Cloud Up UL 2-Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent vs REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+
Head-to-head tent comparison.
| Cloud Up UL 2-Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent | REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Naturehike | REI Co-op |
| Price | $119 - $169 | $329 - $349 |
| Rating | 4.2 | 4.5 |
The Bottom Line
If you’re a solo ultralight-obsessed hiker, thru-hiker, or fastpacker on a strict budget and you can tolerate a tighter interior and a single door, buy the Naturehike Cloud Up UL 2-Person — it’s featherlight, packs tiny, and sets up fast. If you and a partner want real livability, stronger materials, dual doors/vestibules, and a tent that will stand up to years of weekend trips and mixed terrain, buy the REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ — it’s heavier, but it will be more comfortable and more durable for the majority of backcountry folks.
Setup & Ease Of Use
Winner: Naturehike Cloud Up UL 2-Person. If speed and simplicity are the metric, the Cloud Up’s integrated Y-pole hub and single-piece aluminum pole lets you pitch in under four minutes and works well on rock or hard ground where stakes are sparse. The Half Dome SL 2+ is also easy — color-coded poles and HubCheck are very user-friendly — but its heavier hubbed poles take more space and assembly time; inexperienced campers will love REI’s forgiving design, while lone hikers who want the fastest possible pitch will prefer the Naturehike.
Weight & Packability
Winner: Naturehike Cloud Up UL 2-Person. The Naturehike Cloud Up UL 2 (about 3.04 lbs) shaves roughly 1.5 pounds and packs down to a slim 5.1"×15.7" cylinder, which you will notice after a few days on the trail — less shoulder fatigue and more room in a 50L pack. The REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ (4 lb 11.5 oz) is appreciably heavier and bulkier with chunkier poles, so it’s better split between two people; if ounces matter (thru-hiking, fastpacking, solo carry) the Cloud Up is the clear pick for weight-conscious users.
Value & Who Should Buy Which
Winner for most buyers: REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+; winner for ultralight bargain hunters: Naturehike Cloud Up UL 2-Person. If you want the best comfort-per-dollar for weekend trips or car-camping the Half Dome SL 2+ (about $329–$349 with footprint) is the smarter long-term investment. If your priority is the lowest possible weight for the price — a budget ultralight for thru-hikes or fastpacking — the Naturehike Cloud Up UL offers a better value-to-weight ratio and undercuts name-brand ultralights by $50–$150.
Livability & Interior Comfort
Winner: REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+. The Half Dome SL 2+ delivers real livability — a wider 90"×54" floor, 42" peak, two doors and two big vestibules mean you and a partner can sit up, access gear independently, and not trip over each other at night. The Naturehike Cloud Up UL 2’s 29.4 sq ft floor, single front door and 41.3" peak is efficient for sleeping but feels cramped for two people who want to eat, change, or get up without disturbing their partner.
Weather Protection & Durability
Winner: REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+. On paper the Cloud Up UL has a high floor hydrostatic rating and comes with a footprint, but its 15D fly and variable seam-sealing reports make it more fragile in rough use; punctures and batch seam issues are the real-world complaints. The Half Dome SL 2+ uses heavier 30D fly and 40D floor fabrics, sturdier hubbed poles, and more substantial vestibules — that thicker cloth and construction gives you more confidence in wet, abrasive, or repeated-season use.
Unique Failure Modes & Long Term Considerations
Winner: REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ for longevity. The Naturehike Cloud Up UL’s single integrated pole is a double-edged sword — fast and light, but if that pole bends or breaks you’ve lost the whole structure and replacement parts or repair options are limited. The Half Dome SL 2+ uses standard hubbed poles with easier replacement/repair, steadier seam/quality control historically, and REI’s customer service/parts ecosystem makes long-term ownership less stressful; note that the SL iteration has been superseded by newer Half Dome models, but parts and community knowledge remain plentiful.
Read full Cloud Up UL 2-Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent review · Read full REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ review