Darche Kozi HighRize 1250 vs TentBox Classic
The Darche Kozi HighRize 1250 and the TentBox Classic 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 TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Classic is 32 kg lighter at 67 kg against 99 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Floor area is close to identical at 2.66 m² and 2.79 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. List prices are within $86 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one. TentBox also backs the Classic for 5 years against 2.
They open differently: the Kozi HighRize 1250 is a fold-out and the Classic a clamshell. 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 Kozi HighRize 1250 uses 6-Series Aluminium; the Classic uses ABS shell with aluminium frame and stainless steel hardware. Canvas differs too: 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (3000mm both) against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head. Closed, the Kozi HighRize 1250 sits 12.5 cm lower on the roof — 22.5 cm against 35 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Darche
Kozi HighRize 1250
The Kozi HighRize 1250 is a twin-fold aluminium hardshell rooftop tent for two, with large windows on all four sides. It publishes a 55mm memory-foam mattress, two integrated dimmable LED strips and built-in USB-A, USB-C and 12V power outlets (battery not included). It stores two sleeping bags and two pillows when closed.
- Windows on all four sides for ventilation
- Integrated USB-A/USB-C/12V power and dual LED strips
- 3000mm waterhead on both body and fly
- No published weight or external dimensions
TentBox
Classic
The gas-strut hardshell in TentBox's range, opening in a minute and holding bedding inside when closed. Its five-year warranty is longer than any American or Korean brand here offers.
- 60-second gas-strut opening
- 5-year warranty
- Bedding stays inside when packed
- 67 kg for a two-person tent
Which one to pick
Take the Classic 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 | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $2,640— best of the tents compared | $2,730— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 218 lb— worst of the tents compared | 148 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 8.9 in— best of the tents compared | 13.8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 2 in | 7 ft 2 in |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 28.6 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 30 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.2 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | 60 sec |
| Shell material | 6-Series Aluminium | ABS shell with aluminium frame and stainless steel hardware |
| Fabric | 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (3000mm both) | Stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head |
| Warranty | 2years— worst of the tents compared | 5years— best of the tents compared |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | No |
| Roof skylight | — | No |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | No |
| Carries cargo on top | — | No |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | TentBox product page |
Related comparisons
- Kozi HighRize 1250vsBlade 40th Edition
- Kozi HighRize 1250vsGen 3-R Expedition
- Kozi HighRize 1250vsAluminum Pop-up
- ClassicvsStealth
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Kozi HighRize 1250 and the TentBox Classic.