Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 XL vs Smittybilt Aluminum Side Opening
The Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 XL and the Smittybilt Aluminum Side Opening 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. Freespirit Recreation and Smittybilt take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 XL brings 83.5 kg, 2.89 m² of floor, 96.5 cm of headroom and sleeps 3. The Smittybilt Aluminum Side Opening counters with 3.02 m² of floor, 96.01 cm of headroom and sleeps 3.
Floor area is close to identical at 2.89 m² and 3.02 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The Aluminum Side Opening lists about 40% lower than the Evolution V3 XL.
The Evolution V3 XL uses extruded aluminum with polymer corners; the Aluminum Side Opening uses aluminum. Closed, the Aluminum Side Opening sits 6.07 cm lower on the roof — 18.03 cm against 24.1 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
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
Smittybilt
Aluminum Side Opening
The Aluminum Side Opening RTT is a hard-shell rooftop tent with a low-profile aluminum shell that opens to the side, sleeping 2-3 people. It uses gas-assisted struts, a 2.5" high-density foam mattress, an LED light strip with inline remote, internal mesh storage and external roof rack bars on the shell. Smittybilt rates it for a 661lbs load and backs it with a 5-year warranty.
- Aluminum hard shell with 5-year warranty and gas-assisted setup
- External roof rack bars allow cargo carrying on the closed shell
- 2.5" mattress and LED strip with remote
- Manufacturer does not publish tent weight or season rating
Which one to pick
Take the Aluminum Side Opening 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 | — | — |
| List price | $3,995— worst of the tents compared | $2,399.99— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 184 lb | — |
| Packed length | 7 ft 2 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 9.5 in— worst of the tents compared | 7.1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 31.1 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 32.5 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | — | 2.5 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 | Extruded aluminum with polymer corners | Aluminum |
| Fabric | Tri-Layer: polycotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop | — |
| Warranty | — | 5years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Freespirit Recreation product page | Smittybilt product page |
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Or read the full spec sheets for the Freespirit Recreation Evolution V3 XL and the Smittybilt Aluminum Side Opening.