What are the best rooftop tents for your Subaru Crosstrek, Outback, or Forester? Check out six top models that may be just what you need to have the best camping experience.
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Summer isn’t over yet.
If you have a Subaru Forester, Outback, or Crosstrek, you have the ideal vehicle to go camping this summer. Subaru is an adventure brand, and it gets even better for adventure enthusiasts with a rooftop tent to get away from the city and off the grid this summer.
The Japanese automaker is about developing off-road-ready vehicles; all you need to add are accessories and camping gear.
Sleeping on your roof
Subaru of America now offers the Outback, Forester, and new Crosstrek Wilderness trim levels for those with the most active lifestyles. A report I covered here from Maritz says nearly 25 percent of Subaru Forester owners will use their vehicles to go camping. Subaru says about 30 percent of Crosstrek buyers will take their subcompact SUV off-road.
Let's go camping.
These six best rooftop tents, carefully selected by GearLab, are not only top-tier but also perfectly compatible with your Subaru Crosstrek, Outback, or Forester.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
- Price: $3,195
- Pros: Effortless conversion, no assembly, tons of cargo space
- Cons: Big while in travel mode, expensive
- Bottom Line: A high-end hardshell rooftop tent that is comfy, spacious, and incredibly easy to install and set up
- Seasons: 4
- Weight: 130 lbs
- Maximum height inside is 44 inches
EDITOR'S CHOICE
- Price: $2,800
- Pros: Roomy, incredible stargazing, rack locks, easy to remove
- Cons: No cover storage while camping, mildly frustrating rain fly
- Bottom Line: A top-tier softshell fold-out model with ample interior room and huge windows
- Seasons: 4
- Weight: 128 lbs
- Maximum height inside is 40 inches
TOP PICK
- Price: $3,595
- Pros: Aerodynamic design, effortless setup, lots of included accessories and options
- Cons: No room for a ladder or additional bedding while in transport mode, expensive, considerable weight
- Bottom Line: The best option for those who want a top-tier rooftop tent with minimal wind drag
- Seasons: 3
- Weight: 160 lbs
- Maximum height inside is 60 inches
TOP PICK
- Price: $2,500
- Pros: This rooftop tent is not only very comfortable and durable but also provides excellent weather protection, including an annex for extra space.
- Cons: Longest conversion time (though not by much), side window awnings don't roll up, pricey
- Bottom Line: A versatile rooftop tent that offers maximum comfort no matter what Mother Nature decides to do
- Seasons: 4
- Weight: 130 lbs
- Maximum height inside is 52 inches
TOP PICK
- Price: $1,700
- Pros: Rectangular design allows for more room on the rack, quick installation, and durable canopy
- Cons: Thin mattress, longer conversion time, Cordura cover may be less durable
- Bottom Line: A rooftop tent that leaves lots of room on the rack for extra toys
- Seasons: 3
- Weight: 122 lbs
- Maximum height inside is 38 inches
BEST BUY
- Price: $1,632, $1,130 Amazon
- Pros: Telescoping ladder, rainfly provides excellent coverage, rainfly has windows, rubber boot bag
- Cons: Time-consuming assembly; ladder must be manually collapsed
- Bottom Line: A budget-friendly rooftop tent that outperforms models that cost a lot more
- Seasons: 3
- Weight: 154 lbs
- Maximum height inside is 51 inches
Here are two more choices worth checking out
iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini - $3,699
Thule Tepui Kukenam 3 - $2,000
Check out these four budget picks
Yakima SkyRise Medium - $1,900
Smittybilt Overlander - $1,326
CVT Pioneer Series Bachelor - $1,575
Front Runner Roof Top Tent - $1,209
Important note:
Subaru says, "The roof rack system (on Forester Outback and Crosstrek Wilderness) can hold up to 165 pounds of dynamic load capacity and has a 700-pound static load limit for large rooftop tents. Off-road to your heart's content with rugged components."
Adding a rooftop tent makes Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek ideal outdoor adventure vehicles. Add in Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive and the dual-function X-Mode, and it gets you further away from civilization.
Do you use your Subaru for camping? We'd love to hear from you. Click the red 'Add New Comment' link below and share your experience and the model you own with our readers.
I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Subaru
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I have the Thule Tepui…
I have the Thule Tepui Foothill on my 22 Forester Wilderness. For a single traveler, it is nearly perfect. Single gold means it only takes up half of the roof rack leaving room on the other side for a cargo box, half width rack, kayak rack, etc. Light enough that two people can lift on and off.
After 18 years with my 2007…
After 18 years with my 2007 Forester, I bought a 2021 Forester earlier this year. I have owned a Roofnest Sparrow since 20218. I moved it over to my 2021 Subaru pleased that I did not have to part with it. I tried it out on a one month Idaho trip before taking it on a 11000+ mile trip to the North West Territories to dip my toes into the Bering Sea. I have used my Sparrow every year since. The canvas still looks like new. I love not worrying about puddles or sharp stones to be discovered in the middle of the night. I only lost 1mpg so my Sparrow lives on the roof year round. My bed is left made up which is a huge improvement over having to pack everything in the Subie every day. I am a solo 72 yo woman, definitely not ready to stop camping.