Darche Basecamp 2200 vs Horntools Elements Gen II 140

The Darche Basecamp 2200 and the Horntools Elements Gen II 140 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. Darche and Horntools take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.

By the numbers, the Darche Basecamp 2200 brings 87 kg, 5.06 m² of floor and sleeps 4. The Horntools Elements Gen II 140 counters with 73 kg, 4.64 m² of floor, 130 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.

The Elements Gen II 140 is 14 kg lighter at 73 kg against 87 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 Basecamp 2200 gives 5.06 m² of sleeping floor against 4.64 m², about 9 percent more, and it sleeps 4 to the Elements Gen II 140's 2. The Elements Gen II 140 lists about 9% lower than the Basecamp 2200. Horntools also backs the Elements Gen II 140 for 5 years against 3.

Canvas differs too: 260gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 210D Ripstop Polyester Oxford fly against 300 g/m2 sailcloth with PU coating; 35% cotton, 65% polyester (water column 2000 mm). Closed, the Basecamp 2200 sits 6 cm lower on the roof — 33 cm against 39 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.