If you have been comparing rooftop tents and keep ending up in the same argument about shells, this page settles it. Every pick below is a softshell rooftop tent: a rigid aluminum or poly-cotton case with a fabric body that unfolds into a bed rather than a clamshell that pops open on gas struts. I spent weeks reading owner feedback, digging into floor dimensions, and matching each tent to the rack it actually fits, so you can skip straight to the one your vehicle and your sleepers can handle.
The softshell category has grown a lot. What used to be a single generic A-frame from one brand is now a spread of two-person climbers, extended platforms that sleep three, canvas builds with wired power ports, and pop-up frames that open in under a minute. That variety makes comparison harder, because a lighter tent is not automatically a better tent and a longer floor is not automatically a more comfortable one. The specs below are the ones that decide real camps: weight on your crossbars, usable sleeping area, waterproof rating, and how the fabric behaves when it is cold or wet.
We also cover the parts nobody puts in the marketing copy: how to read your vehicle’s dynamic roof load before you buy, why a manufacturer rating of three people usually means two adults and a child, and how condensation behaves inside a fabric shell. If you are still weighing the shell types broadly, our general rooftop tent roundup covers hard shells too, and our hardshell rooftop tent guide is the place to go if aerodynamics at highway speed matter more than interior space. Everything below stays softshell.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Softshell Rooftop Tents for 2026
OVS TMBK
- 108 lb weight
- 53.5 x 92 inch sleeping area
- 2000 PU waterproof
- aluminum-plated base
OVS HD Nomadic 3
- 6536 sq in floor area
- 63 inch floor width
- 600D ripstop
- 1000G PVC travel cover
All 12 Softshell Rooftop Tents at a Glance in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Overland Vehicle Systems TMBK |
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Check Latest Price |
| OVS HD Nomadic 3 Extended |
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 OVS HD Nomadic 2 |
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| Meedo Apolle A86 M |
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 Roofnest Meadowlark |
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 Meedo Apolle TNT L |
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 Kermode Basecamp 190 |
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Check Latest Price |
 Trend Tents Softshell Pop-Up |
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Check Latest Price |
 UNISTRENGH Pop Up 2 Person |
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Check Latest Price |
 Meedo Apollo A86 L |
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Check Latest Price |
 Wild Line RT01-S Camo |
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Check Latest Price |
 Pittman Outdoors Soft Shell RTT |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Overland Vehicle Systems TMBK – The Lightest Load With the Most Owner Feedback
- Lightest listed weight in this group at 108 lb
- Spacious enough for two adults and a third sleeper
- Unfolds in about five minutes with no tools
- Cover held secure at highway speed
- Window openings on all four sides plus a top skylight
- Written instructions contain errors and omissions
- Included foam mattress wants a topper for multi-night trips
- Supplied bolts can be too short for some racks
The TMBK is the one I keep coming back to because it does the boring things well and nothing about it is hard to live with. At 108 lb it is the lightest tent I could find in this lineup, which matters more than any headline feature when your rack is already carrying a basket, a light bar, or a recovery board. Setup is genuinely quick: you release the straps, pivot the panels out, and tension the cover, roughly five minutes each way once you learn the sequence.
The sleeping area is 53.5 by 92 inches, and owners consistently describe it as comfortably sleeping two with room for a third on shorter trips. The aluminum-plated base with marine grade stainless hardware is the part that separates it from the folding-frame budget tents, and the 420D polyester Oxford rainfly has kept interiors dry in downpours for the people who rated it 4.4 stars across more than 150 ratings.
Ventilation is better than the spec sheet suggests, with openings on all four sides and a top skylight that actually moves air instead of just adding a window. Owners on r/camping and r/overlanding repeatedly point to the thick travel cover with its velcro and straps as the reason the fabric stays quiet and secure on the highway, which is one of the softshell problems most worth solving. That community consensus is why this is the first tent I hand to people who ask for one recommendation.
Where it falls short is documentation and the small parts. Reviewers call the printed instructions confused and error-filled, and several mention that the supplied bolts were too short for their rack and had to be swapped. The included foam mattress is a starting point rather than a comfort upgrade, so budget for a topper if you are out for more than a weekend.
How the TMBK handles rain, weight and long weekends
At 2000 PU with a rated waterproof rainfly, this is a tent for spring-through-autumn trips and warm summer rain rather than sustained winter precipitation. Owners report condensation building under the mattress with more than one occupant, which is normal for a fabric floor and a reason to keep vents open before bed. At 108 lb it is the easiest of the extended models for two people to lift onto a rack, and a full kit still fits under a 165 lb dynamic rating with room for a rack’s own weight.
Where the TMBK is the wrong choice
Skip it if your rack uses slotted expedition tracks, since the supplied hardware does not always align, or if you camp in genuinely cold months and expect the uninsulated fabric to hold heat on its own. It is also a poor match for anyone who will not spend an evening with the instructions before the first trip. None of those are dealbreakers, but they are real, and buyers who expect a plug-and-play first setup tend to be disappointed.
2. OVS HD Nomadic 3 Extended – The Longest Platform for Three
- 6536 sq in of floor area for three sleepers
- Full diamond plate aluminum base
- Removable rainfly plus 1000G PVC travel cover
- No-drill fitment on factory or aftermarket racks
- Memory foam pillows and a mini broom included
- Vestibule roof pools water between frame supports
- Some seam seepage at the mattress edges in heavy rain
- Included pillows are less useful than a separate annex room
The extended platform is the reason this tent exists: 6536 square inches of floor and a width of 63 inches, which is a genuine three-person layout rather than a two-person floor with a marketing number attached. For overlanders who carry gear into the tent, the extra width is the difference between sleeping on top of your pack and sleeping next to it. It is the best value in this list on space per dollar, and it carries a four year limited warranty behind it.
Installation is no-drill onto a factory or aftermarket rack, and the diamond plate aluminum base with marine grade hardware feels like a step above the folding-frame tents. The bundle includes a removable rainfly, a 1000G PVC travel cover, memory foam pillows, and a small broom and dust pan, which is a nice touch for keeping sand out of the seams.
Rain management is the weak point and reviewers are consistent about it. The vestibule roof collects water between the frame supports and needs draining by hand in a downpour, and a minority report minor seepage along the mattress edges. Neither ruins a trip, but if you camp in sustained rain regularly, treat the fly as part of the pitch rather than something you leave slack.
At 165 lb this is one of the heavier tents here, so check your dynamic roof load before you commit and plan on a two-person install. Owners also note that the bundled accessories are less compelling than a separately purchased annex room, which is where this platform really opens up if you want a proper base camp setup.
When the extended Nomadic 3 earns its weight
Choose it when three people share a tent, or two people who refuse to sleep shoulder to shoulder. The 63 inch width also makes it the tent I would pick for a couple bringing gear or a child, since the extra floor area turns into storage. The 600D ripstop body and 2000 mm rating suit three-season travel, and the 1000G PVC cover handles the storage side properly.
When you should pick something else
Pass if your rack is a low-capacity setup or your vehicle is a compact crossover, because 165 lb of tent plus rack plus cargo adds up quickly against many stock ratings. It is also not the tent for a couple who wants the lightest possible load, and the water pooling in the vestibule will test your patience on a wet multi-day trip.
3. OVS HD Nomadic 2 – Heat-Sealed Seams and the Most Thought-Out Interior
Extended Soft Shell Rooftop Tent, 2-Person – Overland Vehicle Systems HD Nomadic 2 – Grey Body & Green Rainfly
- Heat-sealed seams on body and rainfly
- Insulated base with a 3 inch high density foam mattress
- Six storage pockets plus a loft and power bank pouch
- Handheld LED light and LED velcro strip included
- Reinforced V strength ridges on window rods for wind
- Instructions do not match the hardware layout
- Included cross bars can conflict with expedition racks
- Rain fly rods can hit the vehicle cab at some mounting positions
This is the Nomadic to look at if the trip involves cold mornings, wet gear, and people who need somewhere to put things. The floor area of 5922 square inches across 122 by 54 inches is comfortable for two adults plus a child, and the 3 inch high density foam mattress with a quilted cotton cover is thick enough that owners rarely add a topper. The insulated base underneath is the detail that separates it from a plain foam pad on aluminum.
Seam sealing is the quiet strength here. Heat-sealed seams on both the body and the rainfly are exactly what you want in sustained weather, and they are a step above taped or stitched construction. Inside, you get six built-in storage pockets, a storage loft, a power bank pouch, a handheld LED light, and a velcro LED strip, which is the most organised interior in this lineup.
The build uses 600D poly cotton rip stop canvas paired with a 420D polyester Oxford waterproof fly and a 1000G PVC travel cover, and the poles are aluminium with reinforced V-shaped ridges for stability in wind. Customer service is one of the strongest in the category, with owners describing a freight problem resolved and a partial refund issued without friction.
The negatives are mostly about fit and paperwork. Reviewers say the assembly instructions do not match the actual hardware layout, and the supplied cross bars can conflict with expedition-style racks. There is also a report of the rain fly rods colliding with the cab depending on where you mount the tent, which is worth checking against your vehicle before the install day.
Why the insulated base matters on longer trips
Insulation under the mattress is what keeps the sleep surface from turning into a cold slab at dawn, and combined with heat-sealed seams this is the pick I would trust for shoulder-season camping with kids. The 54 inch width means a child fits comfortably beside a parent rather than foot-to-foot, and the storage pockets stop the interior turning into a gear pile. The telescoping ladder comes with a locking strap for safe night climbs.
Where the Nomadic 2 falls down
It is not the tent for a compact car or for anyone whose rack is already near its limit. One review also reported a detachment event with occupants inside due to fastener issues, which was a single report rather than a pattern, but it is the kind of thing you verify with a torque check before every trip. Cabin clearance on the fly rods is the other one to measure first.
4. Meedo Apolle A86 M – The Two-Person Tent With the Highest Rating
- Highest average rating among tents with real feedback
- Roomier than expected for a two-person layout
- Built-in moisture and condensation isolation pads
- 2 doors 5 windows and a top skylight
- 2.3 meter telescopic aluminum ladder included
- 125 lb is a heavy two-person tent
- Install usually takes two or three people
- Included mattress needs a topper for comfort
The Apolle A86 M is the one I would hand to a couple who want a small truck or a compact SUV and do not want to give up interior room. At 4977 square inches of floor across 90.5 by 55 inches, owners describe it as roomier than expected for a two-person tent, and the 4.5 inch high density foam mattress is thicker than most in this category. It carries the highest average rating here, at 4.5 stars.
Weather performance is where the Meedo design pays off. The Oxford fabric carries a 4000 plus coating with wind resistance level 6-7 and snow resistance, and several owners report it holding up in wet and windy coastal camping. Two doors, five windows, and a top sunroof window give you real ventilation options, and there is a built-in moisture-proof pad plus a condensation isolation pad under the sleeping area.
The A86 M is described as a clamshell with a rainfly-fold design, and it assembles in about five minutes as a pre-assembled unit, which is faster than most fold-out tents here. The ladder is a 2.3 metre telescopic aluminum model, and the tent claims UV protection for high-altitude sun.
The catch is weight. At 125 lb for a two-person tent, this is not a lightweight build, and installation typically needs two or three people. Owners also mention trapped heat taking a while to dissipate after a hot drive, and one report of a rain topper arriving fitted backwards out of the box, so check it before you leave the driveway.
Best use case for the Apolle A86 M
Two adults, coastal or wet-weather camping, and a vehicle that can carry 125 lb plus your rack and cargo. The condensation isolation pad matters more than owners expect in humid air, and the extra door means one person can leave early without waking the other. It is a strong budget pick for overlanding and hunting trips where the tent stays up for weeks.
Where it is the wrong tent
Do not buy it if you have a low dynamic roof rating or plan to install it alone. The 4000 plus coating also does not make it a winter tent on its own, since a coated fabric shell still loses heat fast once the sun goes down, and hot-weather trips will need the vents open from the moment you arrive.
5. Roofnest Meadowlark – The Lightest Softshell That Still Sleeps Two Comfortably
Roofnest Meadowlark Soft Shell Roof Top Tent for Car Camping and Overlanding, Lightweight, Waterproof, 2 Person Tent, Easy Assembly, Universal Mounting Brackets Included
- Lightest weight in the group at 90 lb
- Sub-minute fold-out setup
- Mattress ladder cover and mounting kit all included
- Seam-tapped waterproof body and rain cover
- 2 year parts and materials warranty
- Snug two-person floor for taller campers
- Small review base limits long-term durability data
At 90 lb, the Meadowlark is the tent to look at when your vehicle has a modest dynamic roof rating or when you genuinely hate lifting things onto a rack. The fold-out design sets up in under a minute, which is the fastest manual deployment in this list, and it uses aluminium poles with clip attachment so there is nothing to thread through a sleeve.
The package is unusually complete for the size: a 2.5 inch foam mattress, a 7.5 foot ladder, a tent cover, universal mounting brackets, and two detachable pockets. Buyers report solid waterproofing with seam-taped body and rain cover for four-season conditions, and it carries a 2 year parts and materials warranty.
The floor is 80 by 43 inches with a maximum interior height of 40 inches, and that footprint is the honest limitation. Two adults fit, but the width means taller campers feel it, and gear has to go in the pockets or the pockets of your pack rather than at your feet. The poly-cotton body is a breathable choice that helps in warm weather.
Be aware of the evidence base. With only a dozen ratings, long-term durability data is limited, so you are buying on a clean design and a complete kit rather than on a decade of owner reports. Compared with the extended models, this is the tent for a weekend trip rather than a season-long base camp.
Who the Meadowlark suits
It suits compact SUVs, crossovers, and cars with a proper rack, plus anyone who moves camp often and wants tent time under a minute. The 90 lb weight is light enough that a two-person install is realistic, and the 2 year warranty is a real one. It is also a good match for hunting and fishing trips where you want a bed five feet off the ground without a heavy lift.
Where the Meadowlark falls short
It is not a tent for gear-heavy overlanding or for a family, because 80 by 43 inches is a genuine two-person floor and no more. With so few ratings, you have less protection if a hinge or zipper fails, so factor in the cost of shipping if you are far from the manufacturer.
6. Meedo Apolle TNT L – The Best Venting of the Meedo Line
- Four side vents plus two doors and a dual-zip sunroof skylight
- 4000mm waterproof with snow resistance
- LED light strip that attaches to the ceiling
- Includes ladder mounting kit and shoe bags
- Rapid clamshell deployment under a minute
- Heavy at 134.5 lb
- Only a single rating so far
- Velcro LED strip and adapters add bundle weight
The TNT L is the ventilation pick. It has four side vents, two doors, two front and back windows, and a sunroof skylight with a dual-zip, which is the most airflow hardware in this lineup. Owners who rated it praised the ventilation directly, and that matters in a fabric tent where condensation is the single most common complaint. The LED light strip that velcros to the ceiling is a genuinely useful touch for a tent with no room for a lantern.
At a 59 inch floor width and 134.5 lb, it is built for three people rather than two, and the 4.5 inch high density foam mattress comes as standard. The Oxford fabric carries a 4000mm waterproof rating with wind resistance level 6-7, snow resistance, and a high sun-protection rating. It deploys as a rapid clamshell, popping and locking into place in under a minute.
Best fit for the TNT L
Three sleepers in warm or humid conditions who will open every vent available. The bundle is generous: a 2.3 metre aluminium ladder, mounting hardware, rail sliders, luggage rack brackets, pole supports, and shoe bags all ship with it, so the first install is one trip to the hardware store rather than a parts expedition.
Where to be cautious
Only one verified rating exists for this listing, which is too small a sample to draw conclusions about long-term durability, so treat the feature list as promising rather than proven. At 134.5 lb it also needs a rack with real headroom, and the included mounting hardware is described as compatible with most standard racks rather than all of them.
7. Kermode Basecamp 190 – Room for Four or Five
- Rated for four to five sleepers
- Quick setup design with no complex hardware
- 190 cm floor length suits tall sleepers
- Aluminium and polycotton construction
- 1 year manufacturer warranty
- Heaviest weight in this lineup at 180 lb
- Three-season design rather than four-season rated
- No owner ratings yet to confirm durability
The Basecamp 190 is the one to consider when the group is bigger than three. It is rated for four to five people with a floor length of 190 centimetres, which is a longer platform than most three-person softshells, and the aluminium and polycotton construction is aimed at buyers who want a breathable fabric rather than pure coated Oxford. It is a vehicle mounted rooftop tent with a quick setup design and rainproof, UV-protected construction, backed by a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
There is a real trade here. At 180 lb it is the heaviest tent in this roundup, and a heavier load on a group of five sleepers inside a fabric shell also means more condensation to manage in the morning. The listing describes a three-season tent focused on spring, summer, and autumn travel, so this is not the choice for deep winter trips.
Why the Basecamp 190 is worth a look
Group trips are the reason it exists. A fabric tent rated for four or five people costs considerably less than the equivalent hard-shell space, and the 190 cm floor length is a genuine advantage for anyone over six feet. Polycotton also breathes better than coated synthetics when the day is warm, which reduces the humidity build-up that makes fabric tents uncomfortable in summer.
What to check before you commit
First, your dynamic roof load: 180 lb is a serious ask, and it is the heaviest figure in this entire list. Second, confirm your vehicle has a rack system that can be re-rated or replaced for a load like that. There are no customer ratings on this listing yet, so you are buying on the specification sheet alone.
8. Trend Tents Softshell Pop-Up – Fastest Setup and a Low Closed Profile
- Gas strut auto-open sets up in under 60 seconds
- 7.5 inch closed profile cuts drag and road noise
- 300D Oxford with PU3000mm coating and UPF50+
- 103 lb weight suits many crossover SUVs
- Pre-installed high density foam mattress
- Requires a rack rated to 165 lb dynamic load
- No owner ratings yet on this listing
- Rack is not included with the tent
This is the softshell answer to the setup-speed problem. A gas strut auto-open mechanism deploys the tent in under a minute, which is the kind of speed usually associated with hard shells, and at 103 lb it is one of the lighter models here. The 81 by 57 inch floor sits a two-person couple comfortably with room for gear at the foot.
The closed profile is 87.4 by 61 by 7.5 inches, and that low figure is the sleeper benefit. A shorter packed height means less wind drag on the highway, less rainfly and cover noise, and it may also clear parking garages that a 10 to 12 inch softshell case would not. The fabric is 300D Oxford polyester with a PU3000mm waterproof coating and UPF50+ UV treatment on an aluminium alloy frame.
Where the pop-up design wins
It wins when you move camp often, camp in rain often, or share a vehicle with someone who will not tolerate a five-minute tent pitch. The high-density foam mattress is pre-installed inside, so there is nothing to unroll on arrival. It is marketed as a four-season tent and the UV rating matters for high-desert and high-altitude trips.
What to verify first
The specified roof rack requirement is a 165 lb dynamic load, and the rack itself is not included, so the total system cost is higher than the tent figure suggests. There are no customer ratings on this listing yet, which means you are relying on the manufacturer for durability claims. Two exterior shoe bags are included, which is convenient for keeping boots out of the sleeping area.
9. UNISTRENGH Pop Up 2 Person – The Fully Screened Two-Person Pick
UNISTRENGH Pop Up 2 Person Soft Shell Roof Top Tent Shelter Camping Glamping Tent (140cm-width)
- Fully screened windows and doors keep insects out
- 65 mm high density foam mattress with removable cover
- Poly-cotton breathable fabric on an aluminium frame
- Sturdy aluminum retractable ladder included
- Pops up in minutes rather than unfolding
- Listed weight of 65 kg is very heavy
- No customer ratings yet
- Listed size is a 140 cm width variant
This is the screened tent. Every window and door is fully screened, which makes it a differentiator in regions with mosquitoes, midges, and biting flies, where a fabric rooftop tent without mesh is a nightly fight. The sleeping surface is a 65 mm high density foam mattress with a removable cover, which is thicker than most included mattresses in this roundup.
Construction is poly-cotton breathable fabric on an aluminium frame, offered as a four-season pop up for 4×4 vehicles. The ladder is a sturdy aluminum retractable model, and the open footprint measures 94.49 by 55.12 by 51.18 inches, which is comfortable for two.
Best use for the UNISTRENGH
Bug-heavy regions and family trips where the kids are sleeping in the tent at dusk. The full mesh and the removable mattress cover make it easy to keep clean, and the pop-up frame means no poles to thread in the dark. Breathable poly-cotton also stays cooler in summer than a coated synthetic.
Where the specification needs care
The listed item weight of 65 kg is far heavier than any other tent here, and it reads like a packaging or conversion error rather than a real figure, so confirm the actual weight with the manufacturer before planning a rack. There are no customer ratings on this listing, and the size is listed as a 140 cm width variant, which may not match what you receive.
10. Meedo Apollo A86 L – Three Sleepers With the Heaviest Rain Rating
- Oxford fabric with a 4000 plus coating
- Three-person clamshell footprint
- 4.5 inch high density foam mattress
- Moisture-proof and condensation isolation pads included
- 2.3 metre telescopic aluminum ladder and LED light included
- Heaviest of the Meedo two and three-person models
- No owner ratings on this listing
- Assembles in about 5 minutes once hardware is sorted
The A86 L is the larger sibling of the A86 M, sized for three rather than two, and it keeps the same design strengths: an Oxford fabric body with a 4000 plus waterproof coating, a rainfly-fold clamshell layout, and a 4.5 inch high density foam mattress. The added moisture-proof and condensation isolation pads are the detail that matters most in a three-person tent, where body heat drives more water vapour into the fabric.
At 139 lb and an 86.61 by 59.06 inch footprint, it is a substantial load, and assembly is listed at about 5 minutes. The kit is well stocked: a 2.3 metre aluminium ladder, an LED light, an adapter cable, rail end caps, poles, acorn nuts, screws, rail sliders, luggage rack fixing brackets, tools, and shoe bags.
Why the A86 L is built this way
Three sleepers in wet conditions is the target. A 4000 plus coating on the main fabric handles sustained rain better than the 2000 mm class tents, and the condensation pads give you somewhere to put a damp towel at the end of the day. The generous 59 inch width means three people are not stacked shoulder to shoulder.
What to consider before buying
There are no customer ratings for this listing, so the durability picture is unproven. At 139 lb you need a rack with real headroom after your other accessories, and the hardware list suggests it is designed for a rack with rails and sliders rather than a bare crossbar setup. Confirm fitment with the manufacturer if your rack is unusual.
11. Wild Line RT01-S Camo – The Canvas Tent With a Wired Power Port
- Velcro-sealed power cable port for a heater or power station
- 280g ripstop canvas main tent with PU coating
- Aluminium frame and aluminium floor sheet
- 1000D PVC soft cover for storage
- Factory pre-installed mounting rails
- Assembly time listed at 30 minutes
- No customer ratings yet
- 2000mm waterproof rating is entry level
The RT01-S is the one to consider if you plan to run a portable heater, an air conditioner, or a power station inside the tent. The velcro-sealed power cable access port runs through the wall to a protected interior connection, which is a small feature that changes how usable a fabric tent feels in cold weather. The main tent is 280g ripstop canvas, a 65 percent cotton and 35 percent polyester blend with a PU coating, and the frame and floor are both aluminium.
At 100 lb it is one of the lighter entries here, with an 86.61 by 51.18 inch floor for three, a 200D polyester flysheet with PU coating, and a reinforced 1000D PVC soft cover for storage. The telescoping ladder reaches 230 centimetres with a quick-pin connector, and the mounting rails come pre-installed in the factory so it bolts straight to a roof rack.
Why the canvas build is different
Canvas breathes noticeably better than coated polyester, which means less trapped moisture on warm nights, and the PU coating still sheds rain at a 2000mm rating. It is also quieter than a thin synthetic fly in wind. For anyone running electronics or a heater inside a softshell, the cable port and the aluminium floor are the two features that matter.
Where the trade-offs are
Assembly is listed at 30 minutes, which is the longest install figure in this roundup, so treat it as a weekend task rather than an arrival-camp task. The 2000mm rating is entry level compared with the 4000mm Meedo models, and there are no customer ratings yet on this listing. Canvas also needs to be fully dry before you fold it away.
12. Pittman Outdoors Soft Shell RTT – The Longest Sleeping Floor in the Lineup
Soft Shell Rooftop Tent with Covered Ladder Access, Sleeps 3-4 People on a High Density Non-Deforming Foam Mattress
- Open dimensions of 122.1 by 76 inches sleep three or four
- Insulated aluminum honeycomb base
- 600D rainfly with a Skyview sunroof
- High density non-deforming foam mattress
- 2 year manufacturer limited warranty
- Heavy at 172 lb
- No customer ratings on this listing
- All-season claim without field feedback to back it
The Pittman is the longest tent in this roundup by open dimensions, at 122.1 by 76 by 49.6 inches, and it is rated for three to four people. The floor length is the number to notice: it is long enough that a tall sleeper is not curled up at the foot of the mattress, which is the most common complaint in wide-but-short rooftop tents. The canopy is 280g ripstop poly-cotton with a 600D rainfly and a Skyview sunroof.
Underneath is an insulated aluminium honeycomb base with a high density non-deforming foam mattress, and a premium telescopic ladder is included. It is built for waterproofing, UV protection, and wind resistance, and it carries a 2-year manufacturer limited warranty.
Where the extra length pays off
Long floors suit tall sleepers, families with a child who needs their own space, and anyone who sleeps with gear alongside them. The honeycomb base is insulated, so it holds more warmth than a plain slatted floor, and the sunroof keeps daylight coming in without opening a door. The warranty is longer than the one year most listings in this category offer.
What holds it back
At 172 lb it is one of the heaviest tents here, so the dynamic roof load check is not optional. There are no customer ratings on this listing, which leaves you without owner feedback on how the honeycomb base and hinges hold up over seasons. If your trips are short and frequent, the setup weight matters more than the floor length.
How to Choose a Softshell Rooftop Tent in 2026?
The first question is not which tent is best, it is whether your vehicle can carry one. Every softshell in this roundup weighs between 90 and 180 lb, and a roof rack has to carry the tent, the rack, and everything else you have mounted. Find the dynamic roof load rating on the driver’s door jamb placard, in the manual, or on the manufacturer’s support page for your exact model and year, then subtract the weight of your rack, basket, and lights before you shop.
Static load and dynamic load are different numbers, and the gap is where buyers get caught. Static load is the weight sitting still, which is what a parked roof feels. Dynamic load is what happens when you drive over a washboard at speed with two adults inside, and it is typically lower than the static figure. Many sedans and lower-roofed crossovers carry ratings in the 100 to 165 lb range, which rules out most of the extended models here before anything else matters.
Rated capacity is the other place marketing and reality part company. A tent listed for three people is comfortable for two adults, or two adults and a child, not three adults. Look at floor area instead: this roundup ranges from 3440 square inches for the smallest two-person footprint to 6536 square inches on the extended Nomadic 3, and the number that predicts a good night is floor area divided by the people inside. Our rooftop cargo box guide covers the other half of the load problem, since gear stored on the roof competes with the tent for the same rating.
Waterproof ratings need translating too. A 2000 mm figure means the fabric holds pressure equivalent to a 2000 mm column of water, which is fine for sustained rain in a three-season setting and marginal for a long storm or a drive in heavy weather. The 4000 mm class models, such as the Meedo tents, give you more headroom, and heat-sealed seams matter more than the number printed on the box. Stitched and taped seams are the first thing to fail in a wet season.
Setup speed and cold weather are the two places softshells are genuinely behind hardshells, and owners on r/rooftoptents and r/overlanding describe it consistently. In warm weather, an unfold and tension takes three to five minutes. Below freezing, the fabric stiffens, zippers ice over, and the velcro that holds panels together loses much of its grip, so a routine pitch can stretch to fifteen minutes or more. The practical habit forum owners recommend is deploying the tent as soon as you arrive, while the fabric still holds warmth from the drive, rather than unpacking gear first.
Condensation is the constant companion of a fabric tent, because warm breath and body heat hit cool fabric and turn into water. Open the vents and the skylight before you go to sleep rather than in the morning, keep bedding off the floor where possible, and run a reusable silica desiccant bag overnight. Most owners also follow one rule strictly: dry the tent before you fold it. Packing a damp fly into a case traps moisture that turns into mildew and odour, and it will still be there months later.
On the highway, cover ballooning and flapping is the softshell hazard most worth taking seriously. Owners report the travel cover lifting above roughly 45 mph if the straps are not tensioned before driving, and rainfly noise at speed is a common complaint. Run a pre-trip check every single time: torque the mounting bolts, tension the cover straps, confirm the ladder is stowed and locked, and look at the seam tape while you are there. It takes two minutes and prevents the kind of highway failure that strands you.
If your camping involves a dog, a softshell is a good fit with a few adjustments. The floor area and the load rating both matter, since a mid-size dog adds 40 to 80 lb to the dynamic load calculation, so a lighter tent such as the 90 lb Meadowlark leaves more headroom than a 180 lb group model. Put a washable mat or blanket down to protect the fabric from claws and to catch hair, keep the ladder stowed and locked between uses, and confirm your dog’s microchip and tag details before climbing. Our rooftop cargo boxes for pet owners covers the covered-storage side of the same setup.
Finally, think about what happens off-season. If the tent stays mounted year-round, packed height becomes a fuel economy question: a softshell case is typically 10 to 12 inches tall against 4.5 to 6.5 inches for a hardshell, and owners report noticeably more wind noise and a small economy penalty on long highway drives. If you remove it in winter, the cost is a two-person lift and the storage space in your garage. Either way, dry the tent fully before it goes in the cover, and re-check the mounting bolt torque a couple of times a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best soft top rooftop tent?
The OVS TMBK is the best all-round softshell rooftop tent because it weighs 108 lb, sleeps two comfortably, and folds out in about five minutes. It has the largest review base of any tent in this roundup. If you need space for three, the OVS HD Nomadic 3 Extended offers 6536 square inches of floor area.
Are soft shell rooftop tents any good?
Yes, for the right camper. Softshells cost less than hardshells, give you more usable interior space per dollar, and use simpler folding mechanisms that owners can service themselves. You trade aerodynamics, cold-weather setup speed, and packed height for that. Below freezing, expect a five-minute pitch to stretch to fifteen minutes as fabric stiffens and zippers ice over.
What is the best rooftop tent for the money?
Among softshells, the OVS TMBK and the Meedo Apolle A86 M are the strongest value picks. The TMBK pairs a 108 lb weight with a 53.5 by 92 inch sleeping area and holds a 4.4 rating across more than 150 ratings. The Apolle A86 M carries a 4000 plus coated Oxford body, a 4.5 inch mattress, and the highest average rating in the group.
What are the disadvantages of roof top tents?
The main drawbacks are weight, mounting effort, and cold-weather behaviour. Most softshells weigh 90 to 180 lb and need two people to install. Fabrics condense heavily, freezing temperatures slow setup, packed height hurts fuel economy and adds highway noise, and a hardshell case is much faster to open. You also need a rack rated for the dynamic load, which rules out some sedans entirely.
Is Overland Vehicle Systems a good brand?
Overland Vehicle Systems is one of the better-established names in rooftop tents, and it was the only brand represented three times in this roundup. The TMBK, HD Nomadic 2, and HD Nomadic 3 Extended carry four-year limited warranties, and owners report responsive support on shipping problems. The common criticism across reviews is documentation, not build quality.
Can a camper shell hold a roof top tent?
A camper shell alone cannot, but a camper shell combined with a bed rack system can. The tent mounts to crossbars or a platform rack above the cap, so the weight goes into the truck frame rather than the cap itself. Confirm the bed rack’s dynamic load rating covers the tent plus two occupants, and check clearance between the raised tent and the cab when the bed is closed.
Do rooftop tents affect gas mileage?
Yes, and a softshell affects it more than a hardshell because of packed height. A softshell case typically stands 10 to 12 inches tall versus 4.5 to 6.5 inches for a hardshell, which creates more drag and more road noise. Removing the tent and rack in winter restores your original economy. Weight matters too, since 100 to 180 lb of extra mass is not free either.
Can my car support a rooftop tent?
Many cars can, but only if the dynamic roof load rating covers the tent, the rack, and everything else mounted. Sedans and some lower-roofed crossovers are commonly rated between 100 and 165 lb, which rules out most extended softshells. Find the rating on your door jamb placard or in the manual, subtract your rack and cargo, and leave margin for two occupants moving over rough road.
How long does it take to set up a softshell rooftop tent?
In warm weather, most softshells take three to five minutes: release the straps, pivot the panels out, and tension the cover. Gas strut models such as the Trend Tents Pop-Up open in under a minute. Below freezing, the same pitch can take fifteen minutes or more because the fabric stiffens, zippers ice over, and velcro loses grip.
The Best Softshell Rooftop Tents to Buy in 2026
After working through all twelve, the OVS TMBK is the best softshell rooftop tent for most people. It weighs 108 lb, sleeps two adults comfortably, folds out in about five minutes, and carries the largest body of owner feedback in the group at a 4.4 rating. If you need real space for three, step up to the OVS HD Nomadic 3 Extended and its 6536 square inches of floor. If your vehicle has a modest roof rating, the 90 lb Roofnest Meadowlark is the tent that will actually go on it.
Match the rest to your conditions rather than to a badge: the Nomadic 2 for insulated bases and cold mornings, the Apolle A86 M or TNT L for couples who want heavy rain ratings and strong venting, and the Trend Tents Pop-Up if setup speed and a low closed profile matter most. Check your dynamic roof rating before anything else, because the best tent in the world is the wrong tent for a roof that cannot carry it.