Naturehike Cloud Up 2 20D Review: A Lightweight Two-Person Tent on a Budget

Introduction

Budget backpacking tents usually force a choice between low weight and real weather protection. The Naturehike Cloud Up 2 20D is interesting because it appears to sidestep that trade-off. It is a two-person tunnel-style tent built from 20D fabric with a 4,000 mm hydrostatic head, supplied with 7001 aluminium poles and aluminium pegs, and it packs down to around 1.4 kg. At a current price of about $119, that is a lot of tent for the money.

This review covers what arrives in the bag, how the tent pitches, how it feels to sleep in, and the limitations worth knowing before you buy.

The short version: this is a tent for backpackers who want a lightweight shelter with genuine space inside, and who accept that a tunnel design with a single entrance asks a little more of you when the wind picks up.

Who this product is for

The Cloud Up 2 20D sits in a useful middle ground. It is a genuine two-person tent, but its dimensions also make it an unusually comfortable option for a solo camper who wants room to spread out gear and sleep without brushing the walls.

The floor measures around 210 cm long and 125 cm wide, and the ceiling peaks at 105 cm. That is enough for a 172 cm (5 ft 8 in) sleeper to sit up with clear headroom at the front and centre, and a six-foot occupant should still fit without difficulty.

If you camp as a pair, expect to sleep closer to the sloping sides, where the ceiling drops. If you camp alone and value space, this is arguably the better pick than the smaller one-person version of the same design.

Main strengths

The most obvious strength is the material specification for the price. The 20D fabric carries a 4,000 mm hydrostatic head, which points to solid rain performance for a tent at this level. A cheaper fabric version of the same model exists, but the 20D is the one to choose: it is lighter and uses a noticeably nicer material for only a modest step up in cost.

Weight is the second win. At around 1.4 kg, the Cloud Up 2 20D is light for a two-person backpacking tent at any price, and it is close to the pack size of the one-person version while offering considerably more width.

Hardware is another plus. The 7001 aluminium poles are light and feel robust, with a pre-curved section at the front that takes pressure off the pole joints and helps hold the shape of the tent. The aluminium pegs are equally light and hold well, and the package includes a groundsheet plus the extra guy lines you would want in wind.

Naturehike describes this model as a four-season tent. The full-coverage fly, the closable rear vent and the low tunnel profile are consistent with that intent, and the tent is set up to handle cold, breezy nights as well as warmer ones.

Pitching and setup

Setup is straightforward. The groundsheet has eyelets built into it, so the poles go in immediately and the footprint is established before you thread anything else. Pole sections are inserted with the shorter sections at the rear and the longer sections at the front, and the inner then clips onto the poles.

The fly attaches with clips rather than a sleeve, which makes the whole process fast, and the single front door means there is little scope to get the orientation wrong. The inner is tall from the start, so there is no fiddling with adjustments to get it taut.

Living space and ventilation

Inside, the walls mix solid mesh panels with fine see-through mesh. The solid panels keep chilly breezes off, while the lighter mesh keeps air moving so the tent does not overheat on warmer nights.

There is a lantern hook in the centre of the ceiling and a small pocket at the front that suits a phone or a head torch, which works well as a makeshift lantern after dark. The 60 cm front vestibule is big enough to keep a backpack out of the weather overnight.

Rear ventilation is handled by a vent with a Velcro tab that can be opened or closed as conditions change.

The design detail that matters most in wind is the set of guy points halfway up the sides. These keep the side walls taller and stop the fly caving inward when the wind shifts overnight, and they are the clearest advantage this two-person model holds over the one-person version.

Things to consider before buying

This is a tunnel tent, so it has to be pitched with the rear into the wind. Even with the extra side guy points, the long side walls can deflect in strong, gusty conditions, so it rewards a careful pitch rather than shrugging off any weather from any angle.

The single front entrance is another trade-off. It keeps the design simple and light, but two occupants will both be using the same door, and the sloping sides mean usable headroom narrows towards the edges.

Build quality is good overall. The odd loose thread in the stitching can appear, which is common at this price point and not a structural concern.

Buying advice

If your priorities are low weight, a small pack size, and enough interior space to be comfortable rather than merely contained, the Cloud Up 2 20D makes a strong case at around $119. It is an easy recommendation for solo backpackers who want a roomy shelter, and for pairs who mostly camp in moderate conditions.

Choose the 20D version rather than the cheaper fabric option, and consider the dark green colourway if you want a lower-profile look on the hill. If you expect to camp in exposed, windy terrain regularly, weigh up whether a shape with a more wind-resistant profile suits those trips better.

Because the tent ships with a groundsheet, guy lines, alloy poles and alloy pegs, there is very little extra to buy before a first trip.

Conclusion

The Naturehike Cloud Up 2 20D delivers the combination budget backpackers look for: low weight, a compact pack size, credible weather protection from 20D fabric with a 4,000 mm hydrostatic head, and interior space that genuinely works for one person and is usable for two. Pitch it rear into the wind, use the side guy points, and it should serve well as a lightweight shelter for the money.