Roof tents compared on published specs
Compared on published specs, not tested. We haven't tested these products. Figures come from makers' and retailers' published specs, linked in the sources. How we compare.
On this page
This table puts roof tents side by side on the figures their makers publish: weight, size open and closed, sleeping space, fabric, mounting and warranty. It doesn't rank them.
How we compared (published specs, not tested)
Every figure comes from the maker's own UK product page, and each cell links to its source. Where a maker doesn't publish a figure, the table says "Not published" rather than guessing. We haven't tested any of these tents. Read how we compare products for the full method.
Two things to know when reading it. Sizes are shown length × width × height, so some makers' figures are reordered from how they list them. And the date in each row is when we last checked that maker's page; specs change, so check the maker's page before you buy.
The table
| Model | Type | Weight | Sleeps | Closed (L×W×H) | Open (L×W×H) | Mattress | Fabric | Waterproof rating | Mounting | Maker's minimum dynamic roof load | Annex | Warranty | Checked | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TentBox Classic 2.0 | Hardshell | 67 kg[1] | 2[1] | 218 × 128 × 35 cm[1] | 218 × 128 × 100 cm[1] | 210 × 120 cm[1] | Breathable, UV-resistant fabric, YKK zips; ABS shell[1] | 3000 mm[1] | Mounting kit for roof bars included[1] | Not published | Not published | 5 years[1] | Maker's page · Check it on your roof | |
| TentBox Lite 2.0 | Softshell | 50 kg[2] | 2[2] | 110 × 133 × 25 cm[2] | 220 × 133 × 105 cm[2] | 220 × 130 cm[2] | Breathable, UV-resistant fabric, YKK zips, silicone-taped seams[2] | 3000 mm[2] | Mounting kit for roof bars included[2] | Not published | Not published | 5 years[2] | Maker's page · Check it on your roof | |
| Thule Widesky | Hardshell | 67 kg[3] | 2[3] | 210 × 140 × 20 cm[3] | 220 × 140 × 131 cm[3] | 200 × 130 cm[3] | Recycled, breathable, water-resistant 600D polyester ripstop[3] | Not published | Lockable brackets with torque limiter tool; minimum bar spread 70 cm; weight without ladder[3] | Not published | Not published | Not published | Maker's page · Check it on your roof | |
| Thule Approach 2 M | Softshell | 58 kg[4] | 3[4] | 124 × 143 × 28 cm[4] | 240 × 143 × 102 cm[4] | 240 × 130 cm[4] | Recycled, breathable, water-resistant 600D polyester ripstop[4] | Not published | Lockable brackets with torque limiter tool; minimum bar spread 80 cm[4] | Not published | Not published | Not published | Maker's page · Check it on your roof |
- https://tentbox.com/products/tentbox-classic-2-0
- https://tentbox.com/products/tentbox-lite-2-0
- https://www.thule.com/en-gb/rooftop-tents-and-accessories/rooftop-tents/thule-widesky-2-person-rooftop-tent-dark-slate-_-901052
- https://www.thule.com/en-gb/rooftop-tents-and-accessories/rooftop-tents/thule-approach-2-m-_-901040
Use "Check it on your roof" on any row to check a tent against your roof load with its published weight filled in.
Hardshells
The two hardshells in the table both weigh 67 kg on their makers' figures (Thule gives the Widesky's weight without its ladder). Both sleep two. The TentBox Classic 2.0 is the longer of the two when packed, at 218 cm against the Widesky's 210 cm, while the Widesky packs lower, at 20 cm high against 35 cm.
Open, the Widesky stands taller: Thule lists 131 cm open height against TentBox's 100 cm for the Classic 2.0. TentBox publishes a 3000 mm fabric rating; Thule describes the Widesky's canopy as water-resistant 600D polyester ripstop without a millimetre figure.
For how hardshells open and pack compared with softshells, see hardshell vs softshell.
Softshells
The two softshells are the lighter tents here: 50 kg for the TentBox Lite 2.0 and 58 kg for the Thule Approach 2 M. Thule rates the Approach 2 M for three people and TentBox rates the Lite 2.0 for two. The Approach 2 M has the longest sleeping area in the table, a 240 × 130 cm footprint, against 220 × 130 cm for the Lite 2.0's mattress.
Packed, both are much shorter than the hardshells (110 cm for the Lite 2.0, 124 cm for the Approach 2 M), because they fold out to roughly double their packed length when opened (220 cm and 240 cm open).
What specs can't tell you
- Whether it suits your car. Neither maker in the table publishes a minimum dynamic roof load. Thule gives a minimum bar spread (70 cm for the Widesky, 80 cm for the Approach 2 M). Check your car's handbook, your bars' rating and the tent's weight with the roof load checker.
- How it copes with your weather. A fabric rating isn't a whole-tent rating, and not every maker publishes one. Ask the retailer about seams, zips and condensation.
- How easy it is to live with. Opening time, how fiddly the fittings are and how it packs away when wet aren't in a spec sheet.
- Whether to buy at all. If you'll only use one a few times a year, weigh up whether to hire or buy a roof tent.
Check current price with the retailer.
More in Roof tents
Sources
- TentBox Classic 2.0 table row: 67 kg, sleeps 2, sizes, mattress, 3000 mm fabric, 5-year warranty; no minimum roof load published (checked )
- TentBox Lite 2.0 table row: 50 kg, sleeps 2, sizes, mattress, 3000 mm fabric, 5-year warranty (checked )
- Thule Widesky table row: hardshell, 67 kg without ladder, sleeps 2, sizes, 200 × 130 cm footprint, 600D ripstop, no mm rating, bar spread 70 cm (checked )
- Thule Approach 2 M table row: softshell, 58 kg, sleeps 3, sizes, 240 × 130 cm footprint, 600D ripstop, no mm rating, bar spread 80 cm (checked )