Naturehike Mongar 2 Review – Amazing Design Or Cheap Knock Off?
It was a Sunday afternoon, when DHL delivered my Naturehike Mongar 2 from Amazon. I heard a lot of buzz about this one on Reddit. I wanted to find out if it is really a flawless backpacking tent or just a cheap knock off of the MSR Hubba Hubba. Read through my unbiased Naturehike Mongar 2 review to find out the pros and cons of the Naturehike Mongar 2 person tent.
Naturehike Mongar 2 Review: The Verdict
I was amazed by the versatility, functionality and overall performance of the Naturehike Mongar 2. It even had some innovative small touches that make life so much easier as a backpacker. This beauty shows that even waterproof tents can be easily transformed for warm weather. Superior waterproofing doesn’t automatically negate breathability.
If you need a great quality two person backpacking tent, you will have a hard time finding a better model than the Naturehike Mongar 2!
Pros and Cons
The Good:
- Quality accessories with great attention to detail.
- 4000 mm HH waterproof rainfly.
- Unique pole system, which reduces set up time significantly.
- Best ventilated tent thanks to the 100% B3 inner mesh wall.
- Huge inner space.
- Extremely lightweight (4.73 lbs).
- Very lightweight ground tarp, that fits the size of the tent.
- One door on each side with a small vestibule.
The Bad:
- The rainfly was little hard to attach.
- Packing away was a little more complicated than with other tents.
- The mesh starts little too close to the ground. I wonder if in extremely hard rain the inside of the tent will remain dry and waterproof.
Who Is The Naturehike Mongar 2 Best For?
The Naturehike Mongar 2 is a little over hundred bucks. I think for this price it is a great investment. If you want a premium quality tent for a fraction of the price, this is the right model for you.
It is no wonder that people regard the Naturehike Mongar 2 as a cheaper version of the MSR Hubba Hubba. In the end the latter tent costs three times as much. Plus I am really impressed with the former after my Naturehike Mongar 2 review.
It is a triumph in beating down the overall weight, while maintaining a huge inner space and premium quality accessories.
The waterproofing of the fly is excellent. With a 4000 mm HH waterproof rating, there is no doubt in my mind that the Naturehike Mongar 2 is flirting even with four season territory.
However the overall quality of the rainfly is superior. I have zero doubts that it will keep you dry and safe, with no water seeping through even during the heaviest downfalls. Made of 20D polyester, and a 4000 mm waterproof rating, it is one of the most waterproof tents when it comes to backpacking tents.
Naturehike Mongar 2 Dimensions
All three Naturehike Mongar 2 models are 82.7″L x 53.2″W x 41.3″H in dimensions. For me this was enough to sleep comfortably and store my gear. It is certainly big enough for 2 people. However I really can’t sleep if somebody touches me – confession time – so I would personally need a bigger tent to sleep together with my girlfriend.
If I can be a little critical, I had to say that I had to crawl out of the door. The tent’s inner height could be bigger. However I was really impressed with the rectangular floor plan and the spacier feeling it gives you inside the tent.
How Waterproof Is The Naturehike Mongar 2 Person Tent?
According to the Naturehike website, the Mongar 2 comes with a polyester rainfly with a 4000 mm waterproof rating. This is really high for a three season backpacking tent. In total this makes it one of the most waterproof ultralight backpacking tents on the market. If you pay premium, you expect premium and the Naturehike Mongar 2 delivers.
When I touched the rainfly I was blown away by how thick yet lightweight it was. I have zero doubts that absolutely no water can get through the fly. This is absolutely necessary as below the whole wall of the tent is entirely mesh. Does this present a risk? Yes, if the fly gets damaged the water will end up straight inside the tent. However the mesh walls have such great ventilation, this small risk is nothing compared to the comfort the tent can provide. If you want to avoid this risk, you might try the Night Cat Pop Up Tent, or the Kazoo Venus. The Featherstone Tent is also a good shout.
Ventilation is also critical to avoiding condensation. This is where the two door design really shines. It is so easy to open the doors even if it is raining. Thanks to the vestibules, the doors are designed with a diagonal angle. If you open the rainfly with the zipper and tape, the rain doesn’t fall inside the tent. On the other hand you will get superior ventilation as the air can freely circulate.
The rainfly is just a little bit above the ground at the two other sides of the tent. This allows the air to circulate constantly. However at the same time if the water gets under the fly, or it starts pooling up on the ground I can easily see a scenario where it gets inside your tent.
All in all I have not seen a better designed, more secure ultralight backpacking tent when it comes to waterproofing. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. However it strikes a perfect balance between ventilation, keeping you dry and keeping the overall weight extra low.
Is It Worth Its Price Tag?
The Naturehike Mongar 2 costs around $140 when ordered from Amazon. In my opinion this model is worth paying the extra dollars for.
There is no denying that it is priced at the higher point in its category. Basically a more pricy model in the mid-range, lower premium category ultralight backpacking tents. You can read about the comparison of other ultralight backpacking tents here.
Why am I happy with the Naurehike Mongar 2 despite its higher price? I put a big emphasis on comfort and ease. For me this model satisfied both of my wishes. I really appreciate the spacious inner room. I love that I don’t have to keep myself small even if I am sleeping together with my girlfriend inside.
Not to mention how great the pole system is. I absolutely love that I didn’t have to push the poles through the wall. Just a few clips and the tent is immediately attached. It makes a world of difference! Setting up the Naturehike Mongar 2 takes significantly less time than with other models.
Recommended Reading: Naturehike Mongar 2 vs Star River 2
The flawless waterproof rating of the rainfly is just icing on the cake. 4000 mm HH is really high for a three season tent. If you choose the Naturehike Mongar 2 you can rest assured even heavy rains will not cause a problem!
If you think the price is too high, you can find great backpacking tents under $100 here.
How fast can you set it up?
Here is where the Naturehike Mongar 2 really shines. Thanks to the unique design of the pole system, the setup time is very short. You know the hardest part, and most time consuming part of any tent setup process is leading the poles through the rainfly. Usually poles come apart while inside the fly, and it is a careful and often frustrating balancing act putting the tent together.
Not with the Naturehike Mongar 2! The poles can be attached to the fly with a very clever process. First you have to set the poles in the ground tarp. After you attach the fly with little double hooks to the poles.
Naturehike Mongar 2 – Design And Features
Now let’s go through the parts of the Naturehike Mongar 2 one by one, and let’s see what I thought of the design.
There are three different versions of Naturehike 2. You can read about the differences here.
The Inside
A small detail that I must mention in my Naturehike Mongar 2 review is the true rectangular floor plan. You would think that this doesn’t matter. However due to the truly rectangular shape your head or legs won’t touch the mesh inner wall while laying down.
Naturehike Mongar 2 Vestibule
This backpacking tent has one spacious inner room with a vestibule on each side. The vestibules are not huge, just enough to store your boots and a backpack. The inner room is surprisingly spacious.
Breathability
The inner wall of the tent is made entirely of mesh. This is a huge plus when it comes to breathability. I have to be honest, the way the mesh walls allow the air to move is something else! This is one of the most breathable backpacking tents I have come across so far.
Having two doors also helps a lot with breathability. By opening them you can circulate the air freely inside. The doors close with zippers and two tapes. They are standing out diagonally from the tent, so even if you open them during rain the water will not fall in.
At the two ends of the tent – without doors – the rainfly doesn’t reach all the way to the ground. This provides constant ventilation. Also it presents a slight risk when it comes to waterproofing. One more reason to lay down the ground tarp before setting up the tent.
Naturehike Mongar 2 Review – Specifications
| Feature | Naturehike Mongar 2 |
|---|---|
| Tent Fly Waterproofness (mm HH) | 4000 |
| Tent Floor Waterproofness (mm HH) | 4000 |
| Tent Fly Material | Rip-stop nylon |
| Inner Tent Material | B3 breathable mesh |
| Frame | Y Frame Structure |
| Pole Material | 7001 aluminum |
| Weight (kg/lbs) | 2.4 kg / 5.3 lbs |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 82.7″L x 53.2″W x 41.3″H |
| Capacity (People) | 1 or 2 |
| Installation Type | Free Standing |
| Best For | Backpacking/Camping |
| Price (January 2024) | $174 |
| Click For Best Price |
The Footprint
The Naturehike Mongar 2 comes with a waterproof ground tarp. It is exactly the size of the tent, protecting the floor from damage or water seeping through on the bottom. I would say if you expect any rain it is crucial you use the tarp under the tent before setting it up. The bottom is really thin and soft, this being a light backpacking tent.
The Stakes
The Naturehike Mongar 2 comes with 16 stakes in total. They are durable, strong. I like the red colour, makes them stick out from the ground. Less risk of falling over the stakes just because you don’t see them. Sometimes black or metallic colour stakes can be easy to trip over.
The Poles
These aluminium poles are simply breathtaking! Normally you expect tents to come with poles you have to assemble into one long piece. However the Naturehike Mongar 2 comes with a complete single pole system. It is called the Y frame pole structure. Honestly, this completely transformed what I think is possible in terms of backpacking tent pole systems. For me the Naturehike 2 signifies the absolute pinnacle of what you can reach.
Why is this pole system a big thing? It reduces the hassle of setting up the tent significantly. You need to attach the mesh inner wall with innovative plastic clips to the poles. It takes literally 30 seconds to have the poles set up and in their perfect position!
The Seams
The seams are perfectly sealed. They are a little thin on the side compared to other tents with a similar price point. On one hand this definitely makes the inside of the tent more aesthetic. However as long as the stitching is untouched and flawless you don’t have to worry about water seeping into the tent.
I spent a long afternoon in the tent and didn’t notice any leaking. I could not write such a positive Naturehike Mongar 2 review if I did! On this front the Naturehike Mongar 2 backpacking tent gets and A for sure!
Weight And Portability
The packaging of the Naturehike Mongar 2 tent was all you would expect, a simple polyester bag. It is a little on the large side. However if you remove some of the stakes and the ground tarp it all becomes smaller and lighter.
I often talk about how useless I am when it comes to packing away tents. I missed a strap across the packaging. There is a band, but it is difficult to attach since you can close it with a tape. I prefer to have a strap, easier to wrap around the baggage when you are struggling to keep everything inside the plastic bag. The first time I packed it away I needed two tries to put it finally inside the bag.
All in all the tent weights 4.73 lbs. This is not big at all, even on the small side. With the extra space you get inside and the great ventilation the extra weight is really worth carrying.
Conclusion
This Naturehike Mongar 2 Review was a true joy to make! The Naturehike Mongar 2 is an excellent backpacking tent with great attention to detail. I was impressed with how fast it was to set up. I definitely recommend it to backpackers who are looking for a combination of lightweight design, large inner space and great waterproofing.
