Howling Moon Stargazer vs Latitude Tents Pioneer
The Howling Moon Stargazer and the Latitude Tents Pioneer 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. Howling Moon and Latitude Tents take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Howling Moon Stargazer brings 55 kg, 3.36 m² of floor, 120 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Latitude Tents Pioneer counters with 54 kg, 3.36 m² of floor and sleeps 3.
On weight they are effectively level — 55 kg against 54 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Floor area is close to identical at 3.36 m² and 3.36 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
They open differently: the Stargazer is a fold-out and the Pioneer a clamshell. That is not cosmetic — it decides whether headroom is even across the tent or tapers towards one end, and how much of the roof the tent occupies when closed. Canvas differs too: 380gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated against 320g rip-stop polyester-cotton with waterproof & UV-resistant coating; oxford polyester rainfly; 550g PVC travel cover.
Howling Moon
Stargazer
The Stargazer is the top softshell fold-out tent in Howling Moon's softshell line, adding two openable roof windows to the Tourer layout so occupants can sleep looking at the sky while screened in. It shares the 380gsm poly-cotton canvas and 75 mm high-density foam mattress with the other softshells and comes with a removable flysheet and PVC cover. It is offered in widths from 1.4 m to 2.4 m.
- Two openable roof windows for stargazing
- Compatible with the brand's extension/annex
- Multiple widths from 1.4 m to 2.4 m
- Manufacturer does not publish packed dimensions here
Latitude Tents
Pioneer
The Pioneer is Latitude Tents's softshell clamshell roof tent sleeping 2-3 adults, sitting between the Scout and the larger Pioneer XL in the range. It has a 240cm x 140cm internal floor with a 60mm high-density foam mattress, two roof skylights, and the same 320g rip-stop polyester-cotton construction as the rest of the softshell range. It needs roof bars rated above 55kg; Latitude does not publish the tent's weight or packed dimensions.
- Sleeps 2-3 adults on a 240 x 140cm floor
- Two roof skylights and a 60mm high-density foam mattress
- Fits vehicles with roof bars rated above 55kg
- Manufacturer does not publish packed dimensions
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 | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2— worst of the tents compared | 3— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,840— worst of the tents compared | $1,790— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 121 lb— worst of the tents compared | 119 lb est.— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 11 in | — |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in | — |
| Packed height | 14.2 in | — |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in | 7 ft 10 in |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in | 4 ft 7 in |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft | 36.2 sq ft |
| Interior height | 3 ft 11 in | — |
| Mattress thickness | 3 in— best of the tents compared | 2.4 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 | — | 25mm aluminium tubing frame with 304-grade stainless steel hardware and hinges |
| Fabric | 380gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated | 320g rip-stop polyester-cotton with waterproof & UV-resistant coating; oxford polyester rainfly; 550g PVC travel cover |
| Warranty | — | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Howling Moon product page | Latitude Tents product page |
Related comparisons
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- PioneervsUdden
Or read the full spec sheets for the Howling Moon Stargazer and the Latitude Tents Pioneer.