Darche Buffalo 1535 vs Darche Solar
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 Solar share Darche's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
On weight they are effectively level — 85 kg against 88 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Inside, the Buffalo 1535 gives 3 m² of sleeping floor against 2.4 m², about 25 percent more, and it sleeps 3 to the Solar's 2. The Buffalo 1535 lists $1,056 lower, at $2,903 against $3,959.
The Buffalo 1535 uses 6-Series Aluminium; Heavy-Duty Aluminium Honeycomb base; the Solar uses 2mm 6-Series Aluminium Alloy; Heavy-Duty 15mm Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base. Canvas differs too: 180gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas with blackout coating (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford fly (1500mm) against 380gsm polycotton canvas with Darche Darkness (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (2000mm). Closed, the Buffalo 1535 sits 12 cm lower on the roof — 18 cm against 30 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
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
Solar
The Solar is an aluminium hardshell rooftop tent with an integrated 148W monocrystalline solar panel (22% efficiency) built into the shell. It has a 70mm memory-foam mattress, three full-width doors, a zippered sky window and bi-colour LED lighting. The battery and solar regulator are sold separately.
- Integrated 148W monocrystalline solar panel
- Thickest published mattress in Darche's hardshell line (70mm)
- 380gsm blackout canvas with 3000mm waterhead
- Battery and solar regulator not included
Which one to pick
Take the Buffalo 1535 if the budget is fixed. Take the Buffalo 1535 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 | 3— best of the tents compared | 2— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $2,900— best of the tents compared | $3,960— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 187 lb— best of the tents compared | 194 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 5 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.1 in— best of the tents compared | 11.8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 32.3 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 25.8 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 7 in | — |
| 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. | ~60 secest. | ~60 secest. |
| Shell material | 6-Series Aluminium; Heavy-Duty Aluminium Honeycomb base | 2mm 6-Series Aluminium Alloy; Heavy-Duty 15mm Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base |
| Fabric | 180gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas with blackout coating (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford fly (1500mm) | 380gsm polycotton canvas with Darche Darkness (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (2000mm) |
| Warranty | 3years | 3years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | Yes |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Darche product page |
Related comparisons
- Buffalo 1535vsAdventurer
- Buffalo 1535vsCUMARU EASE 135
- Buffalo 1535vsAspen Pro Standard
- Buffalo 1535vsCloud 140
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Buffalo 1535 and the Darche Solar.