Darche Kozi HighRize 1250 vs Darche Lightrize
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 Kozi HighRize 1250 and the Lightrize share Darche's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Lightrize is 19 kg lighter at 80 kg against 99 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 Kozi HighRize 1250 gives 2.66 m² of sleeping floor against 2.4 m², about 11 percent more, though both are rated for 2. The Kozi HighRize 1250 lists $660 lower, at $2,639 against $3,299. Darche also backs the Lightrize for 3 years against 2.
The Kozi HighRize 1250 uses 6-Series Aluminium; the Lightrize uses 6-Series Aluminium Alloy Extrusions with composite honeycomb baseboard. Canvas differs too: 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (3000mm both) against 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (3000mm waterhead).
Darche
Kozi HighRize 1250
The Kozi HighRize 1250 is a twin-fold aluminium hardshell rooftop tent for two, with large windows on all four sides. It publishes a 55mm memory-foam mattress, two integrated dimmable LED strips and built-in USB-A, USB-C and 12V power outlets (battery not included). It stores two sleeping bags and two pillows when closed.
- Windows on all four sides for ventilation
- Integrated USB-A/USB-C/12V power and dual LED strips
- 3000mm waterhead on both body and fly
- No published weight or external dimensions
Darche
Lightrize
The Lightrize is a twin-fold aluminium hardshell rooftop tent for two, using a lightweight composite honeycomb baseboard and 280gsm polycotton canvas. It integrates 12V, USB-A and USB-C power ports and two dimmable LED strips, and packs two sleeping bags and two pillows when closed. Available in 1200mm and 1400mm widths.
- Integrated 12V/USB-A/USB-C power and dual dimmable LED strips
- German-engineered Stabilus gas struts
- Composite honeycomb base keeps the shell relatively light
- Manufacturer does not publish packed weight or external dimensions
Which one to pick
Take the Kozi HighRize 1250 if the budget is fixed. Take the Lightrize 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 | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $2,640— best of the tents compared | $3,300— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 218 lb— worst of the tents compared | 176 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 8.9 in— worst of the tents compared | 8.3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 28.6 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 25.8 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 7 in | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2.2 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 | 6-Series Aluminium | 6-Series Aluminium Alloy Extrusions with composite honeycomb baseboard |
| Fabric | 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (3000mm both) | 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (3000mm waterhead) |
| Warranty | 2years— worst of the tents compared | 3years— best of the tents compared |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Darche product page |
Related comparisons
- Kozi HighRize 1250vsBlade 40th Edition
- Kozi HighRize 1250vsGen 3-R Expedition
- Kozi HighRize 1250vsClassic
- Kozi HighRize 1250vsAluminum Pop-up
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Kozi HighRize 1250 and the Darche Lightrize.