Overland Vehicle Systems HD Sidewinder vs Overland Vehicle Systems XD Lhotse
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 Sidewinder and the XD Lhotse share Overland Vehicle Systems's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
On weight they are effectively level — 99.8 kg against 104.3 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Inside, the HD Sidewinder gives 3.21 m² of sleeping floor against 2.82 m², about 14 percent more, though both are rated for 2. Headroom separates them further: 144.8 cm in the XD Lhotse against 121.9 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The HD Sidewinder lists $300 lower, at $2,499.99 against $2,799.99. Overland Vehicle Systems also backs the XD Lhotse for 6 years against 4.
The HD Sidewinder uses honeycomb aluminum; the XD Lhotse uses honeycomb insulated aluminum. Canvas differs too: 280g rip stop poly cotton Oxford against 320g rip stop polycotton Oxford. The XD Lhotse adds a heater or HVAC port and integrated LED lighting, which the HD Sidewinder does not offer.
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
Overland Vehicle Systems
XD Lhotse
The XD Lhotse is a two-person aluminum clamshell hardshell with a 76 x 44.5 in sleeping area and a 230 lb dry weight. It ships with LED lighting, crossbars and a heater/AC port and carries a 6-year fabric with limited lifetime structural warranty. OVS lists a 2 in high-density foam mattress and a roughly 2-minute setup.
- Aluminum clamshell with quick ~2-min setup
- LED, crossbars and heater/AC port included
- 6-year fabric / limited lifetime structural warranty
- Smaller 76 x 44.5 in sleeping area
Which one to pick
Take the HD Sidewinder if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. 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 | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $2,499.99— best of the tents compared | $2,799.99— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 220 lb— best of the tents compared | 230 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 6.5 in— best of the tents compared | 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 6 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 34.6 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 30.4 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.5 in— best of the tents compared | 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| 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 insulated aluminum |
| Fabric | 280g rip stop poly cotton Oxford | 320g rip stop polycotton Oxford |
| Warranty | 4years— worst of the tents compared | 6years— best of the tents compared |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | No | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | No | Yes |
| Roof skylight | No | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | Yes | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Overland Vehicle Systems product page | Overland Vehicle Systems product page |
Related comparisons
- HD SidewindervsHD Bushveld 2 Cantilever
- HD SidewindervsHD Mamba
- HD SidewindervsHD Bushveld 4 Cantilever
- XD LhotsevsXD Atlas Cantilever ABS
Or read the full spec sheets for the Overland Vehicle Systems HD Sidewinder and the Overland Vehicle Systems XD Lhotse.