23Zero Onyx Triple X 1450 vs Roam Adventure Co The Desperado
The 23Zero Onyx Triple X 1450 and the Roam Adventure Co The Desperado 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 Roam Adventure Co take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the 23Zero Onyx Triple X 1450 brings 98 kg, 2.78 m² of floor and sleeps 2. The Roam Adventure Co The Desperado counters with 81.6 kg and sleeps 2.
The The Desperado is 16.400000000000006 kg lighter at 81.6 kg against 98 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
The Onyx Triple X 1450 uses oxide-coated aluminium extrusions with a honeycomb base; the The Desperado uses aluminium extrusion with honeycomb panels. Canvas differs too: 320 gsm canvas with Light Suppression Technology (LST) against 420D polyester Oxford.
23Zero
Onyx Triple X 1450
The 23Zero Onyx Triple X 1450 is an aerodynamic aluminium clamshell hardshell built on oxide-coated aluminium extrusions with a reinforced honeycomb base. It sleeps two on a 2-inch mattress under a 320 gsm canopy with Light Suppression Technology, with 360-degree ventilation, a skylight, dual diesel-heater ports, dual-colour LED lighting and integrated power ports.
- Aerodynamic oxide-coated aluminium shell with a honeycomb base
- 320 gsm canvas with Light Suppression Technology and a skylight
- Dual diesel-heater ports, dual-colour LED lighting and integrated power
- Heavy at 217 lb (98 kg)
Roam Adventure Co
The Desperado
Roam's aluminium-honeycomb hardshell for two, opening in about 30 seconds; the maker does not publish its deployed footprint.
- ~30 s hardshell setup
- Aluminium honeycomb construction
- 2-year warranty
- Open dimensions not published
Which one to pick
Take the The Desperado if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. 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 | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | 4-season | — |
| List price | $3,295— worst of the tents compared | $3,199— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 217 lb— worst of the tents compared | 180 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 8.7 in— best of the tents compared | 9.8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 9 in | — |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 5 in | — |
| Floor area | 29.9 sq ft | — |
| Interior height | — | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | 30 sec |
| Shell material | Oxide-coated aluminium extrusions with a honeycomb base | Aluminium extrusion with honeycomb panels |
| Fabric | 320 gsm canvas with Light Suppression Technology (LST) | 420D polyester Oxford |
| Warranty | — | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | 23Zero product page | Roam Adventure Co product page |
Related comparisons
- Onyx Triple X 1450vsNova King
- Onyx Triple X 1450vsIntrepid 2.0 (1285mm)
- Onyx Triple X 1450vsMt. Hood 2 Tent
- Onyx Triple X 1450vsLightrize
Or read the full spec sheets for the 23Zero Onyx Triple X 1450 and the Roam Adventure Co The Desperado.