Freespirit Recreation Kali King vs Freespirit Recreation Nova King
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 Kali King and the Nova King share Freespirit Recreation's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Nova King is 20.400000000000006 kg lighter at 73.5 kg against 93.9 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Floor area is close to identical at 3.81 m² and 3.81 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Headroom separates them further: 123.2 cm in the Kali King against 109.9 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The Nova King lists $900 lower, at $2,995 against $3,895.
Freespirit Recreation
Kali King
The Kali King is the larger of Freespirit Recreation's two Kali hardshell fold-out tents, opening to a 72 in wide interior that sleeps 3-4 with a 48.5 in peak height. At 207 lbs it is the heaviest tent in the current lineup, suited to above-cab racks on full-size trucks and SUVs. It includes dimmable LED lighting, a 3D anti-condensation mat and heater/AC/electrical ports.
- Large 3-4 person fold-out interior with tall 48.5 in peak
- Includes mattress, ladder, anti-condensation mat and LED lighting
- 660 lb rated capacity
- Heaviest tent in the current range at 207 lbs
Freespirit Recreation
Nova King
The Nova King is the larger of Freespirit Recreation's two hardshell fold-out tents, opening to a 72 in wide interior that sleeps 3-4. It keeps a narrow 42 in closed width while folding out to roughly double the floor of the Nova Standard. The manufacturer rates it for 4-season use, and it includes aluminum crossbars, LED lighting and heater/AC/electrical ports.
- Wide 3-4 person fold-out interior
- Manufacturer-stated 4-season rating and 750 lb capacity
- Narrow closed width for its deployed size
- Fold-out needs side clearance and ladder support to deploy
Which one to pick
Take the Nova King if the budget is fixed. Take the Nova King 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 | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 4 | 4 |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $3,895— worst of the tents compared | $2,995— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 207 lb— worst of the tents compared | 162 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 6 in | 6 ft 6 in |
| Packed width | 4 ft 2 in— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 6 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 12 in— worst of the tents compared | 11.5 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 10 in | 6 ft 10 in |
| Sleeping width | 6 ft | 6 ft |
| Floor area | 41 sq ft | 41 sq ft |
| Interior height | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 7 in— worst 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
- Kali KingvsAlu Khosi Family
- Kali KingvsCondor 2 XL Air
- Kali KingvsKali Standard
- Nova KingvsKali Standard
Or read the full spec sheets for the Freespirit Recreation Kali King and the Freespirit Recreation Nova King.