Darche Buffalo 1535 vs Eezi-Awn Blade 40th Edition
The Darche Buffalo 1535 and the Eezi-Awn Blade 40th Edition 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. Darche and Eezi-Awn take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
On weight they are effectively level — 85 kg against 82 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. The Blade 40th Edition lists $218 lower, at $2,685 against $2,903.
The Buffalo 1535 uses 6-Series Aluminium; Heavy-Duty Aluminium Honeycomb base; the Blade 40th Edition uses aluminium (extruded base with two 8mm accessory slots). Closed, the Buffalo 1535 sits 14 cm lower on the roof — 18 cm against 32 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
Eezi-Awn
Blade 40th Edition
The Blade 40th Edition is an aerodynamic aluminium hard-shell tent with an extruded base carrying two 8mm accessory slots and a K9 rack platform on top rated for solar panels, bikes or kayaks. Eezi-Awn lists an 82kg weight, packed dimensions of 2200 x 1450 x 320mm (rear), two stainless-steel locks, revised gas struts and a USB port. It is one of Eezi-Awn's aluminium hard-shell models.
- K9 roof platform rated for solar panels, bikes or kayaks
- Stainless-steel locks and revised gas struts
- Published 82kg weight and packed dimensions
- Manufacturer does not publish mattress thickness, capacity or open dimensions on this page
Which one to pick
These two are closely matched on the numbers that usually decide it. Read the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex — and let whichever of those you will actually use break the tie.
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— worst of the tents compared | $2,690— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 187 lb— worst of the tents compared | 181 lb— best 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 9 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.1 in— best of the tents compared | 12.6 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 10 in | — |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 9 in | — |
| Floor area | 32.3 sq ft | — |
| Interior height | 4 ft 7 in | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in | — |
| 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 | Aluminium (extruded base with two 8mm accessory slots) |
| Fabric | 180gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas with blackout coating (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford fly (1500mm) | — |
| Warranty | 3years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | Yes |
| Carries cargo on top | — | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Eezi-Awn 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 Eezi-Awn Blade 40th Edition.