Freespirit Recreation Kali Standard 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 Standard and the Nova King share Freespirit Recreation's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Nova King is 6.799999999999997 kg lighter at 73.5 kg against 80.3 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 Nova King gives 3.81 m² of sleeping floor against 2.75 m², about 39 percent more, and it sleeps 4 to the Kali Standard's 3. Headroom separates them further: 123.2 cm in the Kali Standard against 109.9 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The Nova King lists $400 lower, at $2,995 against $3,395.
Freespirit Recreation
Kali Standard
The Kali Standard is the smaller of Freespirit Recreation's two Kali hardshell fold-out tents, sleeping 2-3 with a tall 48.5 in interior peak. It includes a 7.5 ft telescoping ladder, memory-foam mattress, 3D anti-condensation mat and dimmable LED lighting. The single-channel aluminum mount rail accepts accessories.
- Tall 48.5 in interior peak height
- Includes ladder, mattress, anti-condensation mat and LED lighting
- 750 lb rated capacity
- Fold-out requires side clearance to deploy
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 you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Nova King if the budget is fixed. 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 | 3— worst of the tents compared | 4— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $3,395— worst of the tents compared | $2,995— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 177 lb— worst of the tents compared | 162 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared |
| 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 | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 29.6 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 41 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| 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
Or read the full spec sheets for the Freespirit Recreation Kali Standard and the Freespirit Recreation Nova King.