ARB Flinders vs Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2
The ARB Flinders and the Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 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. ARB and Ironman 4x4 take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
On weight they are effectively level — 54 kg against 56 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Inside, the Cross 1200 MK2 gives 4.38 m² of sleeping floor against 3.36 m², about 30 percent more, and it sleeps 3 to the Flinders's 2. List prices are within $121 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
Canvas differs too: PU-coated polycotton against 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh.
ARB
Flinders
The Flinders is a fold-out softshell tent with a low pack-down profile and a large bed footprint of roughly 2400 x 1400mm. It includes a 50mm high-density foam mattress, an integrated dimmable LED light with USB charging, a skylight window and five mesh-screened windows. It uses 25mm anodized aluminium poles.
- Large sleeping footprint for a softshell
- Integrated LED light with USB charging
- Low pack-down profile with attached cover
- Slower fold-out setup than ARB's hardshells
Ironman 4x4
Cross 1200 MK2
The Cross 1200 MK2 is Ironman 4x4's softshell fold-out tent, whose fold-out design roughly doubles its footprint to a 120.5 x 56.3 inch open floor sleeping two adults and a child. At a published 125 lbs it is lighter than the brand's hardshell tents and uses 420D polyester Oxford fabric with a 2.8-inch high-density foam mattress. Ironman 4x4 sells a matching Cross 1200 annex room, and the tent is rated for 3-season use.
- Lighter than Ironman 4x4's hardshell models (125 lb published)
- Optional matching Cross 1200 annex room available from the brand
- Integrated star-gazing sky windows and a heater/AC hose inlet
- Rated 3-season, versus the 4-season rating on the brand's hardshells
Which one to pick
Take the Cross 1200 MK2 if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. 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 | — | 3-season |
| List price | $1,180— best of the tents compared | $1,299— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 119 lb— best of the tents compared | 125 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | — | 16.9 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared | 10 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 47.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.8 in— best 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 | — | Soft shell |
| Fabric | PU-coated polycotton | 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh |
| Warranty | 3years | 3years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | Yes |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | ARB product page | Ironman 4x4 product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the ARB Flinders and the Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2.