Kuiu Mountain Star 2p tent Reviews?

[mtnclimber]

Anyone out there use the new revised Kuiu mountain star 2p tent?

Im a hilleberg guy all the way, but 3lbs 4oz for a freestanding double wall 2 person tent has REALLY caught my eye. Ive seen a lot of pictures floating around out there of people using them, so hoping to hear some feedback from somebody somewhere.

 

[idig4au]

I used one up in the NWT and it stood the test with heavy rain and wind. No leaks and stable. No issues with condensation. Quick to set up. It would tight for two people if they are of any size. But its a nice palace for a single person. I would use again. One concern I would have would be durability as the floor was showing some good abrasion.

 

[Lindley]

I am interested in the same thing as the original poster. I recently ordered two Big Agnes tents and expect them to be here next week for a side-by-side comparison. But I am interested in a comparison with the KUIU Mountain Star 2p as well.


Tents I ordered:

Copper Creek Spur UL2 (newest model with orange zipper around door)
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/copperspurul2

Fly Creek UL2
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/FlyCreekUL2

I made my choice based partly on these reviews:

(General tent review)
http://backcountrygeareview.com/2015/03/23/backpacking-tent-review/

(Specific Copper Spur UL2 review)
http://backcountrygeareview.com/2015/04/16/big-agnes-copper-spur-ul2/

The fly Creek tent looks great, but several of the reviews comment on condensation and ventilation issues. Otherwise, also looks like a great tent. There are other ultralight tents out there, but I want a freestanding tent that does not rely on trekking poles.

(Fly Creek UL2 review)
https://backcountrygearreview.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/tentsheet-2p-r21.png

Got a good deal with 20% off and free shipping here:
https://www.backcountryedge.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=big+agnes

 

[jm1607]

If you're interested in the Kuiu you should check out the Big Sky version.. It's lighter, cheaper, made in the USA, doesn't have any known problems, and was the original design blatantly copied by Kuiu..

If you need a 4 season tent I would stick to Hilleberg, they are about as proven as possible and have new options coming out pretty soon too..

 

[mtnclimber]

One concern I would have would be durability as the floor was showing some good abrasion.

Thats a concern i have as well. Im a huge fan of the hilleberg floors and they have proven to be bomber.

I just really like the design of this tent and the weight. But i am concerned about the materials used. Doesn't seem like it would be as nice or durable as the hilleberg.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Thats a concern i have as well. Im a huge fan of the hilleberg floors and they have proven to be bomber.

I just really like the design of this tent and the weight. But i am concerned about the materials used. Doesn't seem like it would be as nice or durable as the hilleberg.

I'd also consider it's PU coated, so not only is the fly material incredibly weak compared with a straight siliconized nylon, that coating will break down. I've had good luck with some, bad with others, even high end brands. No concern at all with a Hilleberg fly doing that.

 

[troutdreamer]

If you're interested in the Kuiu you should check out the Big Sky version.. It's lighter, cheaper, made in the USA, doesn't have any known problems, and was the original design blatantly copied by Kuiu

Is it really made in the USA?

 

[troutdreamer]

Two websites. USA and China.

 

[Lindley]

Where are Big Sky's products made?
> Most of our tents are made with products from South Korea/China… tents made with Big Sky's Let-it-Por™ is fabric made for us by Cubic, which is a product of USA.

As a side note, our tents used to be products of USA, but the quality of materials continued to decline so we were forced to find a higher quality supplier so our sourcing decision was made to improve our product’s quality… our costs increased 10-20% by using South Korea, but we feel quality is more important than country of origin.


http://www.bigskyinternational.com/faq.htm

 

[troutdreamer]

Thanks

 

[snowcamoman]

The link on BigSky's webpage for information on the fabrics does not seem to work. If they see this, could you fix that link please, I'd like to read about your different fabrics? Thanks.

http://www.bigskyinternational.com/products/Big-Sky-fabric-comparision-table.pdf

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I can see the attraction, half the weight and half the price of a Hilleberg but then, it's only a 3 season tent. You get whatcha pay for and if I were up high, exposed to nature's worst I think I would count my pennies on something other than the shelter that determines whether I live or die. I recently hunted the Rockies and when the jetstream dropped I became very aware of the power Mother Nature can sling in an instant. The wind sounded literally like a freight train. I wonder about the durability of the waterproofing too...guess I'll wait and see what the purchasers discover in the coming year. Hopefully Kuiu learned from their past mistakes on tent construction.

 

[COlineman78]

The link on BigSky's webpage for information on the fabrics does not seem to work. If they see this, could you fix that link please, I'd like to read about your different fabrics? Thanks.

http://www.bigskyinternational.com/products/Big-Sky-fabric-comparision-table.pdf

Looks like the PDF version no longer works.

http://www.bigskyinternational.com/products/big-sky-fabric-comparison-table.htm

To clarify, the Kuiu version is a ripoff of the Big Sky tent and the Big Sky owner has been on here to clearly state that they DO NOT make nor have any affiliation with the Kuiu tents, but in appearance they are obviously modeled after the Big Sky Wisp and Revolution 2p. Big Sky has a lot more pole and fabric options so no reason not to go with them (warning: I have read about long waits, so I'd call if this worries you).

 

[russ_outdoors]

I can see the attraction, half the weight and half the price of a Hilleberg but then, it's only a 3 season tent. You get whatcha pay for and if I were up high, exposed to nature's worst I think I would count my pennies on something other than the shelter that determines whether I live or die.

+1. I spent a few nights at 13k in Colorado one year. In a one 12 hour period I saw rain, hail and snow with winds you had to lean into to stay upright. I was very glad to have my expensive and somewhat heavy Akto.

 

[geebee]

Would you consider this an accurate test of wind durability?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hEX5R761Xc

+1. I spent a few nights at 13k in Colorado one year. In a one 12 hour period I saw rain, hail and snow with winds you had to lean into to stay upright. I was very glad to have my expensive and somewhat heavy Akto.

 

[Big Nasty]

Any Recent reviews on the Mountain Star 2p???looking at this or the Msr hubba hubba. Want something light but fairly solid.

 

[Snakeriver338]

I have been using the kuiu mountain star 2p for two years. I think its a great tent. No complaints.

 

[Sverimerica]

But it CANNOT be as good as my megatarp....

Skickat från min G8142 via Tapatalk

 

[JP100]

Anyone out there use the new revised Kuiu mountain star 2p tent?

Im a hilleberg guy all the way, but 3lbs 4oz for a freestanding double wall 2 person tent has REALLY caught my eye. Ive seen a lot of pictures floating around out there of people using them, so hoping to hear some feedback from somebody somewhere.

I had the first Gen one, which I believe all leaked, and got a new one on warranty.
We had two of these newer gen ones.
My guide was using one this season and had issues with water coming through the floor, then poles collapsed under high wind. I still have a 3 season one and have not broke it yet. been in a little bit of weather but noting bad yet.
We have since replaced the broken one with the 4 season model but yet to test it.

Have seen alot of the MSR hubba hubbas do the same thing under high wind.

Both are a very similar design, light and easy set up. not super durable and will not handle high winds(especially cross winds).

Pros are: very easy set up,good space, ventilation is pretty good. Double vestibules is great as is double doors and great weight.

Cons: thin floor would be easy to rip, does not handle high winds, single zips on doors is a bit annoying on the newer models.

for tents you have cheap,light,strong. you can only choose two.....

All depends on your usage.

 

[GraveyardNRSE]

KUIU needs to stop making packs and shelters. They need to stick to clothing and that's it. The only two shelters people should use is Hilleberg or Kifaru.