Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard vs Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro XL
Both of these are Freespirit Recreation tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Aspen Pro Standard and the Aspen Pro XL share Freespirit Recreation's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Aspen Pro Standard is 9.100000000000009 kg lighter at 60.8 kg against 69.9 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 Aspen Pro XL gives 2.89 m² of sleeping floor against 2.39 m², about 21 percent more, and it sleeps 3 to the Aspen Pro Standard's 2. The Aspen Pro Standard lists $200 lower, at $2,895 against $3,095.
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
Freespirit Recreation
Aspen Pro XL
The Aspen Pro XL is the wider 2-3 person version of Freespirit Recreation's aluminum-hardshell Aspen Pro clamshell, with a 55 in wide interior floor and 40-degree gas-strut assisted opening. It weighs 154 lbs and shares the honeycomb aluminum top and Tri-Layer fabric of the Aspen Pro Standard. Dual-channel aluminum rails allow crossbars and accessory mounting.
- Wide 2-3 person aluminum hardshell
- Gas-strut assisted 40-degree opening
- Dual-channel rails for accessories; 750 lb rated capacity
- No published mattress thickness, warranty length or setup time
Which one to pick
Take the Aspen Pro XL if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. 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— worst of the tents compared | 3— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | 4-season | 4-season |
| List price | $2,895— best of the tents compared | $3,095— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 134 lb— best of the tents compared | 154 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 2 in | 7 ft 2 in |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.4 in | 7.4 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 9 in | 6 ft 9 in |
| Sleeping width | 3 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 25.7 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 31.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 4 in | 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 | Aluminum hardshell: extruded aluminum frame, polymer corners, honeycomb aluminum top | Aluminum hardshell: extruded aluminum frame, polymer corners, honeycomb aluminum top |
| Fabric | Tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop | Tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | Yes |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Freespirit Recreation product page | Freespirit Recreation product page |
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Or read the full spec sheets for the Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard and the Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro XL.