Darche Solar vs Eezi-Awn Stealth
The Darche Solar and the Eezi-Awn Stealth 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 Eezi-Awn take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Darche Solar brings 88 kg, 2.4 m² of floor and sleeps 2. The Eezi-Awn Stealth counters with 90 kg, 2.8 m² of floor, 140 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
On weight they are effectively level — 88 kg against 90 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Inside, the Stealth gives 2.8 m² of sleeping floor against 2.4 m², about 17 percent more, though both are rated for 2. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
The Solar uses 2mm 6-Series Aluminium Alloy; Heavy-Duty 15mm Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base; the Stealth uses aerodynamic aluminium-encased hard-shell. Canvas differs too: 380gsm polycotton canvas with Darche Darkness (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (2000mm) against 280GSM heavy-duty ripstop canvas.
Darche
Solar
The Solar is an aluminium hardshell rooftop tent with an integrated 148W monocrystalline solar panel (22% efficiency) built into the shell. It has a 70mm memory-foam mattress, three full-width doors, a zippered sky window and bi-colour LED lighting. The battery and solar regulator are sold separately.
- Integrated 148W monocrystalline solar panel
- Thickest published mattress in Darche's hardshell line (70mm)
- 380gsm blackout canvas with 3000mm waterhead
- Battery and solar regulator not included
Eezi-Awn
Stealth
The Stealth is an aluminium-encased hard-shell tent whose patented scissor mechanism and gas struts automatically raise the front by 300mm on opening. Eezi-Awn lists a packed size of 1450 x 2200 x 320mm, a 90kg weight including the ladder, an 80mm SABS-approved mattress (130 x 215cm) and 280GSM ripstop canvas walls. It includes an LED interior light, USB and a 12-volt socket, an integrated rear-entrance awning and an aluminium ladder extending to 230cm.
- Published 90kg weight including the ladder
- 80mm mattress and 280GSM ripstop canvas walls
- LED light, USB and 12V socket plus an integrated rear awning
- Manufacturer does not publish open/erected dimensions or peak height
Which one to pick
Take the Stealth if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. 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 | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $3,960— worst of the tents compared | $3,900— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 194 lb est.— best of the tents compared | 198 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 3 in | 7 ft 3 in |
| Packed width | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11.8 in— best of the tents compared | 12.6 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 3 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 25.8 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 30.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft 7 in |
| Mattress thickness | 2.8 in— worst of the tents compared | 3.1 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 | 2mm 6-Series Aluminium Alloy; Heavy-Duty 15mm Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base | Aerodynamic aluminium-encased hard-shell |
| Fabric | 380gsm polycotton canvas with Darche Darkness (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (2000mm) | 280GSM heavy-duty ripstop canvas |
| Warranty | 3years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | Yes | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Eezi-Awn product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Solar and the Eezi-Awn Stealth.