Direct4x4 ClamTrekk vs Roam Adventure Co The Desperado
The Direct4x4 ClamTrekk 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. Direct4x4 and Roam Adventure Co take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk brings 76 kg and sleeps 2. The Roam Adventure Co The Desperado counters with 81.6 kg and sleeps 2.
The ClamTrekk is 5.599999999999994 kg lighter at 76 kg against 81.6 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 ClamTrekk uses honeycomb aluminium; the The Desperado uses aluminium extrusion with honeycomb panels. Canvas differs too: 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm against 420D polyester Oxford. Closed, the ClamTrekk sits 5 cm lower on the roof — 20 cm against 25 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
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
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
Take the ClamTrekk 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 | $3,070— best of the tents compared | $3,199— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 168 lb— best of the tents compared | 180 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 11 in | 6 ft 11 in |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in | 4 ft 3 in |
| Packed height | 7.9 in— best of the tents compared | 9.8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| 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 extrusion with honeycomb panels |
| Fabric | 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm | 420D polyester Oxford |
| Warranty | — | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | Roam Adventure Co product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Roam Adventure Co The Desperado.