Darche Hi-View 1400 vs Vickywood LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2
The Darche Hi-View 1400 and the Vickywood LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2 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.
By the numbers, the Darche Hi-View 1400 brings 56.5 kg, 3.36 m² of floor and sleeps 2. The Vickywood LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2 counters with 43 kg, 2.7 m² of floor, 115 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
The LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2 is 13.5 kg lighter at 43 kg against 56.5 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 Hi-View 1400 gives 3.36 m² of sleeping floor against 2.7 m², about 24 percent more, though both are rated for 2. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
The Hi-View 1400 uses coated Heavy-Duty Compressed Alloy base; the LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2 uses 1000G PVC protective cover. Canvas differs too: 260gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (1500mm); 210D Ripstop Polyester Oxford fly (2000mm) against 420D Oxford polyester, PU-coated, 3,000 mm water column, UV 50+.
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
Vickywood
LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2
The LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2 is a compact soft-shell fold-out tent for up to 2 people, with semi-automatic opening/closing side windows and a 7 cm cold-foam mattress. It has two roof windows and a 100 cm warm-white LED strip with USB. It is among Vickywood's lightest folding tents by published weight.
- Thick 7 cm cold-foam mattress
- Compact and light for a fold-out tent
- Two roof windows for ventilation
- Modest 3,000 mm water column rating
Which one to pick
Take the LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2 if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Hi-View 1400 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 | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,320— best of the tents compared | $1,390— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 125 lb est.— worst of the tents compared | 95 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 13 in— best of the tents compared | 13.8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 29.1 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | 3 ft 9 in |
| Mattress thickness | 2.6 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. | ~5 minest. | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | Coated Heavy-Duty Compressed Alloy base | 1000G PVC protective cover |
| Fabric | 260gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (1500mm); 210D Ripstop Polyester Oxford fly (2000mm) | 420D Oxford polyester, PU-coated, 3,000 mm water column, UV 50+ |
| Warranty | 3years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Vickywood product page |
Related comparisons
- Hi-View 1400vsIntrepidor 2
- Hi-View 1400vsLite Cruiser 120 XL
- Hi-View 1400vsGalaxy
- LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2vsLite Cruiser 120 XL
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Hi-View 1400 and the Vickywood LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2.