Depending on where you live, your camping season may be as short as just a few months. Even then, Summer brings a slew of people into the campgrounds which makes it hard to even reserve a campsite.
The best way to extend your camping season is by having the proper gear to do it, especially a four-season roof top tent! These models will typically have thicker fabric, better insulation, anti-condensation mats, and many more features to fend off the cold/wet conditions.
In this article, I will list my preferred four-season roof top tent (RTT) models, what their features are, and why I chose them over the many other options available.
I have handpicked some helpful articles that are closely related to this topic and linked to them at the end of the post!
Tepui Kukenam Ruggedized
Tepui is one of the most popular brands in the RTT market with their great product line that is offered at a very reasonable price.
The Kukenam Ruggedized model is a solid option for all-season camping and has a reasonable price tag to boot at just $2,299.95!
This tent boasts a hefty 360g canvas, 600D ripstop fabric, a comfy 2.5″ thick mattress pad, and an anti-condensation mat! A big selling point for this tent is the thick fabric of the tent which is completely waterproof. This will help with insulation as well.
You can buy an annex for this model separately which I also recommend. This will give you a space to change clothes, eat, relax, use as storage, etc.
The more important specs to look for in a 4-season RTT are the fabric, the insulation of the base, waterproof ability, and an anti-condensation mat. For a very fair price, this tent checks off most of the boxes and is a very serviceable all-season model!
iKamper
Any of the iKamper tent models such as the Skycamp, the Skycamp 2.0, and the Skycamp Mini are all very capable tents for any weather condition. iKamper makes some of the most premium RTTs on the market and the company is based in South Korea.
In general, here are some of the specs you can expect to see in their models.
They are hardshell tents which means they are fully waterproof. The shell itself is made of two layers that have an inch of air insulation separating the two. This creates a great layer of insulation inside the tent.
The fabric is also made of a high-quality breathable material that helps with airflow and prevents condensation. The flooring has a very strong honeycomb aluminum panel design that is durable and well insulated.
To top it all off, you also get a waterproof polyester rainfly! I love iKamper for their attention to detail but also the fact that they have some insanely valuable accessories you can add to your set up.
I would highly suggest taking a look at their products section on the menu to see all of the options available. While this company charges top dollar, it is for a reason, and that reason is quality!
FSR High Country
Freespirit Recreation’s High Country series is best fitted for 4-season camping. I will speak specifically to the Premium edition since it offers many more features that are well-equipped for all-season use. However, the regular model is still rated as a 4-season tent too.
The High Country has a very unique fabric that implements FSR’s enhanced Tri-Layer technology. It is perfectly suited to handle extremely cold temperatures and plenty comfortable for summer nights as well.
A convenient feature is a super-fast setup which can be done in just about 60 seconds. This may seem like a small thing, but for a foldable RTT it is very impressive and quite useful in bad weather too.
Some other features include panoramic views, built-in skylights, integrated LED lighting, and a comfortable sleeping area. They also have tent sizes that can accommodate up to 6 people in a single RTT!
FSR is a top-notch brand, you can’t go wrong buying a tent from this company. The High Country series in particular is fitted in all of the right ways to be used during any time of the year.
CVT Hybrid Edition
CVT offers many different RTT models that vary in size. Depending on how many people you go camping with, one model will be better for you than others.
Either way, each of them has the option to upgrade to the Hybrid edition which brings a wide array of awesome specs into the picture!
This upgradable edition offers a 360gram poly/cotton ripstop fabric, a heavier rainfly, an insulated floor, LED lighting, and a telescoping ladder! Even better, it has USB-ports, shoe bags, a softer mattress, a waterproof cover, and an anti-condensation mat.
This comprehensive bundle comes with everything you could want in a four-season RTT!
This edition usually adds $700 to the overall price of the tent. This may seem like a lot, but in reality, the bundle is a very good deal. The insulated flooring, anti-condensation mat, and thicker fabric make it worth the upgrade alone!
CVT is also a very reputable and trusted brand that produces some very high-quality tents. They have a tight group of fan loyal campers and that says a lot about the company.
Which features matter in a four-season roof top tent?
- Breathable and thick fabric
- Anti-condensation mat
- Waterproof rainfly
- Insulated flooring
- Simple tent set up process
- Windows and vents for airflow
- Quality and durable materials
- Style and design of the tent
In my opinion, these are some of the most important features to look at when comparing different four-season RTTs to one another! It is hard to find a tent that checks all of the boxes unless you’re willing to pay top dollar.
If I had the choice, I would prefer to go with a hardshell model since it is better equipped for insulation and waterproof. It is also faster to open and break down!
However, hard shells are more expensive and there are plenty of capable softshell options between the two and three thousand dollar range to choose from.
Related content
If you plan on doing a bunch of winter camping or live in an area that is considerable colder most of the year, read our article Best Roof Top Tents For Winter and Cold Weather Use!
This article is a bit more specific on tents meant to handle the most extreme conditions. I also go into more detail, provide tables for comparisons, and helpful Youtube videos too!
Now, if you’re simply shopping around and happy with your current tent, then I would like to point you to the article How To Insulate Your Roof Top Tent. This will take you through many steps on how to stay warm during your winter camping adventures!
Wrapping Up
One thing to keep in mind when looking for a RTT that can be used year-round is its durability. Having a well-constructed tent that can handle the heavy wet of rain and snow but also the brutal rotting of the sun is crucial.
Buying from any of these reputable brands is likely to ensure your tent lasts you for years to come no matter what you put it through as long as you properly Clean and Maintain Your Roof Top Tent.
Having a tent that is capable of any weather condition will unlock your full potential to experience any adventure and not have to worry about being unprepared. I hope you found this article as well as the others that I pointed to within it!
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