With UV protection of 50+ and 4000mm of water resistance, this tent will keep you safe and comfortable in hot summers and stormy autumns alike. Design, Material, & Performance The Mongar, Cloud Up and Star River all use a similar pole structure. However, the Mongar’s symmetrical design means it is the roomiest tent.

The tent boasts two side doors, and the entrances of the fly can either be fully opened or half-opened with toggles provided for holding all door panels (inner and fly) open. Inevitably one half of each fly opening will need pegging down to maintain the tent's shape when closed, but the fact that both sides can be left fully open during the day is a bonus in terms of access and ventilation. Speaking of - there is a vent at each of the tent as well. Once closed, the outer doors form two vestibules for gear storage, though (and this isn't uncommon) the footprint doesn't extend into these areas, so in wet weather your gear will still be sat on the bare ground. If used as a one-person tent however - and given the weight of the tent that's more than viable - there is ample room to get your gear inside with you. Internal storage is provided by two small pouches at either end, strategically placed in the centre to keep them out of the way of hiker’s heads and feet. There is also a removable mesh “attic”. 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 SeamsSleeping Bags When it comes to wild camping, a good sleeping bag is essential. With Wood To Water’s selection, you can find the perfect sleeping bag to keep you warm and dry, no matter where you are. Read More Cool Bags Our range of the best cool boxes and cool bags are heavy-duty boxes that are capable of keeping your food fresh for days! Our camping cool boxes and bags come in various sizes to accommodate any of your camping needs. Whether for camping trips, days out, or even keeping food stored at home – we have the perfect solution for you! Read More As always, the first thing I did when my Mongar 2 arrived was get it on the weighing scales. Naturehike advertise its weight at 2.2kg all-in, including the supplied footprint (yes, the footprint comes included - other manufacturer's take note!). My scales said 2.157kg, so we were off to a good start. The rainfly is coated only to 2000mm, which is half the water-resistance of the Taga 2. The Vik 1 is lighter than the Taga 2, though, and is a much better option for a solo camper. You don’t have to worry about the Mongar 2 leaking, as it has been treated with a silicone coating that resists 4000mm of water. If that doesn’t mean anything to you, 4000mm is a decent waterproof rating that will keep you dry in nasty rainfall.

You can get an upgraded version with a second vent, which I highly recommend you do. It will be worth it in the long run because you won’t end up having to buy a better-ventilated tent as you progress in your camping journey. The Star River sits somewhere in between the two. So, if it’s inner space you want, then the Mongar is probably the one for you. The center height is tall enough to sit up comfortably, and there are two separate vestibules for you to store your kit, giving you even more room in your sleeping compartment.

Entrances and vestibules

If you want even more storage/vestibule space, Naturehike designed this super-cool porch extension for the Mongar, it adds a large space where you’ll be able to cook your camping meal without getting wet on a rainy evening, have a look! The centre spreader pole does allow for a lot of flex which causes the vestibules deform in high winds, but it never felt like the structure of the tent was in danger. The tent is secured by four guy ropes – two on either end – and eight other pegs securing the main structure. That said, you have to bear in mind that low-budget gear won’t be the best for extreme conditions, and it’s not reasonable to expect it to perform as well as top-of-the-range expedition gear. The only criticism I have about the Mongar 2 is that it might be too heavy for serious thru-hiking. Then again, this is an affordable entry-level tent, so that can only be expected. Pros & Cons Pros: 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. The Inside

Naturehike frequently claims that its tents are suitable for 4 seasons. I disagree with this and would ask you to treat the products as 3 season tents for your safety. Two adjustable vents provide adequate airflow through the tent rainfly, while the inner cocoon is 100% mesh, very fresh in summer but not the best for chilly weather, The lightweight, mesh inner tent and air vents on the flysheet, work together to provide an airy and well-ventilated space. Even in cold weather, with two bodies inside, I have yet to experience condensation within the tent. Room with a view. Enjoying sunrise in the Kouebokkeveld. (IG: @daniapea) Wet Environment:Wet ground or wet gear stored inside the tent.While no tent design can eliminate condensation, the key to reducing it is ventilation. Cooler, drier air has to flow into your tent and warm, moist air must escape. We have designed a variety of ways to do this.

Ease of pitching

Utility bags and pouches Get super organised on your outdoor adventures with our range of utility bags and pouches! Shop tactical and practical equipment in a range of sizes, styles and colours. Read More For the purposes of this review, the Mongar was tested overnight under a number of different weather conditions and seasons: frigid, high winds, as well as rain, in the Kouebokkeveld, cold but calm spring conditions at Luna Peak summit in the Cederberg, and balmy evenings in the Langeberg and Eastern Cape. In all tested conditions, the Mongar provided a safe haven from the elements, whether it was a light morning dew or icy winds. The sturdy Mongar withheld serious buffeting from high winds in the Kouebokkeveld mountains (IG: @daniapea)