Darche Hi-View 1400 vs Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander Standard Tent
The Darche Hi-View 1400 and the Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander Standard Tent 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 Smittybilt take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Darche Hi-View 1400 brings 56.5 kg, 3.36 m² of floor and sleeps 2. The Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander Standard Tent counters with 60 kg, 3.43 m² of floor, 129.54 cm of headroom and sleeps 3.
On weight they are effectively level — 56.5 kg against 60 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Floor area is close to identical at 3.36 m² and 3.43 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one. Darche also backs the Hi-View 1400 for 3 years against 2.
Canvas differs too: 260gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (1500mm); 210D Ripstop Polyester Oxford fly (2000mm) against 600D heavy-duty ripstop polyester, waterproof polyurethane-impregnated top; 420D oxford rainfly.
Darche
Hi-View 1400
The Hi-View 1400 is a fold-out softshell rooftop tent with a built-in adjustable trigger-lock canopy and a 65mm high-density foam mattress. It has a zippered sky window, a removable 600gsm PVC transit cover and internal storage pockets, and Darche states it is wind-tested to a constant 80km/h. An annex is available separately.
- Wind-tested to a constant 80km/h per Darche
- Zippered sky window and adjustable trigger-lock canopy
- Shares the entry price point in Darche's range
- No published open dimensions
Smittybilt
Gen2 Overlander Standard Tent
The Gen2 Overlander Standard is the more compact of Smittybilt's two soft-shell fold-out rooftop tents, sleeping 2-3 on a full-size 92" x 55" mattress. It uses a 600D ripstop polyester body with a 420D oxford rainfly, an anodized aluminum frame, stainless steel hinges and an LED light strip. Smittybilt rates it for a 660lbs/300kg load and covers it with a 2-year warranty.
- Full-size mattress and lower price than the XL soft-shell version
- Integrated LED strip and no-see-um mosquito screens
- 660lbs/300kg rated load with anodized aluminum frame
- Manufacturer does not publish mattress thickness
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 | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2— worst of the tents compared | 3— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,320— best of the tents compared | $1,499.99— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 125 lb est.— best of the tents compared | 132 lb est.— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 13 in— worst of the tents compared | 11.5 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 36.9 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft 3 in |
| Mattress thickness | 2.6 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 | Coated Heavy-Duty Compressed Alloy base | — |
| Fabric | 260gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (1500mm); 210D Ripstop Polyester Oxford fly (2000mm) | 600D heavy-duty ripstop polyester, waterproof polyurethane-impregnated top; 420D oxford rainfly |
| Warranty | 3years— best of the tents compared | 2years— worst of the tents compared |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Smittybilt product page |
Related comparisons
- Hi-View 1400vsIntrepidor 2
- Hi-View 1400vsLite Cruiser 120 XL
- Hi-View 1400vsGalaxy
- Hi-View 1400vsLITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Hi-View 1400 and the Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander Standard Tent.