Celebrating Richard’s Naturnest Journey

Join us in celebrating the birthday of one of our very best Brand Ambassadors!

 

The Story of Naturnest and Richard (@mando_outdoor)

Some people discover overlanding by accident.

 

Others grow into it one trip at a time.

 

For Richard (@Mando_Outdoors), the journey started with a simple goal: upgrade his rooftop tent and spend more time exploring the outdoors the right way.

 

Today, we’re celebrating not just his birthday—but the adventures, stories, and inspiration he’s shared with the Naturnest community along the road.

To celebrate with him, we’re offering 5% OFF all RTTs & the 270 Plus Car Awning for a limited time.

 

Because every great adventure deserves another chapter.

Why Richard First Chose Naturnest

Like many experienced overlanders, Richard believes first impressions don’t stop at the product itself.

 

They start with how a company treats its customers.

He remembers exactly what stood out most:

 

“I was shocked—quality materials, great design, and what you get is PERFECT for budget-minded people like myself.”

 

But what really mattered came next:

“My real first impression is always customer service. And Naturnest definitely has that.”

 

Quick responses.

Real solutions.

 

And support that continued long after installation day.

That experience became the beginning of something bigger than just owning gear.

First Impressions That Turned Into Long-Term Trust

Like many experienced overlanders, Richard believes first impressions don’t stop at the product itself.

 

They start with how a company treats its customers.

 

He remembers exactly what stood out most:

 

“I was shocked—quality materials, great design, and what you get is PERFECT for budget-minded people like myself.”

 

But what really mattered came next:

 

“My real first impression is always customer service. And Naturnest definitely has that.”

 

Quick responses.

Real solutions.

 

And support that continued long after installation day.

That experience became the beginning of something bigger than just owning gear.

A Trip Through the Blue Ridge Mountains He’ll Never Forget

Every camper has one trip that changes everything.

 

For Richard, it was his first self-guided overland route with his wife through the Blue Ridge Mountains.

He planned the entire route himself:

 

“I planned a 2 day trip, 60 miles through the Blue Ridge Mountains over forest service and gravel roads.”

 

And when the trip was finished:

 

“I felt so accomplished. And Naturnest was along for the journey.”

 

It wasn’t just another weekend trip.

It was the moment the adventure truly became his own.

Why Rooftop Tent Camping Changed Everything

As his trips became more frequent and more ambitious, Richard started noticing something important.

Ground tents no longer fit the way he liked to travel.

 

He explained it simply:

 

“I am not old, but I am getting older.”

And rooftop tents made everything easier:

“I am no longer on the ground. I am secure up on top of my vehicle.”

 

Even better:

 

“Set up and break down is way more convenient.”

No muddy poles.

No complicated setup.

 

And most importantly:

“It’s just way more comfortable.”

Share By Richard (@Mando_Outdoors)

My Naturnest Journey

Richard’s overlanding story didn’t begin because of a trend.

It began because he loved being outdoors long before overlanding became part of his life.

As he shared:

 

“I always loved camping, sleeping outdoors and exploring places that I would not normally see.”

 

In late 2020, he purchased a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk and began exploring off-road parks.

At first, rock crawling caught his attention.

But after seeing how often vehicles were damaged on trails, he made a decision.

 

“I switched up and decided to go full blown Overland because it was my daily driver and I saw many people break their vehicles on the trail that I did not want to break mine.”

 

That decision changed everything.

Discovering His First Naturnest RTT

His first rooftop tent worked—but it wasn’t the right long-term fit.

So he started searching again.

 

Eventually, he found the Naturnest Sirius 1.

 

He remembers that moment clearly:

“I was skeptical but was encouraged by some friends to just do it.”

Two weeks later, it arrived.

And the experience surprised him.

 

“It looked so much better in person than the photos.”

After installation:

“Its features and its profile fit the Jeep perfectly.”

 

But what impressed him most came after he reached out to support:

 

“They quickly responded and resolved the issue.”

That moment stayed with him.

Building His Next Overland Setup — And Choosing the Polaris 2

In July 2024, Richard upgraded to a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom with a new plan:

Build a reliable overland vehicle on a budget—without sacrificing quality.

When it came time to choose his next rooftop tent, the decision was immediate.

 

“Without hesitation, I instantly went to Naturnest.”

This time, he chose the Polaris 2 rooftop tent.

 

Because what he wanted most was simple:

“Fast and simple deployment and breakdown and a tent with a lot of head room.”


 

And once again:

“Same delivery as the first one, same packaging as the first one and ZERO issues.”

That consistency mattered.

Becoming Part of the Naturnest Family

After installing his new setup and completing his first trip, Richard reached out again.

But this time, it wasn’t about support.

It was about appreciation.

“I sent photos of my OG build and my new current one and told them why I chose to go with their company again.”

That conversation marked the beginning of something new.

Today, Richard is proud to be part of the Naturnest ambassador family.

As he puts it best:

“I just want to get people to explore and not feel like they have to spend thousands of dollars for the same or similar build quality as other brands.”

Because for him, adventure should always stay accessible.

Inspired by Richard’s story? Share the adventure.

If Richard’s journey sparked ideas for your next trip, share this story with your camping friends and fellow explorers.

Every adventure starts somewhere — yours could be next. 🌿

Help more campers discover what’s possible with the right setup and the right community

 

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