ARB Esperance V2 vs TentBox Classic

The ARB Esperance V2 and the TentBox Classic 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 TentBox 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 TentBox Classic counters with 67 kg, 2.79 m² of floor, 100 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.

The Esperance V2 is 9 kg lighter at 58 kg against 67 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 2.85 m² and 2.79 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Headroom separates them further: 113 cm in the Esperance V2 against 100 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. TentBox also backs the Classic for 5 years against 3.

The Esperance V2 uses heat-treated ABS; the Classic uses ABS shell with aluminium frame and stainless steel hardware. Canvas differs too: 200GSM poly-cotton canvas (fire retardant); 210D silver-coated oxford rainfly against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head. The Esperance V2 adds a roof skylight, which the Classic does not offer.