Naturehike - Star River 2 UL

Minimalist setup: 3x3 m cheap tarp: [https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/33012906545.html](https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/33012906545.html) \+ mesh bivy (for <185cm tall): [https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005005845318962.html](https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005005845318962.html) Coffin-bivy-tent hybrid from OPs photo with improved ventillation (but still no way to get in/out in rain): [https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005004351946532.html](https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005004351946532.html) NH Tagar 1 is great solo tent for people no taller than 175cm. Sub-1.3kg, sub 150$! For taller and duos - Star River 2 UL. UL Solo stove kit: Chitanium mug: [https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005006975196483.html](https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005006975196483.html) 25g burner 3000T: [https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007059666712.html](https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007059666712.html) For 2, go for 900ml chitanium mug and maybe Campingmoon XD 2-F burner. Widesea does great and cheap CCF pads and good minigroundhog stake clones. Don't cheap out on inflatable pad or down sleeping bags tho.

I've been really happy with my Star River 2 UL so far. Wouldn't be my choice for stormy weather but I've really enjoyed it.

I picked up the NatureHike Star River UL (new version in 2024) for $145 on AliExpress. Took it out to Yosemite this fall and it was fantastic! 3.5 lbs with everything including the footprint.

Naturehike makes the best affordable UL freestanding tents in the market, imho. Their Cloud Up models are their lightest, but also a bit tight/small. However, if you really want the lowest weight, a Cloud Up 2 UL is the way. Otherwise they have e.g. the Star River UL model, which is more spacious. Also, just order them from AliExpress. It's always going to be more expensive to buy them from a reseller in Europe, I've been there, done that, and it's just not worth it. Ordering from Aliexpress is cheaper and actually works pretty well.

Oof yeah. If you already have the Star River, you can't really get a lighter tent without sacrificing something. Either you get a very expensive X-Dome for more space and a lower weight, or you sacrifice some space for a lighter tent. There's also the Star River UL, which is very slightly smaller than the standard Star River and like 500 grams lighter, but that's about the smallest I'm willing to go to get a light freestanding tent. Or if you know someone visiting Canada or the US, ask them to bring you an X-Dome ;)

I like NatureHike products. I have the Naturehike Star River UL 2p and really like it. It's pretty much the same tent as the Dragonfly. Slightly heavier at 3.76 lbs. I was in pouring rain for about 3 hours one evening and didn't have a drop inside. The vestibules have some cool features (make sure to get the UL version for this). I think it was about $200 on eBay when I got it. Quality is great, but I don't guess you get a warranty. I've since converted to trekking pole tents to save weight but the Star River is still my go-to freestanding tent.

I went back and looked and it's not a copy of the Mongar. I thought the Mongar had the X-style tent poles and it doesn't, it's actually the I or H style like the Star River. Oops. Yeah I wish the Star River had the spreader bar that is as wide as the tub but it's narrower. I did a lot of comparison between the Mongar and Star River and tbh, I can't remember now why I went with the Star River. My 2p trekking pole tent is the Nature Link Altair 2 and I really like it. It's 2.75 lbs. It's just like the Six Moons Haven but half pound heavier. My 1p trekking pole is the OV Fortius at 1.6 lbs and I've only used it once for 3 night time, but really likely it. Which one I use just depends on how far I'm hiking and anticipated weather conditions.

I'm my opinion, NatureHike is a great balance of budget and quality. I have the NatureHike Star River UL and it's great. Tbh, I have a bunch of their camping products and they're really good. My tent has held up through a torrential 3 hour downpour and a couple other rains and I didn't get a single drop inside. I always add a dwr coating from day 1, just in case. I also always use a Tyvek or Polycro ground sheet, too. But yeah, no issues, it's made great. The only negative about the Star River is that it narrows as it goes up (the Mongar is better about this) and it's a little heavier (typical for free standing tents). The Star River says it's a 2p, but it's more like a 1.5p... again, typical. I passed over the Cloud up because it's a front entry and I don't care for that. Tbh, I usually take my knockoff Haven 2p trekking pole tent. It's a true 2p tent. The Star River is 3.67 lbs and the Haven is ~2.25, or 2.75 for my knockoff (Nature Link Altair). If I'm really trying to go light, I take my Outdoor Vitals Fortius 1p that weighs 1.6 lbs, iirc. The OV is 1p but widens as it goes up, which makes it feel much larger inside. I use trekking poles and it saves weight to use them instead of tent poles. Anyway, I know that's more than you asked for, but I really like Naturehike products and there's a couple more budget options for you if you want. TOGR (The Outdoor Gear Review in YouTube) does a lot of in-depth reviews on their products as well. He also recommends OneTigris but I haven't used any of their products yet.

Mmm, it's a good tent but not my favorite - especially concerning that the entrance is in the head. Maybe check the new Naturehike Star River UL - it is pretty light, spacious (after all, it's a 2p tent), and the entrance is on the side.

I just returned from a bicycle tour using this tent: Naturehike star river 2 UL (bought for roughly 140.- pounds on AliExpress. It packs really small, especially when using an additional pouch to minimize the volume of the external and internal tents... (see pouch in my reddit post here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring/comments/1nhiloz/how\_i\_got\_my\_ultralight\_tent\_naturehike\_star/](https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring/comments/1nhiloz/how_i_got_my_ultralight_tent_naturehike_star/) ) Tent weighs roughly 1.8kg with the metal poles, i think. I am very impressed by it, although I agree with the general criticism regarding the openings - it is difficult to get in/out of the tent without catching some of the dew or rain water on the outer tent. Otherwise very comfortable, easy to set up and take down, and very rainproof. (it is bigger than it looks in this photo. the perspective is a bit confusing) https://preview.redd.it/eikbzodhuppf1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=122decd993b103c80e7f5a987f8a27e45ade3bed

I'd go with this over the helm 2 based on size alone if you are worried about space. 53" width on the mongar 2 vs 47" width on the helm 2. If it's not much more the naturehike star river 2 ul is 1kg lighter and 51" width.

I’ve got the Star River and rate it. Packs down quite small and weight is acceptable. I’ve used it throughout winter in Snowdonia and the Peak District and it’s been sound.

I have just kitted myself out with kit so that I can move forward from credit card Bikepacking to Bikepacking whilst camping. I've bought the Naturehike Star River 2 UL tent https://youtu.be/v0YDEbhGLCA?si=w857D4aaiAp5dqfF I've also bought the Nemo Disco 30 sleeping bag,designed to be wider at the shoulders and knees for side sleepers. https://www.facewest.co.uk/Nemo-Disco-30.html I stayed with Nemo and bought their Fillo Luxury pillow. https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/products/nemo-fillo-luxury-backpacking-camping-pillow?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqcO_BhDaARIsACz62vPOFdsKTEl05DzHzKTNjbLmeEg6Xo-K1q6S08UT7x71fgYIm9vOvvMaAhx-EALw_wcB I finished off my purchases with the Kilos Gear Aerocloud Sleeping Pad https://kilosgear.com/products/aerocloud-sleeping-pad-elite My first trip away with it all on tbebine will be late September to Sardinia.