23Zero Walkabout 56 2.0 vs Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout
The 23Zero Walkabout 56 2.0 and the Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout are both softshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. 23Zero and Direct4x4 take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the 23Zero Walkabout 56 2.0 brings 59 kg, 3.46 m² of floor, 112 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout counters with 66 kg, 3.36 m² of floor, 130 cm of headroom and sleeps 3.
The Walkabout 56 2.0 is 7 kg lighter at 59 kg against 66 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Floor area is close to identical at 3.46 m² and 3.36 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Headroom separates them further: 130 cm in the Expedition Foldout against 112 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.
Canvas differs too: ECO13B recycled fabric with Light Suppression Technology (LST) against 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas, PU impregnated, water column 2,000 mm.
23Zero
Walkabout 56 2.0
The 23Zero Walkabout 56 2.0 is the compact two-person model in 23Zero's fold-out soft-shell range (sold until recently as the Breezeway 2.0). It uses fully recycled ECO13B fabric with Light Suppression Technology, a 3-inch rebound-foam mattress and a rear duct port that accepts up to 3-inch heater or cooler ducting — uncommon on a soft-shell. A removable rain fly reveals screened roof windows for stargazing.
- Rear port accepts up to 3-inch heater or cooler ducting — rare on a soft-shell
- Fully recycled ECO13B fabric with Light Suppression Technology, plus an integrated LED strip
- Removable fly reveals screened sky windows; annex-compatible for extra ground space
- Narrow 56-inch (142 cm) sleeping width suits one adult plus a child better than two adults
Direct4x4
Expedition Foldout
The Expedition Foldout is Direct4x4's soft-shell fold-out tent for three (two adults and a child), available in sand, granite grey and forest green. It opens to 240 x 140 cm with a 130 cm interior height on a 2.5 cm corrosion-resistant aluminium/polyurethane sandwich base and folds down to 29 cm tall at 66 kg. The 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas is rated to a 2,000 mm water column, and the tent ships with a fold-out ladder, mosquito net, zip-on annex skirt and a waterproof travel cover.
- Available in three colours (sand, grey, green)
- Ships with a zip-on annex skirt, mosquito net and travel cover
- 6 cm high-density foam mattress
- Canvas water-column rating is 2,000 mm
Which one to pick
Take the Walkabout 56 2.0 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 | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2— worst of the tents compared | 3— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | 4-season | — |
| List price | $1,699— worst of the tents compared | $1,650— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 130 lb— best of the tents compared | 146 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared | 5 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 14.2 in— worst of the tents compared | 12.6 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 8 ft— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 37.2 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 36.2 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 3 in— best of the tents compared | 2.4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | ECO13B recycled fabric with Light Suppression Technology (LST) | 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas, PU impregnated, water column 2,000 mm |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | 23Zero product page | Direct4x4 product page |
Related comparisons
- Walkabout 56 2.0vsScout
- Walkabout 56 2.0vsWild Cruiser 160
- Walkabout 56 2.0vsHD Nomadic 3 Extended
- Expedition FoldoutvsWild Cruiser 160
Or read the full spec sheets for the 23Zero Walkabout 56 2.0 and the Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout.