Direct4x4 ClamTrekk vs Latitude Tents Explorer
The Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Latitude Tents Explorer 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. Direct4x4 and Latitude Tents take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk brings 76 kg and sleeps 2. The Latitude Tents Explorer counters with 75 kg and sleeps 2.
On weight they are effectively level — 76 kg against 75 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.
They open differently: the ClamTrekk is a clamshell and the Explorer a pop-up. 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. The ClamTrekk uses honeycomb aluminium; the Explorer uses aluminium hardshell. Canvas differs too: 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm against heavy-duty rip-stop poly-cotton with waterproof & UV-resistant coating (3000mm hydrostatic head).
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
Latitude Tents
Explorer
The Explorer is Latitude Tents's hardshell roof tent, opening on gas struts in a claimed 30 seconds and packing down to a 20cm-tall closed profile (excluding the supplied roof bars). It sleeps two on a 70mm foam mattress with an anti-condensation mat, and includes a built-in three-setting dimmable LED light plus load-bearing roof bars rated to 85kg closed and 25kg open. The maker publishes a 3000mm hydrostatic-head rating and a Gale Force 8 wind rating but does not list the tent's weight or full open dimensions as text.
- Hardshell opens on gas struts in a claimed 30 seconds
- Slim 20cm closed profile with roof bars rated 85kg closed / 25kg open
- Built-in dimmable LED light and 70mm foam mattress with anti-condensation mat
- Manufacturer does not publish the tent's full open dimensions in text
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 | Pop-up |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $3,070— best of the tents compared | $3,190— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 168 lb— worst of the tents compared | 165 lb est.— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 11 in | — |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in | — |
| Packed height | 7.9 in | 7.9 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | — | — |
| Sleeping width | — | — |
| Floor area | — | — |
| Interior height | — | — |
| Mattress thickness | — | 2.8 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | 30 sec |
| Shell material | Honeycomb aluminium | Aluminium hardshell |
| Fabric | 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm | Heavy-duty rip-stop poly-cotton with waterproof & UV-resistant coating (3000mm hydrostatic head) |
| Warranty | — | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | Latitude Tents product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Latitude Tents Explorer.