Darche Highland 1300 vs Darche Solar

Both of these are Darche tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Highland 1300 and the Solar share Darche's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.

The Highland 1300 is 16 kg lighter at 72 kg against 88 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 Highland 1300 gives 2.63 m² of sleeping floor against 2.4 m², about 10 percent more, though both are rated for 2. The Highland 1300 lists $1,650 lower, at $2,309 against $3,959.

The Highland 1300 uses 6-Series Aluminium; Heavy-Duty Aluminium Honeycomb base; the Solar uses 2mm 6-Series Aluminium Alloy; Heavy-Duty 15mm Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base. Canvas differs too: 180gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford fly (1500mm) against 380gsm polycotton canvas with Darche Darkness (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (2000mm). Closed, the Highland 1300 sits 12 cm lower on the roof — 18 cm against 30 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.