Darche Stratos vs TentBox Cargo
The Darche Stratos and the TentBox Cargo are both hybrid tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Darche and TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Stratos is 7 kg lighter at 65 kg against 72 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 2.58 m² and 2.79 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The Stratos lists $301 lower, at $2,639 against $2,940. TentBox also backs the Cargo for 5 years against 3.
The Stratos uses aluminium Alloy; the Cargo uses aluminium exoskeleton with stainless steel hardware. Canvas differs too: 190gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 210D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (3000mm waterhead) against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head. Closed, the Cargo sits 10 cm lower on the roof — 19 cm against 29 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Darche
Stratos
The Stratos is a hybrid rooftop tent combining an aluminium hardshell exterior with an expandable canvas body, offered in 1440mm and 2000mm widths. It has a 60mm memory-foam mattress, an oversized removable fly with an integrated sky window and a dual-colour dimmable LED strip. A 2.3m telescopic ladder and roof rail kit are included.
- Removable fly with integrated sky window
- Ladder and roof rail kit included
- Two width options
- Manufacturer does not publish weight or dimensions
TentBox
Cargo
An aluminium exoskeleton rather than a moulded shell, which is how it packs to 19 cm and still carries bikes or boards on cargo bars above the tent. Thirty seconds to open, and 145 cm of headroom under the peak.
- 19 cm closed profile
- Carries bikes or boards on top of the tent
- 30-second setup, and 145 cm headroom
- 72 kg before your rack
Which one to pick
Take the Stratos 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 | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $2,640— best of the tents compared | $2,940— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 143 lb— best of the tents compared | 159 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 3 ft 6 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11.4 in— worst of the tents compared | 7.5 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 27.8 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 30 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft 9 in |
| Mattress thickness | 2.4 in | 2.4 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~3 minest. | 30 sec |
| Shell material | Aluminium Alloy | Aluminium exoskeleton with stainless steel hardware |
| Fabric | 190gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 210D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (3000mm waterhead) | Stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head |
| Warranty | 3years— worst of the tents compared | 5years— best of the tents compared |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | No |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | No |
| Carries cargo on top | — | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | TentBox product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Stratos and the TentBox Cargo.