Naturehike Cloud Up Tent Review (Five Year Update)

Last Updated on 11/2025 by Mom Goes Camping

After five years and over 150 nights of real-world testing across three continents, I can confidently say the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 has become the tent I trust most for backpacking with my daughter Isabel.

 

What started as an experiment with a budget ultralight tent in 2019 has evolved into a comprehensive understanding of how tents perform in conditions ranging from Scotland’s unpredictable weather to Norway’s midnight sun and Bulgaria’s mountain storms.  As a solo parent who carries most of our gear on family backpacking trips, I needed something that wouldn’t break my back or my budget. After investing in the Cloud Up 2, I was so impressed that I acquired the Cloud Up 3P version, along with Naturehike’s Vik 1P for solo winter trips and their P Series 4P for car camping with the whole family. This extensive experience across their entire lineup gives me unique insight into where the Cloud Up models excel and where they fall short.

Both Cloud Up versions have endured conditions that would make any backpacker nervous: 60 mph gusts in the Scottish Highlands, a three-day storm in Norway’s Jotunheimen that never let up, sub-freezing nights at 10,000 feet in the Rockies, and one particularly memorable hail storm in Bulgaria that sounded like someone was throwing marbles at our shelter for thirty straight minutes. Through it all, we stayed dry and secure.

Quick Verdict: Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy the Naturehike Cloud Up

Bottom Line: After 150+ nights of testing, the Naturehike Cloud Up delivers exceptional ultralight performance at a fraction of premium tent prices, though you’ll need to accept some design compromises that become more noticeable over time.

Not sure if this tent matches your needs? Compare it with other budget ultralight tents I’ve tested to find your perfect shelter.

Shop the Cloud Up tents: Amazon

What is Naturehike? Understanding the Brand Behind the Budget Ultralight Revolution

Before diving into my five-year experience with the Cloud Up, it’s worth understanding what makes Naturehike different from other budget gear brands flooding the market. Unlike many Chinese manufacturers that simply copy designs with cheaper materials, Naturehike has built a reputation for honest specifications and consistent quality control.

I’ve weighed every Naturehike product I own on my kitchen scale, and the actual weights consistently match their advertised specs within 1-2 ounces – something I can’t say for many budget brands I’ve tested. Their customer service has also been responsive the few times I’ve needed replacement stakes or had questions about their newer models.

Naturehike Cloud Up Complete Specifications: Real-World Numbers That Matter

After weighing these tents repeatedly and measuring them in various conditions, here are the specifications that actually impact your backpacking experience:

Model	My Measured Weight	Usable Floor Space	Real Headroom	Current Price
Cloud Up 2p (20D)	3.97 lbs (1.8 kg)	83″ × 43″ front / 23″ back	38″ (sitting)	$120-140
Cloud Up 3p (20D)	4.85 lbs (2.2 kg)	85″ × 65″ front / 47″ back	45″ (comfortable sitting)	$140-160

Important Note: I own the older gray 20D versions. The newer 10D ultralight versions save about 0.67 pounds but use thinner fabric that requires more careful handling – something to consider if you’re camping with kids who aren’t always gentle with gear.

Cloud Up 2 vs. Cloud Up 3: Critical Differences I’ve Discovered Through Extended Use

Having spent considerable time in both models across different seasons and conditions, these are the differences that actually matter when you’re lying in your sleeping bag at 2 AM during a storm:

The Game-Changing Crossbar (Cloud Up 3P Only)

The Cloud Up 3P’s horizontal crossbar transforms this tent from good to exceptional. During a particularly wet week in Scotland where we spent three consecutive days tent-bound due to weather, the extra headroom made the difference between comfort and claustrophobia. The crossbar keeps the walls taut and dramatically increases usable space – I can actually sit up and change clothes without performing tent yoga.

Ventilation That Actually Works

My older Cloud Up 2 lacks the roof vent found in newer models, leading to some memorable mornings wiping condensation off the walls after humid nights. The Cloud Up 3P’s dual vents create noticeable airflow – during a muggy night in the Smoky Mountains with 90% humidity, my tentmate and I woke up dry while neighboring campers complained about dripping condensation.

Wall Stability Over Time

Here’s what Naturehike won’t tell you: after about 100 nights of use, the Cloud Up 2’s walls begin to sag noticeably, even with perfect pitch technique. I now carry two stuff sacks specifically to prop up the walls from inside. The Cloud Up 3P’s crossbar design has shown no such degradation after similar use.

Weight Analysis: Understanding What You’re Actually Carrying

Let’s talk about real trail weight versus marketing claims. When I plan my ultralight backpacking loadout, every ounce matters, especially when carrying gear for two people.

Complete Weight Breakdown (What Goes in Your Pack)

Cloud Up 2P Full Kit:

• Tent body with poles: 3.2 lbs
• Footprint (recommended): 8.5 oz
• Stakes and guy lines: 5.3 oz
• Total packed weight: 3.97 lbs

Cloud Up 3P Full Kit:

• Tent body with poles: 3.85 lbs
• Footprint (essential): 12 oz
• Stakes and guy lines: 4.9 oz
• Total packed weight: 4.85 lbs

For comparison, my Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 (which costs 3x more) weighs 2.9 lbs with footprint – saving just over a pound for an extra $250+. That weight savings matters for thru-hikers, but for weekend warriors and budget-conscious backpackers, the Cloud Up’s value proposition is compelling.

Smart Weight Distribution for Partners

When backpacking with Isabel or adult partners, we split the load: one person carries poles and stakes (1.2 lbs), the other takes tent body and fly (2.8 lbs). This modular approach has proven invaluable when one person needs a lighter pack due to injury or fitness differences.

Interior Space Reality: Lessons from 150+ Nights

Marketing claims about tent capacity are notoriously optimistic. Here’s what I’ve learned about actual usable space after camping with various combinations of people and gear:

Cloud Up 2P: The “1.5 Person” Tent

Perfect scenarios I’ve tested:

• Solo with luxury: Sprawl out with gear inside, boots in vestibule, and room for midnight snack raids without leaving your sleeping bag
• Parent + child (up to age 12): Isabel and I fit comfortably with our gear until she hit her growth spurt at 13
• Two small adults who really like each other: My hiking partner and I (both under 5’6″) manage, but it’s intimate

During a five-day solo trip in Norway, the extra space let me wait out a 36-hour storm in relative comfort, with my pack, food, and wet gear all under cover. Try that in a true one-person tent and you’ll understand why I recommend sizing up.

Cloud Up 3P: The Goldilocks Solution

This is the tent I wish I’d bought first. Two adults fit comfortably with room to actually move around. During a week-long trip with my adult hiking partner, we never felt cramped despite spending several tent-bound afternoons waiting out thunderstorms. The marketing calls it a 3-person tent, but unless you’re camping with two small children, treat it as a spacious 2-person shelter.

Setup Mastery: Tips from Hundreds of Pitches

One of the Cloud Up’s best features is its intuitive setup, but I’ve learned tricks that make it even faster and more storm-worthy:

My 5-Minute Setup Method

1. Site selection (30 seconds): Look for natural windbreaks and slight crown for drainage – lessons learned from weathering thunderstorms while camping
2. Footprint placement (30 seconds): Orient door away from prevailing wind
3. Pole assembly (1 minute): Color-code your poles with nail polish to avoid confusion in the dark
4. Clip attachment (2 minutes): Work systematically from one end to avoid tangles
5. Staking (1 minute): All nine points in storm conditions, just corners in calm weather

Cloud Up 3P Crossbar Trick

After struggling with the crossbar during my first setup, I discovered this sequence: attach crossbar BEFORE fully erecting the tent. Once the tent is up, the fabric becomes too taut for easy crossbar insertion. This simple change saves frustration and prevents fabric stress.

[IMAGE: Step-by-step setup sequence showing proper crossbar installation – Alt text: “Four-panel image showing Cloud Up 3P setup sequence with emphasis on crossbar installation timing”]

Fly-First Setup for Wet Conditions

The Cloud Up 2P excels at fly-first pitching – invaluable when setting up camp in the rain. I’ve used this feature dozens of times, keeping the inner tent completely dry during setup. The 3P model technically allows fly-first setup, but without crossbar support, it’s not practical for regular use.

Weather Performance: Real Storm Stories

Laboratory tests tell you nothing about how a tent performs when you’re lying awake at 3 AM wondering if your shelter will survive the night. Here are my most memorable weather encounters:

The Bulgarian Hail Storm Incident

Picture this: marble-sized hail pounding the fly for 30 minutes straight while camped at 8,000 feet with nowhere to retreat. The noise was deafening, and I was certain I’d emerge to find shredded fabric. Instead, the tent showed no damage beyond some stretching that resolved after drying. The 20D fabric proved tougher than its weight suggests.

Scottish Highland Wind Test

During a three-day stretch in the Cairngorms, sustained 40 mph winds with 60+ mph gusts tested every stake and guy line. The Cloud Up 2P held firm, though the fly drummed constantly. Pro tip: use MSR Groundhog stakes in sandy or loose soil – the included stakes bent under extreme tension.

Norwegian Midnight Sun Condensation

24-hour daylight creates unique condensation challenges with extreme temperature swings. The Cloud Up 3P’s superior ventilation handled these conditions well, while my older Cloud Up 2P required morning wipe-downs. Opening both vestibule vents created enough airflow to minimize moisture buildup.

Sub-Freezing Performance

I’ve used both models down to 15°F (-9°C) without snow loading. The low-hanging fly blocks wind effectively, and condensation that freezes on the fly doesn’t drip into the tent. However, the Cloud Up 2P’s wall droop becomes problematic in winter – any contact between sleeping bag and tent wall results in moisture transfer.

Long-Term Durability: The Five-Year Report

Most reviews cover first impressions. After five years and 150+ nights, here’s what actually happens to these tents over time:

What’s Still Perfect

• Zippers: Smooth as day one, despite sand, dirt, and occasional forcing when fabric is wet-stretched
• Waterproofing: Zero leaks, no resealing needed, even at seam intersections
• Pole integrity: No cracks, splits, or permanent bends despite some questionable pitches
• Clip system: All clips functional, though two show slight stress marks

What’s Degraded

• Wall tension (Cloud Up 2P): Noticeable sagging after year three, now requires internal support
• Stuff sack: Compression straps failed after year two, replaced with Sea to Summit equivalent
• Original stakes: Half are bent, upgraded to MSR Groundhogs for reliability
• Guyline tensioners: Two have cracked, easily replaced with cord locks from gear shop

Maintenance Requirements

Unlike my premium tents that demand careful treatment, the Cloud Up’s have proven refreshingly low-maintenance. I clean them twice yearly with tent-specific soap, ensure complete drying before storage, and occasionally tighten the guyline knots. That’s it. No seam sealing, no DWR refresh, no special storage requirements.

Storage and Organization: Where the Design Shows Its Budget Roots

If there’s one area where the Cloud Up’s budget nature becomes apparent, it’s interior organization:

Cloud Up 2P Storage Frustrations

One overhead mesh pocket. That’s it. After five years, I’ve developed workarounds:

• Mesh bag clipped to ceiling loop for phone and headlamp
• Stuff sack wedged in corner for glasses and midnight snacks
• Carabiner chain from ceiling for hanging wet socks

The vestibule partially compensates with decent capacity – my 55L pack, boots, and cook kit fit with room for organization. Still, reaching that overhead pocket at night requires contortionist skills I don’t possess.

Cloud Up 3P Storage Improvement

Four mesh pockets near the door represent a massive upgrade, though placement could be better. Everything clusters at the entrance rather than distributed around the interior where you actually need items at night. I’ve added adhesive hooks (carefully, to avoid damaging fabric) for better headlamp positioning.

Critical Limitations: Honest Deal-Breakers

Every tent has compromises. Here are the Cloud Up’s limitations that might send you shopping elsewhere:

The Tall Person Problem

At 5’4″, I have plenty of room. My 6’2″ friend borrowed the Cloud Up 2P once. Once. His head and feet simultaneously touched the walls, creating a condensation sandwich. The diagonal sleeping solution works but defeats the “2-person” designation. The Cloud Up 3P adds minimal length – if you’re over 6 feet, consider Naturehike’s P-Series tents designed for taller campers.

Single Door Syndrome

One door works fine solo or with a understanding partner. But after several trips where my tentmate needed multiple nighttime bathroom breaks, climbing over me each time, we now use the Cloud Up 3P exclusively for partner camping. The single entry becomes especially problematic in rain when both people need quick exit access.

Head-First Sleeping Orientation

The tapered design assumes you’ll sleep with your head toward the door. I prefer feet-first for easier boot access, which means sleeping “backward” and dealing with reduced head clearance. It works, but it’s a daily annoyance that proper tent design would eliminate.

Wall Contact in the 2P

Even my compact 5’4″ frame occasionally brushes the Cloud Up 2P’s walls when shifting at night. Add a puffy sleeping bag and winter camping becomes problematic. The newer V-pole design helps but doesn’t eliminate the issue. The 3P’s crossbar completely solves this problem.

Value Analysis: Breaking Down the True Cost of Ownership

Let’s talk real numbers over five years of ownership:

Total Investment

• Cloud Up 2P initial purchase (2019): $89
• Replacement stakes (MSR Groundhogs): $24
• New stuff sack: $12
• Total: $125 for 150+ nights = $0.83 per night

Compare this to my friend’s Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2:

• Tent: $350
• Footprint: $60
• Similar stake upgrade: $24
• Total: $434 for maybe 30 nights per year = $2.89 per night

Hidden Value Factors

What doesn’t show in the numbers:

• No anxiety about damage: I let my kids help with setup without wincing
• Lending confidence: Happy to loan it to friends learning to backpack
• Experimentation freedom: Tested fly-only setups and winter camping without fear
• Backup reliability: Affordable enough to own multiple shelters for different conditions

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

Since the Cloud Up is essentially a Fly Creek clone, I borrowed my friend’s UL2 for a direct comparison over three trips.

Weight Reality Check

Marketing weight versus trail weight tells different stories:

That 6.4-ounce difference equals one energy bar and a titanium spork. For $250+ savings, I’ll carry the extra snack.

Performance Differences That Matter

After three trips with both tents:

• Materials: Fly Creek’s fabric feels more premium but performed identically in rain
• Setup speed: Identical once you know either system
• Weather resistance: Both stayed dry in similar conditions
• Interior space: Fly Creek has 2 inches more headroom, barely noticeable
• Storage: Fly Creek’s three pockets beat Cloud Up’s single pocket

The Fly Creek is objectively better, but not 3x better as the price suggests. For most backpackers, the Cloud Up delivers 90% of the performance at 30% of the cost.

Shop comparison: Big Agnes on Amazon 

Alternative Options Worth Considering

Based on my experience with the Cloud Up’s limitations, here are alternatives I’ve researched or tested:

For Taller Backpackers

Naturehike Mongar 2P: Adds 4 inches of length and 8 inches of width but weighs 5.5 lbs. I tested this on one trip – the extra space is luxurious but the weight penalty is noticeable on long days.

For Ultralight Fanatics

Lanshan 2 Pro: Trekking pole tent weighing 2.2 lbs. I borrowed one for a week – the weight savings are real but setup complexity and storm worthiness don’t match the Cloud Up’s reliability.

For Two-Door Convenience

Naturehike Star River 2P: Similar weight with dual doors. Haven’t personally tested it but online reviews suggest good performance with a slight weight penalty.

Still comparing options? Check my comprehensive guide to budget ultralight backpacking tents for more alternatives.

My Verdict After Five Years: Who Should Buy the Naturehike Cloud Up

After 150+ nights in conditions ranging from perfect to “why did I leave the house,” here’s my honest assessment:

The Cloud Up 2P is PERFECT for:

• Solo backpackers who want gear storage space inside
• Parent-child teams where the parent is under 5’10”
• Budget-conscious beginners testing the ultralight waters
• Experienced backpackers needing reliable backup shelter
• Anyone prioritizing weight and cost over premium features

The Cloud Up 3P is IDEAL for:

• Two-person teams who value comfort over absolute minimum weight
• Solo winter campers needing extra space for gear
• Anyone who found the 2P too cramped but loves the design
• Car campers who occasionally backpack (versatility without multiple tents)

Skip Both Cloud Ups If:

• You’re over 6’2″ (seriously, you’ll be miserable)
• You demand premium materials and construction
• Multiple doors are non-negotiable for partner camping
• You primarily camp in winter conditions with snow loading
• Interior pockets and organization are priorities

Final Thoughts: The Tent That Changed My Backpacking

The Naturehike Cloud Up 2 was my gateway into ultralight backpacking. Before discovering it, I assumed lightweight meant expensive, relegating Isabel and me to carrying heavy traditional tents that limited our adventure range. This $89 tent changed everything – suddenly, we could tackle longer trails, higher peaks, and more ambitious adventures.

Five years later, despite owning “better” tents, the Cloud Up remains my go-to shelter for most trips. It’s light enough for long days, tough enough for real weather, and affordable enough that I don’t baby it. When Isabel asks to bring a friend backpacking, I hand them the Cloud Up without hesitation. When I’m planning a solo trip where I might encounter dicey weather, the Cloud Up goes in my pack.

Is it perfect? No. The drooping walls in the 2P model annoy me every single night. The single door creates awkward midnight ballet performances. The lack of interior pockets means my glasses live in constant danger of being crushed. But at $0.83 per night over five years, with zero failures in conditions that had me questioning my life choices, the Cloud Up has earned my trust and recommendation.

For most backpackers, the sweet spot is the Cloud Up 3P. The crossbar design eliminates the 2P’s main weakness while adding minimal weight. It’s the tent I recommend to friends, the one I grab for partner trips, and the shelter that’s proven that budget gear doesn’t mean compromising safety or comfort.

The outdoor industry wants you to believe you need expensive gear for real adventures. My 150+ nights in an $89 tent prove otherwise. The Naturehike Cloud Up delivers where it matters: keeping you dry, safe, and comfortable enough to wake up ready for another day on the trail. Everything else is just marketing.

[IMAGE: Cloud Up tent at sunrise with mountain vista – Alt text: “Naturehike Cloud Up tent illuminated by sunrise with mountain range in background, showcasing the tent in its natural environment”]

Ready to start your ultralight journey?
Shop Cloud Up on Amazon

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Related Resources

Continue your gear research with these tested guides:

• Best Budget Ultralight Tents Under $200 – Compare all affordable options
• Complete Ultralight Backpacking Gear List – Build your entire kit
• How to Pitch a Tent in Rain – Master wet weather setup
• Camping in Thunderstorms Safely – Essential storm preparation
• Naturehike Vik 1P Review – For true solo minimalists
• Naturehike P-Series 4P Review – Family camping option