Our Favorite Roof Top Tents

In recent years, Overlanding has grown in popularity. This largely has to do with recent innovations in products and vehicles that make it more accessible and comfortable. One product that’s worth talking about is rooftop tents. The benefits of having a rooftop tent are clear. Since weight isn’t an issue they’re made with stronger, more durable, material that holds up to weather better than traditional camping tents. They also provide a flat platform that’s clear of rocks, sticks, and uneven earth, so you get a great night of sleep. Essentially, you can have a comfortable night anywhere you have room to park your car.

When buying a rooftop tent, the first thing that you’re going to need to decide is whether you want a softshell or a hardshell rooftop tent. There are obvious pros and cons for each:

Softshell Rooftop Tent Pros & Cons

Pros

They’re bigger. If you’re the type of camper that requires extra room, a softshell is for you. At the very least your tent will be the size of a Queen mattress.
Extra shade. Since these tents fold out, there will always be a decent sized area that hangs over the edge of your car. This bit of extra shade can be very valuable if you’re out camping in the Utah desert.
Easier to expand with an annex. An annex is an extension from the tent to the ground that can fully enclose you and protect from any bad weather or intense sun. These are great to use as an extra enclosed space to cook and eat in.
They’re cheaper. There is a lot less going on in terms of hardware with softshell tents. They don’t need expensive hinges, fiberglass shells, or anything else of that nature. They’re more manual which greatly reduces their cost

Cons

They’re more susceptible to the elements. Hardshell tents have the benefit of having a hard side that can deflect wind, rain, and snow while softshells do not. Rather, they will be much noisier in the wind and can let some of the elements inside of your tent
Larger footprint. Softshells take up more room on the roof of your car which makes it harder to park your vehicle in your garage. The larger footprint also creates drag which reduces your aerodynamics and gas mileage.
Harder to set up. There’s definitely more going on with softshells. Since they expand, they require the use of poles. The material is also loose, making take down not as easy as just closing the tent. Rather, takedown takes between 5-10 minutes since you have to deal with all of the loose canvas.

Hardshell Rooftop Tent Pros & Cons

Pros

Faster setup and teardown. Hardshell tents can be set up and taken down in under a minute. All you basically have to do is close the top and you’re ready to go.
More protection and durability. The hardshell walls on these tents provide greater waterproofing and resistance to other elements such as wind.
More aerodynamic. These tents fold up into a tighter package and are shaped to ride better on your car. You will get less drag and better gas mileage when you’re headed to your campsite.

Cons

Price. Normally these tents run at nearly double the price of a softshell.
They’re smaller. Hardshell tents don’t expand like their softshell cousins. The size of these tents are pretty much set as is.
The extra hardware means there are more parts that can break. Also, there are a few reports of hinges rubbing against the models during setup and takedown. This rubbing can damage the tent overtime.

Our Top Picks

Best Softshell Rooftop Tent

ARB Simpson III Rooftop Tent

The ARB Simpson III should be your goto softshell tent. ARB is known for their high quality off-road gear and this rooftop tent is no different. It’s made from extremely durable and waterproof canvas. The base uses a zipper which lasts a lot longer than it’s velcro counterparts. And the setup is relatively simple for a softshell tent. On top of it all, the setup is relatively simple compared to other rooftop tents.

Best Hardshell Rooftop Tent

Smittybilt Overlander Hardshell Rooftop Tent

The best part of this Smittybilt hardshell rooftop tent is the price point. It comes in at around $1,000 cheaper than other hardshell rooftop tents, yet it has the same quality as it’s counterparts. The Smittybilt Overlander has a low profile that’s made to be aerodynamic, it doesn’t detract from your ride. The Overlander also comes with a 2” mattress that folds up with the tent for added comfort.

Best Tent Value Rooftop Tent

Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander Tent

Coming in at just over $1,000, the GEN2 Overlander tent should be your choice if you’re on a budget. Just because these tents are on the more inexpensive side, they are still made with heavy duty rip stop polyester and stainless steel hinges to stand the test of time. They’re also compatible with an Annex for the option to add on more space.

If you’re interested in learning more or purchasing a roof top tent, stop by DGO Autogear located in Durango Motor Company. We can help find the best model for you and take care of the install. Learn more here.

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