Naturnest Polaris 2 vs Trustmade Nomad
The Naturnest Polaris 2 and the Trustmade Nomad 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. Naturnest and Trustmade take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Naturnest Polaris 2 brings 84 kg, 2.77 m² of floor, 150 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Trustmade Nomad counters with 93.9 kg, 2.6 m² of floor and sleeps 2.
The Polaris 2 is 9.900000000000006 kg lighter at 84 kg against 93.9 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 2.6 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The Nomad lists about 18% lower than the Polaris 2.
The Polaris 2 uses aluminium alloy with die-cast corners; the Nomad uses stainless steel frame. Canvas differs too: high-density Oxford plaid; mildew-proof antibacterial polyester inner; YKK zippers against 600D Oxford / 280 g canvas, PU 2000 mm, UV50+. Closed, the Polaris 2 sits 10 cm lower on the roof — 18 cm against 28 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
Trustmade
Nomad
A budget stainless-framed clamshell hardshell for two, opening in about two minutes to an 82-inch floor.
- Low price for a hardshell
- ~2 min clamshell setup
- 1-year warranty
- 600D/280 g fabric rather than heavy canvas
Which one to pick
Take the Polaris 2 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 | $1,459— worst of the tents compared | $1,198— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 185 lb— best of the tents compared | 207 lb— worst 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 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.1 in— best of the tents compared | 11 in— worst 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 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 29.8 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 28 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 11 in | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in— worst of the tents compared | 2 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. | 2 min |
| Shell material | Aluminium alloy with die-cast corners | Stainless steel frame |
| Fabric | High-density Oxford plaid; mildew-proof antibacterial polyester inner; YKK zippers | 600D Oxford / 280 g canvas, PU 2000 mm, UV50+ |
| Warranty | 1year | 1year |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | — | No |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | Yes | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Naturnest product page | Trustmade product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Naturnest Polaris 2 and the Trustmade Nomad.