The Kuiu Mountain Star 2-Person Tent is a purpose-built shelter designed for backcountry hunters and minimalist backpackers who need lightweight gear that performs in harsh conditions. Kuiu, known for its ultralight hunting apparel and equipment, brings that same ethos to its tent design—delivering a shelter that’s fast to pitch, storm-resistant, and impressively light.
Design and Construction
The Mountain Star 2P features a double-wall design with a freestanding exoskeleton pole system, allowing the rainfly and tent body to remain connected during setup. This is a major advantage in wet or windy conditions, as it prevents the inner tent from getting soaked during pitching.
Key materials include:
- Rainfly: 15D Silicone/PU Coated Micro Ripstop Nylon (1200mm waterproof rating)
- Tent body: 15D mesh nylon
- Floor: 20D Silicone/PU Coated Micro Ripstop Nylon (bathtub-style)
- Poles: Easton Carbon Fiber (3 lbs 3.3 oz) or DAC Aluminum NSL (3 lbs 4.6 oz)
The tent includes two vestibules, two doors, and four internal storage pockets, offering solid liveability and gear organisation. The asymmetric floor shape provides extra shoulder room, and the peak height of 38 inches allows most users to sit up comfortably.
Setup and Usability
Setup is intuitive and fast, thanks to:
- Color-coded pole sleeves and webbing
- External pole architecture
- Integrated rainfly and tent body
The tent pitches in under 5 minutes, even in low light or adverse weather. The exoskeleton design means the poles attach to the outside of the fly, eliminating the need to drape a separate fly over the tent body—a common pain point in traditional designs.
The tent includes 10 guy lines and stake tensioners, which improve stability on rocky terrain and allow fine-tuning of pitch tension.
Weather Protection and Ventilation
Rated as a 3+ season tent, the Mountain Star is built to handle shoulder-season storms, alpine wind, and heavy rain. Its bathtub floor, fully taped seams, and 1200mm waterproof coatings keep moisture out, while the dual vents and mesh body promote airflow to reduce condensation.
Field tests confirm:
- Excellent wind resistance due to the truss pole design
- Effective rain protection with awning-style vestibules
- Minimal condensation buildup, even in damp conditions
The vents can be opened from inside the tent, and the mesh door allows partial opening for airflow while keeping rain out.
Interior Space and Liveability
The tent offers 29.5 sq. ft. of floor space, tapering from 54.5″ at the head to 44.5″ at the foot. While cozy for two adults, it’s spacious enough for side-by-side sleeping and gear storage in the vestibules.
Interior highlights:
- Two vestibules (8.75 sq. ft. each) for gear storage and cooking
- Four internal pockets for organizing essentials
- Ceiling cord system for hanging lights or drying gear
The tent’s low profile enhances wind resistance but limits standing room. Still, the layout is efficient and comfortable for multi-day use.
Weight and Packability
The Mountain Star is impressively light for a double-wall, freestanding tent:
- Minimum weight (carbon poles): 3 lbs 3.3 oz
- Minimum weight (aluminum poles): 3 lbs 4.6 oz
- Packaged weight: 3 lbs 7.2 oz
- Packed size: 18.5″ x 5″
This makes it suitable for ultralight backpacking, backcountry hunting, and fastpacking missions where weight savings are critical.
Durability and Long-Term Use
Despite its ultralight build, the Mountain Star is built to last. The ripstop nylon fabrics, reinforced pole sleeves, and robust stake system ensure resilience in tough conditions.
Durability features:
- High tear strength in fly and floor materials
- Fully taped seams for long-term waterproofing
- Replaceable poles and stakes
- Optional footprint for added floor protection
Users report multi-season reliability with proper care, including use in alpine storms and desert wind events.
Comparison Chart: Kuiu Mountain Star vs Leading 2P Tents
| Feature | Kuiu Mountain Star 2P | MSR Hubba Hubba 2P | Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 | Hilleberg Nallo 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (min) | 3 lbs 3.3 oz (carbon) | 2 lbs 14 oz | 2 lbs 11 oz | 4 lbs 10 oz |
| Season Rating | 3+ Season | 3 Season | 3 Season | 4 Season |
| Floor Area | 29.5 sq. ft. | 29 sq. ft. | 29 sq. ft. | 30.1 sq. ft. |
| Peak Height | 38″ | 39″ | 40″ | 39″ |
| Doors / Vestibules | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 | 1 / 1 |
| Setup Type | Exoskeleton, fast pitch | Hub pole, inner-first | Hub pole, inner-first | Tunnel, outer-first |
| Waterproof Rating | 1200mm fly & floor | 1200mm fly & floor | 1200mm fly & floor | 5000mm fly & floor |
| Best Use | Hunting, alpine backpacking | General backpacking | Lightweight trekking | Harsh weather expeditions |
| Price Range (UK) | £450–£500 | £350–£400 | £400–£450 | £700–£800 |
Value and Pricing
The Mountain Star retails around £459, with occasional discounts from Kuiu or specialist retailers. While pricier than mainstream backpacking tents, it offers:
- Superior weather protection
- Faster setup in adverse conditions
- Custom pole options (carbon or aluminum)
- Durability suited for hunting and alpine use
For users who prioritize performance over price, especially in remote or exposed environments, the Mountain Star delivers excellent value.
Final Verdict
The Kuiu Mountain Star 2-Person Tent is a standout choice for ultralight adventurers who need a shelter that’s fast to pitch, storm-ready, and built to last. Its exoskeleton pole system, integrated rainfly, and thoughtful design make it ideal for backcountry hunters, alpine trekkers, and minimalist campers tackling unpredictable terrain.
While not the roomiest or cheapest option, it excels in setup speed, weather resistance, and weight savings—making it a top-tier tent for serious missions.
