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For those outdoor enthusiasts who truly enjoy “roughing it,” you know that tent camping is a double-edged sword. What you gain in an affordable and compact setup can often be trumped by waking up in a soaking sleeping bag surrounded by puddles, contending with lumpy, rocky ground that would prevent a dead body from sleeping soundly, and dealing with all manner of dirt, grass, and debris being tracked in and out on a daily basis.
Enter the hard shell roof top tent. Relatively new to the camping scene, these high-tech, cleverly designed tents make roughing it a breeze. Mounted off the ground on smooth, solid surfaces, these durable and weather-resistant options are making happy campers out of many outdoor lovers. The speed at which the market is becoming flooded with choices of hard shell roof top tents is not surprising. To help you weed through the myriad of possibilities, I’ve come up with my list of top choices along with a handy buying guide to get you out and under the stars quickly.
Our Methodology
When it comes to choosing the best hard shell roof top tents available, I wanted to provide you with a well-rounded list that features a solid variety of reputable manufacturers with a history of providing high-quality, long-lasting products. I wanted to include a wide range of price points to suit any budget. Lastly, I wanted to feature hard shell roof top tents that use the latest in construction technology and innovative materials that are durable, high-tech, and functional. There’s literally something for everyone. For more info on our selection criteria, go to The Drive’s Gear About page, which explains our methodology further.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Smittybilt Overlander Hard Shell Tent
- Best Value: Badass Tents Packout MOLLE Tent
- Honorable Mention: Nomad 1300 Hard Shell Roof Top Tent
- Best Premium: iKamper Skycamp 3.0
- Best for Small Cars: Freespirit Recreation Odyssey Series Hard Shell Tent
- Best for Families: Roofnest Condor XL Hard Shell Tent
- Best Pop-Up: Trustmade Hard Shell Roof Top Tent
Best Hard Shell Roof Top Tents: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Smittybilt Overlander Hard Shell Tent
Best Value
Badass Tents Packout MOLLE Tent
Honorable Mention
Nomad 1300 Hard Shell Roof Top Tent
Best Premium
iKamper Skycamp 3.0
Best for Small Cars
Freespirit Recreation Odyssey Series Hard Shell Tent
Best for Families
Roofnest Condor XL Hard Shell Tent
Best Pop-Up
Trustmade Hard Shell Roof Top Tent
Our Verdict on Hard Shell Roof Top Tents
For the ideal combination of lightweight, durable construction, ease-of-use, functionality, and price point, my top pick has to be the Smittybilt Overlander Hard Shell Tent. This tent mounts and sets up in minutes, giving you quick access to spacious, above-ground sleeping quarters.
For a more budget-conscious, but durable and well-designed choice, check out the Badass Tents Packout MOLLE Tent. Made in the USA, this tent is a tactically styled, lightweight, and slim choice that’s great for more compact vehicles.
What to Consider When Buying Hard Shell Roof Top Tents
Buying a hard shell roof top tent involves a few more choices than just picking out your favorite color or price point. While options aren’t as numerous as car tires, there’s still plenty to consider in order to make sure you’re getting the ideal tent to suit your particular needs and fit well with not only your lifestyle, but your vehicle setup as well.
Hard Shell Roof Top Tent Key Features
Ease of Installation
Installing your hard shell roof top tent shouldn’t take an entire afternoon or require a team of experts. Most high-quality roof top tents will come with a comprehensive instruction manual and all necessary hardware to safely and securely mount the tent on your vehicle’s rack or crossbars. Be sure to check your vehicle’s compatibility with any included mounting hardware prior to purchase. Some of the best hard shell roof top tents also include handy video tutorials for added benefit.
Capacity
Sleeping capacity is always a major consideration with any tent purchase. However, with most roof top tents, the largest you can expect to reasonably be supported by your vehicle’s roof will still only accommodate three to four people. If you have a compact vehicle, you’re likely going to be looking at a one to two person tent, greatly limiting your options. It’s a great practice in minimalist travel.
Construction Materials
Most hard shell roof top tents are composed of ultra-durable, yet lightweight materials like ABS plastic, rust-resistant aluminum, and waterproof, ripstop oxford, nylon, polyurethane-coated canvas, or a combination of these. It’s also important to make sure that your tent has spacious mesh-covered windows to promote good visibility and breathability. Ladders should be constructed from rugged and lightweight aluminum. Mounting hardware should be made from heavy-duty, rust-proof stainless steel with an optional powder coating for added longevity.
Weight
The overall weight of your tent is important when considering whether it can be safely supported by your vehicle’s crossbars or mounting hardware. Take into account how much the tent will weigh with all your gear and people inside it as well.
Hard Shell Roof Top Tent Pricing
While most hard shell roof top tents are a solid financial investment, you can pick up a well-constructed and long-lasting tent for between $1,600 and $2,000. If you’re looking for top-of-the-line construction, spaciousness, and high-quality accessories like included lighting, ladders, and high-density memory foam mattresses, plan to spend anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000, depending on the size of the tent you want.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: While most hard shell roof top tents are designed to be streamlined and aerodynamic, they’re still going to create some drag on your vehicle while underway. While you can certainly try to go your “normal” driving speed, it’s best to limit yourself to 65 mph or below for safety reasons and so as not to totally trash your gas mileage.
A: Yes. Roof racks and roof top tents will diminish your gas mileage by creating drag on your vehicle while underway. While data is a little limited on the exact number, there are some sources that estimate that your fuel economy can drop down to as little as 17 percent with a roof top tent.
A: Most roof racks can support a roof top tent. If your car came equipped with a factory-installed rack, check your manual prior to purchasing a tent to see what your rack is rated for. Since most tents weigh between 100 and 200 pounds, it shouldn’t be a problem. Third-party roof racks, like Thule and Yakima, are built to support heavier weight capacities. The main concern is: can your roof rack support a tent when it’s full of people and gear? Check your rack’s max weight load before climbing up into your tent for what might not be such a restful night’s sleep.
A: The SuperLite 50 is the world’s lightest hard shell roof top tent, weighing in at a mere 80 pounds. Most other hard shell roof top tents on the market weigh between 130 and 200 pounds.
A: Most hard-shell roof top tents can handle rain, sun, and snow with ease. As far as wind speeds go, most can safely withstand speeds of up to 40 mph.
