Types of Roof Tents: A Comprehensive Guide

Roof tents have gained immense popularity among outdoor enthusiasts, offering a unique camping experience above ground.

They come in two primary shell types: soft-shell roof tents and hard-shell roof tents. Additionally, roof tents can be categorized by their opening methods, with three common styles: "Pop-up," "Folding," and "Clamshell."

Hard Shell Roof Tents

A hard shell roof tent sounds like a sturdier design, so it will last longer. And it is precisely because of the hard shell design that it can easily cope with various extreme climates.

Made from sturdy materials such as ABS plastic or high-quality aluminum, these rooftop tents can withstand the harshest conditions, including high winds.

Many hard shell tents come with nitrogen-filled struts that allow quick deployment with a simple release of the latch.

These tents offer exceptional aerodynamics, featuring a low-profile design that minimizes wind resistance and noise at high speeds. They are also well-insulated, with many hard shell roof tents featuring insulated casings.

However, it's worth noting that they are heavier and come at a higher cost compared to soft shell roof tents. Hard shell roof tents can be opened in three ways: "Pop," "Fold," and "Flip," providing versatility to meet different preferences.

Soft Shell Roof Tents

Soft shell roof tents, as the name suggests, lack an outer hard shell but maintain a sturdy base. They are a lighter and more budget-friendly alternative to hard shell tents while still offering protection against external elements.

Unlike hard shell counterparts, they typically require manual folding for setup, offering only the "folding" opening style.

To protect soft shell roof tents when not in use, it's recommended to utilize the provided PVC travel cover. However, they are less aerodynamic, leading to increased wind resistance and noise compared to hard shell models.

Soft shell roof tents remain an excellent choice, especially for smaller vehicles with weight limitations, providing an ideal rooftop camping solution.

Opening Styles

Pop-up Roof Tent

Pop-up roof tents feature a mechanism that allows the upper hard shell to effortlessly "pop off," making the tent ready for use in just 30 seconds to a minute. Some variants include inflatable legs or electric motors for added convenience.

These tents offer 360-degree panoramic views, with entry points on the side or rear. They are known for their durability and time-saving setup, making them a reliable choice for overland adventurers.

Fold able Roof Tent

Collapsible roof tents are also easy to deploy, taking no more than 2 minutes. While part of the tent is suspended in the air, they are remarkably robust, with durable floor panels capable of supporting heavy weights.

These tents provide ample space and often feature a sky viewing window for enjoying daylight and stargazing at night. They are compatible with both small and large vehicles, enhancing the enjoyment of your overland adventures.

Flip Roof Tent

Clamshell roof tents open up like clams, offering swift setup in less than a minute. Some models have south-facing openings, while others feature side flap mechanisms.

The only drawback is that they provide access and views from one side only, limiting your perspective to 270 degrees. Nevertheless, some models include sky viewing windows to compensate for this limitation.

In conclusion, choosing the right roof tent depends on your preferences, vehicle, and budget. Whether you opt for the robustness of hard shell roof tents or the affordability of soft shell roof tents, and whether you prefer the quick setup of pop-up tents, the spaciousness of foldable tents, or the simplicity of flip tents, there's a rooftop camping solution to elevate your outdoor adventures.