12 Best Roof Top Tents: Hardshell, Softshell. From Cheap to Top 4 All Budgets

Last Updated on 11 July 2024 by Cycloscope

What’s the best rooftop tent for a jeep rack? Softshell, hardshell, cheap, top, lightweight, for all budgets

2-person/3-person/4-person/ Large or Compact in 2024

Roof-top tents are a must-have if you go on a lot of Overlanding trips. Don’t get me wrong, You can still use ground tents for Overlanding but most people prefer RTTs as they are way more comfortable than ground tents.

Over the past few years, rooftop tents have been gaining a lot of popularity among overlanders and car campers. As a result, today, there are tons of brands that make awesome roof-top tents.

In fact, there are so many brands out there that it is almost overwhelming if you are new to overlanding with RTTs. That’s why to help you pick the right rooftop tent, we put together this article on the 9 Best Roof Top Tents of 2024.

But before we jump into the list, let’s quickly look at what a rooftop tent is and all the amazing benefits it comes with.

What is a rooftop tent and What are its benefits?

To put it simply, a Rooftop tent is a tent that you can set up on the roof of your car. Among the many camping hacks, experienced overlanders could give you, using a rooftop tent instead of a ground one will probably be one of the first. Let’s see why, here are all the benefits of owning a rooftop tent.

• You don’t have to sleep on the ground.
• You can camp anywhere. You don’t have to spend time looking for level ground.
• They are very easy to set up. You can set up most RTTs in under 1 minute all on your own.
• RTTs come with built-in mattresses and they are way more comfortable to sleep in when compared to ground tents.
• You get to enjoy some great views in the morning and at night.
• Since they don’t touch the ground — they are way cleaner than ground tents.

Different types of RTTs?

There are over 4 different types of rooftop tents –However, soft shell and hard shell RTTs are the most popular ones.

Soft Shell Roof Top Tent

Soft Shell RTTs are the most popular type of rooftop tent on the market today. They are generally way more affordable when compared to hard-shell RTTs.

The body of softshell rooftop tents is mainly made of canvas materials and it takes around 1 minute to set them up. Also, soft shells are generally way lighter than hard shells.

Hard Shell Roof Top Tent

Hard Shell RTTs are perfect for people who are looking for a luxury option. They are generally twice the price of softshell RTTs but way more comfortable.

They are way more durable when compared to softshell rooftop tents. Plus, a hard-shell rooftop tent is extremely easy to set up. You can set it up in 30 seconds or less. 

Now that you know the basics of rooftop tents — Let’s jump into our list of the 9 best rooftop tents. 

The 12 best rooftop tents for Overlanding

Here are our favorite rooftop tents for this year. We’ll come and update this list whenever we find a new product that matches our standards.

1. Guana Equipment Wanaka 72″ 4 Person – New Entry!

Best 4-person family tent

With a generous sleeping footprint of 72″ x 95″, this rooftop tent offers ample room to comfortably accommodate up to 4 people, making it the perfect choice for memorable family or friend adventures.

One of the standout features of the Wanaka 72″ is its XL annex room, the largest available in the market. This impressive annex boasts a footprint of 100″ x 100″ and comes equipped with high-quality YKK zippers. The annex is constructed using a durable 600D waterproof ripstop polyester Oxford canvas with taped seams and PU coating, ensuring a reliable shield against the elements. The removable floor adds to the convenience, and the 3 awning doors provide easy access and ventilation.

Each of the three entrance doors is thoughtfully designed with see-through mesh, allowing for a bug-free experience and providing the option to convert them into practical awnings, significantly expanding your camping setup’s covered area, and delivering much-needed shade for everyone to enjoy.

One unique advantage of the annex is the internal door that connects to your vehicle, enabling easy access between your car and the annex. This door also features see-through mesh for enhanced airflow and visibility.

The Wanaka 72″ is not only spacious enough to comfortably accommodate two adults but also offers space to set up a table for dining, protected from the elements. This thoughtful design ensures that your camping experience is comfortable and enjoyable, no matter the weather.

2. 23Zero Armadillo X2

Best Hard-Shell Rooftop Tent for experienced Overlanders

23Zero is one of the leading brands on the higher end of the rooftop tent spectrum. The Armadillo X2 is one of the best hard-shell rooftop tents available in the market and the steep price of 3,500+$ reflects that.

If you’re serious about overlanding, and have the budget for such an impressive piece of gear, you should definitely consider the 23Zero Armadillo X2.

We have seen the Armadillo in action while managing Macondo Camp in Malawi and have been quite impressed.

The hard shell is made of a one-piece molded polycarbonate ABS, scratch-resistant, aerodynamic, and as sturdy as it can get. Setting the tent up is a piece of cake, thanks to the gas-strut-assisted X-Frame that makes opening and closing a child’s play.

The mattress is a 2″ thick rebound foam with a plush topper that feels extremely comfy, while the walls are UV-treated and Polyurethane coated ensuring coolness and darkness even under the striking sun of Namibia.

Speaking of accessories, the two built-in LED strips are super nice and cast a soft but clear light that doesn’t annoy the eye while still making the interior bright enough to find your small stuff. The transparent stargazing roof is an amazing feature when camping in the wilderness.

Left or right opening options can be chosen by the customer at the time of order.

3. Body Armor Sky Ridge Pike 2-Person

Best budget softshell rooftop tent under 1000$

For those who are new to the Overlanding game and don’t want to commit to a bank-breaking tent, the Sky Ridge Park by Body Armor is a great budget option.

We had the chance to try it on Namibian rental vehicles and we can say it’s a real bang for the buck.

This soft-shell rooftop tent fits almost any vehicle and has all the bits and pieces you might ask for sky roof, three large mesh windows, a two-layered entrance to adjust airflow and natural light, and a separate rain fly with a 2500mm waterproof rating.

The materials are durable, the interior headroom is abundant, and the 3″ memory foam mattress is quite comfortable.

4. Eezi-Awn Series 3 Soft Shell Roof Top Tent

Constructed with 420-gram Poly-Cotton Canvas Woven with Impregnated Heavy-Duty Wax Thread — Series 3 is one of the toughest and most durable soft shell rooftops currently on the market. It continues to be the standard by which all other roof tents are measured.

Series 3 comes in many different sizes. The smallest size (1200) is the lightest tent (110 lbs) of all sizes and can accommodate 2 adults comfortably. 

The largest size (2200) weighs around 215 lbs and is the most spacious tent of all sizes. It comes with a 2″ twin mattress and accommodates 4 adults easily. No matter how many people you plan to camp with — Series 3 has a size that fits perfectly for you.

Series 3 includes 2 Large Doors & 2 Windows with Mesh & Privacy Panels which make sure there is full ventilation inside the tent at all times. Also, there are around 4 pockets under the window where you can store all your essentials like a phone, water bottles, etc.

One awesome thing about the Series 3 is that it comes with a Universal Mounting Construction. This means that you can mount this tent on any roof rack out there and won’t have to invest in a separate roof rack just for this tent.

Let’s quickly look at some other worth-noting features of the Series 3 rooftop tent:

• Includes 1 Extendable Anodized Aluminum Ladder
• Includes 700 Denier PVC Roof Tent Cover to keep the tent safe and secure during your journey
• The Mattress is made with 2.5″ Thick high-intensity foam. It is very comfortable to sleep on.

5. Roam Adventure Vagabond Roof Top Tent

Next up, we have a 3-person rooftop tent by Roam Adventure Co. Constructed with Waterproof PU coated 280g poly cotton ripstop body fabric, Vagabond is an all-weather rooftop tent that is designed to keep you safe even in extreme weather conditions.

Vagabond comes with a 600D Diamond Rip-Stop Rainfly to keep the water from entering your tent during heavy rainfall. Also, the rainfly has a built-in skylight window which makes it easy for you to enjoy the morning views and stargaze at night.

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.

Here are some other great features of the Vagabond:

• Includes an anti-condensation mat to prevent moisture buildup underneath the mattress
• Includes 1 gear hammock where you can keep all your gear
• Includes 2 boot bags for storing your shoes
• The plasticized aluminum base provides extra scratch and dent resistance

6. Overland Pros Anza 2000 5-Person Roof Top Tent

If you often go on camping trips with your family tent then the Anza 2000 5-Person Roof Top Tent by Overland Pros is perfect for you. With an accommodation capacity of 5 people, Anza 2000 is one of the largest RTTs currently on the market today.

Anza 2000 is constructed with tough 280gsm waterproof poly cotton ripstop canvas and comes with 210 Denier rainfly to keep the water from entering inside your tent. It also comes with huge front and rear open walls to allow for maximum airflow inside the tent and 270 degrees outward viewing.

Also, as Anza 2000 is designed in such a way that you won’t need to use spring rods for windows — It makes the setup very easy and fast. In fact, the Anza 2000 has the fastest setup compared to all the other softshell RTTs on the market today.

When it comes to the mattress, Anza 2000 features a comfortable king-size, 3″ thick covered closed cell hi-density foam mattress. If you need more space, Anza 2000 also has an option to add a 210 Denier Oxford polyester ripstop annex to it (It can sleep 1 person easily).

Here are some other worth-noting features of the Anza 2000:

• The floor of the tent is insulated with closed-cell foam
• 85″ sliding alloy ladder
• Peak loops allow for hanging of anything from solar panels to laundry from the top of the tent for maximum sun exposure
• Includes 1 PVC tent cover and 1 Waterproof boot bag

7. Eezi-Awn Blade Hard Shell Roof Top Tent

Next, we have another rooftop tent by Eezi-Awn called Blade. Blade is a hard-shell rooftop tent that is perfect for people who are looking for a luxurious option. 

The unique low-profiled aerodynamic design of the Blade lets you set it up in under 10 seconds without any help. Yep, you heard me right! Without a doubt, Blade has one of the fastest setup times when compared to other hard-shell and soft-shell RTTs on the market today.

Blade features a lightweight aluminum body that is Powder-Coated with Matte Black. It uses 260-gram Teflon-coated Polyester Ripstop Material for its body fabric. In other words, This is one of the toughest hard shell RTTs out there.

One cool thing about the Blade is that it includes a National Luna LED Light on the Interior Roof with a 12V power supply socket and a Supply Cord. This makes it easy for you to light up the tent at night and you won’t have to invest in a portable light just for your tent.

The Blade comes with 3 large doors/windows which you can use to enter from. All of them include a privacy mesh panel. Also, the included XKLUSIV Ladder With Built-In Extension can be mounted on all three entryways and can be stored inside the tent when closed.

Blade can accommodate 2 people easily and comes with a premium built-in double size 80mm thick laminated mattress. The mattress is very comfortable and will help you sleep like a baby.

Let’s quickly look few other great features of the Blade:

• Includes Four Mounting Rails on the bottom of the tent to make it easy for you to mount it on roof racks
• Includes Spring Steel Rain Fly Rods to keep the windows from flapping and making noise when camping in a windy location
• Both the roof and floor of the tent is insulated
• Includes internal storage pockets to store your essentials
• 270-Degree View when all the windows are zipped open

8. ARB Simpson Roof Top Tent

If you are an off-roading enthusiast or an Overlanding enthusiast then I am pretty sure you have heard of ARB by now. ARB is a brand that is popular for its quality 4×4 products and the Simpson rooftop tent is one of their best-selling products. 

Manufactured from high-quality canvas, ARB Simpson is built to handle all weather conditions. The canvas is strong, rigid, water-resistant, and also meets the required fire retardant requirements.

To keep the insects and the deadly mosquitoes from entering your tent and disturbing your sleep at night, All the windows and doors come with insect screens.

ARB Simpson’s unique design lets you store all your bedding and other essentials inside the tent even when it’s closed. Also, there are storage pockets under the windows where you can store keys, phones, etc. 

Like the Anza 2000, ARB Simpson also has an option for you to add an additional annex if you are looking for more space. 

Let’s quickly look at a few other great features of the ARB Simpson:

• Includes a bonded chip foam mattress with a removable cover to make it easy for you to clean it.
• Can be mounted on any roof rack on the market today.
• Includes an Oxford polyester flysheet.
• 1-inch Anodized aluminum poles improve strength and provide corrosion resistance properties.

9. Yakima SkyRise HD Roof Top Tent

Next up, we have the Yakima SkyRise HD Roof Top Tent. Even though Yakima is a brand that is known for their roof racks, their line of SkyRise tents have gained a lot of popularity in recent years because of their durability.

The body of SkyRise HD is ruggedly constructed with 600D Ripstop polyester fabric and a 3000mm waterproof PU coating. It also comes with a weather-shedding waterproof rainfly. To simply put, this tent will keep you safe from all the elements and bad weather conditions.

SkyRise HD comes in 2 different sizes. The small size can accommodate 2 people and hold up to 400 lbs. However, The medium size can accommodate 3 people easily and can hold up to 600 lbs. Both the sizes come with a 2.5″ thick foam mattress.

With 2 large doors and 2 large windows, there will be full ventilation inside the tent at all times. Also, 1 skylight window is included on the roof of the tent. It’s perfect for people who love stargazing at night.

Few other worth-noting features of the SkyRise HD:

• Strong and Lightweight Aluminum Tent Frame
• Includes Tool-free and lockable vehicle mounts
• Includes an Abrasion-resistant tent floor with a textured finish
• SpeedClamp Roof Rack Fit

10. OVS Nomadic 3 Roof Top Tent

Lastly, we have 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 comes 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.

Nomadic 3 comes with 2 external pouches where you can store your shoes and 6 large internal storage pouches to store your essentials like chargers, water bottles, etc. 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.

Here’s a quick look at some other awesome features of the Nomadic 3:

• Includes 1000G PVC Cover With Heavy Duty Straps to keep the tent safe and secure during the journey
• Includes 1 96″ Tubular Adjustable With Locking Strap
• Comes with 2 Ground Stakes and 2 Paracords
• Comes with a 4-year limited warranty

11. Overland Pros Anza 1400

Anza 1400 is a smaller version of the Anza 2000. It is built with the same materials. However, Unlike Anza 200 — Anza 1400 can only accommodate 3 people. This is a solid tent for people who go camping in small numbers.

Few great features of the Anza 1400:

• Includes a 3″ queen size thick covered closed cell hi-density foam mattress 
• 100% genuine YKK zippers throughout
• Optional Annex
• Includes Waterproof PVC boot bag

12. Pittman Outdoors Soft Shell RTT

Finally, we have a soft shell family roof-top tent by Pittman Outdoors. With an accommodation capacity of 4 people, This is the second-largest tent on this list. It is constructed with a tough waterproof, UV-protected material and comes with a durable and insulated Aluminum Honeycomb Base.

As for the mattress, It has a built-in High-Density Non-Deforming Foam Mattress. All the windows and doors are made with breathable material to make sure there is good ventilation inside the tent at all times. Also, Like the Vagabond, It comes with 1 Skylight window.

A quick look at some other features of the Pittman Outdoors Soft Shell RTT:

• Includes Premium Telescopic Ladder
• Very easy to set up and takedown
• Includes steel rods to keep the windows from flapping
• Includes storage pockets to store your essentials

That’s it, folks! We reviewed over 9 roof-top tents in this article and I really hope you were able to find the right RTT for your next overlanding trip.

If you have questions or thoughts about any of these products, just leave a comment below and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks for reading!

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