CVT Pioneer Mt. Shasta
#16 in Soft shellFull review
A slightly wider two person Pioneer for couples who want elbow room and the option of an annex. It is heavy for its size, so check the roof load before buying.
CVT $1,999$1,999
The CVT Pioneer Mt. Shasta rates 3.2 among soft shell tents; the Freespirit Recreation Evolution XL rates 3.0 among hard shell ones. The CVT Pioneer Mt. Shasta costs $1,596 less ($1,999 vs $3,595).
Freespirit Recreation Evolution XL
#17 in Hard shellFull review
For two or three campers on full size trucks or SUVs who want an insulated four season pop up that stores bedding inside.
Freespirit Recreation $3,595$3,595
Prices were last checked October 31, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Scores side by side
These two sit in different type classes (soft shell and hard shell), and each is scored against the reference points for its own class, so a rating says how well each does among its own type peers. How we rank explains each factor.
| Factor weight | CVT Pioneer Mt. Shasta | Freespirit Recreation Evolution XL |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.2/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Value 30% | 55 $55.68 per sq ft of bed ($1,999, 35.9 sq ft) | 40 $115.49 per sq ft of bed ($3,595, 31.1 sq ft) |
| Weight 20% | 31 176 lb for 35.9 sq ft of bed (4.9 lb per sq ft) | 3 184 lb for 31.1 sq ft of bed (5.9 lb per sq ft) |
| Weather 20% | 62 waterproof rating not published, 4 season | 100 3,000 mm waterproof rating, 4 season |
| Comfort 15% | 57 3 in mattress, anti-condensation mat not stated, 2 skylights | 50 mattress and extras not published (neutral score used) |
| Warranty 15% | 25 2-year warranty | 25 2-year warranty |
Specifications
| CVT Pioneer Mt. Shasta | Freespirit Recreation Evolution XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeping | ||
| Shell | Soft shell | Hard shell |
| Opens | Folds out | Pops straight up |
| Sleeps | 2 | 3 |
| Mattress | 55 x 94 in | 55 x 81.5 in |
| Bed area | 35.9 sq ft | 31.1 sq ft |
| Mattress thickness | 3 in | - |
| Skylights | 2 | - |
| Bedding stays inside | - | Yes |
| Built-in lights | No | Yes |
| Weather | ||
| Fabric | 320G ripstop canvas | Tri-Layer (poly-cotton fill between two layers of 210D ripstop) |
| Waterproof rating | - | 3,000 mm |
| Season rating | 4 season | 4 season |
| Annex | Optional | None offered |
| On the vehicle | ||
| Weight | 176 lb | 184 lb |
| Closed size | - | 86.5 x 59.5 x 9.5 in |
| Open size | 125 x 56.5 x 49 in | - |
| Closed height | - | 9.5 in |
| Static load | - | 750 lb |
| Ladder | - | 90 in |
| Setup time (maker) | 8 min | 1 min |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Released | 2025-04 | - |