ARB Esperance V2 vs Horntools Cloud 140

The ARB Esperance V2 and the Horntools Cloud 140 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 Horntools take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.

By the numbers, the ARB Esperance V2 brings 58 kg, 2.85 m² of floor, 113 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Horntools Cloud 140 counters with 60 kg, 3.18 m² of floor, 122 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.

On weight they are effectively level — 58 kg against 60 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Inside, the Cloud 140 gives 3.18 m² of sleeping floor against 2.85 m², about 12 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. Horntools also backs the Cloud 140 for 5 years against 3.

The Esperance V2 uses heat-treated ABS; the Cloud 140 uses PVC (matte black), aluminium frame. Canvas differs too: 200GSM poly-cotton canvas (fire retardant); 210D silver-coated oxford rainfly against 300 g/m2 sailcloth with PU coating; 65% polyester, 35% cotton (water column 2000 mm); canopy 210D Oxford with PU coating (3000 mm). Closed, the Cloud 140 sits 20.5 cm lower on the roof — 12.5 cm against 33 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.