Camping is a passion for many. Nature lovers appreciate the opportunity to spend the night in the wilderness, but many people don’t care for sleeping on the ground. Sleeping in a tent on top of a car is an excellent way to camp off the ground and keep your vehicle available for storage. A rooftop tent is comfortable and convenient, but it is no small investment. Even the best rooftop tents enter with a sturdy frame that is quick to set up and packs neatly away on the roof. They are fully waterproof and able to stand up to strong winds. Also they provide a cosy, comfortable and mega convenient place to sleep while exploring the wilderness by car. This guide will show you the best rooftop tents available. There are plenty of choices for your camping comforts and we have got our 5 best Rooftop Tents right here for you.
1. Front Runner Roof Top Tent
Specification
- Brand: Front Runner
- Color: Gray
- Occupancy: 2 Person
- Item Weight: 129.26 Pounds
- Pole Material Type: Aluminium
- Material: Vinyl
The Feather-Lite car top tent from Front Runner features a wide 1.3 x 2.5-metre design which can comfortably sleep two people and still leave room for luggage. This super lightweight construction only weighs 43kg (93 lbs), helps save on petrol but also makes it suitable for solo roadtrippers to install and remove.
Even its low profile and sturdy 400D oxford tent fabric allow it to be used in strong winds and heavy rain. The durable fabric is also breathable and mould resistant so, although this Front Runner roof top tent is not cheap, it will certainly go the distance in terms of durability. It enters ready with a mattress as well as zippered windows and mesh screens for keeping creepy crawlies out.
Overall, the Feather-Lite is quick and easy to set up making it a convenient option for weekend camping trips.
Pros
- Very light
- Easy to set up
- Made from durable and breathable fabric
Cons
- Ladder tends to move too easily
2. Yakima SkyRise Rooftop Tent
Specification
- Brand: YAKIMA
- Occupancy: 2 Person
- Item Weight: 106 Pounds
- Pole Material Type: Aluminium
- Seasons: 3 Season
- Material: Nylon
The Yakima SkyRise 2 Rooftop Tent is a mid-priced and lightweight 3-season tent for your overland adventure. Made from a durable Nylon that is both breathable and waterproof, and fitted with aluminium poles, it’s sure to protect from the rain and wind.
The tent is fitted with multiple double layer windows that can be unzipped on warm nights or closed for weather protection. The windows are fitted with a mesh layer which grants for ventilation but keeps pesky mosquitoes out whilst you watch the stars at night. This model also enters with a waterproof rainfly with built-in sky roof.
Like most rooftop tents it adds to a roof rack but for extra security the Yakima rooftop tent provides SKS Lock Cores. No need to worry about thieving monkeys while you are out in the wilderness. Best of all the Yakima SkyRise 2-person rooftop tent is a breeze to set up.
Pros
- Very Lightweight
- Breathable and waterproof fabric
- Easy tool-free set up
- Mid-range price
Cons
- Minor issues with how the ladder is fitted
3. Smittybilt Overlander Tent
Specification
- Brand: Smittybilt
- Color: Tan
- Closure Type: Zipper
- Occupancy: 2 Person
- Item Weight: 48 Pounds
- Pole Material Type: Aluminum
- Seasons: 4 Season
- Material: Polyester
The 2 to 3-person Smittybilt Overlander Rooftop Tent is another lightweight option for cars with limited weight capacity. It is also one of the most affordable rooftop tents on the market. Despite its lower price tag, the tent is made from a heavy-duty 600D ripstop polyester with a fully waterproof rainfly made from 420D oxford fabric. Its base is a 2.5cm polyurethane/aluminium sandwich that can hold a weight of up to 661lbs.
Intended for use in all 4-seasons, the Smittybilt Overlander is fitted with a sky window as well as zippered windows with mesh mosquito nets to allow for ventilation during the summertime. Other
useful features add the extra wide 18” ladder, LED lighting strip, and 12V cigarette lighter power adapter.
So the Smittybilt Overlander is a great rooftop tent that won’t leave your wallet empty, which is why it will be the winner of your Best Buy Award.
Pros
- Durable, waterproof, and lightweight
- Fits most vehicles
- Affordable price
Cons
- Rainfly tends to pool water
4. The Vagabond Off-Road RTT Rooftop Tent
Specification
- Brand: ROAM Adventure Co.
- Color: Forest Green / Hyper Orange
- Seasons: 4 Season
- Material: Nylon, Poly Cotton, Aluminum, Fabric
The ROAM Vagabond Lite is a durable foldout Rooftop tent and your start to a new adventure! Vagabond is an all-weather roof top tent that is designed to keep you safe even in extreme weather conditions. The most impressive feature of the Vagabond is its premium UltraPlush 2.0 mattress.
It is made of 3″ foam high-density foam and comes wrapped in a waterproof base so moisture never reaches you with a cotton top for maximum comfort. Without a doubt, Vagabond has the most comfortable mattress out of all the RTTs on this list.
If you are looking for extra space, Vagabond has an option to add an Annex. The annex is constructed using the same material as the rainfly and comes with a black, heavy-duty, laminated, 600 GSM PVC floor. You can use it as a private room to change your clothes or even use it as an extra sleeping space. Overall, this tent is amazing!
Pros
- Comes with a black, heavy-duty, laminated, 600 GSM PVC floor
- Extra sleeping space
- The plasticized aluminum base provides extra scratch and dent resistance
Cons
- Expensive
5. Overland Vehicle Systems Nomadic 3 Extended Rooftop Tent
Specification
- Brand: Overland Vehicle Systems
- Color: Dark Gray
- Closure Type: Velcro
- Fabric Type: Polyester, Oxford Nylon, Ballistic Nylon
- Item Weight: 165 Pounds
- Pole Material Type: Aluminum
- Maximum Height: 40 Inches
- Material: 600D Ripstop
Lastly, Nomadic Soft Shell Roof Top Tent by Overland Vehicle Systems. With an accommodation capacity of 3 people, it is constructed with 600D Rip-Stop Polyester Cotton Waterproof Canvas and comes with a 420D Polyester Oxford Waterproof Rainfly sheet to keep you safe during heavy rainfalls.
As for the mattress, Nomadic 3 enters with a 3″ High-Density Foam Mattress with Washable Cotton Cover. The base of the tent is double insulated with a one-piece diamond plate to keep you warm and cozy during cold nights. Also, Both the doors and windows are made with 110g Environmental Fadeless Gaze Breathable so there will be full ventilation inside the tent at all times.
Also, To make it easy for you to light up the tent at night — Nomadic 3 comes with a 40″ LED Light Strip Plus Into Standard USB. So the choice is your.
Pros
- Includes 1 96″ Tubular Adjustable With Locking Strap
- Comes with 2 Ground Stakes and 2 Paracords
- Comes with a 4-year limited warranty
Cons
- After coming back from a trip, the tent needs to be opened up and aired out to dry.