Howling Moon Meteor Delux vs TentBox Cargo

The Howling Moon Meteor Delux and the TentBox Cargo are both hybrid tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Howling Moon and TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.

The Cargo is 23 kg lighter at 72 kg against 95 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 Meteor Delux gives 4.62 m² of sleeping floor against 2.79 m², about 66 percent more, though both are rated for 2. Headroom separates them further: 145 cm in the Cargo against 110 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The Cargo lists $272 lower, at $2,940 against $3,212.

They open differently: the Meteor Delux is a fold-out and the Cargo a clamshell. That is not cosmetic — it decides whether headroom is even across the tent or tapers towards one end, and how much of the roof the tent occupies when closed. The Meteor Delux uses aluminium hardshell with scratch-resistant RAPTOR coating; the Cargo uses aluminium exoskeleton with stainless steel hardware. Canvas differs too: 329gsm ripstop poly-cotton canvas, UV50+, breathable against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head. Closed, the Cargo sits 17 cm lower on the roof — 19 cm against 36 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.