The KUIU Mountain Star 2P Tent is a dome-shaped, double-wall, freestanding tent designed for individuals who desire a reliable steadiness between weight, sturdiness, and livability. It’s appropriate for 3+ season use, with a fly-first pitch, two doorways, two vestibules, and loads of inner space for storing. Nice air flow and strengthened pole sleeves make the Mountain Star an incredible possibility for multi-day shoulder-season and winter journeys when snow is on the horizon, whereas remaining light-weight sufficient for fast-and-light journey.
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Weight: 3 lbs 1 ozType: Double-wallDesign: Freestanding TentMinimum variety of stakes to pitch: 2 (6-10 advisable)Poles: 3 – carbon fiber, aluminum poles are additionally availableDoors/Vestibules: 2/2Internal Dimensions: 38″ peak top, 54″ to 44″ tapered ground, 84″ longMaterial: Fly: 15D Silicone/PU Coated Micro Ripstop Nylon (1200mm), totally taped seams, Ground: 20D Silicone/PU Coated Micro Ripstop Nylon (1200mm), totally taped seams
Freestanding Tent Design
The Mountain Star 2P is a dome-shaped freestanding tent, which means that it may be arrange on any floor, from picket platforms to snow, with ease. You continue to should stake out the aspect vestibules, however that’s true of most each two-door freestanding tent.
Fly-First Setup
The tent requires three poles to arrange and is on the market with both carbon fiber or aluminum poles. There are two lengthy ones that run the size of the tent and cross each other, whereas the third lateral poles lie perpendicular to take care of the tent’s width. The poles all slot into sleeves, anchored on the ends with grommets, and tensioned with plastic clips between the sleeves and grommets. Seating the carbon fiber poles ultimately grommets requires some elbow grease, although, for the reason that poles and construction are beneath appreciable rigidity. This makes the construction very robust and permits two various pitching choices: a fly-first pitch and a fly-only pitch (for instance, to avoid wasting weight), for the reason that interior tent could be added or eliminated whereas the fly continues to be standing.
When taking down the tent, you’ll be able to go away the interior tent connected to the fly (it connects with buckles) or take away it to dry. The benefit of a fly-first or built-in fly-inner pitch means you by no means should pitch the interior tent first, which is customary for many tents bought by US corporations (Huge Agnes, MSR, and so on.), and may make the interior moist if it’s raining. You possibly can’t pitch the interior tent by itself, although, for stargazing or as a bug bivy, however you’ll be able to’t have it each methods.
The rain fly consists of two giant kickstand vents to assist ventilate the inside. These can be adjusted from contained in the tent by vents within the interior tent. There are additionally exterior guyout factors alongside the outside to assist anchor the tent in uncovered terrain. The vestibule doorways have bi-directional zippers for extra air flow and line loc tensioners to comfortable up the pitch. Every vestibule gives sufficient storage for packs and boots. Whereas the vestibules usually are not outsized, they provide sufficient area to maintain important gear dry and arranged. For solo use, the twin vestibules add flexibility for separating moist and dry gear.
Inside Tent
The interior tent has a bath ground and an all-mesh higher. The ground is tapered (54″ to 44″), so tapered or slim sleeping pads are required. The aspect partitions, together with the pinnacle and foot ends, are very steep, growing inner quantity and livability.
The height top of 38″ is sufficient to place in your garments and transfer round, however you’ll need to be good buddies together with your tent mate. The interior tent has 4 giant pockets within the corners, which assist offset the restricted ground area. There’s additionally a clothesline on the ceiling, which is nice for drying gear, like socks, on multi-day journeys.
Climate Efficiency
The Mountain Star 2P performs properly in mild to reasonable snowfall. The tent’s dome form permits snow to slip off to the edges and down the vestibules, and the pole construction can assist in a single day accumulation, regardless of the comparatively flat roof. Nevertheless, energetic snow administration is critical contained in the tent, as it isn’t designed for heavy snow hundreds or prolonged winter circumstances.
Whereas the tents’ seams are totally taped, the Mountain Star’s fly and ground cloth has a comparatively low waterproof score (1200mm hydrostatic head), which supplies me pause for recommending it to be used in wet climate. That is the bottom hydrostatic head I’ve seen on a tent in a very long time. Hopefully, this will probably be upgraded in a future iteration. This tent could be a a lot stronger contender with a hydrostatic head of 2500-3000mm.
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Total Evaluation
Total, the KUIU Mountain Star 2P Tent is a reliable, well-designed shelter that prioritizes consolation and reliability over excessive minimalism. Its fly-first, freestanding design is an actual plus for winter use as a result of it means you will get out of the climate shortly with out having to attend for tent stakes or deadmen to sinter in place. The interior tent is properly ventilated, with giant nook pockets, an overhead clothesline, and ample headroom and footroom, offering good livability on multi-day journeys. Our solely actual concern is the rainfly’s low waterproof score, which supplies us pause about recommending the tent for perpetually wet climates.
KUIU loaned SectionHiker.com a tent for assessment.
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