23Zero Armadillo Horizon 2 vs Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 XL

The 23Zero Armadillo Horizon 2 and the Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 XL are both hardshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. 23Zero and Freespirit Recreation take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.

By the numbers, the 23Zero Armadillo Horizon 2 brings 93 kg, 2.57 m² of floor, 109 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 XL counters with 83.5 kg, 2.89 m² of floor, 96.5 cm of headroom and sleeps 3.

The Evolution V3 XL is 9.5 kg lighter at 83.5 kg against 93 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 2.57 m², about 12 percent more, and it sleeps 3 to the Armadillo Horizon 2's 2. Headroom separates them further: 109 cm in the Armadillo Horizon 2 against 96.5 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. Both carry the same list price, so price cannot decide this one at all.

The Armadillo Horizon 2 uses 14-gauge fully welded aluminium hard shell; the Evolution V3 XL uses extruded aluminum with polymer corners. Canvas differs too: ECO13B fabric with Light Suppression Technology (LST) against tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop. Closed, the Evolution V3 XL sits 9.899999999999999 cm lower on the roof — 24.1 cm against 34 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.