ARB Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm) vs Darche Ridgeback Eco Poly
The ARB Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm) and the Darche Ridgeback Eco Poly 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 Darche take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the ARB Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm) brings 70 kg, 2.89 m² of floor, 138 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Darche Ridgeback Eco Poly counters with 85 kg, 2.4 m² of floor, 144 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
The Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm) is 15 kg lighter at 70 kg against 85 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 Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm) gives 2.89 m² of sleeping floor against 2.4 m², about 20 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.
The Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm) uses honeycomb aluminium; the Ridgeback Eco Poly uses 6-Series Aluminium; Heavy-Duty Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base. Canvas differs too: 300D double rip-stop polycotton, PU coated against ecoWGAF 280gsm Polyester Oxford Ripstop body (100% recycled); ecoWGAF 140gsm fly (3000mm).
ARB
Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm)
The Intrepid 2.0 is the narrowest (1285mm) of ARB's three honeycomb-aluminium hardshell Intrepid sizes, sleeping two adults with 138cm of internal headroom. It packs down to 180mm high and deploys in about 60 seconds via quad gas struts. The mattress is a 50mm foam layer over a 15mm condensation mat.
- Slim 180mm pack-down height
- Manufacturer-stated 60-second setup
- Full 138cm internal headroom
- Narrowest sleeping width of the Intrepid range
Darche
Ridgeback Eco Poly
The Ridgeback HD Shell Eco is an aluminium clamshell hardshell that uses Darche's ecoWGAF fabric made from 100% recycled polyester for both body and fly. It has three full-width entry doors, a zippered sky window, internal USB LED lighting, Stabilus gas struts and a 55mm memory-foam mattress. The fly carries a 3000mm waterhead rating.
- Body and fly use 100% recycled ecoWGAF polyester
- Three full-width doors and zippered sky window
- German-engineered Stabilus gas struts
- No published dimensions
Which one to pick
Take the Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm) if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm) 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 | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $3,300— best of the tents compared | $3,300— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 154 lb— best of the tents compared | 187 lb est.— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.1 in— best of the tents compared | 8.5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 5 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 31.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 25.8 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.2 in— best of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 60 sec | ~60 secest. |
| Shell material | Honeycomb aluminium | 6-Series Aluminium; Heavy-Duty Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base |
| Fabric | 300D double rip-stop polycotton, PU coated | ecoWGAF 280gsm Polyester Oxford Ripstop body (100% recycled); ecoWGAF 140gsm fly (3000mm) |
| Warranty | 3years | 3years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | ARB product page | Darche product page |
Related comparisons
- Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm)vsOnyx Triple X 1450
- Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm)vsMt. Hood 2 Tent
- Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm)vsGrundet
- Ridgeback Eco PolyvsMt. Hood 2 Tent
Or read the full spec sheets for the ARB Intrepid 2.0 (1285mm) and the Darche Ridgeback Eco Poly.