Testing an $80 Tent: Clostnature Polaris 2 Review

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a cheap tent, the Clostnature Polaris 2-person tent is your best bet. Easy to pitch, roomy, and nice features, and half the cost of the next cheapest option on our list – this is a great budget tent to have on hand.

The simple X-pole design and clip system allows for a quick setup; it is easily pitched in under five minutes and has a roomy floor plan, ample interior storage, and plenty of outdoor vestibule space for shoes and wet gear. 

The thick 210T polyester floor has double reinforced corners for added durability, plus factory-taped bathtub seams for when it rains. The fly also has a deployable shade awning for those hot sunny days at shadeless campsites.

However, you will need to make sure to bring extra guy lines and poles to pitch the awning. This tent was thouroghly tested on the sun-soaked trails of Topanga State Park, acting as a perfect respite for when it was time to make camp and take a break from the unrelenting heat and sun.

Outfitted for rain or shine, this is a reliable shelter for those looking for a no-frills tent that does its intended job with ease.

Be sure to check out our best budget tents to compare it to our other recommendations.

Comfort

The Clostnature Polaris is a reliable and spacious two person shelter for campers looking to comfortably relax at camp in the shade after a long day. Boasting a generous 35 sq ft. floor plan, over 3.5 feet of headroom, and a deployable shade awning, it is suitable for staying comfortable in a variety of outdoor settings.

With large dual D-doors that roll back to the poles and two usable vestibules for added gear storage, this tent easily has enough room for two. Folks 6’ or under will appreciate the 86 inch floor length, which easily accommodates an air mat; our gear analyst still had 5” at the head and toe, plus about 27” of spare width space for gear and room to move around freely. The Clostnature Polaris has a surprising amount of interior space at a very affordable price.

Weather Resistance

With one of the higher peak heights in our lineup, the Polaris still comes equipped with plenty of features to help mitigate the wind and any rain you might encounter.

Camping in an exposed, sun-drenched location proved to be no issue during our trip. With four extra guy line pull-outs on the fly, plus one lower pull-out on each of the head and toe panels, the tent had no problem handling the midday Santa Ana winds known to California’s coastal mountains. However, the shade awning does start to flap and make noise in stronger wind gusts.

When water-testing the fly, we noticed seepage on the inner zipper. After one minute of exposure to moisture, there were signs of seepage visible on the inner zipper from the inside of the tent. In the event of prolonged rainfall, especially if windy, this could be a precursor to a larger problem.

Durability

One notable attribute of the Polaris 2 is the thickness of its materials. Despite its relatively low price, the fabric comprising this tent is suprisingly tough. The thick 210T polyester floor material is certainly capable of withstanding rougher campsites as well as furry companions. 

Choosing to get the footprint would only add to the already robust floor fabric. The interior of this tent might be mostly mesh, but the catenary-cut bathtub has double reinforced dual-layered corners and factory-sealed seams for added durability, wet weather resilience, and long-lasting floor strength.

The dual poles are very flexible and easily bend way beyond the curve needed to fit the opposing corner grommets – we had no fear of snapping or accidentally cracking the aluminium casing in the segments. The corresponding clip system for the poles is equally robust, with each clip attached to a webbing loop for added strength when under high stress.

Portability

While the Polaris 2 is much more suitable for car camping and the frontcountry, we still wanted to take it backpacking to see if it was feasible to use as a crossover tent.  We do like how the Polaris comes with an adjustable clip strap for minimum trail mode to hold the necessary components together in a backpack. 

After testing this tent out on the trail and hiking with it for 3-4 miles to our campsite, we can confirm that it is not suitable for longer distances. Even though the poles are very compact at 13 inches when folded up, a total tent weight of 5 pounds and 5 ounces is just too heavy to justify carrying for longer treks. Even if you were splitting the weight with a partner, there are lighter tents that would perform better.

Ease of Use

Another worthwhile attribute of the Polaris is its fast setup due to the symmetrical X-pole design and quick clip system. After setting the poles in the four corner grommets, you just have to clip the poles to the inner mesh, secure the top attachment, and then you’re good to go.

Even the rainfly attachment is simple because it’s non-directional. After it is properly positioned, it just needs to be clipped into the adjustable corner buckles. This is a very easy and intuitive setup for both first-time users and experienced campers alike. 

After testing it out, we’d say that the most difficult aspect about this tent, if at all, is getting a taut and stable pitch on the shade awning. It works best with trekking poles, but it can certainly be done with alternative poles, sticks, or even other anchor points if you have enough length of guy line. Overall, the setup and breakdown of this tent is effortless, even on the first pitch attempt.

Should You Buy the Clostnature Polaris 2?

If you’re an avid weekend car camper or just in need of an inexpensive two-person tent to keep packed in your vehicle, then it might be worth considering the Clostanture Polaris 2. It is a simple-to-use dome-style tent with all the right features for casual outdoor adventures. 

As inexpensive as this tent is – the least expensive in the whole category – it does have features that many others did not. These features include the double reinforced corners and the shade awning. It also has the second largest interior square footage out of all the other tents in this lineup. 

However, if you’re a backpacker or someone searching for a lighter option, this tent might not be for you with its 5 lb. 5 oz. packaged weight. Splitting it with a partner for a short backcountry jaunt is possible, but taking it to your favorite frontcountry site might be more befitting of a tent like this.

What Other Budget Tents Should You Consider?

Kelty Late Start 2 Review: The Kelty Late Start 2 is a similar tent in terms of weight, dome-style structure, and a super-fast setup. It features a pre-bent X-pole design with unique quick-corner pole pockets instead of clips. However, it’s a bit smaller than the Clostnature Polaris and only has one door and vestibule.

REI Trail Hut 2 Review: Akin to the Polaris 2’s dome structure, X-pole setup, dual doors and vestibules is REI’s well known Trail Hut model. Despite a heftier price tag and smaller width and peak height, the Trail Hut makes up for it with superior ventilation and stargazing options when the fly is on and has a ridge pole for increased headroom. 

REI Half Dome SL2+ Review: Another option to consider when looking for a dome-style tent with ample interior space and more vertical sidewalls is the popular REI Half Dome SL2+ model. It has a longer length, hubbed pole structure, and a slighter lighter packaged weight. Unlike the Polaris though, the Half Dome is on the higher end of the price spectrum.