Freespirit Recreation Evo V2 Standard vs Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 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 Evo V2 Standard and the Evolution V3 XL share Freespirit Recreation's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Evo V2 Standard is 9.099999999999994 kg lighter at 74.4 kg against 83.5 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 Evolution V3 XL gives 2.89 m² of sleeping floor against 2.47 m², about 17 percent more, and it sleeps 3 to the Evo V2 Standard's 2. The Evo V2 Standard lists $832.5 lower, at $2,762.5 against $3,595.
Freespirit Recreation
Evo V2 Standard
The Evo V2 Standard is a 1-2 person aluminum-hardshell clamshell tent using a dual-hinge gas-strut pop-up design. Its 34 in interior peak height is lower than Freespirit Recreation's Evolution V3 XL, giving it a flatter profile. It includes a 7.5 ft telescoping ladder, memory-foam mattress and dimmable LED lighting.
- Gas-strut dual-hinge hardshell that deploys quickly
- Includes ladder, mattress, LED lighting and gear grid
- 750 lb rated capacity
- Lower 34 in interior peak height limits sitting room
Freespirit Recreation
Evolution V3 XL
The Evolution V3 XL is Freespirit Recreation's larger aluminum-hardshell clamshell, sleeping 2-3 with a 55 in wide interior floor and 38 in peak height. Gas-strut deployment lifts the honeycomb lid in seconds. It carries integrated dimmable LED lighting, heater/AC/electrical ports and nine interior storage pockets.
- Wide 2-3 person interior with taller 38 in peak than the Evo V2
- Gas-strut assisted hardshell deployment
- Nine interior storage pockets and integrated LED lighting
- Heaviest of Freespirit Recreation's clamshell tents at 184 lbs
Which one to pick
Take the Evo V2 Standard if the budget is fixed. Take the Evolution V3 XL 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 | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2— worst of the tents compared | 3— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $2,762.5— best of the tents compared | $3,595— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 164 lb— best of the tents compared | 184 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 | 9.5 in | 9.5 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 9 in | 6 ft 9 in |
| Sleeping width | 3 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 26.6 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 31.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 2 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared |
| 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 | Extruded aluminum with polymer corners | Extruded aluminum with polymer corners |
| 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 |
Related comparisons
- Evo V2 StandardvsAspen Pro Standard
- Evo V2 StandardvsAspen Pro XL
- Evolution V3 XLvsAspen Pro XL
- Evolution V3 XLvsAspen Pro Standard
Or read the full spec sheets for the Freespirit Recreation Evo V2 Standard and the Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 XL.