Eezi-Awn Blade 40th Edition vs Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard
The Eezi-Awn Blade 40th Edition and the Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard 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. Eezi-Awn and Freespirit Recreation take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Aspen Pro Standard is 21.200000000000003 kg lighter at 60.8 kg against 82 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. The Blade 40th Edition lists $210 lower, at $2,685 against $2,895.
The Blade 40th Edition uses aluminium (extruded base with two 8mm accessory slots); the Aspen Pro Standard uses aluminum hardshell: extruded aluminum frame, polymer corners, honeycomb aluminum top. Closed, the Aspen Pro Standard sits 13.3 cm lower on the roof — 18.7 cm against 32 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Eezi-Awn
Blade 40th Edition
The Blade 40th Edition is an aerodynamic aluminium hard-shell tent with an extruded base carrying two 8mm accessory slots and a K9 rack platform on top rated for solar panels, bikes or kayaks. Eezi-Awn lists an 82kg weight, packed dimensions of 2200 x 1450 x 320mm (rear), two stainless-steel locks, revised gas struts and a USB port. It is one of Eezi-Awn's aluminium hard-shell models.
- K9 roof platform rated for solar panels, bikes or kayaks
- Stainless-steel locks and revised gas struts
- Published 82kg weight and packed dimensions
- Manufacturer does not publish mattress thickness, capacity or open dimensions on this page
Freespirit Recreation
Aspen Pro Standard
The Aspen Pro Standard is the 1-2 person version of Freespirit Recreation's aluminum-hardshell Aspen Pro clamshell, with a honeycomb aluminum top and gas-strut assisted opening. It weighs 134 lbs and is heavier than the tonneau-topped Aspen Lite Standard but uses a full hardshell lid. Dual-channel aluminum rails allow mounting crossbars and accessories.
- Full aluminum honeycomb hardshell with gas-strut assist
- Dual-channel aluminum rails for mounting accessories
- Includes mattress, ladder, cover and gear storage grid
- Narrower 1-2 person interior floor
Which one to pick
Take the Aspen Pro Standard 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 | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $2,690— best of the tents compared | $2,895— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 181 lb— worst of the tents compared | 134 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 12.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 7.4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | — | 6 ft 9 in |
| Sleeping width | — | 3 ft 10 in |
| Floor area | — | 25.7 sq ft |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft 4 in |
| Mattress thickness | — | — |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | ~60 secest. |
| Shell material | Aluminium (extruded base with two 8mm accessory slots) | Aluminum hardshell: extruded aluminum frame, polymer corners, honeycomb aluminum top |
| Fabric | — | Tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | Yes |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | Yes | — |
| Carries cargo on top | Yes | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Eezi-Awn product page | Freespirit Recreation product page |
Related comparisons
- Blade 40th EditionvsClassic
- Blade 40th EditionvsKozi HighRize 1250
- Blade 40th EditionvsAluminum Pop-up
- Blade 40th EditionvsOrion 1200 Lightweight
Or read the full spec sheets for the Eezi-Awn Blade 40th Edition and the Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard.