If you are in Utah and driving down the road, you may have seen people driving down the street or even in your neighborhood who have some sort of roof rack or rooftop tent on their vehicle. Well, if you aren’t aware yet as to why they have these tents strapped and locked on top of their cars, it’s because they are Overlanding.
Overlanding is car-based travel where the journey is more important than the destination and what’s vital to the long duration trips on the open road? Roof top tents, which make it more comfortable to be out there longer. As technology has advanced, various manufacturers have constructed different types of tents. The biggest difference between the two main categories is soft shell vs. hard shell.
You may be wondering which type of roof top tent is right for your vehicle and all the adventures in Utah that you might go on. Don’t worry, we have got you covered on some of the main differences between the two and some pros and cons, making it easier for you to decide which one is the best for you. Keep in mind you must make sure that the tent you choose fits correctly with the roof rack you currently have. Stop by a local supplier and installer like Hinckley Overlanding to ensure it’s the right fit and install it for you.
Soft Shell Roof Top Tents
A soft shell roof top model will usually allow more living space to accommodate more people. Since they fold out, these tents typically have more floor area when deployed. If you have a bigger family or Overlanding group, this could be critical. As a bonus feature, when folding out the soft shell model creates a small awning. This feature can be great for hanging out or cooking. Below are some more pros and cons.
Pros
Provides shade
Size
Living Space
Sleeping Space
Cons
More footprint both in weight and aerodynamics
Longer set up and take downtime
Not waterproof
Nosier in the wind
Hard Shell Roof Top Tents
Being relatively newer on the market, these hardshell counterparts are a more improved product due to their capability to travel and improve aerodynamics. In addition, many are designed so that you don’t have to worry about losing your tent when going fast, hindering your gas mileage, or slowing you down on route to your destination. Below are some more pros and cons.
Pros
Speedy setup
Weatherproof
Complete comfort
Living space
Cons
Sleep space
So what’s your verdict? Does a soft shell or hard shell model fit your roof top tent needs? Both provide comfortable ways of camping off the ground with different features. Is more sleeping space important, or is weatherproof a more needed feature for your trip? Hopefully, this article assists you in asking the right questions so that you can start Overlanding with the right roof top tent for you.
If you are looking for a one-stop shop for Overlanding gear, check out Hinckley Overlanding. They offer supplies, design, and installation services on all merchandise in there Utah store like roof top tents.
