Howling Moon Solar vs Trustmade Nomad
The Howling Moon Solar and the Trustmade Nomad 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. Howling Moon and Trustmade take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Howling Moon Solar brings 60 kg, 3.36 m² of floor, 140 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Trustmade Nomad counters with 93.9 kg, 2.6 m² of floor and sleeps 2.
The Solar is 33.900000000000006 kg lighter at 60 kg against 93.9 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 Solar gives 3.36 m² of sleeping floor against 2.6 m², about 29 percent more, though both are rated for 2. The Nomad lists about 30% lower than the Solar.
Canvas differs too: 370gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated against 600D Oxford / 280 g canvas, PU 2000 mm, UV50+.
Howling Moon
Solar
The Solar is a clamshell hardshell tent with a hard lid and gas-assisted struts, an openable roof window for stargazing and an 85 mm high-density foam mattress. Roof-bar mounting points allow fitting a solar panel or other accessories, and it has insect-screened windows and doors with a ventilated flysheet layer.
- Openable roof window for stargazing
- Roof-bar mounts for a solar panel or accessories
- Published open dimensions and interior height
- Two different weights (60 kg and ~70 kg) appear in the listing
Trustmade
Nomad
A budget stainless-framed clamshell hardshell for two, opening in about two minutes to an 82-inch floor.
- Low price for a hardshell
- ~2 min clamshell setup
- 1-year warranty
- 600D/280 g fabric rather than heavy canvas
Which one to pick
Take the Solar if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Nomad 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 | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,710— worst of the tents compared | $1,198— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 132 lb— best of the tents compared | 207 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 5 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 10.6 in— best of the tents compared | 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 11 in | 6 ft 11 in |
| Sleeping width | 5 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 28 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 7 in | — |
| Mattress thickness | 3.3 in— best of the tents compared | 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | 2 min |
| Shell material | — | Stainless steel frame |
| Fabric | 370gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated | 600D Oxford / 280 g canvas, PU 2000 mm, UV50+ |
| Warranty | — | 1year |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | — | No |
| Solar ready | Yes | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Howling Moon product page | Trustmade product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Howling Moon Solar and the Trustmade Nomad.