KUIU Storm Star 2-Individual Tent Evaluation

Backside Line

The KUIU Storm Star 2-Individual Tent is spectacular—really a standout in our testing. Based mostly on our analysis, we anticipated a stable tent, however it exceeded our expectations. This is among the most storm-worthy tents we examined. The time period “bomb-proof” will get thrown round loads in gear critiques, however on this case, it’s well-earned. This tent shrugged off intense early winter winds within the Gore Vary and stored us dry by way of heavy snow.

Whereas KUIU will not be a family title exterior the backcountry looking group, it might change with merchandise just like the Storm Star. From the second you unpack it, the standard is simple. The supplies are thick and sturdy, the stitching is exact, and each element is designed for rugged circumstances. It comfortably suits two folks, although gear storage would require the usage of one of many twin vestibules. For solo adventurers, it’s downright luxurious. Inside storage is nicely thought out, with quite a few mesh pockets and an overhead gear line. Plus, KUIU contains ten pre-attached guylines and (surprisingly) sufficient stakes to completely guy-out the tent—one thing no different tent in our testing supplied.

Nevertheless, it’s not with out flaws. The tent isn’t very versatile, getting stuffy in hotter climate. Whereas the setup isn’t overly difficult, there’s a studying curve for the primary pitch. It might probably’t be pitched with out the fly, and whereas the door tiebacks aren’t a dealbreaker, they’re frustratingly exhausting to make use of, particularly with gloves.For different choices, try our information to the most effective four-season tents for detailed critiques and skilled picks.

How We Examined

We examined the KUIU Storm Star 2-Individual Tent over three months in Colorado’s mountains, placing it by way of excessive winds, heavy snowfall, and freezing temperatures. Our testing included multi-night journeys at uncovered sub-alpine campsites and sheltered forest places within the Arapaho Nationwide Forest, assessing its stormworthiness, sturdiness, and livability in real-world backcountry circumstances.

consolation

The KUIU Storm Star is about as comfy as the typical four-season tent, if not barely extra so. Like many backcountry-style tents, the scale designations (1- or 2-person) are a bit optimistic. Whereas two campers can match on this tent—we did for a number of nights—it’s shut quarters, so it helps in case you get alongside nicely along with your tentmate. Solo use affords considerably extra consolation, with loads of area for you and all of your cumbersome winter gear. With two folks, you’ll must stash your gear within the two vestibules.

Our testers discovered the tent comfy for customers as much as about 6’2″. Taller campers could must sleep diagonally for a comfortable night time’s sleep. At that peak, it’s straightforward to take a seat up totally and dress with out hunching. Air flow is respectable with the doorways open, however when totally closed in dangerous climate, the tent can get stuffy—although it additionally stays pleasantly heat.

Weight & Packed Measurement

The Storm Star 2 sits on the heavier facet in comparison with different tents we examined. However at just below six kilos, it’s nonetheless manageable for a four-season shelter constructed for harsh circumstances. You’ll be able to shave some weight by eradicating the ten pre-attached guylines and ditching the additional ten stakes, although you’ll lose some stormproofing within the course of. Splitting the load between two folks helps, however detaching and reattaching the inside tent within the area will be extra trouble than it’s value—particularly in dangerous climate.

When packed, the Storm Star 2 is roughly the scale of a normal “Z” folding foam mat. For such a robustly constructed tent, it packs down nicely, becoming simply right into a winter pack with out taking over an excessive amount of area. Whereas it’s not the lightest or most compact tent on the market, it’s gentle and sufficiently small for backcountry adventures the place sturdiness and climate resistance take precedence over saving just a few ounces.

Climate Resistance

It’s exhausting to discover a extra storm-worthy tent anyplace close to the value of the KUIU Storm Star. With years of expertise testing top-tier tents, we have been genuinely impressed by this tent’s potential to match the efficiency of fashions that price nicely over a thousand {dollars}.

Throughout a very windy week in Colorado’s White River Nationwide Forest, we pitched the Storm Star in a extremely uncovered location at about 10,000 toes within the Gore Vary, the place it withstood sustained winds of 40–60 mph for almost 24 hours.  Because of the ten pre-attached guylines, the tent remained rock-solid. We’re not alone on this expertise—loads of on-line critiques echo its distinctive wind resistance and stormproof design.

Whereas Colorado’s late-fall and winter seasons don’t convey a lot rain, we often see fairly a little bit of snow. This season, snowfall has been sparse, however we examined the Storm Star throughout just a few smaller snowstorms. The dome-style design successfully shed snow and simply resisted excessive winds.

The tent’s thick stitching and rugged building encourage severe confidence. Even in sturdy winds, flapping is minimal, preserving noise ranges surprisingly low.

Ease of Setup

Once we check a brand new tent, we wish to pitch it for the primary time fully blind—no directions, simply to see how intuitive it’s. For the KUIU Storm Star, we gave it a shot, and, nicely… it didn’t take lengthy earlier than we caved and reached for the instructions. Whereas not overly difficult, this tent is much less intuitive than many others we’ve examined lately.

The trickiest half is determining that the poles slide into dead-end pole sleeves which are color-coded to match the corresponding tabs on the tent. There are three poles that create the dome construction, and whereas the colour tabs are useful, they’re small and never instantly obvious.

That stated, setup is made faster by the truth that this can be a double-wall tent with the fly pre-attached to the inside tent. This function lets you pitch the whole tent in a single go, which is an enormous plus, particularly in dangerous climate.

Attaching the clips to the tightly pitched tent physique requires a little bit of muscle, however that tightness is what offers this tent its spectacular stormworthiness. When you’ve set it up a few instances, it turns into a lot simpler—however the preliminary studying curve is value preserving in thoughts.

Sturdiness

That is fingers down essentially the most sturdy tent in our lineup, and truthfully, it’s not even shut. From the materials to the zippers, each a part of this tent screams rock-solid reliability. Certain, we will throw out specs just like the 30D Sil/PU coated double ripstop nylon rainfly with a 3000mm waterproof score, the 40D Sil/PU coated ripstop nylon bathtub flooring with a 5000mm waterproof score, and the 30D ripstop nylon tent physique handled with a DWR end. It’s all spectacular on paper—in case you’re into that kind of factor.

However let’s be actual: most individuals care extra about the way it holds up within the wild than the numbers. And in our expertise, this tent is as near bomb-proof as you’ll get (sure, we all know that phrase is overused, however it suits right here).

The KUIU Storm Star was constructed with the harshest circumstances in thoughts, and it reveals. From the primary time we pitched it, it felt like a shelter we might belief within the backcountry, it doesn’t matter what Mom Nature threw our method. Should you’re in search of sturdiness, this tent is in a league of its personal.

Versatility

We’d like to say this tent is a real all-season champ, however truthfully, it’s not. Like many four-season tents, the KUIU Storm Star is designed with winter in thoughts. It would get you thru shoulder season in cooler circumstances, however it’s removed from perfect for hotter climate.

Throughout December testing within the foothills exterior Golden, Colorado, we skilled just a few unseasonably heat days reaching 60°F, and the tent bought stuffy, quick—even with each doorways and vestibules huge open. To be honest, the wind wasn’t blowing instantly by way of the doorways, however the air flow simply isn’t sufficient to maintain issues comfy in hotter temperatures.

This tent shines in chilly, snowy, or windy circumstances the place its burly construct and storm-proof options really excel. However relating to versatility, it’s finest to think about it as a winter specialist slightly than a year-round possibility. For hotter climate adventures, we’d recommend trying elsewhere.

Ought to You Purchase the KUIU Storm Star 2?

The KUIU Storm Star 2-Individual Tent is a standout alternative for adventurers searching for an exceptionally sturdy and storm-worthy winter shelter. Designed with backcountry looking and rugged circumstances in thoughts, it excels in harsh environments, simply dealing with excessive winds, heavy snow, and freezing temperatures. With its rugged supplies, meticulous design, and in depth guy-out factors, this is among the hardest tents we’ve examined, offering reliable safety in sub-alpine, alpine, and each below- and above-treeline circumstances.

That stated, this tent shouldn’t be for everybody. It’s too heavy and overbuilt for warm-weather backpacking or light-weight pursuits, and its air flow struggles in increased temperatures, making it much less versatile for true four-season use. The setup has a studying curve, however its sturdiness and climate resistance make up for the preliminary adjustment interval.

The Storm Star 2 affords glorious worth and peace of thoughts for winter campers, hunters, ski tourers, or anybody who commonly encounters excessive circumstances.

What Different 4-Season Tents Ought to You Take into account?

Should you’re contemplating the KUIU Storm Star 2, there are just a few different nice four-season tents to take a look at. Each brings one thing distinctive to the desk relying on what you’re after:

SlingFin CrossBow 2 Evaluation: – The CrossBow 2 is a powerful competitor for these prioritizing climate resistance and stability. Its WebTruss design affords superior efficiency in excessive winds and snow, making it a standout for excessive alpine circumstances. It’s heavier than the Storm Star 2 however has nice sturdiness and flexibility, particularly for extended expeditions.

MSR Entry 2 Evaluation: Lighter and extra compact than the Storm Star 2, the Entry 2 is ideal for backcountry skiers and winter backpackers searching for a streamlined shelter. It affords dependable climate safety in average snow and wind however isn’t as rugged because the Storm Star 2.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 Evaluation: – For ultralight fanatics, the Ultamid 2 is a compelling possibility. It’s a pyramid-style shelter with distinctive weight financial savings and a spacious inside. Nevertheless, it requires trekking poles or a separate pole system for setup and doesn’t provide the identical stormworthiness in excessive climate.