Cloud Up Pro 1

I backpack and hike pretty seriously, and bought a CloudUp 1 Pro for when I take my dog along and don’t want my nicer gear to take a beating. It’s 70% as good as the best, only about 10% heavier, and costs 20% of the price. I’m usually a buy once, cry once kind of guy, but if you’re not serious enough about backpacking/camping to spend big money, or want something that can be beat up without feeling bad, the new CloudUp Pro series is a great option. Just ditch the groundsheet it comes with and go with something lighter, if you insist on using a groundsheet.

I still have my Northface StarLight, it looks just like your Tadpole. I am not sure the different; but anyway... I have the same problem as you do. It is a bit heavy for solo camp or backpacking. I do not want to spend more than $200 for it, since I only go backpacking maybe 1 or 2 a year. Also I have other gears want to get. So I end up got NatureHike Cloud Up Pro from Amazon. It is close to 3lb with everything. It is free standing. I do wish the entry is on the side for easy access; but it is not big deal. Good luck.

Nature hike cloud up pro was what I ended up getting. Very happy with my purchase!

Honestly, on a budget, Nature hike. Cloud up is a well reviewed, well liked, and not very flawed design. I used a 2 Pro and my sister a 1P on a recent bike pack. Neither of us had a complaint in rain or extreme dew. Both Held up fine with basic stake out in 20-30mph winds one night (kinda rare to have sustained winds in the 20s). They are cheap tents (paid less than $100 for each) but you won't find flaws in finish. Had the Cloudup 1 since 2020. And the 2.Pro for just a about 10 nights of use. Happy with both. These aren't tents I use a ton. Only bikepacking and backpacking with my dog. So spending $500 on a similar tent (the 1p is a copy of the Big Agnes Copper spur, iirc the names of big Agnes). I think the 2Pro may be an original design. It's flawed in that it isn't a warm weather tent. But that isn't an issue for me. Most of my use is spring and fall and it's perfect for that.

It's a free standing kinda 3.25 season version of the cloudup. I prefer it because the 1P isn't free standing. The bigger 2Pro is actually easier and faster to setup. Also, I mostly solo backpack and bikepack with my dog so a big 1 person is ideal. Dog, me, gear have plenty of space. The 1P actually has a lot of space but it's not wide enough for 2 pads, which is an issue in colder weather. Packed size and weight isn't too much different either between the Cloudup 2Pro and 1P.

I’ve got a Cloudup 1, I got it from AliExpress not direct from Naturehike‘s site but it’s a great tent for the money.

CloudUp is a real MVP for budget-friendly lightweight tents. I’ve had mine for a couple years now and it’s handled rain, wind, and even a surprise night of snow. Super easy to set up too, which honestly saved me after some long hikes when all I wanted was food and sleep 😂.

Can definitely recommend that Cloud Up from Naturehike. Used mine for 2 years before upgrading but it always did great. I think it's also considered one of the best budget tent buys for most hikers