Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout vs Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2
The Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout and the Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 are both softshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Direct4x4 and Ironman 4x4 take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Cross 1200 MK2 is 10 kg lighter at 56 kg against 66 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Inside, the Cross 1200 MK2 gives 4.38 m² of sleeping floor against 3.36 m², about 30 percent more, though both are rated for 3. List prices are within $83 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
Canvas differs too: 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas, PU impregnated, water column 2,000 mm against 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh. Closed, the Expedition Foldout sits 13.93 cm lower on the roof — 29 cm against 42.93 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Direct4x4
Expedition Foldout
The Expedition Foldout is Direct4x4's soft-shell fold-out tent for three (two adults and a child), available in sand, granite grey and forest green. It opens to 240 x 140 cm with a 130 cm interior height on a 2.5 cm corrosion-resistant aluminium/polyurethane sandwich base and folds down to 29 cm tall at 66 kg. The 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas is rated to a 2,000 mm water column, and the tent ships with a fold-out ladder, mosquito net, zip-on annex skirt and a waterproof travel cover.
- Available in three colours (sand, grey, green)
- Ships with a zip-on annex skirt, mosquito net and travel cover
- 6 cm high-density foam mattress
- Canvas water-column rating is 2,000 mm
Ironman 4x4
Cross 1200 MK2
The Cross 1200 MK2 is Ironman 4x4's softshell fold-out tent, whose fold-out design roughly doubles its footprint to a 120.5 x 56.3 inch open floor sleeping two adults and a child. At a published 125 lbs it is lighter than the brand's hardshell tents and uses 420D polyester Oxford fabric with a 2.8-inch high-density foam mattress. Ironman 4x4 sells a matching Cross 1200 annex room, and the tent is rated for 3-season use.
- Lighter than Ironman 4x4's hardshell models (125 lb published)
- Optional matching Cross 1200 annex room available from the brand
- Integrated star-gazing sky windows and a heater/AC hose inlet
- Rated 3-season, versus the 4-season rating on the brand's hardshells
Which one to pick
Take the Cross 1200 MK2 if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Cross 1200 MK2 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 | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 3 | 3 |
| Season rating | — | 3-season |
| List price | $1,220— best of the tents compared | $1,299— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 146 lb— worst of the tents compared | 125 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11.4 in— best of the tents compared | 16.9 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared | 10 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 47.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.4 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | — | Soft shell |
| Fabric | 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas, PU impregnated, water column 2,000 mm | 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh |
| Warranty | — | 3years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | Yes |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | Ironman 4x4 product page |
Related comparisons
- Expedition FoldoutvsFeather-Lite II
- Expedition FoldoutvsFlinders
- Expedition FoldoutvsGalaxy
- Cross 1200 MK2vsGO
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout and the Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2.