Darche Streamliner 1250 vs Direct4x4 ClamTrekk
The Darche Streamliner 1250 and the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk 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.
By the numbers, the Darche Streamliner 1250 brings 69 kg, 2.4 m² of floor, 145 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Direct4x4 ClamTrekk counters with 76 kg and sleeps 2.
The Streamliner 1250 is 7 kg lighter at 69 kg against 76 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
The Streamliner 1250 uses 6-Series Aluminium / EPE composite; the ClamTrekk uses honeycomb aluminium. Canvas differs too: 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (1500mm) against 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm. Closed, the Streamliner 1250 sits 5 cm lower on the roof — 15 cm against 20 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Darche
Streamliner 1250
The Streamliner 1250 is a low-profile aluminium composite clamshell hardshell that packs down to 150mm and publishes a 69kg weight. It has three full-width access doors with a removable fly, dimmable bi-colour USB LED lighting, self-repairing coil zips and a 50mm memory-foam mattress. Darche lists a 3-year warranty on it.
- Very low 150mm packed height
- Published weight (69kg) and 3-year warranty
- Self-repairing coil zips and removable fly
- Open/external dimensions not published
Direct4x4
ClamTrekk
The ClamTrekk is Direct4x4's two-person hard-shell clamshell tent, built around a honeycomb aluminium shell that opens on gas struts from either side. Direct4x4 publishes closed dimensions of 210 x 130 x 20 cm and a 76 kg weight but does not list the open dimensions, interior height or mattress thickness. It ships with a telescopic ladder, two door poles, a camping light with 12V internal sockets, an anti-condensation mat, boot bags and two roof-rack bars.
- Honeycomb aluminium shell opens quickly on gas struts
- Ships with ladder, camping light, 12V sockets and two roof-rack bars
- Fabric rated to a 10,000 mm water column
- Open dimensions and interior height are not published
Which one to pick
Take the Streamliner 1250 if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. 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 | $3,040— best of the tents compared | $3,070— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 152 lb— best of the tents compared | 168 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 11 in | 6 ft 11 in |
| Packed width | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 5.9 in— best of the tents compared | 7.9 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 9 in | — |
| Sleeping width | 3 ft 10 in | — |
| Floor area | 25.8 sq ft | — |
| Interior height | 4 ft 9 in | — |
| Mattress thickness | 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 | 6-Series Aluminium / EPE composite | Honeycomb aluminium |
| Fabric | 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (1500mm) | 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm |
| Warranty | 3years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Direct4x4 product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Streamliner 1250 and the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk.