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If you’re a diehard lover of the outdoors, you probably do a lot of tent camping. Tent camping can be fun, but it can also be an exercise in frustration. Waking up in puddles and soaking wet sleeping bags after a rainstorm, getting aching joints and backs from sleeping on lumpy, rocky ground, and tracking all kinds of dirt, sand, and debris inside the tent really detract from the enjoyment of your camping experience.
Enter the hard shell roof top tent. This marvel of modern engineering has the ability to change the way you view tent camping forever. It's easy to set up and stays high off the ground by mounting to the roof of your vehicle. It’s like sleeping in a tree fort.
Roof top tents are also much more durable and weather-resistant than regular tents. Some roof top tents can also double as cargo carriers, making them even more versatile. Check out our top picks for the best roof top tents on the market. Then be sure to familiarize yourself with our in-depth buying guide so you can make a confident choice and get the tent that best suits your needs.
This ruggedly built and attractively designed tent will keep you elevated and protected from the elements. It will also keep you comfortable and clean.
TMB Green Pop Up Roof Overland Tent
A quality tent crafted with precision and care that’s comfortable and serves you for a long time. It is versatile and comfortable. It is adequate for two adults.
This tent is superiorly constructed with a super tough and waterproof ABS plastic top. It stores compactly and aerodynamically so as not to create a ton of added wind noise while driving.
If you’re a diehard lover of the outdoors, you probably do a lot of tent camping. Tent camping can be fun, but it can also be an exercise in frustration. Waking up in puddles and soaking wet sleeping bags after a rainstorm, getting aching joints and backs from sleeping on lumpy, rocky ground, and tracking all kinds of dirt, sand, and debris inside the tent really detract from the enjoyment of your camping experience.
Enter the hard shell roof top tent. This marvel of modern engineering has the ability to change the way you view tent camping forever. It's easy to set up and stays high off the ground by mounting to the roof of your vehicle. It’s like sleeping in a tree fort.
Roof top tents are also much more durable and weather-resistant than regular tents. Some roof top tents can also double as cargo carriers, making them even more versatile. Check out our top picks for the best roof top tents on the market. Then be sure to familiarize yourself with our in-depth buying guide so you can make a confident choice and get the tent that best suits your needs.
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
Unlike a soft-shell tent, a hard shell one is a bit heavier and more durable. The robust shell adds more protection against the elements, such as strong winds and thunderstorms and when you’re transporting the tent. For those unfamiliar with hard-shell rooftop tents, they may seem a bit challenging to handle, but they really aren’t. They typically feature a mechanism that makes them easy to handle and use.
Soft-shell tents are similar to standard tents. The roof and walls are canvas, ripstop fabric, or other soft materials with a rainfly. They are lightweight and easy to handle. In terms of protection, soft-shell tents cannot handle inclement weather as much as hard-shell tents can. They are easy to fold, but hard-shell tents can be more manageable in terms of putting them up and taking them down.
Based out of Santa Cruz, and founded in 2007, TEPUI is an outdoor adventure firm that makes high-quality rooftop tents for a variety of outdoor adventures. The company is part of the Sweden-based Thule Group and has more than 50 outlets and 2000 employees. Thule Tepui Ruggedized Autana 3 is one of its top products.
TMB Motorsports specializes in motoring equipment. It was founded in 2014 and has its headquarters in San Dimas, California. Its aim is to provide customers with the best products and services on the market. The founders of the company have a passion for cars and ensure a sense of excellence in everything that they do. One of its popular products is the TMB Green Pop Up Roof Overland Tent.
The capacity of the rooftop tent depends on various factors, such as the number of people that will be camping and your budget. The majority of the hard shell rooftop tents on the market can accommodate two or three people. However, you can also find tents with enough capacity for four or even five people.
Make sure that the materials are both durable and comfortable. Fiberglass is a common material in these tents and is quite robust. The exterior must have a high level of waterproofing capability and weather resistance to overcome inclement weather. It is also vital if the tent has good breathable qualities to be comfortable in all conditions. The material of other accessories, such as a telescoping ladder, should be robust and lightweight. Aviation aluminum is a good option.
Rooftop tent installation should not be rocket science. It should be easy and similar to a ground tent. Nobody fancies the idea of standing on a ladder over an hour setting up the tent. Go over the installation guide before you proceed. Of course, it will take some time to set up. However, the best hard-shell rooftop tent comes with a mechanism to make the process effortless.
The weight of the tent should not be more than that of your SUV for safety. Mainly, determine the average weight of the people that will be using the tent and add it to the weight of the tent. The total should tell you whether it is suitable for the vehicle or not. Consider this total before you purchase the rooftop tent.
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When it comes to the best overall choice for a hard shell roof top tent, our hands-down pick has to be the KingCamp Rooftop Tent. This ruggedly built and attractively designed tent will keep you elevated and protected from the elements. It will also keep you comfortable and clean.
This tent is ideally suited to two people, measuring 82.7 x 50.8 x 45.3 inches. One of our favorite things about this tent is that it’s super easy to set up. In about three seconds, this instant-up tent is fully open and just needs to be anchored to your car. The hard shell top is constructed from 100 percent aluminum, which is both waterproof and rust-resistant.
When stowed, this tent measures just 10 inches high, making it relatively easy to stow. Two large doors and windows give you plenty of ventilation and easy access. We also like the thick and soft cotton floor pad that adds another level of comfort to your sleep. What we don’t love is the ladder; it could definitely be sturdier and a little wider.
The TMB Green Pop Up Roof Overland is designed with care and precision for optimal comfort when you’re outdoors or on an off-road adventure. The tent fits a wide variety of vehicles and comes with the necessary roof rails and crossbars for effortless installation. It is an ideal choice for hikers and campers. The rooftop tent comes along with a storage bag, mattress, and ladder. The pre-installed high-quality memory foam mattress accommodates two adults.
To keep you protected from the weather, the material is robust, waterproof, and windproof. The shock-assisted arms make it effortless to open. Other essential features include the inner and outer zippers, which keep the openings secure. Also, the rooftop tent has a unique fold-out design that directs away from the roof rack.
On the downside, some users say the mattress is a bit thin and uncomfortable to use for long periods of time. It is also not very light to carry, but that is common with hardshell rooftop tents.
For the ultimate luxury rooftop camping experience, consider the DUTUI Car Tent. This tent is superiorly constructed with a super tough and waterproof ABS plastic top. It stores compactly and aerodynamically so as not to create a ton of added wind noise while driving. It mounts securely to your vehicle's roof-mounted cross bars and sets up in seconds.
This model is suitable for use on cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks, making it a versatile option. It can fit one person very spaciously or two people snugly. The tent comes well-designed with two large doors and windows with attached mosquito netting for maximum ventilation and bug protection.
We love the sleek and easy design of this tent. What we don’t love is the price tag. This is one of the most expensive hard shell rooftop tents on the market. There are also some concerns over customer service and responsiveness when issues do arise.
The N/C Pop Up Roof Tent is designed to be used with cars, trucks, and SUVs. We like this option because it's available in a variety of colors, including white-shell gray, black-shell khaki, and white-shell green, so you can find a shade that best matches your vehicle. This tent can accommodate two adults and one child with additional space for camping equipment.
The tent measures 74 by 50 by 41 inches when open and 74 by 50 by 8.6 inches when closed. It includes a 7.54-foot aluminum extendable ladder and has a load capacity of over 600 pounds. The tent also comes with a breathable mattress and is made of 280G durable canvas.
One of the tent's best features is that it's waterproof, so you will stay dry in rainy conditions. It also includes UV 50 protection, so it won't fade and look worn down. The tent has automatic hydraulic levers that are easy to open and stay firmly in place. Overall, it's a great choice for overlanding.
A: The capacity of the tent depends on the brand and model. Mostly, the tent can comfortably accommodate two or three people. But you will find some hard shell tents with a capacity to hold four or more people.
A: Unlike a soft shell tent, hard-shell models are quite comfortable in inclement weather. They are waterproof, and the quality of the insulation is better.
A: The best hard-shell rooftop tents on the market have excellent versatility. You can install them on any vehicle. Some of the more prestigious tents are designed specifically for cars. The good news is that mounting methods have come a long way, and you can customize the roof rack to accommodate your chosen hard shell rooftop tent.
For the best overall choice when it comes to a stylish, easy-to-use, and durable hard shell rooftop tent, our top pick is the KingCamp Rooftop Tent. This ruggedly built and attractively designed tent will keep you elevated and protected from the elements. It will also keep you comfortable and clean.
If you want a more budget-friendly model, check out the TMB Green Pop Up Roof Overland Tent. It’s sturdy and roomy and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
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