Darche Buffalo 1535 vs Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard
The Darche Buffalo 1535 and the Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard 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 Freespirit Recreation take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Aspen Pro Standard is 24.200000000000003 kg lighter at 60.8 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 2.39 m², about 26 percent more, and it sleeps 3 to the Aspen Pro Standard's 2. List prices are within $8 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
The Buffalo 1535 uses 6-Series Aluminium; Heavy-Duty Aluminium Honeycomb base; the Aspen Pro Standard uses aluminum hardshell: extruded aluminum frame, polymer corners, honeycomb aluminum top. Canvas differs too: 180gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas with blackout coating (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford fly (1500mm) against tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop.
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
Freespirit Recreation
Aspen Pro Standard
The Aspen Pro Standard is the 1-2 person version of Freespirit Recreation's aluminum-hardshell Aspen Pro clamshell, with a honeycomb aluminum top and gas-strut assisted opening. It weighs 134 lbs and is heavier than the tonneau-topped Aspen Lite Standard but uses a full hardshell lid. Dual-channel aluminum rails allow mounting crossbars and accessories.
- Full aluminum honeycomb hardshell with gas-strut assist
- Dual-channel aluminum rails for mounting accessories
- Includes mattress, ladder, cover and gear storage grid
- Narrower 1-2 person interior floor
Which one to pick
Take the Aspen Pro Standard if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. 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 | — | 4-season |
| List price | $2,900— worst of the tents compared | $2,895— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 187 lb— worst of the tents compared | 134 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 5 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.1 in— best of the tents compared | 7.4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 32.3 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 25.7 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| 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 | Aluminum hardshell: extruded aluminum frame, polymer corners, honeycomb aluminum top |
| Fabric | 180gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas with blackout coating (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford fly (1500mm) | Tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop |
| Warranty | 3years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | Yes |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Freespirit Recreation product page |
Related comparisons
- Buffalo 1535vsAdventurer
- Buffalo 1535vsCUMARU EASE 135
- Buffalo 1535vsCloud 140
- Aspen Pro StandardvsAdventurer
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Buffalo 1535 and the Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard.