RooftopTentCompare

Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard vs Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 XL

Both of these are Freespirit Recreation tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Aspen Pro Standard and the Evolution V3 XL share Freespirit Recreation's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.

The Aspen Pro Standard is 22.700000000000003 kg lighter at 60.8 kg against 83.5 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 Evolution V3 XL gives 2.89 m² of sleeping floor against 2.39 m², about 21 percent more, and it sleeps 3 to the Aspen Pro Standard's 2. Headroom separates them further: 132.1 cm in the Aspen Pro Standard against 96.5 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The Aspen Pro Standard lists $700 lower, at $2,895 against $3,595.

The Aspen Pro Standard uses aluminum hardshell: extruded aluminum frame, polymer corners, honeycomb aluminum top; the Evolution V3 XL uses extruded aluminum with polymer corners. Closed, the Aspen Pro Standard sits 5.400000000000002 cm lower on the roof — 18.7 cm against 24.1 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.

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

Freespirit Recreation

Evolution V3 XL

The Evolution V3 XL is Freespirit Recreation's larger aluminum-hardshell clamshell, sleeping 2-3 with a 55 in wide interior floor and 38 in peak height. Gas-strut deployment lifts the honeycomb lid in seconds. It carries integrated dimmable LED lighting, heater/AC/electrical ports and nine interior storage pockets.

  • Wide 2-3 person interior with taller 38 in peak than the Evo V2
  • Gas-strut assisted hardshell deployment
  • Nine interior storage pockets and integrated LED lighting
  • Heaviest of Freespirit Recreation's clamshell tents at 184 lbs

Which one to pick

Take the Aspen Pro Standard if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Aspen Pro 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

Side-by-side specifications for Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard, Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 XL
Specification

Freespirit Recreation

Aspen Pro Standard
Hardshell
  • Lightest
  • Cheapest
  • Most headroom
Check current price

Freespirit Recreation

Evolution V3 XL
Hardshell
  • Most floor space
Check current price
Overview
TypeHardshellHardshell
Opening styleClamshellClamshell
Sleeps2— worst of the tents compared3— best of the tents compared
Season rating4-season
List price$2,895— best of the tents compared$3,595— worst of the tents compared
Weight and size
Weight134 lb— best of the tents compared184 lb— worst of the tents compared
Packed length7 ft 2 in7 ft 2 in
Packed width4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared4 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared
Packed height7.4 in— best of the tents compared9.5 in— worst of the tents compared
Living space
Sleeping length6 ft 9 in6 ft 9 in
Sleeping width3 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared
Floor area25.7 sq ft— worst of the tents compared31.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared
Interior height4 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared3 ft 2 in— worst of the tents compared
Mattress thickness
Setup and build
Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice.~60 secest.~60 secest.
Shell materialAluminum hardshell: extruded aluminum frame, polymer corners, honeycomb aluminum topExtruded aluminum with polymer corners
FabricTri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstopTri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop
Warranty
Features
Integrated LED lightingYesYes
Heater / HVAC portYesYes
Roof skylight
Annex available
Solar ready
Carries cargo on top
Sources
Last verifiedFreespirit Recreation product pageFreespirit Recreation product page

Related comparisons

Or read the full spec sheets for the Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro Standard and the Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 XL.