23Zero Kabari Superfly vs Ironman 4x4 Orion 1200 Lightweight

The 23Zero Kabari Superfly and the Ironman 4x4 Orion 1200 Lightweight 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 Ironman 4x4 take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.

By the numbers, the 23Zero Kabari Superfly brings 48 kg, 2.38 m² of floor, 142 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Ironman 4x4 Orion 1200 Lightweight counters with 71.5 kg, 2.75 m² of floor, 156 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.

The Kabari Superfly is 23.5 kg lighter at 48 kg against 71.5 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 Orion 1200 Lightweight gives 2.75 m² of sleeping floor against 2.38 m², about 16 percent more, though both are rated for 2. Headroom separates them further: 156 cm in the Orion 1200 Lightweight against 142 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.

The Kabari Superfly uses semi-hardshell: waterproof PVC top on an aluminium frame; the Orion 1200 Lightweight uses pressed-aluminium hardshell with aluminium honeycomb base. Canvas differs too: ECO13B fabric with Light Suppression Technology (LST) against 280gsm ripstop polycotton fly with blackout coating; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh. Closed, the Orion 1200 Lightweight sits 5.5 cm lower on the roof — 14.5 cm against 20 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.