Freespirit Recreation Aspen Lite Standard vs TentBox Cargo
The Freespirit Recreation Aspen Lite Standard and the TentBox Cargo are both hybrid tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Freespirit Recreation and TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Aspen Lite Standard is 26.6 kg lighter at 45.4 kg against 72 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 Cargo gives 2.79 m² of sleeping floor against 2.23 m², about 25 percent more, though both are rated for 2. The Aspen Lite Standard lists $690 lower, at $2,250 against $2,940.
The Aspen Lite Standard uses extruded aluminum frame with polymer corners; tonneau-style hybrid top; the Cargo uses aluminium exoskeleton with stainless steel hardware. Canvas differs too: tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head. The Aspen Lite Standard adds a heater or HVAC port, which the Cargo does not offer.
Freespirit Recreation
Aspen Lite Standard
The Aspen Lite Standard is the smaller of Freespirit Recreation's two Aspen Lite clamshell tents, using a lightweight tonneau-style hybrid top over an extruded-aluminum frame. It sleeps 1-2 and, at 100 lbs on the spec sheet, is the lightest tent in the current Aspen range. It carries the same Tri-Layer tent fabric, dimmable LED strip and heater/AC/electrical ports as the rest of the lineup.
- Low listed weight (100 lbs) for a clamshell tent
- Integrated dimmable LED lighting and heater/AC/electrical ports
- Includes mattress, ladder, cover and gear storage grid
- Manufacturer publishes conflicting weight figures (100 vs 110 lbs)
TentBox
Cargo
An aluminium exoskeleton rather than a moulded shell, which is how it packs to 19 cm and still carries bikes or boards on cargo bars above the tent. Thirty seconds to open, and 145 cm of headroom under the peak.
- 19 cm closed profile
- Carries bikes or boards on top of the tent
- 30-second setup, and 145 cm headroom
- 72 kg before your rack
Which one to pick
Take the Aspen Lite Standard if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Aspen Lite Standard if the budget is fixed. 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 | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | 4-season | 4-season |
| List price | $2,250— best of the tents compared | $2,940— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 100 lb— best of the tents compared | 159 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.4 in— best of the tents compared | 7.5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 3 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 24 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 30 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | — | 2.4 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~3 minest. | 30 sec |
| Shell material | Extruded aluminum frame with polymer corners; tonneau-style hybrid top | Aluminium exoskeleton with stainless steel hardware |
| Fabric | Tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop | Stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head |
| Warranty | — | 5years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | No |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | No |
| Carries cargo on top | — | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Freespirit Recreation product page | TentBox product page |
Related comparisons
- Aspen Lite StandardvsAspen Lite XL
- Aspen Lite StandardvsStratos
- Aspen Lite StandardvsBonito
- CargovsBonito
Or read the full spec sheets for the Freespirit Recreation Aspen Lite Standard and the TentBox Cargo.