Finally, the Approach is available at many retailers (just pop into your local REI Co-op or vehicle accessory store), and pairs seamlessly with Thule racks. Like the outgoing model,w it features a UV- and mold-resistant 600-denier ripstop body fabric with a retractable rain cover, and lockable mounting brackets are easy to install and help to prevent theft. The Approach is a feat of innovation, with a unique new shape and large panoramic windows that make it a very fun and roomy place to be. Their Explorer Kukenam was our favorite softshell tent for years running, and was replaced last year with the modernized Approach. Thule offers a well-rounded rooftop tent lineup ranging from affordable entry-level models to burly designs built for overlanding. What we don’t: You’ll get better weather protection and durability with a hardshell tent. What we like: Modern shape and design offers great livability and interior space. But the XL here is the best all-rounder for couples or small families, and its combination of durability, convenience, comfort, and value is hard to beat.īest Softshell Rooftop Tent 2. $3,395) and the rugged Condor Overland, which features a durable aluminum shell and accessory channels for transporting axes, shovels, and more. It’s worth noting that the Condor is also available in a 2-person version (35.6 sq. To be sure, the Skycamp is a clear contender for our top pick and it’s hard to find fault with the highly refined 3.0, but for $500 less the Roofnest is by far the better value. 44.3 for the Skycamp), a few additional inches of headroom, and a significantly shorter footprint. The Condor XL also features a slightly bigger floor area (47.8 sq. IKamper was the original innovator of the fold-out hardshell (see the Skycamp 3.0 below), but Roofnest’s take on the concept offers similar quality at a better price. Added up, the Condor XL is a stellar combination of performance, interior space, and value, making it our favorite rooftop tent of the year. Most hardshell tents feature pop-up or clamshell designs that limit the bed to the size of the footprint, but premium fold-out designs like the Condor XL increase sleeping space considerably with an extended platform and mattress (for reference, interior dimensions measure 93 x 74 in., which is larger than a king-size bed and provides ample room for four). They also give you the versatility of adding a solar panel or roof rack on top, which is worth the added investment for many. Compared to softshell tents, hardshells are more durable, offer better weather protection, and are easier to set up (we cover more of the differences in our buying advice below). If you’re in the market for a high-end rooftop tent that’s built to last, you’ll likely settle on a hardshell design. What we don’t: Overkill for solo travelers and most couples. What we like: The spaciousness of a softshell tent with the durability and quick set-up of a hardshell. A Low-Profile Rooftop Tent that's High on Utility: iKamper Blue Dot Voyager Duoīest Hardshell Rooftop Tent 1.Best Rooftop Tent for Small Cars: Roofnest Meadowlark.Best Rooftop Tent for Families: CVT Denali Pioneer Extended.Best Budget Rooftop Tent: Smittybilt Overlander.Best Softshell Rooftop Tent: Thule Approach.Best Hardshell Rooftop Tent: Roofnest Condor XL.For more background information, see our comparison table and buying advice below the picks. Below are our favorite rooftop tents of 2023. Designs range from budget-friendly softshells to premium hardshell and overlanding models built to take a licking, but all of the rooftop tents here keep you off the ground, are relatively easy to set up and stow, and free up valuable storage space in your vehicle. Rather than having to meticulously stake out and assemble your tent and sleep system once you arrive at camp, rooftop designs pop up or fold out from the top of your vehicle and come equipped with comfortable mattresses for a good night’s sleep. Rooftop tents have never been more popular, and it’s easy to see why.
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