Darche Kozi Pop Up G2 vs Howling Moon Solar
The Darche Kozi Pop Up G2 and the Howling Moon 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 Howling Moon take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Darche Kozi Pop Up G2 brings 61 kg and sleeps 2. The Howling Moon Solar counters with 60 kg, 3.36 m² of floor, 140 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
On weight they are effectively level — 61 kg against 60 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. The Solar lists about 14% lower than the Kozi Pop Up G2.
They open differently: the Kozi Pop Up G2 is a pop-up and the Solar 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. Canvas differs too: 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas (3000mm waterhead) against 370gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated.
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 dimensions
Howling Moon
Solar
The Solar is a clamshell hardshell tent with a hard lid and gas-assisted struts, an openable roof window for stargazing and an 85 mm high-density foam mattress. Roof-bar mounting points allow fitting a solar panel or other accessories, and it has insect-screened windows and doors with a ventilated flysheet layer.
- Openable roof window for stargazing
- Roof-bar mounts for a solar panel or accessories
- Published open dimensions and interior height
- Two different weights (60 kg and ~70 kg) appear in the listing
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 | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Pop-up | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,980— worst of the tents compared | $1,710— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 134 lb est.— worst of the tents compared | 132 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 5 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11.4 in— worst of the tents compared | 10.6 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | — | 6 ft 11 in |
| Sleeping width | — | 5 ft 3 in |
| Floor area | — | 36.2 sq ft |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft 7 in |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in— worst of the tents compared | 3.3 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 secest. |
| Shell material | ABS shell with Stainless Steel internal frame | — |
| Fabric | 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas (3000mm waterhead) | 370gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated |
| Warranty | 2years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | Yes |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Howling Moon product page |
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Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Kozi Pop Up G2 and the Howling Moon Solar.