RTT BUYERS GUIDE

PURCHASING GUIDE FOR ROOF TENTS

A roof tent transforms any road trip into an adventure, as it provides you with your own hotel room on wheels. This grants you the ultimate freedom to explore! But how do you choose the right roof tent for both your needs and your vehicle? Our purchasing guide will assist you in finding the perfect tent for your travel aspirations, detailing the pros and cons of various roof tent types and addressing key questions to consider before making a purchase.

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What types of roof tents are there?

SOFTSHELL (FOLDING ROOFTOP TENTS)

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Roof tents have evolved from being categorized as-shell and soft-top to now being referred to as foldable roof tents. These tents resemble traditional tents more than their hard-shell. The design is ingeniously simple: the sturdy base of the tent is hinged in the middle. With a telescopic ladder, the upper section swings down, opening the tent like an accordion, with the ladder providing support.

 

The primary advantage of folding roof tents is their lighter weight and more compact size compared to hard-shell tents. Depending on the model, the packed dimensions vary, and smaller folding tents can even accommodate a bicycle beside them. Additionally, a boat or roof box can be transported alongside a folded roof tent, which isn't possible with a standard hard-shell tent on an average car. Folding roof tents come in various styles—some with one or two entrances, covered entrances, or panoramic windows made from quick-drying synthetic materials or durable cotton blends.

 

For transport, a sturdy rain cover is secured over the folded soft-top roof, either lashed or zipped shut, depending on the manufacturer. When properly stowed, this roof tent variant minimizesapping in the wind. While driving noise is higher than with hard-shell models it's still manageable. When considering a folding roof tent, think about how crucial it is for you to set it up and take it down quickly, especially at night or rainy conditions. Some models, like our COBRA STRIKE, can be ready for use in just 1-2 minutes, while others may require more complex setups with additional components. However, with practice even novice users can become proficient at setting up a folding roof tent in a matter of minutes.

 

     These are the advantages of folding roof tents

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• Flexible attachment: Depending on the design, you can mount your model both lengthwise and crosswise on your car.

• Space-saving: When erected, the area of the pop-up roof tent is usually twice as large as when it is dismantled. This means you can save space for transport and have the possibility to store additional luggage on the roof.

• Higher space comfort: Due to the pointed roof shape you have a larger sleeping area inside and a higher ceiling (about 1.20 meters to 1.40 meters), so you can also store clothes or similar in the tent and find space with several people.

• Covered entrance: Depending on the model, INFINITE offers car roof tents with covered entrance or igloo entrance. The awning offers dry space to store wet or dirty clothes and shoes.

• Cheaper: Tents of this design are somewhat cheaper than comparable hard-shell roof tents.

• Regulated indoor climate: Some Foldable Roof Tents regulate the climate by means of a special inner tent, as the double wall absorbs condensation and releases it to the outside.

• Lighter: Foldable Roof Tents are suitable for transport, as they are lighter than, for example, tents made of hard shell.

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THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FOLDED ROOF TENTS AT A GLANCE​

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              Advantages:

• Lighter than comparably sized hard shell roof tents

• Requires 50% less roof space than hard shell models

• Smaller models also suitable for small cars or limousines

• Small or lengthwise folded soft tops leave space for additional roof tents, roof luggage or solar panels

• In many folding roof tents, the entrance is covered (rain protection)

• Some models provide additional ventilation and a view of the starry sky with generous roof windows

• Requires less storage space when not in use

• They are cheaper than hard-shell models​

               

              Disadvantages:

• When camping, the tent floor or ladder protrude beyond the dimensions of the vehicle, thereby restricting legal parking options

• (Usually) less quick to set up than hard-shell roof tents

• Less aerodynamic when transporting than hard shell roof tents

• The mattress supplied is usually less thick because it is folded.

• When constructed, they are more susceptible to wind than hard-shell tents, especially models with protruding canopies. In strong winds, position the vehicle so that the unfolded side faces away from the wind. If necessary, attach additional bracing.

• No additional luggage can be transported in the folded tent.

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HARD SHELL

A hard-shell roof tent, sometimes referred to as hard top, resembles an oversized, flattened ski box when stored. Upon opening, the box forms the tent floor and roof, with the shell usually made of materials like plastic, fiberglass, or lightweight carbon.

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Aluminum options are particularly durable. Hard-shell roof tents excel on road trips with frequently changing locations, allowing for quick setup in seconds. With a simple crank mechanism, these tents do not require a ladder for support. Bedding and items can be conveniently stored inside while driving, enabling immediate access upon arrival.

Dual entrance doors facilitate parking decisions. While hard-shell tents are aerodynamic when folded, they tend to be heavier, ranging from 60 to 100 kilograms for larger models. The sleeping area is limited to the size of the car roof, making them less suitable for small vehicles or families with multiple children.

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There are different construction variants among the hard-shell car roof tents:

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​ALU TRIANGLE HARD SHELL ROOF TENT (CLAMSHELL)

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​Hard-shell roof tents are at the forefront when it comes to aerodynamics, easy tent handling, comfort and protection from bad weather. They are ideal for everyone who drives a lot, changes parking spaces often and doesn't always want to go to a campsite. However, due to their large pack size and weight, they are not suitable for every car. Owners of small vehicles will probably choose one of the other tent options, as will families who need more space.

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Why should I buy a roof tent with hard shell?

In a roof tent with hard shell, the surface - unlike fabric top roof tents - is made of plastic. If you like it very light, you can go for a variant made of carbon. When packed, the hard-shell roof tents can be transported in the classic way on the car roof. These are the advantages of hard shell car roof tents:

• While driving, bedding, sleeping bag and Co. can be stored in the hard shell.

• The shell is made of recyclable material.

• Hard-shell roof tents have less surface area to get wet because they require less tent fabric.

• Hard shell tents don't necessarily need a support like a ladder, as they only extend over the roof of the car.

• Roof tents with hard shell are very quick to set up.

• The noise level while driving is low because the tents are aerodynamic when folded.

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The technical features of hard-shell roof tents

Hard-shell roof tents, which can accommodate at least two adults, fit on almost any car roof. Larger cars are more suitable, because the lying surface of the hard-shell roof tent is adapted to the size of the car roof. They are made of durable, yet lightweight material. The Oxford Cloth and cold foam mat base provides a comfortable sleeping experience. So, you won't be woken up by pesky visitors at night, hard shell roof tents have close-mesh mosquito nets at all openings. A removable ladder lets you get in and out with ease.

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THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HARD-SHELL ROOF TENTS AT A GLANCE

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               Advantages:

• Very quick construction

• Roof shell offers additional storage space, e.g. for sleeping bags etc.

• Hard-shell tents with a crank mechanism are more wind-stable than other types of tents

• Aerodynamic design, low driving noise

• Insulated sky against cold/heat and noise (rain, hail)

• Thicker mattress possible because not folded

• When camping, the roof tent does not extend beyond the dimensions of the vehicle and therefore allows for more legal overnight accommodations

 

              Disadvantages:

• Due to the large footprint, it is not suitable for small cars and other cars with a small roof area

• Greater weight than comparable sized folding and inflatable rooftop tents

• Less than 180 cm wide, unattractive for families

• Usually takes up the entire roof area

• Higher purchase costs compared to other types of roof tents.

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​The best of both worlds:

hybrid roof tents

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​Why should I buy a hybrid roof tent?

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A hybrid roof tent consists of a hard shell and walls made of tent fabric, as well as a fold-out tent section. This gives you extra space when set up and a compact load on the car roof when you close the hard-shell body. These are the other advantages of a hybrid roof tent:

• Easy & fast setup of the hybrid roof tent

• Hardly any influence on the driving behavior of the car when the hard shell is closed

• Plenty of space inside the hybrid roof tent & a large sleeping area

• More storage space for your luggage in the trunk

• Large windows with mosquito nets for a great view & mosquito-free nights

• Optimal lying comfort thanks to quality mattress

• Easy access to the hybrid roof tent via telescopic ladder

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Functions & special features of our hybrid roof tents​

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Our hybrid roof tents are particularly easy and quick to set up thanks to compressed air springs. The folded-out front section offers protection from rain and allows dry entry. Large shoe storage at the entrance keeps dirty shoes away from the inside of the hybrid roof tent. Three large side windows on the hybrid rooftop tent provide a 180° panoramic view of the landscape around you.

Thanks to mosquito nets, air circulates inside without letting insects in. Because the smart LED lighting, which is powered by a power bank, is sure to attract quite a few bugs at night. What's more, our hybrid roof tents are absolutely waterproof.

The hard shell, waterproof tent fabric, overlapping fabric panels and glued seams provide optimal protection from rain. Even strong wind cannot harm the stable construction. When closed, no additional cover is needed, the hard-shell body keeps your mattress and bedding safe.

You don't need a van or SUV for our hybrid roof tents. The design fits almost any vehicle and is easy to install. The extendable telescopic ladder adjusts to the height of the car roof. Due to the low overall weight and the aerodynamic shape of the closed hard shell, the hybrid roof tents have little impact on the car's handling. Even a small car with less power is suitable as a drivable base for our hybrid roof tents.

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THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HYBRID ROOF TENTS AT A GLANCE

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             Advantages:

• Small models are also suitable for vehicles with a small roof area due to their smaller pack size

• Larger lying surface in relation to the pack size

           

              Disadvantages:

• Setting up takes a little longer than pure hard-shell tents (but less time than most folding tents)

• When camping, the tent floor or ladder protrude beyond the dimensions of the vehicle, thereby limiting legal camping options.

 

Hybrid tents are a successful mix of hard shell and folding roof tent: They allow for more tent space than a pure hard shell tent and offer the additional storage space in the roof shell that folding tents lack.

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Buy a hybrid roof tent at INFINITE

With a hybrid roof tent, you have the comfort and the advantages of a camper or van and the usual mobility of your car. With your hybrid tent on the roof of your car, you can easily cover rough tracks and set up camp in the middle of nature, independent of campsites and parking lots - in just a few steps! If you want to buy a hybrid roof tent, a hard-shell roof tent or a foldable roof tent, INFINITE is the right partner for you! Here you can buy roof tents for many different types of cars. Also, awnings, side wall awnings and other practical equipment around the topic of car roof tents and camping can be found in our online store. We are happy to advise you on our hybrid roof tents and our range, contact us now!

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