Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard vs TentBox Classic

The Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard and the TentBox Classic 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. Freespirit Recreation and TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.

The Aspen Pro Standard is 6.200000000000003 kg lighter at 60.8 kg against 67 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 Classic gives 2.79 m² of sleeping floor against 2.39 m², about 17 percent more, though both are rated for 2. Headroom separates them further: 132.1 cm in the Aspen Pro Standard against 100 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. List prices are within $170 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.

The Aspen Pro Standard uses aluminum hardshell: extruded aluminum frame, polymer corners, honeycomb aluminum top; the Classic uses ABS shell with aluminium frame and stainless steel hardware. Canvas differs too: tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head. The Aspen Pro Standard adds a heater or HVAC port, which the Classic does not offer. Closed, the Aspen Pro Standard sits 16.3 cm lower on the roof — 18.7 cm against 35 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.