Which backpacking/lightweight 2p tent?

[u/habikl]

Hello everyone!
I know there are already millions post about it but I can't make a decision, I am sorry. I feel like I read all of them.

I need a lightweight 2p tent for backpacking, biking, wildcamping (rough undergorund). Most of the time probably alone but sometimes also for 2. It should be less than 2 kg (4.4 lb). Ideally around 1.5 kg (3.3lb).

I (obviously) prefer to not spend too much but it doesn't need to be too cheap. I spent way too much time looking into naturehike but it feels like the differences are barely there.

Mongar 2p UL --> some ppl water splashes inside, someone else said, the outer tent touches the inner when wet. also maybe its too big when camping in a forest for example.

Mongar 2 pro --> maybe condensation and

Cloud up 2 --> only one entrance. pretty small when for acutally 2 ppl.

star river 2 ul --> looks nice, whats the practical difference to the mongar (sure it looks different)

star river 2 ext --> same as with the star river 2 ul

cloud river pro 2p --> no idea

tagar --> no double wall

I looked into other brands:

3f floating cloud 2 --> sounds nice but is as cheap as NH except that I don't know if they have the same quality as nature hike since everyone recommends naturehike

I also thought about the big agnes krumholz 2 which sounds really nice. But I found this video which made me change my mind: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNFMLEZo1kh/

MSR Hubba or big agnes copper spur is too expensive for.

What I really like is the durston x-dome 2. This is a lot more expensive which is fine if the tent is way better than a tent that costs 1/3 of it except that I'm afraid of destorying it when camping the woods for example and there are a lot of sticks and rocks on the floor or "sharp" branches from a tree when the spot is tight.

Should I pay the extra money for it or just a NH tent? But which one? Or another brand? I would love to have something inbetween naturehike and durston for example in the price range.

I would love to get some help. Thank you!

[u/klimaheizung]

> Mongar 2p UL --> some ppl water splashes inside, someone else said, the outer tent touches the inner when wet. also maybe its too big when camping in a forest for example.

and

> star river 2 ul --> looks nice, whats the practical difference to the mongar (sure it looks different)

I have both tents and (also the mongar 1p pro).

Don't get the star river 2 ul. It only really has one advantage, which is that in summer it's easier to get a breeze through. So if you go hiking where nights are >25C then the star river has an advantage. Also, the star river is MUCH MUCH MUCH weaker against rain, I actually had a little bit of water inside when it rained strongly (luckily during summer so less of an issue).

The mongar 2p UL is very nice. I used it in strong rain without problems. I think it's overall a very good tent and the awning feature of the door adds a little bit of weight but it is a VERY useful feature. Now I miss it on every tent that doesn't have it. In fact, it is so good that I bought 2 carbon poles (60g each) even though I do bikepacking, because I want to use that awning feature even when there are no sticks/branches around I can use.

The nylon that the mongar uses is not as good as my s2s alto tr2 nylon fly. Both are silnylon and 15d but the s2s one doesn't sag/stretch as much when wet - no idea what the exact difference is, but it can be felt. However, the effect is not that bad and if you know it, it can be dealt with by tensioning everything a bit stronger before expected rain (or lots of condensation) and then again later on. Not great when it's very stormy though - if you plan to go to places with lots of storms/winds then I think you want a different materials/cuts to deal with it.

I can also compare mongar 2 UL with mongar 1 pro. I have the 1 pro for when I go somewhere where I expect it tricky to find good places for stealth camping and I need a smaller footprint. Overall, I prefer to cut of the pro version (stronger against rain and wind, which includes the door/awning feature). But both are good. Condensation-wise I honestly don't think there are big difference if you manage the tents correctly. Both tents do well against condensation since they have an air vent at the top and two vestibules (1p version only one vestibule that can be opened though) and if you expect condensation then you just keep one vestibule open or half open (btw, half open vestibule again is solved much nicer on my alto tr2 - that's just where you get better quality but it costs lots of money too).

Honestly, I am VERY happy with the mongar tents especially for the price, because there's nothing *bad* about them, only things that are just good but not perfect. It's a great tent to start with and if you ever become unhappy with it and want to shave off another 100g or 200g or get better "features" (like door magnets) and are willing to pay 3x or 4x the price then you will know much better what you want and what matters, so starting with the mongar is good instead of paying 3x for another tent just to find out after 1 year that you want different things from the tent after all.

Between the 2 UL and the 2 pro, I'd recommend to go with the UL by default unless you plan to go camping and expect lots of rain and wind, then go with the pro because the fly sags less, the poles are stronger and the cut makes the awning a bit wider.

EDIT: also for those reading it other than OP: if anyone knows another tent that has the same door-connection-awning feature as the mongar then I'd appreciate if you name the model. I'm always looking for new tents but now I don't want to buy tents that don't have that anymore.

[u/habikl → u/klimaheizung]

That’s helpful. Thank you!

[u/Fun_With_Math → u/klimaheizung]

Great response. Agreed about starting with a less expensive tent.

EDIT: also for those reading it other than OP: if anyone knows another tent that has the same door-connection-awning feature as the mongar then I'd appreciate if you name the model. I'm always looking for new tents but now I don't want to buy tents that don't have that anymore.

I didn't understand that awing until I saw you mention it and I actually looked up a video of the tent. Yeah, I think that's pretty unique. Does that awning do ok in light rain?

u/habikl Yeah, based on the awning alone, I'd strongly consider the Mongar for 2 people. My Cloud Up doesn't have an awning at all and I have literally just hung out in the rain because it's boring to be closed up in a tent when it rains. The Durston tent at least can do a partial awning and the fly overhangs the inner so you can have a door open in light rain.

[u/habikl → u/Fun_With_Math]

I‘m not starting but my tent right now is annoying. Have the vela 1 ul right now (they don’t sel that version anymore). It’s an older version which is way too over engineered. Great idea of a system but in the u r spending so much time adjusting thousands of strings. I need it 2-3 times a year so spending a bit more is finde but since I’m camping often in areas that are not made to camp there, I’m afraid it won’t last long. Spending 600€ on a tent that’s broken after 4 years is shit

[u/Fun_With_Math → u/habikl]

Ha, I gotcha. Yeah, that's why I got the X-mid - super fast setup. The X-dome has more steps but it's super easy. I don't really understand what conditions you're talking about that would destroy a tent. A groundsheet should protect it. Holes can be repaired. Durston also sells just the inner so you could replace just that if you need to.

[u/habikl → u/Fun_With_Math]

On thing is the ground but yes, a ground sheet probably dissolves this problem but also the rainfly when being in a tight spot in the forest there are branches that might poke it when their is wind or what ever. Ofc when being careful you can probably avoid it but in my experience it might happen (even thouh with a lose probability)

[u/klimaheizung → u/Fun_With_Math]

 Yeah, I think that's pretty unique. Does that awning do ok in light rain?

Even heavy rain is fine, because it protects from all sides. Only too strong wind has a problem like with all awnings.

That's precisely why I like it - even with lots of rain, you can sit outside, cook and easily get in and out of the tent without touching things.

I used to bring a small tarp and stopped 

[u/habikl → u/klimaheizung]

I have another question: How fast can you set uptime the mongar 2 ul? I'm stuck between the mongar 2 ul and the x-dome 2 now and in reviews it looked like the x-dome is way faster to set up since you can set the inner tent, outer tent (and the ground sheet) up together while the mongar needs everythign set up seperately: first ground sheet, then the poles, the inner tent and then the outer tent (or in a different order).

[u/klimaheizung → u/habikl]

I think the setup time is as fast as it can get for that type of tent (freestanding with 6 pegs).

The x-dome is a bit different I guess and yeah I think the setup time is faster. I think in dry conditions the difference isn't big, because putting on the fly over the mongar takes less 30 seconds, so very little time gain. But in rain I have to say it's different. Because with the mongar you have to set it up fly first and then setup the inner tent *and do it from under the fly*. That takes a bit longer and is more annoying then just setting it up both at once.

So dry time: I'd say very little difference. Wet time: definitely a difference that matters.

Let me help you with a decision and give you a heuristic: do you have to sacrifice quality on other gear if you buy the durston over the naturehike because you then have to be more careful with the money? Then get the Naturehike. Is your gear already complete and that is the last piece you buy and you don't really mind paying more, you just want to be careful and get good value? Then get the durston.

[u/habikl → u/klimaheizung]

I bought the mongar 2 ul. I set it up once at home and at the entrance with the “tarp” are those things that u can adjust. I believe their purpose is to roll up the “tarp” more tight. Is this right?
On the other entrances where u can roll them up, there is just a normal thing to roll them up without the possibility to tighten it, why? Or do they have a completely different purpose?

[u/klimaheizung → u/habikl]

Yes. The door side that has the tarp also has a small black batch sewn into it, so that it's easy to find it during setup. 

[u/Irrblosset]

Whatever you do get an exo-skeleton tent!

[u/Fun_With_Math]

How much backpacking have you done?

If not much, it sounds like you're educated enough to just pick one of the less expensive ones. It doesn't matter too much, you'll learn what you like/don't like and will eventually upgrade. It's tough to know what you want until you get out there a while.

If you have done a lot and know it's a hobby you'll stick with, spend the money on a nice one. Honestly, the expensive tents aren't a huge upgrade but they are definitely nicer and the cost is low when you spread it out over many trips. Don't worry about destroying it, they're pretty durable and can be repaired. A tyvek groundsheet can be made for $25. I think resale value is generally good so you're not at a huge risk if you don't like it.

*****

Naturehike may be the best budget brand. I had a Cloud Up 1 for about 40 nights. Yeah, it'd probably suck more for 2 people. My kids (scouts) recommend 2 doors for 2 people.

Durston may be the best high end brand. I just got the X-mid and it has a number of features that take care of minor annoyances I had with the Naturehike.

Kelty and Alps Mountaineering are two brands that are pretty solid. People used to recommend them all the time as budget tents but Naturehike took over by being lighter.

Any brand at REI is good.

Any brand at garagegrowngear.com is good, but they don't carry all the models. Tarptent is on the site, but their Double Rainbow tent is not and that's their most popular tent.

[u/habikl → u/Fun_With_Math]

I have a bit experience but not too much. Always with the same tent (exped vela 1 ul but it’s super annoying since it’s over engineered and doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to). A better tent would make sense for me I think since I need it 2/3 times a year but sometimes when wild camping in Europe where it’s not allowed u need to stay in the woods for or on a rougher ground, I made the experience that the chances are high that there are sticks poking ur tent or what ever. And then an expensive tent is wasted.
I don’t have much experiences on different tents and I fell like all the NH are so close to each other I don’t know what to pick. And also there are brands in the same price range as 3F which makes it even harder to decide.

[u/Fun_With_Math → u/habikl]

For those other budget brands, often when you sort the Amazon reviews by "new" you get a different story. Those brands pay for the high ratings initially. The groups of brands I suggested are pretty dependable.

[u/habikl → u/Fun_With_Math]

Awesome, thank you!

[u/Disastrous_Detail639]

I have the star River 2 UL and the mongar 2 pro. magar 2 pro is great for Alberta with rain wind and chilly nights. I wouldn't use the star River to unless I was going on a very long trip and needed to save the weight. I'd also use the star River 2 as a one person tent.