Darche Highland 1300 vs Direct4x4 ClamTrekk
The Darche Highland 1300 and the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk 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 Direct4x4 take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Darche Highland 1300 brings 72 kg, 2.63 m² of floor and sleeps 2. The Direct4x4 ClamTrekk counters with 76 kg and sleeps 2.
On weight they are effectively level — 72 kg against 76 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. The Highland 1300 lists about 25% lower than the ClamTrekk.
The Highland 1300 uses 6-Series Aluminium; Heavy-Duty Aluminium Honeycomb base; the ClamTrekk uses honeycomb aluminium. Canvas differs too: 180gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford fly (1500mm) against 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm.
Darche
Highland 1300
The Highland 1300 is a low-profile side-opening aluminium hardshell that packs to a 180mm profile. It features a full-width sky window, white/amber LED lighting, extendable internal hoops and a 50mm memory-foam mattress. A Darche roof rail accessory kit (T50801554A) is available separately.
- Low 180mm packed profile
- Full-width sky window
- Extendable internal hoops for headroom
- No published open dimensions
Direct4x4
ClamTrekk
The ClamTrekk is Direct4x4's two-person hard-shell clamshell tent, built around a honeycomb aluminium shell that opens on gas struts from either side. Direct4x4 publishes closed dimensions of 210 x 130 x 20 cm and a 76 kg weight but does not list the open dimensions, interior height or mattress thickness. It ships with a telescopic ladder, two door poles, a camping light with 12V internal sockets, an anti-condensation mat, boot bags and two roof-rack bars.
- Honeycomb aluminium shell opens quickly on gas struts
- Ships with ladder, camping light, 12V sockets and two roof-rack bars
- Fabric rated to a 10,000 mm water column
- Open dimensions and interior height are not published
Which one to pick
Take the Highland 1300 if the budget is fixed. 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 | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $2,310— best of the tents compared | $3,070— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 159 lb est.— best of the tents compared | 168 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 5 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 | 7.9 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 11 in | — |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 1 in | — |
| Floor area | 28.3 sq ft | — |
| Interior height | — | — |
| 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 | Honeycomb aluminium |
| Fabric | 180gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford fly (1500mm) | 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm |
| Warranty | 3years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Direct4x4 product page |
Related comparisons
- Highland 1300vsKozi Skyline
- Highland 1300vsBush Cruiser V2 Pro 120
- Highland 1300vsKabari Superfly
- Highland 1300vsOrion 1200 Lightweight
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Highland 1300 and the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk.