ARB Altitude Electric vs James Baroud Odyssey

The ARB Altitude Electric and the James Baroud Odyssey 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.

By the numbers, the ARB Altitude Electric brings 106 kg, 3.63 m² of floor, 118 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The James Baroud Odyssey counters with 70 kg, 2.8 m² of floor, 100 cm of headroom and sleeps 3.

The Odyssey is 36 kg lighter at 70 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 Odyssey's 3. Headroom separates them further: 118 cm in the Altitude Electric against 100 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The Odyssey lists about 18% lower than the Altitude Electric. James Baroud also backs the Odyssey for 5 years against 3.

The Altitude Electric uses fiberglass; the Odyssey uses 4 mm ABS with UV coating. Canvas differs too: 380GSM poly-cotton canvas against 3-layer blackout fabric with thermal and acoustic insulation. The Altitude Electric adds the ability to carry cargo on the shell and integrated LED lighting, which the Odyssey does not offer.