Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 vs Wild Land Wild Cruiser 160

The Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 and the Wild Land Wild Cruiser 160 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. Ironman 4x4 and Wild Land take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.

By the numbers, the Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 brings 56 kg, 4.38 m² of floor, 128.02 cm of headroom and sleeps 3. The Wild Land Wild Cruiser 160 counters with 48 kg, 3.63 m² of floor, 100 cm of headroom and sleeps 3.

The Wild Cruiser 160 is 8 kg lighter at 48 kg against 56 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 Cross 1200 MK2 gives 4.38 m² of sleeping floor against 3.63 m², about 21 percent more, though both are rated for 3. Headroom separates them further: 128.02 cm in the Cross 1200 MK2 against 100 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: 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh against 210D ripstop poly-oxford 3000mm outer; 190g rip-stop polycotton PU2000mm inner; 210D poly-oxford PU2000mm floor; 600D oxford PU5000mm cover; silver-coated aluminium poles. Closed, the Wild Cruiser 160 sits 9.93 cm lower on the roof — 33 cm against 42.93 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.