Roof top tents seem to have the advantage over ground tents for handling high winds. You don’t need to stake them into the ground or worry about them blowing away.
The frame of a roof top tent is also much more sturdy than a ground tent. In most cases, they are supported by one-inch thick aluminum poles for the frame. The fabric is also much thicker with ripstop technology built into it. Even though roof top tents are very sound structurally, which are the best for handling high winds?
The best roof top tents that are equipped to handle high winds are hardshell models, particularly ones with a wedge or clamshell design. This is due to its ability to deflect the wind as well as decrease the sound created by the wind while in the tent.
There are various factors to take into account when determining which roof top tents (RTTs) are the best for windy environments. I will go a bit more in-depth about each of these factors, which tent styles are best, and lastly which exact models I would buy that can handle high winds!
Best styles and features to have
First, I wanted to give a few examples of which features are best in a RTT in regards to how they can handle high winds.
The most obvious point to highlight is the structure of the tent. A cheaper RTT with flimsy aluminum poles as the frame won’t do as well as one with thicker poles or a superior design.
What’s more important is what the RTT is made out of. Fabric will flap around in the wind and the noise will keep you up throughout the night, but a hardshell has much less fabric that can be exposed.
Aluminum or fiberglass hardshells excel in these environments. They are super strong, quiet, and won’t accumulate any dirt that flies onto your tent. Since the structure of these tents are superior, they can often handle higher wind gusts while also producing a quiet night of sleep.
The clamshell or wedge designed hardshell RTTs are great because you can point the face of the shell directly into the direction in which the wind is coming from, effectively blocking most of it!
Best RTTs for windy camping trips
A few RTT brands actually test their tents in wind tunnels and market how tough they are. As I mentioned, the biggest factors are the frame and materials used to construct the tent. Here are my top picks for RTTs I would use in high wind environments!
James Baroud
James Baroud is a top player in the RTT market around the world. Their presence is felt in all markets and the name carries a lot of weight with consumers. They make premium tents that are made to last.
All of their hardshell tents are tested to handle winds up to 72 miles per hour! That is crazy! You won’t have to ever worry about your tent being strong enough to last throughout a windy storm.
In general, you can’t go wrong buying a tent from this manufacturer. The comfort, design, and features are top of the line in all categories.
iKamper
Any of the hardshell models you choose from iKamper are a great option for wind-resistant tents. They don’t mark a specific amount of wind they have been tested in, but they add multiple testimonials about their tent’s ability to handle such conditions.
It is no surprise to me since this another high-quality, top of the line RTT made with only the best of materials. When you spend as much money on a tent as you would on this one, you expect it to be able to handle some tough love.
What I like specifically is that their models open up similar to a clamshell or wedge style RTT, which makes for a great shield from the wind!
Roofnest
I really like what this company is doing. Offering very well made tents for a reasonable price. They offer a wide range of hardshell styles and designs to fit any camper’s lifestyle.
The model I like in particular is the Falcon model. It is made of aluminum, is super slim at 7″ in height when closed, and has that coveted clamshell design.
In terms of value, I feel that Roofnest offers some of the best RTTs for the price point. While I think all of these brands can stand up to harsh weather and winds, let’s talk more about RTTs handling wind in general.
General roof top tent expectations
In all, RTTs can handle wind better than the average ground tent. It doesn’t need to be staked into the ground. It also weighs anywhere from 100-200 pounds while being mounted to your vehicle so it’s not going anywhere.
One huge downside if it is windy is being exposed. Sitting 8 feet in the air makes for almost no barrier between you and the wind.
I don’t care if you purchase a tent from any of these brands in particular. The most essential element is in the construction of the tent, which in hardshell is just more superior and better equipped for high winds.
Even for a softshell, I would bet it handles tough weather better than a ground tent’s flimsy poles. The bigger issue is just being able to get a solid night of sleep as your tent rustles in the wind!
Wrapping Up
The safest bet for a sturdy tent is to just spend the extra money on it. This way, you know only the best materials were used to build it. If you try to save a few bucks and you camp in high-wind areas constantly, it may be worth buying a premium RTT that will last many years.
In my experience, RTTs are generally better than any ground tent when you put it in high winds. The set up process and construction of the two tents are so different that they are hardly comparable.
I think many RTTs would do just fine in the wind, but if you’re serious about getting the best one for those situations then this is exactly what I would do.