We tried a hybred for the lighter weight for a given length. Then went with a hardside when the temps got down to the 40's, which it does in the desert even when the daytime temps are in the 70's. It was impossible to cool down in the summer even when the daytime temps were only around 85 or so. We eventually got the 5er because we tend to spend weeks or a month in one spot.
AS stated above a hybred is a fair weather RV in my opinion. Wind, Cold, Heat and even heavy rain are all a problem or at least they were for us. There was also a shortage of storage space in the 23 fter we had but we were living in it for a couple of months so had everything and then some in there.
I think they are a step up from a tent or pop-up but no by much.
