23Zero Onyx Triple X 1450 vs Tuff Stuff Overland Alpha II

The 23Zero Onyx Triple X 1450 and the Tuff Stuff Overland Alpha II 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 Tuff Stuff Overland 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 Tuff Stuff Overland Alpha II counters with 64 kg, 3.06 m² of floor and sleeps 2.

The Alpha II is 34 kg lighter at 64 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. Inside, the Alpha II gives 3.06 m² of sleeping floor against 2.78 m², about 10 percent more, though both are rated for 2. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.

They open differently: the Onyx Triple X 1450 is a clamshell and the Alpha II a fold-out. 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 Onyx Triple X 1450 uses oxide-coated aluminium extrusions with a honeycomb base; the Alpha II uses ABS. Canvas differs too: 320 gsm canvas with Light Suppression Technology (LST) against 280 g poly/cotton ripstop; 210D Oxford PU 5000 mm rainfly; aluminum honeycomb floor. Closed, the Onyx Triple X 1450 sits 14 cm lower on the roof — 22 cm against 36 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.