KUIU Storm Star 2-Particular person Tent Overview

Backside Line

The KUIU Storm Star 2-Particular person Tent is spectacular—really a standout in our testing. Based mostly on our analysis, we anticipated a stable tent, nevertheless it exceeded our expectations. This is without doubt one of the most storm-worthy tents we examined. The time period “bomb-proof” will get thrown round rather a lot in gear evaluations, however on this case, it’s well-earned. This tent shrugged off intense early winter winds within the Gore Vary and saved us dry by means of heavy snow.

Whereas KUIU is probably not a family title exterior the backcountry searching neighborhood, it may 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 using 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 totally guy-out the tent—one thing no different tent in our testing provided.

Nonetheless, it’s not with out flaws. The tent isn’t very versatile, getting stuffy in hotter climate. Whereas the setup isn’t overly sophisticated, there’s a studying curve for the primary pitch. It could actually’t be pitched with out the fly, and whereas the door tiebacks aren’t a dealbreaker, they’re frustratingly laborious to make use of, particularly with gloves.For different choices, take a look at our information to the very best four-season tents for detailed evaluations and knowledgeable picks.

How We Examined

We examined the KUIU Storm Star 2-Particular person Tent over three months in Colorado’s mountains, placing it by means 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 snug as the common four-season tent, if not barely extra so. Like many backcountry-style tents, the dimensions 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 should you get alongside nicely together with your tentmate. Solo use presents 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 snug for customers as much as about 6’2″. Taller campers might must sleep diagonally for a comfy evening’s sleep. At that peak, it’s straightforward to take a seat up totally and dress with out hunching. Air flow is first rate with the doorways open, however when totally closed in unhealthy 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 possibly can 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 interior tent within the area might be extra trouble than it’s value—particularly in unhealthy climate.

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

Climate Resistance

It’s laborious 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 had been genuinely impressed by this tent’s capability 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 ft within the Gore Vary, the place it withstood sustained winds of 40–60 mph for practically 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 evaluations echo its distinctive wind resistance and stormproof design.

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

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

Ease of Setup

After 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 sophisticated, this tent is much less intuitive than many others we’ve examined not too long ago.

The trickiest half is determining that the poles slide into dead-end pole sleeves which might be 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 mentioned, setup is made faster by the truth that it is a double-wall tent with the fly pre-attached to the interior tent. This characteristic lets you pitch the complete tent in a single go, which is a giant plus, particularly in unhealthy climate.

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

Sturdiness

That is fingers down essentially the most sturdy tent in our lineup, and actually, 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 ground with a 5000mm waterproof score, and the 30D ripstop nylon tent physique handled with a DWR end. It’s all spectacular on paper—should you’re into that type 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, nevertheless it suits right here).

The KUIU Storm Star was constructed with the harshest circumstances in thoughts, and it exhibits. From the primary time we pitched it, it felt like a shelter we may belief within the backcountry, it doesn’t matter what Mom Nature threw our means. If you happen to’re on the lookout for 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 actually, 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, nevertheless it’s removed from best for hotter climate.

Throughout December testing within the foothills exterior Golden, Colorado, we skilled a number of unseasonably heat days reaching 60°F, and the tent received stuffy, quick—even with each doorways and vestibules vast open. To be truthful, the wind wasn’t blowing straight by means of the doorways, however the air flow simply isn’t sufficient to maintain issues snug 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 greatest to think about it as a winter specialist fairly than a year-round possibility. For hotter climate adventures, we’d counsel trying elsewhere.

Ought to You Purchase the KUIU Storm Star 2?

The KUIU Storm Star 2-Particular person Tent is a standout selection for adventurers in search of an exceptionally sturdy and storm-worthy winter shelter. Designed with backcountry searching 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 intensive guy-out factors, this is without doubt one of the hardest tents we’ve examined, offering reliable safety in sub-alpine, alpine, and each below- and above-treeline circumstances.

That mentioned, this tent isn’t 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 presents glorious worth and peace of thoughts for winter campers, hunters, ski tourers, or anybody who recurrently encounters excessive circumstances.

What Different 4-Season Tents Ought to You Contemplate?

If you happen to’re contemplating the KUIU Storm Star 2, there are a number of 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 Overview: – The CrossBow 2 is a powerful competitor for these prioritizing climate resistance and stability. Its WebTruss design presents 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 Overview: Lighter and extra compact than the Storm Star 2, the Entry 2 is ideal for backcountry skiers and winter backpackers in search of a streamlined shelter. It presents dependable climate safety in average snow and wind however isn’t as rugged because the Storm Star 2.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 Overview: – 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. Nonetheless, it requires trekking poles or a separate pole system for setup and doesn’t supply the identical stormworthiness in excessive climate.