Eezi-Awn Dart vs Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard
The Eezi-Awn Dart and the Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard 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. Eezi-Awn and Freespirit Recreation take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Eezi-Awn Dart brings 70 kg, 140 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard counters with 60.8 kg, 2.39 m² of floor, 132.1 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
The Aspen Pro Standard is 9.200000000000003 kg lighter at 60.8 kg against 70 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 Aspen Pro Standard lists about 6% lower than the Dart.
The Dart uses fibreglass (lightweight white fibreglass body); the Aspen Pro Standard uses aluminum hardshell: extruded aluminum frame, polymer corners, honeycomb aluminum top. Canvas differs too: 260 g Teflon-coated polyester ripstop against tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop. Closed, the Aspen Pro Standard sits 13.3 cm lower on the roof — 18.7 cm against 32 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Eezi-Awn
Dart
The Dart is an aerodynamic fibreglass hard-shell clamshell tent rated for two people, opening in seconds with the ladder stowing inside the tent. US dealers list a lightweight white fibreglass body, 260-gram Teflon-coated polyester ripstop walls, an 80mm high-density laminated mattress, National Luna interior LED lighting and a 12V socket. Closed size is 2200 x 1450mm, 320mm high at the rear tapering to 165mm at the front, opening to a 1400mm interior peak height, with a weight of 70kg including the ladder.
- Fibreglass shell with an extension ladder that stows inside the tent
- 80mm high-density mattress with interior LED and a 12V socket
- Published 70kg weight including the ladder
- No longer listed in Eezi-Awn's own online catalogue, so specs are taken from a US dealer
Freespirit Recreation
Aspen Pro Standard
The Aspen Pro Standard is the 1-2 person version of Freespirit Recreation's aluminum-hardshell Aspen Pro clamshell, with a honeycomb aluminum top and gas-strut assisted opening. It weighs 134 lbs and is heavier than the tonneau-topped Aspen Lite Standard but uses a full hardshell lid. Dual-channel aluminum rails allow mounting crossbars and accessories.
- Full aluminum honeycomb hardshell with gas-strut assist
- Dual-channel aluminum rails for mounting accessories
- Includes mattress, ladder, cover and gear storage grid
- Narrower 1-2 person interior floor
Which one to pick
Take the Aspen Pro Standard 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 | $3,400— worst of the tents compared | $3,195— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 154 lb— worst of the tents compared | 134 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 12.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 7.4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | — | 6 ft 9 in |
| Sleeping width | — | 3 ft 10 in |
| Floor area | — | 25.7 sq ft |
| Interior height | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 3.1 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 | Fibreglass (lightweight white fibreglass body) | Aluminum hardshell: extruded aluminum frame, polymer corners, honeycomb aluminum top |
| Fabric | 260 g Teflon-coated polyester ripstop | Tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | Yes |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Eezi-Awn product page | Freespirit Recreation product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Eezi-Awn Dart and the Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard.