Darche Detachable vs Vickywood BAOBAB AIR 135
The Darche Detachable and the Vickywood BAOBAB AIR 135 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 Vickywood take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The BAOBAB AIR 135 is 11.5 kg lighter at 42.5 kg against 54 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. The Detachable lists $290 lower, at $1,319 against $1,609.
They open differently: the Detachable is a clamshell and the BAOBAB AIR 135 an inflatable. That is not cosmetic — it decides whether headroom is even across the tent or tapers towards one end, and how much of the roof the tent occupies when closed. The Detachable uses aluminium Honeycomb base; the BAOBAB AIR 135 uses aluminum honeycomb base. Canvas differs too: 140gsm 200D Ripstop Polyester Oxford body with blackout (2000mm); 140gsm Ripstop Polyester Oxford fly (2000mm) against 280 g/m2, 3,000 mm water column, UV 50+.
Darche
Detachable
The Detachable is a softshell rooftop tent whose tent body (13kg) can be separated from its aluminium honeycomb baseboard, which with the ladder and transit cover weighs 41kg. It has an oversized sky window on body and fly, blackout coating, a built-in LED strip and a 50mm high-density foam mattress. Two floor mats and a heavy-duty PVC transit cover are included.
- Detachable tent body separates from the baseboard
- Oversized sky window and blackout coating
- Lowest price point in Darche's rooftop range
- No single combined weight published (13kg tent + 41kg base/ladder/cover)
Vickywood
BAOBAB AIR 135
The BAOBAB AIR 135 is Vickywood's inflatable folding tent, using a single-chamber air frame that unfolds as it inflates rather than poles. It sleeps 2 on a 220 x 130 cm area, has two roof windows and dimmable USB-C LED lighting, and the maker states inflation takes over a minute. It is the lightest-weight option among Vickywood's folding models by published figures.
- Pole-free single-chamber inflatable frame
- Low packed height (27 cm) and modest weight
- Two roof windows and dimmable USB-C LEDs
- Mattress thickness not published
Which one to pick
Take the BAOBAB AIR 135 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
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Inflatable |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,320— best of the tents compared | $1,610— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 119 lb— worst of the tents compared | 94 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 12.2 in— worst of the tents compared | 10.6 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | — | 7 ft 3 in |
| Sleeping width | — | 4 ft 3 in |
| Floor area | — | 30.8 sq ft |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in | — |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | Aluminium Honeycomb base | Aluminum honeycomb base |
| Fabric | 140gsm 200D Ripstop Polyester Oxford body with blackout (2000mm); 140gsm Ripstop Polyester Oxford fly (2000mm) | 280 g/m2, 3,000 mm water column, UV 50+ |
| Warranty | 3years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Vickywood product page |
Related comparisons
- DetachablevsFlinders
- BAOBAB AIR 135vsCamisarde 125
- BAOBAB AIR 135vsSoft Shell (61026)
- BAOBAB AIR 135vsDeluxe
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Detachable and the Vickywood BAOBAB AIR 135.