Direct4x4 ClamTrekk vs Thule Widesky
The Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Thule Widesky 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 Thule take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk brings 76 kg and sleeps 2. The Thule Widesky counters with 67 kg, 2.95 m² of floor, 117 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
The Widesky is 9 kg lighter at 67 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. The ClamTrekk lists about 23% lower than the Widesky.
The ClamTrekk uses honeycomb aluminium; the Widesky uses aluminum frame with fiber-reinforced polyamide corners and aluminum honeycomb base. Canvas differs too: 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm against 600D recycled polyester ripstop, water resistant.
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
Thule
Widesky
Thule's hardshell flagship, and the only tent here whose mattress converts into a backrest so the interior works as a seating space in daylight. The 20 cm closed profile matches the Roofnest Falcon.
- Mattress converts to a sofa backrest
- 20 cm closed profile
- Two dimmable USB LED lights
- $4,000 for a two-person tent
Which one to pick
Take the ClamTrekk if the budget is fixed. Take the Widesky 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 | — | 4-season |
| List price | $3,070— best of the tents compared | $3,999.95— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 168 lb— worst of the tents compared | 147 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.9 in | 7.9 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | — | 6 ft 11 in |
| Sleeping width | — | 4 ft 7 in |
| Floor area | — | 31.8 sq ft |
| Interior height | — | 3 ft 10 in |
| Mattress thickness | — | 2.4 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 | Honeycomb aluminium | Aluminum frame with fiber-reinforced polyamide corners and aluminum honeycomb base |
| Fabric | 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm | 600D recycled polyester ripstop, water resistant |
| Warranty | — | — |
| 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 | Thule product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Thule Widesky.