Latitude Tents Pioneer vs Latitude Tents Pioneer XL
Both of these are Latitude Tents tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Pioneer and the Pioneer XL share Latitude Tents's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Pioneer is 13 kg lighter at 54 kg against 67 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 Pioneer XL gives 4.56 m² of sleeping floor against 3.36 m², about 36 percent more, and it sleeps 4 to the Pioneer's 3. The Pioneer lists $384 lower, at $1,786 against $2,170.
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 weight or packed dimensions
Latitude Tents
Pioneer XL
The Pioneer XL is the larger of Latitude Tents's two Pioneer softshell clamshell tents, sleeping 3-4 adults on a 240cm x 190cm internal floor with a 60mm high-density foam mattress. It uses the same 320g rip-stop polyester-cotton body, oxford polyester rainfly and 25mm aluminium frame as the standard Pioneer, plus double roof skylights, and needs roof bars rated above 70kg. Latitude does not publish the tent's weight or packed dimensions on its product page.
- Largest floor in Latitude's softshell range at 240 x 190cm
- Sleeps 3-4 adults on a 60mm high-density foam mattress
- Shares materials and skylights with the standard Pioneer
- Requires roof bars rated above 70kg
Which one to pick
Take the Pioneer XL if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Pioneer 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 | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 3— worst of the tents compared | 4— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,790— best of the tents compared | $2,170— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 119 lb— best of the tents compared | 148 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | — | — |
| Packed width | — | — |
| Packed height | — | — |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in | 7 ft 10 in |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 49.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2.4 in | 2.4 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 | 25mm aluminium tubing frame with 304-grade stainless steel hardware and hinges | 25mm aluminium tubing frame with 304-grade stainless steel hardware and hinges |
| Fabric | 320g rip-stop polyester-cotton with waterproof & UV-resistant coating; oxford polyester rainfly; 550g PVC travel cover | 320g rip-stop polyester-cotton with waterproof & UV-resistant coating; oxford polyester rainfly; 550g PVC travel cover |
| Warranty | 2years | 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 | Latitude Tents product page | Latitude Tents product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Latitude Tents Pioneer and the Latitude Tents Pioneer XL.