Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Tent Review: Budget Ultralight Shelter for Weekend Campers

The Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Tent has 15,000+ reviews on JD.com with a 4.4/5 rating at ¥499 ($69). Users praise the sub-2kg carry weight and affordable price for an ultralight shelter. Common complaints include condensation issues with the single-wall design and cramped space for two adults. Conclusion: ✅ Worth Buying — the best budget ultralight tent for solo campers and minimalist backpackers.

Introduction

Naturehike has become China’s go-to brand for affordable outdoor gear, and the Cloud Up 2 is their best-selling ultralight tent. It’s a direct response to Western brands like MSR and Big Agnes, offering a sub-2kg shelter at a fraction of the price. The Cloud Up series comes in both single-wall (Cloud Up) and double-wall (Cloud Up 2) variants — this review covers the single-wall Cloud Up 2, which prioritizes weight savings over condensation management.

The tent uses 20D nylon with silicone coating for the fly and 7D mesh for the inner. The DAC-style aluminum poles provide a stable frame at minimal weight. It’s designed for 3-season use, covering spring, summer, and fall camping conditions.

Specifications

Spec	Naturehike Cloud Up 2	MSR Hubba Hubba NX	Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2	3F UL Lanshan 2 Pro
Price	¥499 ($69)	¥3,299 ($455)	¥3,199 ($442)	¥399 ($55)
Weight (trail)	1.8 kg	1.74 kg	1.63 kg	0.98 kg (trekking pole)
Design	Single-wall (modified)	Double-wall	Double-wall	Single-wall (trekking pole)
Capacity	2-person	2-person	2-person	2-person
Floor Area	2.2 m²	2.7 m²	2.8 m²	2.4 m²
Packed Size	45×15×15 cm	46×15×13 cm	46×15×12 cm	30×12×12 cm
Waterproof (floor)	4,000mm	3,000mm	3,000mm	4,000mm
Poles	Aluminum 7001 (DAC clone)	DAC Featherlite NFL	DAC Featherlite NFL	Trekking pole
JD Rating	4.4/5 (15,000+)	4.6/5	4.5/5	4.2/5

Design and Build Quality

The Cloud Up 2 pitches fly-first — the inner tent clips onto the freestanding pole frame, then the fly goes over. The pole structure uses a 3-pole dome design similar to the MSR Hubba Hubba, providing good stability in wind and rain. The 20D nylon fabric has a silky feel and adequate waterproofing at 4,000mm for the floor and 2,000mm for the fly.

Build quality is impressive for ¥499. The stitching is straight with consistent seam spacing, and the factory seam taping is well-applied on critical seams. The zippers are YKK-style (rebranded but smooth). The mesh inner uses a fine-gauge mesh that keeps out midges while allowing ventilation.

“For ¥499 — the same price as a mediocre gear store sleeping bag — you get a tent that weighs less than 2kg and handles serious weather. I used mine on a 3-day hike through Zhejiang’s mountains and it survived heavy overnight rain without a drop inside.” — JD.com user

Performance

The tent pitches easily within 5 minutes on the second attempt. The DAC-clone poles are slightly less robust than genuine DAC but held up well across 20+ uses without any issues. The single-wall design is the tent’s biggest compromise — in humid conditions, condensation forms on the inner walls and can drip on sleeping bags.

Ventilation is managed by a small rear vent that can be propped open with a pole, and by partially opening the front door. On cold clear nights, condensation is inevitable regardless of venting. The vestibule is just large enough for a backpack and boots — tight but functional.

“Great tent for the price. I’m 178cm and fit comfortably but my 185cm friend’s feet touched the wall. Condensation is the biggest issue — in 100% humidity, I woke up with damp sleeping bag footbox. Double-wall version is better if condensation concerns you.” — JD.com user

User Reviews by Theme

Theme 1: Weight and Packability

At 1.8kg, the Cloud Up 2 is competitive with tents costing 5x as much. Backpackers appreciate the packability.

“Split the tent between my partner and me — I carried the poles and fly, she carried the inner. Total pack weight per person is under 1kg. This tent makes lightweight backpacking affordable.” — JD.com user

💡 Exceptional weight-to-price ratio for ultralight backpacking.

Theme 2: Weather Performance

The tent handles rain and moderate wind well, thanks to the stable pole structure.

“Survived a night of heavy rain and strong winds at 3,000m elevation. The poles flexed but held. Not a single drip inside. The vestibule kept my boots and pack dry. I trust this tent in the backcountry.” — JD.com user

💡 Reliable weather protection for 3-season use.

Theme 3: Condensation Management

This is the most frequently discussed issue — the single-wall design requires active management.

“Woke up to a wet inner wall. Touching the wall means a wet sleeping bag. In humid southern China, condensation is a nightly reality with this tent. Pro tip: keep the fly door slightly open and use the rear vent.” — JD.com user

💡 Condensation is a real issue — requires good site selection and venting.

Theme 4: Space and Comfort

The Cloud Up 2 is tight for two average-sized adults.

“Me (175cm) and my girlfriend (163cm) barely fit with our summer sleeping bags. Two winter bags would be impossible. Fine for one person with gear, tight for two.” — JD.com user

💡 Realistic 1-person + gear tent, or 2-person only for very small people.

Purchase Recommendations

✅ Worth Buying: Solo backpackers and budget-conscious hikers who want an ultralight, packable 3-season tent without spending thousands. Manageable condensation is acceptable for the weight savings.

💰 Premium Pick: If you want a true double-wall tent with better condensation control and more space (2.7m² floor), the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 double-wall version at ¥599 ($83) or the MSR Hubba Hubba at ¥3,299 ($455).

⚠️ Budget Warning: If you’re on an extreme budget and use trekking poles, the 3F UL Lanshan 2 Pro at ¥399 ($55) is lighter (0.98kg) but requires trekking poles for setup and is even tighter inside.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Ultralight at 1.8kg trail weight	Condensation issues in humid weather
Excellent value for the weight class	Tight for two average adults
Quick pitch in under 5 minutes	Small vestibule for gear storage
Stable in wind with aluminum poles	20D floor requires groundsheet for rocky sites
Factory seam-taped waterproofing	No interior storage pockets
Packs small (45×15×15cm)	Zippers can snag on mesh at corners
Good ventilation when properly set	Not suitable for snow loading (3-season only)
Huge JD community for tips/support	Pole quality not at DAC level

FAQ

Q1: Is the Cloud Up 2 a true double-wall tent or single-wall? The standard Cloud Up 2 is a modified single-wall tent — the fly does not fully separate from the inner body. Condensation forms on the fly and can transfer to the inner mesh. The separate “Cloud Up 2 double-wall” variant exists and is recommended for wet climates.

Q2: Can two people really sleep in it? Two average Chinese adults (165-175cm) can sleep side by side with summer sleeping bags. Two taller or broader campers will find it cramped. Best used as a spacious solo tent with room for gear.

Q3: Does it come with a footprint/groundsheet? A footprint is not included. Naturehike sells a custom-fit groundsheet separately for ¥89. A standard 2-person tent footprint (210×120cm) works as a substitute. A footprint is strongly recommended to protect the thin 20D floor.

Q4: What’s the warranty? Naturehike offers a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects. The tent comes with a repair patch kit and one spare pole segment. User reviews suggest Naturehike’s JD customer service is responsive.

Q5: Can I use the Cloud Up 2 in winter with snow? The Cloud Up 2 is designed for 3-season use. The single-wall design doesn’t handle internal condensation from breath moisture well in freezing conditions. For winter camping, consider a 4-season tent with adequate snow load rating.