Eezi-Awn Family vs Thule Approach 2 L
The Eezi-Awn Family and the Thule Approach 2 L 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. Eezi-Awn and Thule take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Approach 2 L is 30 kg lighter at 68 kg against 98 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 Family gives 5.37 m² of sleeping floor against 4.47 m², about 20 percent more, though both are rated for 4. Headroom separates them further: 130 cm in the Family against 102 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. Eezi-Awn does not publish a list price for the Family, so a direct cost comparison means getting a quote from a dealer.
Canvas differs too: 360GSM double-stitched heavy-duty ripstop canvas against 600D recycled polyester ripstop, water resistant.
Eezi-Awn
Family
The Family is the largest tent in Eezi-Awn's Serie III soft-shell range, erecting to 2200mm wide x 2440mm long x 1300mm high with a removable central dividing wall and two separate 65mm SABS-approved foam mattresses. It uses 360GSM double-stitched ripstop canvas with a reinforced PVC flysheet and includes two fully retractable 230cm anodised aluminium ladders. Doors and windows have zip-up privacy panels and mosquito nets with heavy-duty YKK zippers.
- Two separate mattresses plus a removable dividing wall for split sleeping areas
- Published erected dimensions and interior height
- Two retractable aluminium ladders and YKK zippers
- Manufacturer does not publish price, weight or packed dimensions
Thule
Approach 2 L
The largest Approach 2, with a 4.47 m² four-person floor. It is the only four-person tent here that stays under 70 kg, which keeps it inside the dynamic roof limit of several full-size trucks and SUVs.
- Lightest four-person tent here at 68 kg
- 4.47 m² floor
- Heating port and panoramic skylights
- 183 cm closed width needs a wide rack
Which one to pick
Take the Approach 2 L if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Family if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. 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 | 4 | 4 |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | — | $3,600 |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 216 lb— worst of the tents compared | 150 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | — | 4 ft 1 in |
| Packed width | — | 6 ft |
| Packed height | — | 11 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 8 ft | 8 ft |
| Sleeping width | 7 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 57.8 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 48.1 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.6 in— best of the tents compared | 2.4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | 3 min |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 360GSM double-stitched heavy-duty ripstop canvas | 600D recycled polyester ripstop, water resistant |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | No |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | Yes |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Eezi-Awn product page | Thule product page |
Related comparisons
- FamilyvsBasecamp 2200
- FamilyvsGen2 Overlander XL Tent
- FamilyvsCross 1200 MK2
- Approach 2 LvsApproach 2 M
Or read the full spec sheets for the Eezi-Awn Family and the Thule Approach 2 L.