OVS HD Nomadic 4 Extended
#1 in Soft shellFull review
A family sized soft shell with a long warranty for a full size truck or SUV on a strong rack. Its weight rules out most factory roof racks.
Amazon $1,999.97$1,999.97
A rooftop tent rides on your roof rack and opens into a bed above the ground: flat, dry, away from mud and critters, with the mattress already made. Few people get to try several before buying, and most reviews cover one tent. So these rankings compare what the makers publish on the same terms: how big the bed is, what it costs and weighs for that size, how waterproof the fabric is, and how comfortable and well covered it is.
There are two kinds. A soft shell tent folds in half under a fabric travel cover and opens out over the ladder, which roughly doubles the floor and gives the most bed for the money, but takes several minutes to set up and pack. A hard shell tent lives in a rigid fiberglass, ABS or aluminum case that pops straight up or opens like a clamshell, usually in a minute or two. It costs more and has a smaller bed for its footprint, but it’s quieter at highway speed and shrugs off wind and snow better.
Before you buy, check two numbers: your vehicle’s roof dynamic load rating and your rack’s. Both have to cover the tent’s weight while driving. Follow the maker’s mounting instructions.
Top Picks
Trustmade Scout Max High Ridge
#1 in Hard shellFull review
For budget buyers who want more headroom than a wedge tent and a gear rack on top, at a fraction of name brand prices.
Amazon $1,699$1,699
Tuff Stuff Trailhead
#4 in Soft shellFull review
A budget full size soft shell for couples who camp in fair weather and want a light tent. Plan on a thicker sleeping pad.
Amazon $1,235.96 Quadratec $1,183$1,183
Shop by Type
Soft shell
23 rankedFabric tents that fold out over the ladder: the most bed for the money, with a longer setup.
Top rated: OVS HD Nomadic 4 Extended $1,999.97
Hard shell
24 rankedRigid shells that pop up or open like a clamshell in a minute or two, quieter on the highway and tougher in wind.
Top rated: Trustmade Scout Max High Ridge $1,699
Narrow It Down
By budget
Prices were last checked October 31, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Best Soft Shell Rooftop Tents
- OVS HD Nomadic 4 Extended#1 of 23Full review
A family sized soft shell with a long warranty for a full size truck or SUV on a strong rack. Its weight rules out most factory roof racks.
Amazon $1,999.97$1,999.97449.2 sq ft172 lb - OVS HD Nomadic 2 Extended#2 of 23Full review
A well built, mid priced two person soft shell with a long warranty and a covered entry. Check the roof and rack ratings, as it weighs about 150 lb.
Amazon $1,599.99$1,599.99235.9 sq ft150 lb - OVS HD Nomadic 2#3 of 23Full review
A mid priced full size soft shell with a long warranty for couples who camp in all seasons. It skips the extended entry canopy of the Nomadic 2 Extended.
Amazon $1,499.99$1,499.99235.4 sq ft- - Tuff Stuff Trailhead#4 of 23Full review
A budget full size soft shell for couples who camp in fair weather and want a light tent. Plan on a thicker sleeping pad.
Amazon $1,235.96 Quadratec $1,183$1,183236.3 sq ft110 lb - Thule Approach L#5 of 23Full review
A family sized soft shell with quick mounting and a low folded height, on sale for much less than the Approach 2 L. Check the roof and rack ratings, as it weighs 150 lb.
Thule $2,239.96$2,239.96444.2 sq ft150 lb
Best Hard Shell Rooftop Tents
- Trustmade Scout Max High Ridge#1 of 24Full review
For budget buyers who want more headroom than a wedge tent and a gear rack on top, at a fraction of name brand prices.
Amazon $1,699$1,699331.3 sq ft- - iKamper Skycamp DLX#2 of 24Full review
For families who want the full size Skycamp with a thick air mattress and lights already fitted, ready to sleep in as soon as it opens.
iKamper $4,195$4,195444.4 sq ft155 lb - iKamper Skycamp 4.0 Quad#3 of 24Full review
For families with a full size SUV, van or truck who want a king size bed in a hard shell that still opens in about a minute. Budget extra for the mattress and check the rack load rating.
iKamper $4,700$4,700448.9 sq ft157 lb - Smittybilt Overland XL Hard Shell#4 of 24Full review
For budget minded families who want a large hard shell with a long warranty, if they can live without published interior dimensions.
Amazon $1,501.85 Smittybilt $1,347.99$1,347.995-175 lb - iKamper Skycamp DLX Mini#5 of 24Full review
For one or two people with a smaller vehicle who want a light fold out hard shell that comes ready to sleep in, with a thick mattress and lights.
iKamper $3,670$3,670229.5 sq ft110 lb
How We Rank
Each tent is ranked against others of the same type, and scored on its price per square foot of mattress, its weight for its bed size, its waterproof and season rating, its mattress and comfort extras, and its warranty.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per square foot of mattress | 30% |
| Weight | tent weight per square foot of mattress | 20% |
| Weather | waterproof rating and season rating | 20% |
| Comfort | mattress thickness, anti-condensation mat and skylights | 15% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 15% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.