ARB Altitude Electric vs James Baroud Discovery

The ARB Altitude Electric and the James Baroud Discovery 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. ARB and James Baroud take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.

The Discovery is 46 kg lighter at 60 kg against 106 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 Altitude Electric gives 3.63 m² of sleeping floor against 2.8 m², about 30 percent more, and it sleeps 2 to the Discovery's 3. Headroom separates them further: 130 cm in the Discovery against 118 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. James Baroud does not publish a list price for the Discovery, so a direct cost comparison means getting a quote from a dealer. James Baroud also backs the Discovery for 5 years against 3.

The Altitude Electric uses fiberglass; the Discovery uses 4-layer fiberglass with UV coating. Canvas differs too: 380GSM poly-cotton canvas against waterproof all-season fabric. The Altitude Electric adds the ability to carry cargo on the shell and integrated LED lighting, which the Discovery does not offer.