Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout vs Front Runner Feather-Lite II
The Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout and the Front Runner Feather-Lite II are both softshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Direct4x4 and Front Runner take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Feather-Lite II is 17 kg lighter at 49 kg against 66 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 3.36 m² and 3.2 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. List prices are within $7 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
Canvas differs too: 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas, PU impregnated, water column 2,000 mm against 260g poly-cotton ripstop body; 400D polyester oxford rainfly, 2000 mm water column.
Direct4x4
Expedition Foldout
The Expedition Foldout is Direct4x4's soft-shell fold-out tent for three (two adults and a child), available in sand, granite grey and forest green. It opens to 240 x 140 cm with a 130 cm interior height on a 2.5 cm corrosion-resistant aluminium/polyurethane sandwich base and folds down to 29 cm tall at 66 kg. The 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas is rated to a 2,000 mm water column, and the tent ships with a fold-out ladder, mosquito net, zip-on annex skirt and a waterproof travel cover.
- Available in three colours (sand, grey, green)
- Ships with a zip-on annex skirt, mosquito net and travel cover
- 6 cm high-density foam mattress
- Canvas water-column rating is 2,000 mm
Front Runner
Feather-Lite II
The updated Feather-Lite, with an overhang that shields the entrance and telescopic ladder from rain and transparent stargazing panels in the roof. It shares the original's 260g poly-cotton body and 6 cm mattress but runs slightly larger and heavier at 49 kg, with a 2000 mm-rated rainfly.
- Overhang covers the entrance and ladder
- Transparent stargazing panels in the roof
- 2000 mm water column rainfly
- 6 kg heavier than the original Front Runner tent
Which one to pick
Take the Feather-Lite II 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 | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 3— best of the tents compared | 2— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,220— worst of the tents compared | $1,209— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 146 lb— worst of the tents compared | 108 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 3 ft 11 in | — |
| Packed width | 4 ft 7 in | — |
| Packed height | 11.4 in— best of the tents compared | 12.6 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared | 8 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 34.4 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 3 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. | ~5 minest. | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas, PU impregnated, water column 2,000 mm | 260g poly-cotton ripstop body; 400D polyester oxford rainfly, 2000 mm water column |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | No |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | No |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | Front Runner product page |
Related comparisons
- Expedition FoldoutvsFlinders
- Expedition FoldoutvsGalaxy
- Expedition FoldoutvsCross 1200 MK2
- Feather-Lite IIvsRoof Top Tent
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout and the Front Runner Feather-Lite II.