Front Runner Feather-Lite II vs Tuff Stuff Overland Trailhead
The Front Runner Feather-Lite II and the Tuff Stuff Overland Trailhead are both softshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Front Runner and Tuff Stuff Overland take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Front Runner Feather-Lite II brings 49 kg, 3.2 m² of floor, 110 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Tuff Stuff Overland Trailhead counters with 49.9 kg, 3.46 m² of floor, 127 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
On weight they are effectively level — 49 kg against 49.9 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Floor area is close to identical at 3.2 m² and 3.46 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Headroom separates them further: 127 cm in the Trailhead against 110 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
Canvas differs too: 260g poly-cotton ripstop body; 400D polyester oxford rainfly, 2000 mm water column against 600D polyester Oxford PU 3000 mm UV50+; 420D Oxford rainfly; aluminum honeycomb floor.
Front Runner
Feather-Lite II
The updated Feather-Lite, with an overhang that shields the entrance and telescopic ladder from rain and transparent stargazing panels in the roof. It shares the original's 260g poly-cotton body and 6 cm mattress but runs slightly larger and heavier at 49 kg, with a 2000 mm-rated rainfly.
- Overhang covers the entrance and ladder
- Transparent stargazing panels in the roof
- 2000 mm water column rainfly
- 6 kg heavier than the original Front Runner tent
Tuff Stuff Overland
Trailhead
Tuff Stuff's entry two-person fold-out softshell, a simple 3-season tent that opens to a 56-by-96-inch floor with a 50-inch peak.
- Lowest price in the range
- One-person setup
- Ships with mounting hardware
- 3-season only
Which one to pick
These two are closely matched on the numbers that usually decide it. Read the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex — and let whichever of those you will actually use break the tie.
Every specification, side by side
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | 3-season |
| List price | $1,209— worst of the tents compared | $1,183— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 108 lb— best of the tents compared | 110 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 12.6 in— best of the tents compared | 13 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 8 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 8 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 34.4 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 37.2 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.4 in— best of the tents compared | 1.7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 260g poly-cotton ripstop body; 400D polyester oxford rainfly, 2000 mm water column | 600D polyester Oxford PU 3000 mm UV50+; 420D Oxford rainfly; aluminum honeycomb floor |
| Warranty | 2years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | No | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | No | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | Yes | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Front Runner product page | Tuff Stuff Overland product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Front Runner Feather-Lite II and the Tuff Stuff Overland Trailhead.