Hard Shell vs. Foldout Rooftop Tents: What’s Best for Me?

By now, you’ve probably spotted a rooftop tent or two on vehicles driving down the road. Emerging decades ago but gaining significant momentum in recent years, rooftop tents have transformed camping into a more comfortable and convenient experience. Being elevated off the ground keeps you away from bugs and critters, offers better airflow, and creates an unbeatable view from your campsite.

Fold-out rooftop tents were where rooftop tents originated, featuring an innovative design that has continued to evolve over time. A major benefit of a fold-out rooftop tent is the increased sleeping space it provides, thanks to its fold-out design.

Hardshell rooftop tents broke into the car camping scene in a big way, thanks to their sleek, low-profile design and quick setup. The ability to store gear on top with a crossbar kit has been a game-changer for campers as well.

When camping with family (including kids), ease of use, speed of setup, and sleeping space are all top priorities. Especially if you’re rolling into camp late after work on a Friday, you’ll want to pull into your spot, set up in minutes, get everyone settled, and be ready to enjoy the next day. Rooftop tents provide a premium camping experience with reliable shelter, anywhere your adventures take you.

With so many options to choose from, you may wonder: Which one is best for me? Let’s walk through the benefits of hard-shell and foldout rooftop tents.

What are the benefits of Hard Shell Rooftop Tents?

Low Profile and Aerodynamic

With a closed height of 7”–9”, hard shell rooftop tents have a sleek look, aerodynamic design and are incredibly easy to use. Their low profile helps maintain better gas mileage and even when mounted to a roof rack, majority of the time, it can still fit easily in your garage (depending on overall vehicle height of course) so you don’t have to take it on and off to store your vehicle in the garage.

Gas Strut Assist Makes for a Fast and Easy Set-Up

After opening the latches and pushing the top upward, the gas struts take over—finishing the setup in seconds. All hard-shell models use gas struts, allowing one person to easily handle setup and takedown.

This is especially freeing for solo campers. You don’t need an extra set of hands to get camp ready—the tent practically opens itself, letting you focus on the adventure.

Size and Style

Hard-shell tents can comfortably sleep between 1 and 3 people, depending on the size. Our standard models fit 1–2 campers. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, or small families. While the XL versions expand the interior space to sleep 2–3 people with extra room for kids or pets.

Style ultimately comes down to personal preference. The Evolution Series pops straight up to provide full 360° views. It features full tri-layer , while the Odyssey Series opens at a 45° angle, creating a sturdy hard-shell back wall that doubles as a windbreak or shield against rain and snow. The Aspen Series reimagines the traditional clamshell design, making it one of the lightest hard-shell tents available.

Storing Gear on Top

One of the best features of hard shell rooftop tents is the ability to store gear on top of the tent. Crossbar Kits allow you to put bikes, kayaks, and other gear on top of your hardshell tent, maximizing space and allowing you to transport even more gear. Just remove the gear when you get to your destination and your adventure begins.

What are the benefits of Foldout Rooftop Tents?

Increased Sleeping Area Size

The fold-out design allows for a much larger sleeping area while taking up less roof space on your vehicle. That’s the unique advantage. Foldout tents are compact on top of your rig, but once you set up and unfold them, the sleeping space essentially doubles in size. This means you get the benefit of a smaller footprint without sacrificing interior room, making foldouts a great option for families, pet owners, or anyone who likes to spread out.

The standard Nova and Kali models comfortably sleep 1–2 campers, making them a great fit for solor campers or couples. For those who need even more room, the Nova King and Kali King expand the footprint to accommodate 3–4 people, offering plenty of space for families or campers who like to spread out with large dogs.

360 Degree Views

Much like the Evolution hard shell, foldout tents feature windows on all sides, giving you panoramic views. With so many windows, you can easily optimize airflow, opening them up to create a refreshing cross-breeze on hot days or closing them down to retain warmth in cooler weather. It’s the perfect setup for everything from stargazing at night to sneaking in a shaded midday nap, with airflow that keeps the tent cool and comfortable.

Gear on Top

Both Nova and Kali offer the option to carry gear on top, which is especially useful for maximizing cargo space on longer trips. One key difference between gear storage on hardshell tents and fold-out tents, though, comes down to how the tents open. With Nova, being a true foldout, the top flips downward when you set it up. That means any gear stored on top will be upside down. So you’ll need to remove it before opening the tent. With a hard shell, on the other hand, if the gear is light enough, you can often leave it strapped in place while still opening the tent, saving you a step during setup.

Size and Style

When it comes to fold-out rooftop tents, size and style depend on your camping needs and how you prefer to travel. Both Kali and Nova bring their own unique strengths, giving you flexibility in design and features.

Find the Best Rooftop Tent for You

Whether you choose a foldout like Kali or a hard shell like Evo, you can’t go wrong. Both styles deliver comfort, incredible views, and a quick setup that will elevate every adventure.

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