Howling Moon Stargazer vs Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander XL Tent
The Howling Moon Stargazer and the Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander XL Tent 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 Smittybilt 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 Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander XL Tent counters with 63 kg, 5.98 m² of floor, 129.54 cm of headroom and sleeps 4.
The Stargazer is 8 kg lighter at 55 kg against 63 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 Gen2 Overlander XL Tent gives 5.98 m² of sleeping floor against 3.36 m², about 78 percent more, and it sleeps 4 to the Stargazer's 2. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
Canvas differs too: 380gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated against 600D heavy-duty ripstop polyester, waterproof polyurethane-impregnated top; 420D oxford rainfly. Closed, the Gen2 Overlander XL Tent sits 6.789999999999999 cm lower on the roof — 29.21 cm against 36 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
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
Smittybilt
Gen2 Overlander XL Tent
The Gen2 Overlander XL is the larger of Smittybilt's two soft-shell fold-out rooftop tents, sleeping 3-4 on a king-size 92.5" x 74.8" mattress. It shares the 600D ripstop polyester construction, anodized aluminum frame and LED strip of the standard model but adds a wider footprint and a higher 770lbs/350kg load rating. It is backed by a 2-year warranty.
- King-size mattress and wider footprint than the standard Gen2 Overlander
- 770lbs/350kg rated load
- Integrated LED strip and mosquito screens
- Manufacturer does not publish mattress thickness
Which one to pick
Take the Gen2 Overlander XL Tent if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Stargazer if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. 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 | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2— worst of the tents compared | 4— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,840— best of the tents compared | $1,949.99— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 121 lb— best of the tents compared | 139 lb est.— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 14.2 in— worst of the tents compared | 11.5 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 10 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 64.4 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 3 in | — |
| 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 | 380gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated | 600D heavy-duty ripstop polyester, waterproof polyurethane-impregnated top; 420D oxford rainfly |
| Warranty | — | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Howling Moon product page | Smittybilt product page |
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Or read the full spec sheets for the Howling Moon Stargazer and the Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander XL Tent.