RooftopTentCompare

Darche Buffalo 1535 vs Darche Highland 1300

Both of these are Darche tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Buffalo 1535 and the Highland 1300 share Darche's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.

The Highland 1300 is 13 kg lighter at 72 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 Buffalo 1535 gives 3 m² of sleeping floor against 2.63 m², about 14 percent more, and it sleeps 3 to the Highland 1300's 2. The Highland 1300 lists $594 lower, at $2,309 against $2,903.

Canvas differs too: 180gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas with blackout coating (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford fly (1500mm) against 180gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford fly (1500mm).

Darche

Buffalo 1535

The Buffalo 1535 is a side-opening aluminium hardshell rooftop tent with a low 180mm closed profile, fitting two to three people. It has a full-width sky window, blackout-coated canvas, white/amber LED strips and a 50mm memory-foam mattress. A 2.3m telescopic ladder is included.

  • Low 180mm packed profile
  • Full-width sky window and blackout canvas
  • Sleeps up to three
  • No published weight or open dimensions

Darche

Highland 1300

The Highland 1300 is a low-profile side-opening aluminium hardshell that packs to a 180mm profile. It features a full-width sky window, white/amber LED lighting, extendable internal hoops and a 50mm memory-foam mattress. A Darche roof rail accessory kit (T50801554A) is available separately.

  • Low 180mm packed profile
  • Full-width sky window
  • Extendable internal hoops for headroom
  • No published weight or open dimensions

Which one to pick

Take the Highland 1300 if the budget is fixed. Take the Highland 1300 if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Beyond that the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex, cargo rails — are where the remaining difference lies.

Every specification, side by side

Side-by-side specifications for Darche Buffalo 1535, Darche Highland 1300
Specification

Darche

Buffalo 1535
Hardshell
  • Most floor space
Check current price

Darche

Highland 1300
Hardshell
  • Lightest
  • Cheapest
Check current price
Overview
TypeHardshellHardshell
Opening styleClamshellClamshell
Sleeps3— best of the tents compared2— worst of the tents compared
Season rating——
List price$2,900— worst of the tents compared$2,310— best of the tents compared
Weight and size
Weight187 lb— worst of the tents compared159 lb— best of the tents compared
Packed length7 ft 3 in7 ft 3 in
Packed width5 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared4 ft 5 in— best of the tents compared
Packed height7.1 in7.1 in
Living space
Sleeping length6 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared
Sleeping width4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared
Floor area32.3 sq ft— best of the tents compared28.3 sq ft— worst of the tents compared
Interior height4 ft 7 in—
Mattress thickness2 in2 in
Setup and build
Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice.~60 secest.~60 secest.
Shell material6-Series Aluminium; Heavy-Duty Aluminium Honeycomb base6-Series Aluminium; Heavy-Duty Aluminium Honeycomb base
Fabric180gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas with blackout coating (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford fly (1500mm)180gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford fly (1500mm)
Warranty3years3years
Features
Integrated LED lightingYesYes
Heater / HVAC port——
Roof skylightYesYes
Annex available——
Solar ready——
Carries cargo on top——
Sources
Last verifiedDarche product pageDarche product page

Related comparisons

Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Buffalo 1535 and the Darche Highland 1300.