Darche Kozi Pop Up G2 vs Direct4x4 Pathseeker Auto Solar
The Darche Kozi Pop Up G2 and the Direct4x4 Pathseeker Auto Solar 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.
On weight they are effectively level — 61 kg against 62 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. The Pathseeker Auto Solar lists $507 lower, at $1,472 against $1,979.
The Kozi Pop Up G2 uses ABS shell with Stainless Steel internal frame; the Pathseeker Auto Solar uses ABS polymer composite. Canvas differs too: 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas (3000mm waterhead) against 210D ripstop Poly Oxford, PU 2,000 mm, silver coating, UPF50+.
Darche
Kozi Pop Up G2
The Kozi Pop Up G2 is an ABS-shell pop-up rooftop tent raised on gas struts over a stainless-steel internal frame. It has a 50mm high-density foam mattress, built-in LED strips, wraparound windows with fine insect mesh, taped seams and self-repairing coil zips. It is the entry price point in Darche's hardshell range.
- Quick gas-strut pop-up deployment
- Wraparound windows with insect mesh
- Taped seams and self-repairing coil zips
- No published weight or dimensions
Direct4x4
Pathseeker Auto Solar
The Pathseeker is a two-person hard-shell rooftop tent with a heavy-duty ABS polymer composite shell and a built-in solar panel that powers its remote-control opening mechanism and a USB device charger. It opens to 225 x 135 cm with a 130 cm interior height and a 62 kg tent weight, using a 210D ripstop Poly Oxford fly with a silver PU coating rated UPF50+. Direct4x4 offers a matching annex room, sun-shade awnings and a detachable thermal inner tent as add-ons.
- Built-in solar panel powers the remote-control opening and a USB charger
- 5 cm mattress and ABS composite shell
- Supported by Direct4x4 annex, awning and thermal inner-tent add-ons
- Two-person capacity only
Which one to pick
Take the Pathseeker Auto Solar 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 | Pop-up | Pop-up |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,980— worst of the tents compared | $1,470— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 134 lb— best of the tents compared | 137 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11.4 in— best of the tents compared | 11.8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | — | 7 ft 5 in |
| Sleeping width | — | 4 ft 5 in |
| Floor area | — | 32.7 sq ft |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft 3 in |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in | 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 | ABS shell with Stainless Steel internal frame | ABS polymer composite |
| Fabric | 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas (3000mm waterhead) | 210D ripstop Poly Oxford, PU 2,000 mm, silver coating, UPF50+ |
| Warranty | 2years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | Yes |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Direct4x4 product page |
Related comparisons
- Kozi Pop Up G2vsOrion 1 Plus
- Kozi Pop Up G2vsMiles on Top
- Kozi Pop Up G2vsRoamer
- Pathseeker Auto SolarvsPolaris 2
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Kozi Pop Up G2 and the Direct4x4 Pathseeker Auto Solar.