Latitude Tents Pioneer XL vs Latitude Tents Scout
Both of these are Latitude Tents tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Pioneer XL and the Scout share Latitude Tents's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Scout is 22 kg lighter at 45 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 Pioneer XL gives 4.56 m² of sleeping floor against 3.12 m², about 46 percent more, and it sleeps 4 to the Scout's 2. The Scout lists $512 lower, at $1,658 against $2,170.
Latitude Tents
Pioneer XL
The Pioneer XL is the larger of Latitude Tents's two Pioneer softshell clamshell tents, sleeping 3-4 adults on a 240cm x 190cm internal floor with a 60mm high-density foam mattress. It uses the same 320g rip-stop polyester-cotton body, oxford polyester rainfly and 25mm aluminium frame as the standard Pioneer, plus double roof skylights, and needs roof bars rated above 70kg. Latitude does not publish the tent's weight or packed dimensions on its product page.
- Largest floor in Latitude's softshell range at 240 x 190cm
- Sleeps 3-4 adults on a 60mm high-density foam mattress
- Shares materials and skylights with the standard Pioneer
- Requires roof bars rated above 70kg
Latitude Tents
Scout
The Scout is Latitude Tents's 2-person softshell roof tent with an auto-opening clamshell mechanism the maker says pitches in under 60 seconds. It has a 240cm x 130cm internal floor with a 60mm high-density foam mattress, a 320g rip-stop polyester-cotton body with waterproof and UV-resistant coating, and a 25mm aluminium tube frame. Latitude describes the weight only as 'sub-45 kg' and does not publish an exact figure or packed dimensions.
- Auto-opening clamshell setup in under 60 seconds per the maker
- 240 x 130cm floor with a 60mm high-density foam mattress
- Low weight makes it suitable for smaller cars
- Manufacturer publishes no exact weight, only 'sub-45 kg'
Which one to pick
Take the Scout if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Pioneer 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 | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 4— best of the tents compared | 2— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $2,170— worst of the tents compared | $1,660— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 148 lb— worst of the tents compared | 99 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | — | — |
| Packed width | — | — |
| Packed height | — | — |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in | 7 ft 10 in |
| Sleeping width | 6 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 49.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 33.6 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2.4 in | 2.4 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | 60 sec |
| Shell material | 25mm aluminium tubing frame with 304-grade stainless steel hardware and hinges | 25mm aluminium tubing frame with 304-grade stainless steel hardware and hinges |
| Fabric | 320g rip-stop polyester-cotton with waterproof & UV-resistant coating; oxford polyester rainfly; 550g PVC travel cover | 320g rip-stop polyester-cotton with waterproof & UV-resistant coating; oxford polyester rainfly; 550g PVC travel cover |
| Warranty | 2years | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Latitude Tents product page | Latitude Tents product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Latitude Tents Pioneer XL and the Latitude Tents Scout.