The 6 Greatest Rooftop Tents of 2024

Greatest Hardshell Rooftop Tent

Roofnest Sparrow EYE

Weight: 130 lbs | Max Inner Peak: 44″

After being put via our tried and true gauntlet of testing evaluations, it was clear that the Roofnest Sparrow EYE is likely one of the finest hardshell rooftop tents available on the market. We have gotten used to spending upwards of an hour assembling different fashions. With the EYE, this was not the case — it was nice to place this tent on the rack mere minutes after opening the field. If you arrive at your campsite, it takes about 45 seconds to transform the EYE from journey to tenting mode, due to hydraulic pistons that assist to open the tent just like the hatchback of an SUV. Inside, there’s a USB-powered mild strip, a cargo web, a number of storage pockets, insulation to assist battle the weather, and one of the crucial comfy rooftop tent mattresses we have ever slept on. Not solely is there sufficient room inside to depart pillows, blankets, and sleeping luggage in place whilst you’re touring, however the EYE has a particular storage space full with a weather-resistant pouch for even extra gear on high of the roof. 

With all this roomy storage, it could come as no shock that the Sparrow EYE is cumbersome. As a result of pop-up nature of the design, the tent footprint measurement stays the identical, whether or not you are in tenting or journey mode. Our checks revealed that when folded up, this tent isn’t any wider or taller than soft-top fashions, however it’s a lot longer. For that reason, it will not give you the results you want if you wish to preserve your tent on the identical peak as your cab over a truck mattress. For those who personal a smaller automobile or an SUV, you’ll be able to technically nonetheless use this mannequin so long as you will have the suitable rack, however the wind drag will seemingly have an effect on fuel mileage. Lastly, the value is steep. If in case you have restricted funds, we might advocate studying up on among the extra budget-friendly fashions we examined, just like the Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander, which is our favourite cheap choice that lets you benefit from the luxurious of rooftop tenting with out forking over the massive bucks.

Learn extra: Roofnest Sparrow EYE evaluation

Greatest Softshell Rooftop Tent

Thule Method M

Weight: 128 lbs | Max Inner Peak: 40″

In the case of softshell fashions, it should be exhausting to beat the Thule Method M. Whereas nearly all of the preferred fold-out rooftop tents use three assist bars to create a house-type form, the Method makes use of 4 assist bars, which makes for a lot more room inside whereas sustaining the identical journey measurement because the others. The Method is not fairly as simple to put in as a hardshell just like the Roofnest Sparrow EYE talked about above as a result of it takes a couple of minutes to assemble the mounting clamps, however as soon as they’re put collectively, mounting or eradicating the tent out of your rack is a cinch. In our testing, we have discovered the exhausting approach that overtightening mounting nuts can harm brackets, but when they don’t seem to be tight sufficient, the little bit of play will result in bent bolts from off-roading. Thule has addressed this drawback by together with a torque wrench to twist nuts to optimum tightness. Certainly one of our favourite options of the brand new mounting system is that the tent locks to your rack, guaranteeing that your funding will not stroll away if you must depart your automobile at a trailhead or a lodge car parking zone for an evening or two.

Whereas our record of gripes with the Method is brief, we have now a couple of. First, our checks proved the rain fly was fairly a ache to deploy, particularly in excessive winds with a tall automobile. The snaps that maintain it in place are situated on high of the tent’s roof, so we needed to crawl onto the highest of the truck cab to succeed in one. For those who’d fairly skip the rain fly for a faster setup, an easy-to-convert exhausting shell mannequin just like the Roofnest Sparrow EYE or Roofnest Falcon 2 could also be higher to your wants. Additionally, we weren’t thrilled to study that the Method’s journey cowl will get fully eliminated and reinstalled for each use. In our checks, we discovered it simpler and extra handy when covers have velcro or zippers that go three-quarters of the best way across the tent base so it might probably get rolled up underneath the tent when tenting. If you’re prepared to depart, you’ll be able to unroll it, and it is already lined up and hooked up to the tent. With the Method’s design, you find yourself orienting, attaching, and messing with the quilt for extra time than you spend with conventional covers. Minor drawbacks apart, for a softshell rooftop tent, this mannequin is by far our high choose.   

Learn extra: Thule Method M evaluation

Greatest Bang for the Buck

Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander

Weight: 154 lbs | Max Inner Peak: 51″

For those who’re able to dive into the world of rooftop tents however do not need to drain your checking account to get one, look no additional than the Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander. Constructing on the platform of the unique Overlander, the brand new mannequin has been improved in various methods – the obvious element being the rainfly. Whereas many conventional fashions depart gaps between the window awnings, the GEN2’s fly creates protection for 360 levels of the tent whereas it’s deployed. Additionally, the rain fly has clear plastic sections that align with the primary roof home windows of the tent, permitting sorely wanted daylight to light up your chill house, even in nasty climate. Certainly one of our favourite options of the GEN2 is the bonus objects that include the acquisition. The rubber boot bag is nice for stashing muddy footwear exterior of your sleeping space, and the LED mild strip supplies ample illumination for establishing your mattress, altering garments, or studying. Better of all, it’s extremely inexpensive in comparison with most different high-quality rooftop tents. 

After testing the Smittybilt GEN2, we discovered its antiquated meeting course of and mounting system to be the most important pitfall. Undoubtedly to avoid wasting a couple of bucks on manufacturing unit prices and delivery prices, the Smittybilt arrives with out the mounting rails hooked up to the underside of the tent flooring. For those who’ve by no means been via the method of securing these rails, it may be time-consuming and irritating. As soon as the rails are hooked up, mounting the tent to your rack necessitates some two-person cooperation to get the bolts into the suitable place, after which it requires a wrench to safe the bolts, that are very simple to overtighten, inflicting points when it is time to take away the tent. This is not the top of the world, however fashions such because the Yakima Skyrise do not use any instruments in any respect for mounting or eradicating the tent as soon as it is assembled. Though Smittybilt has improved upon earlier iterations of their ladder, the brand new telescoping model nonetheless requires two palms to interrupt down, whereas many others we examined function tabs that launch the rungs in succession because the ladder is put away. Minimal gripes apart, you would be hard-pressed to discover a higher-quality rooftop tent at this worth.

Learn extra: Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander evaluation

Greatest Low-Profile Hardtop Rooftop Tent

Roofnest Falcon 2

Weight: 160 lbs | Max Inner Peak: 60″

For a lot of, seems and aerodynamics are key buying elements. If you need an ultra-thin rooftop tent that also homes an excellent comfortable mattress, we advocate the Roofnest Falcon 2. At solely 6″ tall in journey mode, this mannequin is about half the thickness of each different mannequin we examined and is as simple because it will get when changing from journey to camp mode. Open a few latches and let the hydraulic pistons do the remaining. When it comes time to change again to journey mode, the Falcon 2 solely takes a couple of extra seconds to fold up than the quickest fashions we have examined. Whereas in tenting mode, this tent has tons of storage, together with a number of pockets across the tent, a big pocket array on the roof of the tent, and two boot luggage that dangle exterior to maintain your grubby sneakers out of the sleeping space. It comes with twin USB-powered LED mild strips that absolutely illuminate the entire tent when plugged into an influence supply. For those who so select, Roofnest has optionally available crossbars out there with the intention to retailer kayaks, paddle boards, or bicycles on high of the Falcon 2. 

When it comes to cupboard space in journey mode, the Falcon 2 does not provide a lot because of the slim profile. Our checks confirmed the tent shell barely suits the tent and mattress, so you actually cannot depart any objects inside whereas touring aside from perhaps a summer time sleeping bag and a few books. Additionally, this tent does not even have sufficient room for its personal ladder, so you’ll want to think about storage for these things inside your automobile if you buy this feature. Contemplating the shortage of storage, this can be a no-go for some. In that case, take a look at the Roofnest Sparrow EYE, which has ample cargo house plus a weather-resistant pouch outfitted on the highest. If you need a low-profile, state-of-the-art rooftop tent, we expect the Falcon 2 is well worth the funding.

Learn extra: Roofnest Falcon 2 evaluation

Most Protection

Thule Tepui Autana 3

Weight: 130 lbs | Max Inner Peak: 52″

With a cover that converts from open-air to finish climate lock-down, the Thule Tepui Autana 3 has extra protection than any mannequin we examined. The added awning above the doorway and an included annex imply you will by no means be climbing up and down slippery, moist steps, and the button-free ladder is useful. This tent contains some refined but nice design options that enhance person expertise, just like the sturdy straps that maintain the quilt up once you’re in tenting mode or the interior bungee system that assists in folding the cover once you’re changing to journey mode. We love the easy-to-use journey cowl and the extremely comfy reminiscence foam mattress. That is one luxurious rooftop residence away from residence.

The most important draw back is straightforward to see right here — the value is comparatively excessive in comparison with many softshell fashions we examined, and there are nice choices that price considerably much less. The opposite difficulty is it takes a few additional minutes to transform the Autana to tenting mode in comparison with different fashions we examined, most notably should you determine to deploy the annex. It would make extra sense to go along with one thing a bit extra easy if setup time is necessary to you. In that case, should you do not thoughts buying and selling in protection for a faster setup, you’ll be able to’t beat the Roofnest Sparrow EYE. Nonetheless, our testers discovered many benefits to the Autana that made the one to 2 additional minutes of setup properly price it.

Learn extra: Thule Tepui Autana 3 evaluation

Greatest for Becoming Extra Gear

Thule Tepui Foothill

Weight: 122 lbs | Max Inner Peak: 47″

The perfect purpose to buy the Thule Tepui Foothill is that it solely takes up roughly half of the width in your rack as most rooftop tents, due to its lengthy rectangular design. This mannequin flips out to the facet of the automobile like most rooftop tents, however you sleep parallel along with your automobile fairly than perpendicular. This innovation leaves additional rooftop house for cargo packing containers, bikes, kayaks, or no matter else you need to connect to the remaining room in your rack. We have been additionally happy to seek out out that the mounting tracks come put in on the tent flooring proper out of the field, so you’ll be able to put it straight onto your automobile in a matter of seconds and have it hooked up in a matter of minutes with the included ratcheting wrench. 

The slender design of the Foothill has some shortcomings. Most notably, you have to connect the ladder each time you exchange the tent from journey to tenting mode because it has to relaxation parallel on high of the tent throughout transport; in any other case, it could be too extensive for the quilt to suit. Due to the included useful quick-release system, this did not hassle our testers, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an additional step. Additionally, the internal poles should be prolonged whereas changing from journey to tenting mode and collapsed when changing them again. One other minor flaw we discovered throughout testing is that the mattress is a bit much less comfy than some high fashions however nonetheless vastly extra comfy than any normal tenting mattress. For those who want a button-free ladder and a comfortable reminiscence foam mattress, the Thule Tepui Autana 3 is price consideration. Even so, we expect the Foothill’s small caveats are properly price it if you must preserve house free in your rack to haul additional toys and kit.

Learn extra: Thule Tepui Foothill evaluation

Evaluate Merchandise

Evaluate choose as much as 5 merchandise to check

	Rating	Product	Value
	82	Roofnest Sparrow EYE Greatest Hardshell Rooftop Tent	$2,995
	81	Thule Method M Greatest Softshell Rooftop Tent	$2,500
	80	Roofnest Falcon 2 Greatest Low-Profile Hardtop Rooftop Tent	$3,595
	79	Thule Tepui Autana 3 Most Protection	$2,500
	78	Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander Greatest Bang for the Buck	$1,632
	77		$3,699
	76		$2,000
	74	Thule Tepui Foothill Greatest for Becoming Extra Gear	$1,700
	74		$3,000
	69		$1,900
	67		$1,326
	66	CVT Pioneer Collection Bachelor	$1,575
	43	Entrance Runner Roof High Tent	$1,209

How We Check Rooftop Tents

We began this venture in 2019 with a real curiosity and curiosity as to what the rooftop tent (typically referred to by its acronym, RTT) hype was about. What started with glancing at a couple of producers’ web sites swiftly snowballed into hours of searching present opinions, set up tutorials, and any RTT or off-road discussion board we may discover. After finding out dozens of various designs and functions, we narrowed it all the way down to tents that stand out for particular options and worth factors whereas being related sufficient to make legitimate side-by-side comparisons. We assembled, put in, transformed, and eliminated these tents from our take a look at truck for a number of months, tenting at locations from the foothills of California, up over the Sierra Nevada mountain vary, throughout the Nice Basin, and into Southern Utah. After a number of summers of analysis and testing, we have devised this complete evaluation that can assist you discover the very best rooftop tent potential. For extra detailed data on our testing procedures, take a look at our full How We Check article.

To completely take a look at every rooftop tent, we created a strong take a look at plan that spans 5 score metrics:

• Area and Consolation (30% of general rating weighting)

• Sturdiness (25% weighting)

• Ease of Conversion (20% weighting)

• Ease of Meeting and Set up (15% weighting)

• Cowl Comfort (10% weighting)

Why Belief GearLab

Testing for these beasts was taken on by our Senior Assessment Editor Ross Patton. Ross grew up tenting whereas dwelling in Utah, Montana, Colorado, Nevada, and California. He now travels even additional afoot and has spent numerous nights in tents in Canada, Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean. Ross has camped by backpack, canoe, whitewater raft, bicycle, motorbike, and snowmobile, so he is seen about each measurement and kind of tent conceivable. He has spent 5 years now spearheading the rooftop tent class for GearLab, studying the ins and outs of those merchandise and what makes one nice. With a latest location change from Lake Tahoe to Southern Utah, he’s nearer to the wild than ever. With a love of 4×4 roads, exploring, and being an admitted gear nerd, he’s a real knowledgeable on rooftop tents.  

Evaluation and Check Outcomes

We’re very exhausting on our tenting gear. Sleep is crucial, so once you depend upon a tent to maintain you heat, comfy, and dry at night time, you need to make certain that it might probably deal with loads. Rooftop tents are technical merchandise, and there are various transferring elements, so we have been diligent in uncovering each element when figuring out these merchandise’ general worth and efficiency.

The metric scores are meant that can assist you decide which tent is best for you. Some metrics, like Ease of Conversion, will embody a mean time together with different improvements or options that make this course of simpler. Different metrics, like Area and Consolation, mix quantitative measurements of the product, like most roof peak, with a extra qualitative description of how comfy the mattress is.  

What is the Greatest Worth?

The concept of forking over 1000’s for a tent can appear daunting, however rooftop tents genuinely dwell as much as the hype for the suitable shopper. Sleeping on a reminiscence foam mattress whereas elevated off the forest flooring makes tenting as comfy as sleeping in your mattress. The final rule is that hardshell fashions are considerably dearer than softshell fashions. The primary trade-off between the 2 varieties is that hardshells are very simple to put in, and changing them between journey mode and tenting mode is extraordinarily fast and easy, whereas most softshells require meeting and take a couple of extra minutes to transform. That stated, until you get a hardshell/fold-out hybrid, hardshells are usually a lot bulkier than the bi-fold softshell counterparts when they’re in journey mode. The proper mannequin for you relies on your particular person needs and wishes. 

For those who’re keen to drop the additional money, the Roofnest Falcon 2 is as comfy as most fashions we have examined however has an ultra-thin development that reduces wind drag and appears nice. Our favourite hardshell mannequin, the Roofnest Sparrow EYE, is sort of a bit cheaper than the Falcon 2 however gives ample storage room underneath the shell whilst you’re touring and further gear storage on the roof. 

For those who do not thoughts the additional conversion time or coping with rain flies, you might discover the cheaper worth tags of softshell fashions engaging. The Thule Method M and Thule Tepui Foothill are each considerably inexpensive than our favourite hardshell variations. The Method has a really spacious sleeping space, is straightforward to connect and take away out of your automobile, and has a reasonably simple conversion course of. The “scorching canine” fairly than “hamburger” folding fashion of the Foothill lets you match extra gear subsequent to your tent on the identical rack. 

For those who’re purchasing on a price range, the Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander gives a really comfy mattress and a few nice equipment, equivalent to a rubber boot bag and LED lights. With the lower cost tag, there are some downsides relating to comfort and the way a lot effort is required for meeting and set up. That stated, so long as you’ll be able to take care of a couple of much less handy elements of the method, you will nonetheless get a high quality tent that’s constructed to final.

The Thule Tepui Autana 3 is dearer than many softshells, nevertheless it comes with a four-season cover, a big entrance awning, and an included annex, which doubles the tent’s measurement. For these causes, we take into account this a high-value choice.

Area and Consolation

Among the best issues about rooftop tents is their added ingredient of consolation versus sleeping on the bottom. People are inclined to have the pure inclination to climb up and into mattress as a result of it makes us really feel safer from issues that go bump within the night time. Rooftop tents carry this luxurious to your campsite, which is an added consolation inside itself. But when you are going to undergo the difficulty of climbing up a ladder to sleep on high of your automobile, you will need sufficient house to maneuver round and a mattress that’s thick sufficient to not really feel the ground. 

Each tent we examined features a foam mattress, which we discover way more comfy than air mattresses or different sleeping pads. To check, we took measurements of flooring house and most inside peak to present us some exhausting numbers to take a look at to find out scores for house. 

Concerning consolation, we discover that one of the best ways to gauge one thing that may very well be thought-about a matter of opinion is to get out into the sphere as a lot as potential. To check consolation, we did what we do finest — we went tenting. We slept in every tent for no less than 5 nights and have been certain to pack the sleeping house with numerous gear together with our 80-pound take a look at canine to see how comfortable and spacious they honestly are. Privateness can also be factored into the consolation metric. In a rooftop tent, plenty of what you are doing is up within the air for everybody to see, so we scored tents that got here with awnings or annexes increased. 

The Tepui Autana 3 is on the high of the record for this metric. It has a really comfy mattress, and one in all our favourite options about this tent is the massive entrance awning that makes the inside really feel even greater. If the mattress and the awning weren’t sufficient, Tepui additionally included an annex that hangs all the way down to the bottom from the doorway, including a whole further room. 

The Tepui Kukenam lacks the added spaciousness of an annex however in any other case has the identical nice mattress and inside dimensions because the Autana, making it a totally comfy choice. Different fashions, just like the Smittybilt Overlander, Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander, and Yakima SkyRise Medium, provide an aftermarket annex at an extra price. Nevertheless, the ladder stays exterior because of the lack of an entrance awning, whereas the Autana 3 ladder is throughout the annex itself.  

For those who’re seeking to maximize cubic footage inside your tent’s sleeping quarters, the Thule Method is the best way to go. This mannequin makes use of 4 structural poles to assist the cover fairly than the three that almost all different softshell fold-outs use. This creates tons of additional headspace on each ends of the tent, making transferring round contained in the tent simpler, in addition to coming into and exiting the tent. 

The 2 wedge-style pop-ups we examined are thought-about two-person fashions, however they really feel very roomy. With the sandwich wedge development, the roof on one facet of the tent is greater than excessive sufficient to sit down upright, however the different finish hardly has any room in any respect. Nevertheless, we discovered the low finish to be the proper place to stow journey luggage and kit, and we by no means skilled the world being too small for our ft and legs. The Roofnest Falcon 2 has an particularly excessive most inside peak of 60 inches. 

Extras equivalent to gear nets, inside pockets, and boot luggage can add a bit of luxurious to your out of doors journey.

The Roofnest Sparrow EYE has a little bit of a decrease most peak, however we did not discover this to be a problem in any respect. Each of those tents include inside gear nets, and the Falcon 2 has boot luggage that dangle from the surface of the tent. Each of the Roofnest fashions additionally embrace LED mild strips that may be powered by the USB supply of your alternative. 

We had heard that the Sparrow EYE was spacious sufficient inside to depart blankets, pillows, or sleeping luggage contained in the tent whereas in journey mode. After testing, our crew was pleasantly stunned to seek out this rumor is true. This mannequin has tons of room inside, a cargo space exterior the tent, and an included weather-resistant bag for stashing much more gear. This space is rated to retailer as much as 50 kilos, so it may be a spot for water or an auxiliary fuel tank.

Symmetrical pop-ups such because the Thule Basin provide a superb little bit of inside cubic footage with their shoebox form. The form provides fairly a little bit of house within the corners of the tent for storing gear, in addition to ample legroom for bigger people when in comparison with a wedge-style pop-up. Nevertheless, the assist pistons and cover partitions create a most peak restrict that’s a lot decrease than wedge pop-ups and even soft-shelled fold-outs. With a excessive level of solely 36 inches, the Basin has one of many lowest ceilings of any tent we have examined. Comparatively, the Roofnest Falcon is 60 inches on the excessive level of the wedge, which leaves considerably more room for altering garments and stretching and customarily reduces the delicate claustrophobia that some folks expertise in tents. 

The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini employs a hardshell fold-out design. We discovered it to have simply as comfy of a mattress because the others however not fairly as a lot room because the top-scoring fashions for this metric due to its comparatively steep A-frame design. We did, nonetheless, discover this mannequin to be exceptionally heat due to its thick cover and the exhausting shell is lined with some snazzy insulation. 

In the case of softshell two-person fashions, the CVT Pioneer Collection Bachelor can really feel a bit cramped when sleeping two, particularly across the waist the place the body poles converge contained in the tent. The Thule Tepui Foothill sacrifices a little bit of mattress thickness to take care of its low profile design, so it is not fairly as comfortable as some others, however it’s nonetheless way more comfy than different camp mattresses we have assessed. When the poles are absolutely prolonged in camp mode, there’s ample headroom for altering or establishing and packing up bedding. 

Whereas the Foothill does not provide probably the most house inside the tent, it frees up room in your rack, which may typically be extra valuable than sleeping house should you’re touring in a smaller automobile or a truck that is packed to the gills. This mannequin gives most cargo house for {couples} or these touring alone to carry as a lot gear as potential. 

Sturdiness

When buying a bit of kit with a price ticket like a rooftop tent, you need to make certain that the product will final. Keep in mind, this is not a tent that you just take out of the trunk of your automotive and put in your storage after a tenting journey. Rooftop tents usually dwell on high of your automobile for some time, which implies when in journey mode, they’ll continuously be uncovered to the weather in addition to the vibration and rattling round from driving. When it is time to camp, the conversion between modes is extra concerned. Not like most tenting tents that get pitched on the bottom, these are mechanical items of kit with transferring elements like ladders and hinges, so there’s much more to contemplate than the cover’s sturdiness, zippers, and poles. As a result of these are such cumbersome, large objects, the wear and tear and tear on the tent as an entire is amplified. 

To evaluate sturdiness, we utilized a number of take a look at strategies. We went via the method of changing every mannequin from journey mode to tenting mode and again 25 instances. We then accomplished the arduous chore of opening and shutting every zipper on each tent 25 instances. We weren’t mild with these merchandise. 

To check the flooring, we packed the tents with greater than 500 kilos of people, tenting gear, and an 80-pound hound canine for at the very least 5 nights per tent. To place the mounting methods to the take a look at, we went on some severe, rugged four-wheel-drive crawls — typically for a lot of hours in distant areas. 

The entire tents on this evaluation handed our sturdiness checks apart from one. Some have options that we really feel will maintain up higher than others. Some even have options that can scale back put on and tear on the doorways and mosquito screens, like hoops and hooks to roll them out of the best way. This helps to make sure they don’t seem to be getting beat up whereas getting in or out of the tent. 

The Autana 3, Kukenam 3, and Foothill have thick straps that maintain the quilt in place with metallic D-rings and velcro sewn into the straps to make sure they do not come undone or flap round within the wind. The metallic D-ring, mixed with the straps, is much less more likely to break than plastic clips. The Kukenam, Autana, and Sparrow EYE are additionally 4-season tents, so that they have thicker canopies. Additionally, the zipper on the Thule Tepui covers will seemingly maintain up higher in the long term than velcro, which is susceptible to wear down.  

One other 4-season mannequin, the Thule Method, additionally makes use of a thick ripstop for the cover. Moreover, this mannequin makes use of ripstop-coated rubber for the quilt, and the quilt zips all the best way across the platform with out the usage of straps. With its weather-resistant design and tremendous burly zipper, we do not see this cowl failing any time quickly. 

As an added function, many Tepui fashions include the choice to buy an extra interchangeable cover. So, if you wish to personal one thing for gnarly adventures that is more durable than a lightweight, warm-weather cover, you’ll be able to have each with out buying a whole additional tent. 

The wedge-style pop-up variations each scored pretty properly for this metric. The exhausting high signifies that they’re just about bomb-proof whereas in journey mode. Nonetheless, we seen that the fabric on the Roofnest Sparrow EYE and Falcon 2 are each created from a 320G polyester/cotton mix that merely cannot examine to the 420D and 600D cloth supplied by different fashions. That stated, we did respect the massive metallic clips that make sure the tent stays shut whereas touring. The ladders and metallic slots for the ladder hooks all simply withstood our put on checks. 

The Thule Basin shell is made from a thick and sturdy ABS plastic, which does it no favors by way of weight however is virtually bomb-proof. Given the borderline over-engineered shell, we have been a bit baffled by a couple of components of the design of this mannequin. Regardless of the plastic that might feasibly stand up to golf ball-sized hail, it solely employs a 260g ripstop for the partitions, which is about as mushy as RTT supplies get. The velcro strips sewn on the primary cam straps that safe the tent whereas in journey mode are approach too lengthy, and solely about an inch of the velcro sticks. The straps have been already dropping their stickability after a couple of weeks of normal use. 

The lone hardshell fold-out mannequin in our evaluation, the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini, has a bomb-proof fiber-reinforced plastic shell for journey mode with a 320G polyester/cotton mix cover that unfolds for tenting. This mannequin is perhaps the burliest whereas touring, nevertheless it is not fairly as powerful because the top-scoring fashions for this portion of our evaluation whereas it’s in camp mode. Nevertheless, it does have the strongest and finest latch system out of the bunch, which additionally locks.

Ease of Conversion

One of many main advantages of proudly owning a rooftop is that after put in atop a automobile, they’re impressively fast and simple to transform from journey to tenting mode. Even the fashions that take the longest to vary over solely take a couple of minutes to go from driving to nestling up right into a heat and comfortable mattress. It might look like we’re splitting hairs after we say that one took a few minutes longer than the opposite, however once you’re making an attempt to arrange in a storm, a couple of minutes could make the distinction between a cheerful camper or a chilly, moist night time. For every mannequin, it took us a bit longer to transform from tenting mode to journey mode. Once more, a minute or two could not look like a giant deal, however should you’re breaking down camp within the rain, you are going to need this course of to be as painless and easy as potential. 

We transformed every tent from journey to tenting mode and again 25 instances. We timed each conversion and took a mean to realize some exhausting knowledge for comparability. The primary figuring out issue for this metric is the kind of ladder every tent makes use of. Telescoping ladders are the quickest and best to take care of, apart from fashions with telescoping ladders that should be fully indifferent from the tent for journey. Sliding ladders usually are not preferrred as a result of they solely have sure settings, and typically you need to dig into the bottom to get the ladder to a protected angle or, in excessive instances, drill holes if the shortest setting remains to be too lengthy. 

The Roofnest Sparrow EYE is the champion of this metric. Changing from journey to tenting mode is so simple as undoing two metallic clips, releasing a security strap, and gently making use of stress to the underside of the tent roof. The hydraulic pistons raise the tent open with the identical quantity of effort as opening the rear door of an SUV. 

You then want to increase and connect the ladder, however the entire course of takes much less time than getting the quilt off of a softshell tent. There are two poles for the entrance door of the tent for use as an awning, however this step is completely optionally available. 

To transform the Sparrow EYE again to journey mode, you simply reverse the steps. There’s a giant strap that can assist you pull the tent shut, nevertheless it does not require a lot power as a result of gravity is in your facet. 

The method for changing the Roofnest Falcon 2 is similar to the Sparrow EYE. The primary distinction is that the Falcon awning is just not a part of the door, so it should be deployed, or it can flap round within the wind all night time. Additionally, this mannequin takes an additional little bit of effort to tuck the entire tent’s cloth underneath the quilt whereas changing again to journey mode due to its super-tight, low-profile development. 

The Thule Basin can also be among the many best when it comes time to camp. The method is very like the Roofnest Sparrow EYE, besides the time is doubled due to the added set of pistons, straps, and a clip at both finish of the tent. Contemplating that wedge-style hardshells solely take a matter of seconds to deploy, doubling this time nonetheless solely equates to underneath a minute of setup. 

The Yakima, Thule Tepui, CVT, and Roofnest fashions all include telescoping ladders together with Smittybilt’s newest fold-out mannequin – the GEN2. All of them lengthen utilizing the identical course of, however when it comes time to fold the ladder up, the Thule Tepui and Roofnest fashions have an revolutionary self-collapsing system that solely requires the person to push two buttons. The decrease steps push the remainder of the discharge buttons on their approach up. 

The Thule Tepui and Smittybilt fashions have included bungee cords that string throughout the tent to maintain the cover from bunching up or bulging out of the facet of the folding flooring when it is time to convert from tenting to journey mode. The Tepui Autana 3 contains an annex that hangs from the awning. It is not a required a part of the setup, however conversion will get a bit of extra sophisticated and time-consuming if you are going to use it.

The iKamper Skycamp 3.0  takes a couple of extra seconds to transform from journey mode to sleep mode than most pop-up hardshells due to its clamshell fold-out design. The best way that it is engineered additionally provides a little bit of time once you’re able to pack up and go residence. This mannequin’s cover is a bit more durable to cram into its cowl than the opposite hardshells and even many soft-cover fashions. 

The Thule Tepui Foothill ladder should be indifferent and reattached for each use in order that it might probably sit on the folded tent in a parallel place to take care of the slender profile of the general folded tent with the quilt on. This provides an additional step whereas changing between journey and tenting modes and vice versa. 

Ease of Meeting and Set up

Establishing a primary floor tent can shortly develop into a complicated nightmare till you study the method. Rooftop tents are in a league of their very own. Whereas most come partially assembled out of the field, the previous couple of hooked up elements will be fairly the ache. The lightest tent we have now examined weighs 93 kilos, whereas some can weigh greater than 150 kilos. For sure, getting them correctly assembled and put in in your automobile isn’t any simple feat. Whereas it’s potential to get a rooftop tent onto a automobile by your self, it takes some severe muscle energy and a little bit of ingenuity with an emphasis on private security. We timed every step of the set up course of and famous something additional irritating or troublesome throughout meeting and when attaching them to our testing rack. 

How simple the product is to get out of the package deal impacts how lengthy it in the end takes to mount in your automobile. Whereas some manufacturers prefer to make their packaging as small as potential, others add additional bubble wrap or Styrofoam to make sure that your tent exhibits up undamaged. The Autana 3, Kukenam 3, Method, and Yakima SkyRise all are available packing containers that slide off the tent sideways. The Smittybilt Overlander, Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander, iKamper Skycamp 3.0, and the Thule Tepui Foothill all are available a sandwich-style field that’s simple to open and protects the tent. As an added bonus, the Foothill, Method, Basin, and Skycamp 3.0 all include the mounting tracks already put in on the bottom of the tent, eradicating a troublesome step that many of those tents require. 

When assembling your tent and attaching it to your automobile, practically all RTTs will embrace the fundamental instruments wanted. Though we have now a plethora of instruments available, we tried solely to make use of the varied wrenches included with every tent to conduct a real apples-to-apples comparability. 

As soon as unboxed, the hard-shelled Roofnest Sparrow EYE, Roofnest Falcon 2, Thule Basin, and the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 are the simplest to put in as a result of they do not require any meeting in any respect — you merely take away them from the field and raise them onto your rack. The draw back to the hardshell fashions is that they’re usually on the heavier facet. The Basin, particularly, suggestions the scales at a disc-slipping 176 kilos, which was sufficient for our crew to imagine it deserved to lose factors for this metric. We extremely advocate utilizing 4 folks to put in this mannequin as a result of it was not enjoyable with solely two. 

As soon as on the rack, you full the set up course of by sliding the {hardware} into place and cranking all of it down with the included instruments. The one purpose we did not give the three hardshell fashions an ideal rating for this metric is that they’re so cumbersome that they require two robust and able-bodied people to raise them onto any automobile, particularly a truck or SUV. 

The Thule Method additionally comes with its mounting tracks put in, however you must connect the ladder and assemble the mounting {hardware}, which takes a couple of minutes. The time spent assembling the bracket is properly price it as a result of as soon as they’re put collectively, these brackets are the one ones we have come throughout that don’t require you to tilt the tent in your rack to get them into place. 

The Thule Method and Thule Basin additionally embrace a torque wrench — a software that we want the remainder of the tents that use nuts and bolts to mount got here with. We have discovered the exhausting approach that should you over-tighten mounting nuts, they’ll harm the piece of {hardware} that slides into the monitor, and they’re then inconceivable to take away with out chopping the bolt. For those who do not tighten them sufficient, there will probably be vibration and motion whereas driving at excessive speeds or off-roading that may bend the bolt. Utilizing a torque wrench means that you’re cranking the nut to the producer’s precise advisable stress — no extra, no much less. 

In the case of tents that require monitor meeting, we love the Yakima SkyRise system. Putting in the mounting brackets solely takes a few Allen wrenches, that are included with the tent. As soon as all the pieces is about up, all the pieces else is tool-free. After meeting, no instruments are required to get this mannequin on and off of your rack, which is a large bonus. With an additional set of palms, you’ll be able to set up the SkyRise in your rack in properly underneath 5 minutes. Taking it off is simply as quick or quicker. 

Not like another tent in our evaluation, Yakima thought to have a configuration within the gap sample on the tent flooring that permits the person to set the tent as much as open off the again of the automobile as an alternative of the facet. Having the tent open to the again has many advantages in sure conditions. First, your general footprint may have an extended, straight form fairly than an ungainly L form, which could work higher at many campgrounds, festivals, or between tight timber. Having each choices, because the Yakima SkyRise does, is sweet. It is potential to switch another fashions to the out-the-back configuration, however this course of requires some particular instruments and know-how. It is at all times a bit unnerving to take an influence software to such a big funding. 

Cowl Comfort

There’s a giant number of rooftop tent cowl varieties. Some are made from thick rubber; others are made from Cordura. Some are hooked up by velcro and clips; others are zipped on. Some get fully eliminated, whereas others solely come off on three sides and are then rolled up and strapped up out of the best way. The kinds which are completely eliminated can typically require two folks to reattach. Even those that roll up is usually a ache if you’re alone, whereas some are a breeze for one particular person to deal with. 

We eliminated every cowl after which put them again on 25 instances to evaluate cowl comfort and gauge user-friendliness. There are three key steps to the process of putting the quilt again on the tent when it is time to pack up camp. First, you unroll the quilt and comfortable it again over the folded-up tent. Then, you safe the quilt to the outer edges of the underside half of the tent flooring utilizing both a zipper or velcro. Lastly, the entire system is secured utilizing both straps or clips. We discovered {that a} heavy-duty zipper across the decrease fringe of the quilt, partnered with D-ring fashion straps, was the simplest system to make use of. 

We gave the Thule Basin, Roofnest Sparrow EYE,  iKamper Skycamp 3.0, and the Roofnest Falcon 2 excellent scores for this metric as a result of they do not have covers to take care of. The best way these three fashions are constructed, you merely undo a few buckles or straps, and the hardshell that covers the tent doubles because the roof of the tent or one facet of the tent within the case of the iKamper.

We’re huge followers of the three-sided zipper cowl system utilized by the Autana 3, Kukenham 3, and Foothill. It’s nice that Thule Tepui considered stitching in straps to maintain the rolled-up cowl out of the best way once you’re in tenting mode. The Yakima SkyRise cowl straps aren’t fairly as beefy because the Tepui fashions, however they get the job completed. The SkyRise cowl system of zippers, velcro, and plastic clips is a no brainer to take off however barely tougher to reattach. The Method is the one Thule mannequin whose cowl is totally eliminated. Our crew discovered this to be extra of a ache to place again on than fashions that keep hooked up and roll up under the tent. 

Conclusion

It’s our mission to offer our readers with the very best data potential with the intention to buy the proper merchandise to your wants and price range. Throughout this evaluation, we realized that rooftop tents are much more numerous and sophisticated than a fancy-looking field sitting on high of your automobile. We took the time to take a look at the tiny intricacies that separate them from each other by fastidiously inspecting them and testing them repeatedly in varied situations and conditions. We hope that after studying this evaluation, you’ll know precisely which rooftop tent to purchase. Completely satisfied tenting!