Darche Ridgeback Eco Poly vs Roam Adventure Co The Desperado
The Darche Ridgeback Eco Poly and the Roam Adventure Co The Desperado 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 Roam Adventure Co take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Darche Ridgeback Eco Poly brings 85 kg, 2.4 m² of floor, 144 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Roam Adventure Co The Desperado counters with 81.6 kg and sleeps 2.
On weight they are effectively level — 85 kg against 81.6 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one. Darche also backs the Ridgeback Eco Poly for 3 years against 2.
The Ridgeback Eco Poly uses 6-Series Aluminium; Heavy-Duty Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base; the The Desperado uses aluminium extrusion with honeycomb panels. Canvas differs too: ecoWGAF 280gsm Polyester Oxford Ripstop body (100% recycled); ecoWGAF 140gsm fly (3000mm) against 420D polyester Oxford.
Darche
Ridgeback Eco Poly
The Ridgeback HD Shell Eco is an aluminium clamshell hardshell that uses Darche's ecoWGAF fabric made from 100% recycled polyester for both body and fly. It has three full-width entry doors, a zippered sky window, internal USB LED lighting, Stabilus gas struts and a 55mm memory-foam mattress. The fly carries a 3000mm waterhead rating.
- Body and fly use 100% recycled ecoWGAF polyester
- Three full-width doors and zippered sky window
- German-engineered Stabilus gas struts
- No published dimensions
Roam Adventure Co
The Desperado
Roam's aluminium-honeycomb hardshell for two, opening in about 30 seconds; the maker does not publish its deployed footprint.
- ~30 s hardshell setup
- Aluminium honeycomb construction
- 2-year warranty
- Open dimensions not published
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 | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $3,300— worst of the tents compared | $3,199— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 187 lb est.— worst of the tents compared | 180 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 8.5 in— best of the tents compared | 9.8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 7 in | — |
| Sleeping width | 3 ft 11 in | — |
| Floor area | 25.8 sq ft | — |
| Interior height | 4 ft 9 in | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2.2 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.8 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. | 30 sec |
| Shell material | 6-Series Aluminium; Heavy-Duty Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base | Aluminium extrusion with honeycomb panels |
| Fabric | ecoWGAF 280gsm Polyester Oxford Ripstop body (100% recycled); ecoWGAF 140gsm fly (3000mm) | 420D polyester Oxford |
| Warranty | 3years— best of the tents compared | 2years— worst of the tents compared |
| 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 | Roam Adventure Co product page |
Related comparisons
- Ridgeback Eco PolyvsMt. Hood 2 Tent
- Ridgeback Eco PolyvsLightrize
- Ridgeback Eco PolyvsIntrepid 2.0 (1285mm)
- Ridgeback Eco PolyvsOnyx Triple X 1450
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Ridgeback Eco Poly and the Roam Adventure Co The Desperado.