Naturnest Polaris 2 vs Naturnest Polaris Lite
Both of these are Naturnest tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Polaris 2 and the Polaris Lite share Naturnest's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Polaris Lite is 37 kg lighter at 47 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. Floor area is close to identical at 2.77 m² and 2.73 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. List prices are within $100 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
The Polaris 2 uses aluminium alloy with die-cast corners; the Polaris Lite uses PHC aluminium honeycomb shell with aluminium-alloy frame. Canvas differs too: high-density Oxford plaid; mildew-proof antibacterial polyester inner; YKK zippers against waterproof, UV-resistant canvas (Desert Olive); YKK zippers. Closed, the Polaris Lite sits 7.5 cm lower on the roof — 10.5 cm against 18 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
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
Naturnest
Polaris Lite
The Polaris Lite is an aluminium-honeycomb (PHC) clamshell tent rated for two, weighing 47 kg (103.6 lbs) - the lightest of the Naturnest models with a published weight. Its published open size is 210 x 130 x 150 cm, folding to a pack just 10.5 cm tall, and it uses a 6 cm inflatable mattress, an LED ring light, three side entries and multiple mesh windows. Naturnest cites roughly a 30-second setup.
- At 47 kg, the lightest Naturnest model with a published weight
- Packs down to just 10.5 cm tall
- Includes a 6 cm inflatable mattress and an LED ring light
- No published season rating
Which one to pick
Take the Polaris Lite if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. 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 | $1,499— worst of the tents compared | $1,399— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 185 lb— worst of the tents compared | 104 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 11 in | 6 ft 11 in |
| Packed width | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.1 in— worst of the tents compared | 4.1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 11 in | 6 ft 11 in |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 29.8 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 29.4 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 11 in | 4 ft 11 in |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | 30 sec |
| Shell material | Aluminium alloy with die-cast corners | PHC aluminium honeycomb shell with aluminium-alloy frame |
| Fabric | High-density Oxford plaid; mildew-proof antibacterial polyester inner; YKK zippers | Waterproof, UV-resistant canvas (Desert Olive); YKK zippers |
| Warranty | 1year | 1year |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | Yes | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Naturnest product page | Naturnest product page |
Related comparisons
- Polaris 2vsPathseeker Auto Solar
- Polaris 2vsDiscovery
- Polaris 2vsGen 3-R Expedition
- Polaris 2vsSirius 1 Plus
Or read the full spec sheets for the Naturnest Polaris 2 and the Naturnest Polaris Lite.