Direct4x4 TrailTop Expedition vs Naturnest Sirius 1 Plus
The Direct4x4 TrailTop Expedition and the Naturnest Sirius 1 Plus are both hardshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Direct4x4 and Naturnest take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The TrailTop Expedition is 20.4 kg lighter at 54.6 kg against 75 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 3.56 m² and 3.36 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The Sirius 1 Plus lists $371 lower, at $1,549 against $1,920.
Canvas differs too: poly-cotton, 65% polyester / 35% cotton, waterproof 10,000 mm against 420D waterproof Oxford outer; mildew-proof plaid Oxford inner.
Direct4x4
TrailTop Expedition
The TrailTop is one of Direct4x4's hard-shell rooftop tents, sold in 3-person and 4-person configurations with a gloss-black aerodynamic shell that folds open. The 3-person version opens to 162 x 220 cm and weighs about 54.6 kg, while the 4-person version opens to 220 x 225 cm at roughly 70 kg. It uses a 65% polyester / 35% cotton poly-cotton canvas rated to a 10,000 mm water column and ships with a 4 cm mattress and a telescopic aluminium ladder.
- Offered in both 3-person and 4-person sizes
- Poly-cotton canvas rated to a 10,000 mm water column
- Includes a 4 cm mattress and telescopic aluminium ladder
- Manufacturer does not publish a warranty period or season rating
Naturnest
Sirius 1 Plus
The Sirius 1 Plus is an ABS fold-out hard-shell tent that Naturnest rates for two adults plus a child. Its published open size is 210 x 160 x 120 cm, folding to 159 x 130 x 31.5 cm, with a weight of 75 kg (165 lbs). It includes a 4.5 cm double-layer mattress, interior and exterior LED strips, a USB/Anderson power interface and a roof-top luggage bar rated to 20 kg.
- Roof-top luggage bar rated to 20 kg for solar panels or gear
- Includes USB/Anderson power interface and dual LED strips
- Compatible with an optional annex room
- Manufacturer does not publish a numeric season rating
Which one to pick
Take the TrailTop Expedition 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 | 3 | 3 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,920— worst of the tents compared | $1,549— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 120 lb— best of the tents compared | 165 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 5 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 5 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 12.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 12.4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 5 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 7 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 5 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 38.3 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 36.2 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 1.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 1.8 in— best 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 | — | ABS hard shell with aluminium honeycomb base panel |
| Fabric | Poly-cotton, 65% polyester / 35% cotton, waterproof 10,000 mm | 420D waterproof Oxford outer; mildew-proof plaid Oxford inner |
| Warranty | — | 1year |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | Yes |
| Carries cargo on top | — | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | Naturnest product page |
Related comparisons
- TrailTop ExpeditionvsOrion 1 Plus
- TrailTop ExpeditionvsHD Bundu 2 Cantilever
- TrailTop ExpeditionvsRoamer
- Sirius 1 PlusvsPolaris 2
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 TrailTop Expedition and the Naturnest Sirius 1 Plus.