Overland Vehicle Systems HD Mamba vs Overland Vehicle Systems HD Sidewinder
Both of these are Overland Vehicle Systems tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The HD Mamba and the HD Sidewinder share Overland Vehicle Systems's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
By the numbers, the Overland Vehicle Systems HD Mamba brings 100 kg, 3.21 m² of floor, 149.9 cm of headroom and sleeps 3. The Overland Vehicle Systems HD Sidewinder counters with 100 kg, 3.21 m² of floor, 121.9 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
Floor area is close to identical at 3.21 m² and 3.21 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Headroom separates them further: 149.9 cm in the HD Mamba against 121.9 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The HD Mamba lists about 11% lower than the HD Sidewinder.
Overland Vehicle Systems
HD Mamba
The HD Mamba is an aluminum clamshell hardshell marketed for two to three people, with a 90 x 51.5 in sleeping area and a tall 59 in interior height. It includes removable crossbars but no skylight, interior lighting or heater port as standard. OVS gives a 4-year fabric and structural warranty and states a setup of under 2 minutes.
- Roomy 90 x 51.5 in sleeping area
- Tall 59 in interior height
- Removable crossbars included
- No skylight, LED or heater port as standard
Overland Vehicle Systems
HD Sidewinder
The HD Sidewinder is a side-opening (side-load) aluminum clamshell for two, with a long 90 x 51.5 in sleeping area and 48 in interior height. OVS lists it without interior lighting, skylight or heater port and gives a 4-year fabric and structural warranty. Dry weight is 220 lb and packaged weight 277 lb.
- Side-load opening suits certain rack layouts
- Long 90 x 51.5 in sleeping area
- Thicker 2.5 in mattress
- No interior lighting, skylight or heater port
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 | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 3— best of the tents compared | 2— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $2,399.99— best of the tents compared | $2,699.99— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 220 lb | 220 lb |
| Packed length | 7 ft 6 in | 7 ft 6 in |
| Packed width | 4 ft 7 in | 4 ft 7 in |
| Packed height | 6.5 in | 6.5 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 6 in | 7 ft 6 in |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in | 4 ft 7 in |
| Floor area | 34.6 sq ft | 34.6 sq ft |
| Interior height | 4 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.5 in | 2.5 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 2 min | 2 min |
| Shell material | Honeycomb aluminum | Honeycomb aluminum |
| Fabric | 280g rip stop poly cotton Oxford | 280g rip stop poly cotton Oxford |
| Warranty | 4years | 4years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | No | No |
| Heater / HVAC port | No | No |
| Roof skylight | No | No |
| Annex available | No | — |
| Solar ready | No | — |
| Carries cargo on top | Yes | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Overland Vehicle Systems product page | Overland Vehicle Systems product page |
Related comparisons
- HD MambavsHD Bushveld 2 Cantilever
- HD MambavsHD Bundu 2 Cantilever
- HD MambavsHD Bushveld 4 Cantilever
- HD SidewindervsHD Bundu 2 Cantilever
Or read the full spec sheets for the Overland Vehicle Systems HD Mamba and the Overland Vehicle Systems HD Sidewinder.