Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro XL 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 XL and the Evolution V3 XL share Freespirit Recreation's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Aspen Pro XL is 13.599999999999994 kg lighter at 69.9 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. Floor area is close to identical at 2.89 m² and 2.89 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Headroom separates them further: 132.1 cm in the Aspen Pro XL against 96.5 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The Aspen Pro XL lists $500 lower, at $3,095 against $3,595.
The Aspen Pro XL 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 XL 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 XL
The Aspen Pro XL is the wider 2-3 person version of Freespirit Recreation's aluminum-hardshell Aspen Pro clamshell, with a 55 in wide interior floor and 40-degree gas-strut assisted opening. It weighs 154 lbs and shares the honeycomb aluminum top and Tri-Layer fabric of the Aspen Pro Standard. Dual-channel aluminum rails allow crossbars and accessory mounting.
- Wide 2-3 person aluminum hardshell
- Gas-strut assisted 40-degree opening
- Dual-channel rails for accessories; 750 lb rated capacity
- No published mattress thickness, warranty length or setup time
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 XL if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Aspen Pro XL 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 | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 3 | 3 |
| Season rating | 4-season | — |
| List price | $3,095— best of the tents compared | $3,595— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 154 lb— best of the tents compared | 184 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 2 in | 7 ft 2 in |
| Packed width | 4 ft 11 in | 4 ft 11 in |
| Packed height | 7.4 in— best of the tents compared | 9.5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 9 in | 6 ft 9 in |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in | 4 ft 7 in |
| Floor area | 31.1 sq ft | 31.1 sq ft |
| Interior height | 4 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared | 3 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 material | Aluminum hardshell: extruded aluminum frame, polymer corners, honeycomb aluminum top | Extruded aluminum with polymer corners |
| Fabric | Tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop | Tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | Yes |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Freespirit Recreation product page | Freespirit Recreation product page |
Related comparisons
- Aspen Pro XLvsAspen Pro Standard
- Aspen Pro XLvsEvo V2 Standard
- Evolution V3 XLvsAspen Pro Standard
- Evolution V3 XLvsEvo V2 Standard
Or read the full spec sheets for the Freespirit Recreation Aspen Pro XL and the Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 XL.