Cloud Up UL 2-Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent vs Plex Solo Tent
Head-to-head tent comparison.
| Cloud Up UL 2-Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent | Plex Solo Tent | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Naturehike | Zpacks |
| Price | $119 - $169 | $599 - $649 |
| Rating | 4.2 | 4.6 |
The Bottom Line
For two-person trips, casual ultralight use, or anyone who values freestanding setup and a repair-friendly build, the Naturehike Cloud Up UL 2 is the smarter, wallet-friendly pick — it sacrifices some headroom and ruggedness for real-world practicality. If you are a solo thru-hiker or fastpacker who will ruthlessly optimize ounces and can tolerate a non-freestanding, single-wall shelter (and the price), the Zpacks Plex Solo is the winner for pure weight, packability, and sit-up comfort. Pick the Cloud Up for budget-conscious two-person capability and easier pitching; pick the Plex Solo for uncompromising solo lightness and maximum headroom per ounce.
Setup & Ease Of Use
The Naturehike Cloud Up UL 2 wins for straightforward, freestanding pitching — its integrated 8.5mm aluminum Y-pole system gets the job done in under four minutes and doesn’t demand perfect ground to stand up. The Zpacks Plex Solo is simple once you know it — one trekking pole and stakes — but it’s non-freestanding so you’ll lose time hunting good stakes and firm ground; on rock, sand, or sketchy sites the Plex can be a pain. If you want instant shelter with fewer site constraints pick the Cloud Up; if you’re comfortable staking and want the lightest single-pole layout take the Plex Solo.
Livability & Comfort
For two people the Naturehike Cloud Up UL 2 wins on floor area — 29.4 sq ft gives you real sleeping-room-to-shoulder-room that the Plex Solo’s 20.6 sq ft can’t match — but the Plex Solo wins for headroom and solo livability with a 52" peak that lets taller hikers sit up comfortably. The Cloud Up’s 41.3" peak and single front door make it noticeably cozier and more of a belly-down, sleep-and-store shelter for two; the Plex Solo is narrower at the ends and requires intentional gear placement, but it feels roomier for one person who wants to sit up and change. Bottom line: couples or two-person trips pick the Cloud Up; solo hikers who want to live in their tent pick the Plex Solo.
Weight & Packability
If absolute ounces matter, the Zpacks Plex Solo wins hands down — at roughly 14 oz for the tent body it shaves off pounds compared with the Naturehike Cloud Up UL 2-Person (about 3.0 lbs). That gap is the difference between carrying a light shelter and carrying a shelter you notice every mile; the Plex Solo also compresses into an itty-bitty tube that barely takes room in a 30–40L fastpack, while the Cloud Up’s longer 15.7" packed length and greater bulk are the trade-off to get two-person capacity. In short: for solo fastpacking go Plex Solo; for two-person backup or budget ultralight that still fits in a 50L pack, the Cloud Up is the pragmatic choice.
Condensation & Ventilation
The Naturehike Cloud Up UL 2 has the advantage on condensation control because its double-wall design and mesh panels give you more options to manage airflow, so in humid conditions it’s easier to keep moisture off your sleeping bag. The Plex Solo, as a single-wall DCF shelter, is lighter but more prone to inner-wall condensation — Zpacks’ storm-door ventilation helps a lot, and the taller peak reduces breath buildup, but you’ll still be juggling venting vs cold. If you frequently camp in damp, cool or humid environments, the Cloud Up reduces night-time condensation headaches; if you accept some condensation tradeoffs for minimal weight, the Plex Solo is still viable but demands active ventilation technique.
Value & Who Should Buy Which
On price the Naturehike Cloud Up UL 2 is the clear value pick — $119–169 gets you a two-person, freestanding ultralight tent that undercuts premium models by a wide margin, which is perfect for budget-minded thru-hikers who still want a real shelter. The Zpacks Plex Solo costs $599–649 and is a premium, niche tool: pay for near-minimal weight, superb packability, and excellent materials if every ounce matters and you’re solo most trips. Buy the Cloud Up if you want two-person capacity, freestanding pitching, and a budget-friendly ultralight setup; buy the Plex Solo if you’re a solo fastpacker or thru-hiker who will carry stakes carefully and wants the lowest possible tent weight.
Failure Modes & Long Term Use
These tents fail differently: the Cloud Up’s integrated aluminum pole hub is convenient but is a single point of failure — a broken pole or hub can make the whole tent unusable — while its lighter 15D fly and seam variability mean you should use the footprint and expect to re-seam over years of hard use. The Plex Solo’s DCF body is resilient for its weight but susceptible to punctures from sharp rocks or rough trees, and because it’s non-freestanding losing stakes or a pole makes it tricky to pitch; on the upside DCF doesn’t sag when wet and holds up exceptionally long if treated carefully. If you want a shelter that tolerates sloppy campsite choices and rough handling pick the Cloud Up; if you’re meticulous about site prep and want long-term lightness pick the Plex Solo.
Weather Protection & Durability
In real-world storms both tents will keep you dry, but they take different approaches: the Plex Solo’s Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) is superb at waterproofing and won’t stretch when wet, giving it elite wet-weather performance for its weight, while the Cloud Up uses a traditional two-wall setup with a 15D fly and 20D floor plus a footprint — a heavier but more repairable system. The Cloud Up’s woven nylon fabrics and included footprint make it more abrasion-forgiving on rough ground and easier to patch in the field, but the thin 15D fly is more puncture-prone; the Plex’s DCF is stronger-for-weight but less tolerant of snags and abrasion. If you want bombproof abuse-tolerance and easier repairs pick the Cloud Up; if you want the best waterproof-to-weight ratio and accept careful site selection pick the Plex Solo.
Read full Cloud Up UL 2-Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent review · Read full Plex Solo Tent review