagging over time. No amount of tensioning restores the original tautness, requiring me to prop the walls outward with water bottles or stuff sacks during use. If this worsens, I’ll likely purchase another Cloud Up 2 – the newer V-pole design should address this specific issue.

Final Recommendation: Who Should Buy the Naturehike Cloud Up

After five years of extensive testing, the Naturehike Cloud Up tents earn my strong recommendation for specific use cases:

Perfect For:

Budget-conscious backpackers seeking ultralight performance
Solo hikers wanting extra gear space (Cloud Up 2P)
Parent-child backpacking combinations
Experienced backpackers needing reliable backup shelter
Beginners entering the ultralight world without premium investment

Consider Alternatives If:

You’re over 6 feet tall
Premium materials and construction matter more than cost savings
You need multiple doors and vestibules
Side pockets and abundant interior storage are priorities
You frequently camp in extreme weather requiring maximum durability

My Pick: For most backpackers, the Cloud Up 3P offers the best balance of space, comfort, and performance. The crossbar design eliminates the 2P’s main weakness while maintaining excellent weight efficiency.

The Naturehike Cloud Up represents exactly what I look for in backpacking gear: reliable performance at an accessible price point. While it won’t replace premium tents for every application, it delivers 90% of the performance at 30% of the cost – math that makes sense for most backpackers.

Shop Now: Amazon | Aliexpress