Wild Cruiser 250 vs Voyager Pro 230

Quick summary

The Wild Cruiser 250 has a larger sleeping area and a little more storage when folded. In practice, though, the Voyager Pro 230's advantages weigh heavier: lower weight, hardshell, lower profile, less wind noise, better drive feel, the option to load on top of the tent, better insulation and better condensation handling.

The Voyager Pro 230 is therefore the better and more practical family choice in the vast majority of cases.

Weight and roof load

This is the most important difference. Even though the Wild Cruiser 250 is a softshell tent, the Voyager Pro 230 is actually lighter. That's a big advantage against the car's maximum roof load.

Many cars have a relatively limited maximum roof load. The Wild Cruiser 250 often sits close to or above that limit, while the Voyager Pro 230 has considerably more margin and therefore fits more cars.

Hardshell and lower profile

The Voyager Pro 230 is a hardshell tent and is considerably thinner when closed. It's lower in height, which gives a sleeker feel on the car, less wind resistance, less wind noise and often lower fuel consumption compared with a taller softshell tent.

You notice it above all on longer drives, since the car feels smoother and it's quieter in the cabin.

Loading on top of the tent

The Voyager Pro 230 can be fitted with Wild Land Crossbars V3, letting you load gear on top of the tent. That's a big practical advantage.

You don't always think you need load bars from the start, but after a few trips many people find there's more gear they'd like to bring – solar panels or other camping equipment, for example. That's where it helps that the Voyager Pro can be extended. The Wild Cruiser 250 shouldn't be sold with loading on top of the tent as a main argument.

Condensation and insulation

The Voyager Pro 230 has a big advantage in a Nordic climate thanks to its double tent canopies. The double layers give better insulation and help manage condensation – moisture ends up between the layers to a greater extent rather than inside the sleeping space.

It's a difference you actually notice when sleeping in the tent, and it makes the tent more comfortable in colder, damper weather. It's one of the strongest arguments for the Voyager Pro 230.

Windows and light in the rain

The Voyager Pro 230 has openable and fully removable plastic windows. That lets you bring in light and see out even when it's raining, without having to open the tent in the same way.

It's a practical comfort advantage that's easy to underestimate. In many tents you have to choose between closed and dark or open with a risk of rain – with the Voyager Pro you get more flexibility.

Storage when folded

The Wild Cruiser 250 has a little more room for things when folded, but this is rarely decisive. The Voyager Pro 230 still has room for duvets and pillows when closed, so the extra folded space isn't a strong reason to choose the Wild Cruiser 250.

When the Wild Cruiser 250 fits

The Wild Cruiser 250 can be relevant if you specifically want the largest possible sleeping area, have a car and roof bars that handle the higher weight, and accept a higher profile and a little more wind noise.

• You want the absolute largest sleeping area.
• Your car and roof bars can handle the higher weight.
• You don't mind the tent being taller and bigger when folded.
• You prioritise softshell and maximum area over drive comfort, weight and the hardshell's advantages.

But it's rarely a stronger overall argument than the Voyager Pro 230, since the Voyager Pro still holds duvets and pillows when closed.

Our advice

In most cases we'd choose the Voyager Pro 230. The Wild Cruiser 250 is bigger inside, but the Voyager Pro is lighter, sleeker on the car, quieter when driving and better in a Nordic climate thanks to its double canopies. You can also load on top of the tent with the Crossbars V3.

If you don't specifically need the extra sleeping area of the Wild Cruiser 250 and your car can handle the weight, the Voyager Pro 230 is what we'd recommend. Always check the car model, roof load and roof bars before deciding.