Difference between a hard-shell and a soft-shell rooftop tent, which one to chose?

If you've made it this far, you'll definitely know the thrill that only a wilderness adventure can give you. Sleeping in your car, surrounded by greenery is a unique experience.

A vacation by car will allow you to live in close contact with nature, follow your pace, your desires and your habits. Car camping tents are ideal for those who love wild vacations, who want to discover new destinations and admire beautiful views in special places off the main tourist routes.

At Carcamp we know the ins and outs of car camping and thanks to our experience and passion for adventure we can help you choose the right car tents for your needs. The first question we want to answer is: What is the difference between a hard-shell rooftop tent and a soft-shell rooftop tent?

Soft shell rooftop tent

Soft-shell car roof tents are the most common type of tent. The entire body of the tent is made of waterproof and durable fabrics and is attached to a rigid platform. Inside a supporting structure opens to give shape to the tent, just like the classic camping tents but instead of on the ground it will be on the roof of the car. Half of the tent is mounted on the car's roof rails while the other half is supported by a ladder resting on the ground.

The advantages of using a soft car roof tent:

• Soft car roof tents are more affordable compared to rigid-shell tents.
• Soft roof tents are lighter and can therefore be easily installed even in small cars with limited cargo capacity. In addition, once closed, the small size makes them easier to handle and store in the garage.
• Being lighter, soft roof tents do not make the vehicle heavy and therefore do not harm the performance of the car by compressing the suspension and altering the center of gravity of the car.

The disadvantages of using a soft car roof tent:

• Soft car roof tents take more to open and close than rigid tents, and this can be a problem if you're a traveler who likes to change locations every day.
• Soft-shell car tents when closed and folded have a squared shape that creates more wind resistance while driving, reducing fuel efficiency. This is a disadvantage if you often drive at high speeds or drive a small vehicle.
• Soft tents have more fragile and delicate covers and during off-road driving they require more attention to prevent tree branches from damaging the tent.
• The soft roof tent is louder than the rigid tent because during windy or rainy nights the soft fabrics produce more rubbing.
• Soft tents are cooler because heat can easily escape through the fabric walls. However, there are insulating accessories that can mitigate this problem.

Hard shell rooftop tent

A rigid shell car camping tent has an outer shell (the ceiling and floor) that can be made from a variety of rigid materials such as fiberglass, aluminum or hard plastic, while the side walls are made from durable, waterproof soft fabrics. Hard shell tents have a simple design. Many travelers prefer them because they consider them more comfortable and durable. When closed, such as while driving, the hard shells can enclose the walls of the tent and, in some models, other equipment such as bedding or books within them.

The advantages of using a rigid car roof tent:

• Rigid car tents are faster and easier to open and close.
• Rigid roof tents are harder to damage while driving because they are made of stronger materials.
• Some models of rigid tents, even when open, do not protrude from the shape of the vehicle, allowing the overnight stay outside the equipped areas, in compliance with the law.
• When closed, some rigid roof tent models can be used as storage for bedding and some small items.
• Rigid-shell tents are designed to be aerodynamic, allowing for a quieter ride. In addition, their rigidity saves on fuel consumption especially for long highway trips. This advantage doesn't matter much if you prefer dirt roads where you drive at low speeds.
• Rigid tents are more weather resistant.
• Rigid roof tents usually have more insulation which reduces heat loss making the room warmer.
• Rigid-shell tents tend to be quieter because the rigid roof dampens the sound of wind. It is therefore most recommended if you are a light sleeper.

The disadvantages of using a rigid car roof tent:

• Hard-shell roof tents are more expensive than soft-shell roof tents.
• Hard car tents are heavier than soft-shelld ones. This extra weight could make it more difficult to lift them onto the roof of the car, making it necessary to make sure that the vehicle can support the weight both statically and dynamically. The extra weight also can result in lower car performance due to the lowering of the car's suspension.
• Hard-shell tents, when closed, are usually bulkier, which is why they are suitable for larger vehicles.

CarCamp tents: the best car camping tents

CarCamp rooftop tents are the best because we put our heart into choosing every product, from the tents to the smallest accessories. Like you, we are a team of passionate explorers and we love to live our vacations under the sign of adventure in wild and uncontaminated territories. Our car tents are accessible to everyone because they are of excellent quality but with the best price on the market. These tents are easy to use, and thanks to the folding opening, opening and closing them will be a breeze!

You will live your trip in complete serenity and autonomy being able to share with friends and family all the best moments of a vacation in the midst of unique natural landscapes. Visit our website, every product is tested by us so you can rest assured. Think about the destination, we'll take care of the tent!

Here are our products

As we have seen choosing a roof tent is not super easy, there are many factors to consider when buying the right equipment for your road trip. That's why we at Carcamp make a careful selection of the best car roof tents. Below are some really good products:

Rigid tents

• LR-HS-800 . The LR-HS-800 rigid shell tent is our most comfortable and practical tent. It does not exceed the shape of the vehicle allowing the overnight stay even outside the equipped areas: it is therefore the perfect model for wild camping. It is suitable for two people. The shell is made of PVC and helps protect against both weather and branches and blunt objects due to the flexibility of the material.

• LR-HS-801. This tent is the largest model among our rigid shell tents, so much so that it can accommodate an entire family of four. Its peculiarity lies in the lateral folding opening of the rigid body with the overhanging part to be opened manually. In this case, not only does the tent develop in height, but it also exceeds the outline of the car. It is compatible with several accessories such as the Annex Room, an additional room for more living space.

• LR-HS-802. The smaller sister of the LR-HS-801 has the same features but is smaller, so we recommend it for 2 adults. Its smaller footprint allows you to store more gear on the roof of your vehicle, so if you also love sports here you'll have the space to take what you need with you. This model is also compatible with the Annex Room.

• LR-HS-700. With very similar features to the LR-HS-800 this hard shell car tent features a vertical opening on one of the two short sides. Also this model, when open, does not exceed the shape of the vehicle, thus allowing wild camping in peace.

Check out all of our hardcover tents!

Soft tents

• The LR-RTT-814 tent is our smallest soft shell tent, suitable for sleeping two adults. Practical and manageable, it can be assembled, with particular expedients, it does not exceed the shape of the vehicle, and can therefore be used both in wild camping and in equipped areas. It is also compatible with several accessories such as the Annex Room, an additional room for more living space. It's ideal for a couple's adventure vacation!

• The LR-RTT-815 tent has the same measurements as the LR-RTT-814 but has a cantilevered portion to cover the ladder, which provides more privacy. It is also compatible with various accessories such as the Annex Room.

• The LR-RTT-816 tent is very similar to the LR-RTT-815, but larger, being able to accommodate two adults and one child. It also has a cantilevered part to cover the staircase, and is compatible with other housing units that increase its livability. We recommend this tent if you love wild camping in isolated places, in close contact with nature!

• The LR-RTT-819 tent is our largest soft-shell tent, and with the cantilevered portion, you can increase its livability even more with the addition of an Annex Room. Get the family together and head out to explore uncharted territory now!

Check out all of our soft tents!