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KUIU Storm Star 2-Person Tent Review

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Bottom Line

The KUIU Storm Star 2-Person Tent is impressive—truly a standout in our testing. Based on our research, we expected a solid tent, but it exceeded our expectations. This is one of the most storm-worthy tents we tested. The term “bomb-proof” gets thrown around a lot in gear reviews, but in this case, it’s well-earned. This tent shrugged off intense early winter winds in the Gore Range and kept us dry through heavy snow.

While KUIU may not be a household name outside the backcountry hunting community, it could change with products like the Storm Star. From the moment you unpack it, the quality is undeniable. The materials are thick and durable, the stitching is precise, and every detail is designed for rugged conditions. It comfortably fits two people, though gear storage will require the use of one of the dual vestibules. For solo adventurers, it’s downright luxurious. Interior storage is well thought out, with numerous mesh pockets and an overhead gear line. Plus, KUIU includes ten pre-attached guylines and (surprisingly) enough stakes to fully guy-out the tent—something no other tent in our testing offered.

However, it’s not without flaws. The tent isn’t very versatile, getting stuffy in warmer weather. While the setup isn’t overly complicated, there’s a learning curve for the first pitch. It can’t be pitched without the fly, and while the door tiebacks aren’t a dealbreaker, they’re frustratingly hard to use, especially with gloves.For other options, check out our guide to the best four-season tents for detailed reviews and expert picks.

How We Tested

We tested the KUIU Storm Star 2-Person Tent over three months in Colorado’s mountains, putting it through high winds, heavy snowfall, and freezing temperatures. Our testing included multi-night trips at exposed sub-alpine campsites and sheltered forest locations in the Arapaho National Forest, assessing its stormworthiness, durability, and livability in real-world backcountry conditions.

Quick Specs

KUIU Storm Star 2

Best Wind-Resistant Tent


CleverHiker Rating:

4.8


Price:

$600


Weight:

5 lb. 14 oz.


Dimensions (LxWxH):

86 X 195 X 45 in


Square Footage:

29.5 sf

Pros

  • Very durable
  • Storm worthy
  • Dual vestibules
  • Two doors
  • Plenty of interior storage
  • Comes with enough stakes to fully guy-out tent

Cons

  • Not for warm weather
  • More complicated setup
  • Unable to pitch without the fly
  • Door tie-backs are poorly designed

The CleverHiker Editor's Pick Badge Logo with a tent picture in the middle

comfort

The KUIU Storm Star is about as comfortable as the average four-season tent, if not slightly more so. Like many backcountry-style tents, the size designations (1- or 2-person) are a bit optimistic. While two campers can fit in this tent—we did for several nights—it’s close quarters, so it helps if you get along well with your tentmate. Solo use offers significantly more comfort, with plenty of space for you and all your bulky winter gear. With two people, you’ll need to stash your gear in the two vestibules.

Our testers found the tent comfortable for users up to about 6’2″. Taller campers may need to sleep diagonally for a cozy night’s sleep. At that height, it’s easy to sit up fully and get dressed without hunching. Ventilation is decent with the doors open, but when fully closed in bad weather, the tent can get stuffy—though it also stays pleasantly warm.

Inside view of the KUIU Storm Star 2P tent showing two sleeping bags and the open vestibule with a scenic outdoor background.
Cozy interiors with a view – the KUIU Storm Star 2P offers ample space and excellent ventilation, keeping you comfortable in rough weather. – Photo Credit: Ben Dawson (Cleverhiker.com)

Weight & Packed Size

The Storm Star 2 sits on the heavier side compared to other tents we tested. But at just under six pounds, it’s still manageable for a four-season shelter built for harsh conditions. You can shave some weight by removing the ten pre-attached guylines and ditching the extra ten stakes, though you’ll lose some stormproofing in the process. Splitting the load between two people helps, but detaching and reattaching the inner tent in the field can be more hassle than it’s worth—especially in bad weather.

When packed, the Storm Star 2 is roughly the size of a standard “Z” folding foam mat. For such a robustly built tent, it packs down well, fitting easily into a winter pack without taking up too much space. While it’s not the lightest or most compact tent out there, it’s light and small enough for backcountry adventures where durability and weather resistance take priority over saving a few ounces.

A packed KUIU Storm Star 2 tent bag next to an orange NEMO Switchback sleeping pad and a green backpack, ready for transport on the ground.
The Storm Star 2 packs down well considering it’s overall strength. – Photo Credit: Ben Dawson (Cleverhiker.com)

Weather Resistance

It’s hard to find a more storm-worthy tent anywhere near the price of the KUIU Storm Star. With years of experience testing top-tier tents, we were genuinely impressed by this tent’s ability to match the performance of models that cost well over a thousand dollars.

During a particularly windy week in Colorado’s White River National Forest, we pitched the Storm Star in a highly exposed location at about 10,000 feet in the Gore Range, where it withstood sustained winds of 40–60 mph for nearly 24 hours.  Thanks to the ten pre-attached guylines, the tent remained rock-solid. We’re not alone in this experience—plenty of online reviews echo its exceptional wind resistance and stormproof design.

While Colorado’s late-fall and winter seasons don’t bring much rain, we usually see quite a bit of snow. This season, snowfall has been sparse, but we tested the Storm Star during a few smaller snowstorms. The dome-style design effectively shed snow and easily resisted high winds.

The tent’s thick stitching and rugged construction inspire serious confidence. Even in strong winds, flapping is minimal, keeping noise levels surprisingly low.

Front view of the KUIU Storm Star 2 tent, featuring its red and black color scheme and taut guylines on a forest floor.
The Storm Star pitches tight and features 10 pre-attached guylies. – Photo Credit: Ben Dawson (Cleverhiker.com)

Ease of Setup

When we test a new tent, we like to pitch it for the first time completely blind—no instructions, just to see how intuitive it is. For the KUIU Storm Star, we gave it a shot, and, well… it didn’t take long before we caved and reached for the directions. While not overly complicated, this tent is less intuitive than many others we’ve tested recently.

The trickiest part is figuring out that the poles slide into dead-end pole sleeves that are color-coded to match the corresponding tabs on the tent. There are three poles that create the dome structure, and while the color tabs are helpful, they’re small and not immediately apparent.

That said, setup is made quicker by the fact that this is a double-wall tent with the fly pre-attached to the inner tent. This feature allows you to pitch the entire tent in one go, which is a big plus, especially in bad weather.

Attaching the clips to the tightly pitched tent body requires a bit of muscle, but that tightness is what gives this tent its impressive stormworthiness. Once you’ve set it up a couple of times, it becomes much easier—but the initial learning curve is worth keeping in mind.

Close-up of a reinforced corner of the tent, showing durable stitching, a pole sleeve, and red fabric secured to the ground.
The color coded tabs on the dead-end pole sleeves help with setup. – Photo Credit: Ben Dawson (Cleverhiker.com)

Durability

This is hands down the most durable tent in our lineup, and honestly, it’s not even close. From the fabrics to the zippers, every part of this tent screams rock-solid reliability. Sure, we can throw out specs like the 30D Sil/PU coated double ripstop nylon rainfly with a 3000mm waterproof rating, the 40D Sil/PU coated ripstop nylon bathtub floor with a 5000mm waterproof rating, and the 30D ripstop nylon tent body treated with a DWR finish. It’s all impressive on paper—if you’re into that sort of thing.

But let’s be real: most people care more about how it holds up in the wild than the numbers. And in our experience, this tent is as close to bomb-proof as you’ll get (yes, we know that phrase is overused, but it fits here).

The KUIU Storm Star was built with the harshest conditions in mind, and it shows. From the first time we pitched it, it felt like a shelter we could trust in the backcountry, no matter what Mother Nature threw our way. If you’re looking for durability, this tent is in a league of its own.

Detailed view of the KUIU Storm Star 2 tent’s ram logo and crisscrossed poles, highlighting its robust and stylish design.
The pre-attached, high-quality guylines enhance stability and make this one of the top-performing tents in high winds during our testing. – Photo Credit: Ben Dawson (Cleverhiker.com)

Versatility

We’d love to say this tent is a true all-season champ, but honestly, it’s not. Like many four-season tents, the KUIU Storm Star is designed with winter in mind. It might get you through shoulder season in cooler conditions, but it’s far from ideal for warmer weather.

During December testing in the foothills outside Golden, Colorado, we experienced a few unseasonably warm days reaching 60°F, and the tent got stuffy, fast—even with both doors and vestibules wide open. To be fair, the wind wasn’t blowing directly through the doors, but the ventilation just isn’t enough to keep things comfortable in warmer temperatures.

This tent shines in cold, snowy, or windy conditions where its burly build and storm-proof features truly excel. But when it comes to versatility, it’s best to think of it as a winter specialist rather than a year-round option. For warmer weather adventures, we’d suggest looking elsewhere.

The KUIU Storm Star 2P tent set up in a forested campsite with a campfire ring nearby.
the KUIU Storm Star 2P blends functionality with rugged aesthetics, perfect for remote backcountry camps. – Photo Credit: Ben Dawson (Cleverhiker.com)

Should You Buy the KUIU Storm Star 2?

The KUIU Storm Star 2-Person Tent is a standout choice for adventurers seeking an exceptionally durable and storm-worthy winter shelter. Designed with backcountry hunting and rugged conditions in mind, it excels in harsh environments, easily handling high winds, heavy snow, and freezing temperatures. With its rugged materials, meticulous design, and extensive guy-out points, this is one of the toughest tents we’ve tested, providing dependable protection in sub-alpine, alpine, and both below- and above-treeline conditions.

That said, this tent is not for everyone. It’s too heavy and overbuilt for warm-weather backpacking or lightweight pursuits, and its ventilation struggles in higher temperatures, making it less versatile for true four-season use. The setup has a learning curve, but its durability and weather resistance make up for the initial adjustment period.

The Storm Star 2 offers excellent value and peace of mind for winter campers, hunters, ski tourers, or anyone who regularly encounters extreme conditions.

Interior view of the KUIU Storm Star 2 tent illuminated by red light, showcasing the ceiling's unique panel structure with storage pockets and the KUIU logo.
The interior comes with built in line to hang gear. – Photo Credit: Ben Dawson (Cleverhiker.com)

What Other Four-Season Tents Should You Consider?

If you’re considering the KUIU Storm Star 2, there are a few other great four-season tents to check out. Each one brings something unique to the table depending on what you’re after:

SlingFin CrossBow 2 Review: – The CrossBow 2 is a strong competitor for those prioritizing weather resistance and stability. Its WebTruss design offers superior performance in high winds and snow, making it a standout for extreme alpine conditions. It’s heavier than the Storm Star 2 but has great durability and versatility, especially for prolonged expeditions.

MSR Access 2 Review: Lighter and more compact than the Storm Star 2, the Access 2 is perfect for backcountry skiers and winter backpackers seeking a streamlined shelter. It offers reliable weather protection in moderate snow and wind but isn’t as rugged as the Storm Star 2.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 Review: – For ultralight enthusiasts, the Ultamid 2 is a compelling option. It’s a pyramid-style shelter with exceptional weight savings and a spacious interior. However, it requires trekking poles or a separate pole system for setup and doesn’t offer the same stormworthiness in extreme weather.

Side view of the KUIU Storm Star 2P tent with the vestibule open, showing gear and sleeping bags inside.
The spacious vestibule of the KUIU Storm Star 2P provides extra storage for gear, keeping the interior clutter-free. – Photo Credit: Ben Dawson (Cleverhiker.com)

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