Darche Lightrize vs Freespirit Recreation Nova King

The Darche Lightrize and the Freespirit Recreation Nova King 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 Freespirit Recreation take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.

By the numbers, the Darche Lightrize brings 80 kg, 2.4 m² of floor and sleeps 2. The Freespirit Recreation Nova King counters with 73.5 kg, 3.81 m² of floor, 109.9 cm of headroom and sleeps 4.

The Nova King is 6.5 kg lighter at 73.5 kg against 80 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 Nova King gives 3.81 m² of sleeping floor against 2.4 m², about 59 percent more, and it sleeps 4 to the Lightrize's 2. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.

The Lightrize uses 6-Series Aluminium Alloy Extrusions with composite honeycomb baseboard; the Nova King uses extruded aluminum with polymer corners. Canvas differs too: 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (3000mm waterhead) against tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop. Closed, the Lightrize sits 8.2 cm lower on the roof — 21 cm against 29.2 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.