Howling Moon Solar vs Naturnest Polaris 2
The Howling Moon Solar and the Naturnest Polaris 2 are both hardshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Howling Moon and Naturnest take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Howling Moon Solar brings 60 kg, 3.36 m² of floor, 140 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Naturnest Polaris 2 counters with 84 kg, 2.77 m² of floor, 150 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
The Solar is 24 kg lighter at 60 kg against 84 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Inside, the Solar gives 3.36 m² of sleeping floor against 2.77 m², about 21 percent more, though both are rated for 2. The Polaris 2 lists about 15% lower than the Solar.
Canvas differs too: 370gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated against high-density Oxford plaid; mildew-proof antibacterial polyester inner; YKK zippers. Closed, the Polaris 2 sits 9 cm lower on the roof — 18 cm against 27 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Howling Moon
Solar
The Solar is a clamshell hardshell tent with a hard lid and gas-assisted struts, an openable roof window for stargazing and an 85 mm high-density foam mattress. Roof-bar mounting points allow fitting a solar panel or other accessories, and it has insect-screened windows and doors with a ventilated flysheet layer.
- Openable roof window for stargazing
- Roof-bar mounts for a solar panel or accessories
- Published open dimensions and interior height
- Two different weights (60 kg and ~70 kg) appear in the listing
Naturnest
Polaris 2
The Polaris 2 is an all-aluminium clamshell tent rated for two, with a published open size of 210 x 132 x 150 cm folding to 210 x 132 x 18 cm and a weight of 84 kg (185 lbs). It uses a 5 cm mattress with condensation pad, a high-density Oxford-plaid canopy with YKK zippers, a skylight, a 50 A/12 V Anderson power interface with USB, and air-conditioning/heating ports.
- Publishes full dimensions and weight, unlike several siblings
- Skylight plus a 50 A Anderson interface with USB
- Air-conditioning/heating ports
- Product weight of 84 kg requires a capable roof platform
Which one to pick
Take the Solar if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Solar if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Beyond that the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex, cargo rails — are where the remaining difference lies.
Every specification, side by side
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,710— worst of the tents compared | $1,459— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 132 lb— best of the tents compared | 185 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 5 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 10.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 7.1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 11 in | 6 ft 11 in |
| Sleeping width | 5 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 29.8 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 3.3 in— best of the tents compared | 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | ~60 secest. |
| Shell material | — | Aluminium alloy with die-cast corners |
| Fabric | 370gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated | High-density Oxford plaid; mildew-proof antibacterial polyester inner; YKK zippers |
| Warranty | — | 1year |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | Yes |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | Yes | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Howling Moon product page | Naturnest product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Howling Moon Solar and the Naturnest Polaris 2.