The rooftop Tent market is booming, as people enjoy exploring or the nomadic lifestyle. But there’s one particular product that enjoys most of the popularity.

When it burst onto the RTT scene, iKamper’s original Skycamp four-person model raised an impressive $2.3 million, which made it the most successful project of its kind in Kickstarter history. Impressive, right? Let’s take a close look and see what is this hardshell tent all about.

The ikamper problem – solution approach

The South Korean brand was very clever with its approach. They created a product that caters to people who want to go on road trips and camp, but they either can’t find a tent that’s large enough for their family or the RTTs available have a heavy weight that makes it impossible to use.

Skycamp took both the vehicle load restrictions and the desire of families or groups of friends to enjoy a camping road trip into consideration and created an easy-pop tent for four that doesn’t add much more weight than a two-person one.

iKamper: the pros

Safe, light weight

iKamper’s most standout feature is, without doubt, its weight. Skycamp has managed to build a canvas tent in a

hardtop shell that also includes a king-size, lightweight mattress at the industry target weight of 160 pounds. That is the rooftop load limit for the vast majority of cars and trucks while going at highway speeds. While you drive at the recommended speed, the hardshell will stay rock solid, even while climbing.

The foldout hardtop four-person RTT has a lightweight, sleek design which is touted by the brand as an exception in its industry. Moreover, it’s pretty important to mention that iKamper is manufactured in a South Korean facility, unlike other RTTs, which are made in Chinese factories. Plus, the Skycamp features a universal mounting system that fits most vehicles.

Easy and quick to set up

iKamper’s quick pop-ability is really cool. Here’s how it’s done:

• Start by unlocking two hardshell latches – this feature was added after early urban adopters have requested it, being worried that vagrants would make the RTT home. This shows not only that the brand listens to the customers’ opinions, but also values what they have to say and puts their advice and recommendations into practice in order to improve the product according to the clients’ needs. Way to go!
• Next, open the hard shell, so that the tent pops up with it.
• Go ahead and fold down the collapsible ladder, which is 83 inches at its standard size and 105 inches at its XL one. This ladder is very sturdy, being able to hold up to 330 pounds.
• Climb up carefully and hook two metal rods (fully detachable) into the small holes on the tent’s platform. This will prop the awning.

Equally, putting the RTT away is really simple, since there’s no excess of runaway fabric that you need to handle and put back into the shell before closing the tent. While you’ll need to make sure that the fabric is tidy at both ends, this is not difficult at all.

Comfortable

The plush king-size mattress is comfy, easily wipeable (just in case someone spills something on it) and 1.6 inches thick. This means that a sleeping bag and pad aren’t really necessary to sleep on it. The max cushion is excellent for all those who struggle sleeping in a ground tent, as the Skycamp feels more like a real bed.

Spacious, sturdy and secure

The RTT’s angled, sturdy, hardshell wall makes it feel very secure against the weather conditions. In fact,

iKamper is tested to withstand 40-mph winds. Moreover, you’ll have plenty of headroom to do fun activities such as playing cards or playing a boardgame inside.

Awe-inspiring views and flawless insulation

iKamper’s center window at the top of the tent lets you enjoy spectacular views, especially on clear sky nights. Some might find it confusing that this window doesn’t fully unzip (which makes sense, since it’s built into the RTT’s outer), but that’s not something that most reviewers have mentioned.
Nonetheless, what’s really one of the product’s most functional features is its two-layer system, which definitely sets Skycamp apart from other RTTs. The dual design adds great insulation, strength, as well as a key condensation drip blocker that will help you never feel damp.

The front portal features zip-around, dark-brown canvas blackouts, which can help you sleep better and longer. Additionally, the tent has two side windows and its famous Skyview. iKamper has a pretty front-door awning which is awesome for sitting inside and still feel connected to nature.

On top of that, the tent’s platform is offset, which extends Skycamp to one side of the car. This configuration is

ideal for creating a covered, staged area underneath. You can use this area to stash things that require easy access, such as shoes and food. Not to mention that the platform is lightweight, yet strong enough to hold a heavy Jeep Wrangler (that, as a matter of fact, weighs about 1.8 tons).

Durable and straightforward

iKamper’s construction is really well thought and executed. The manufacturer had paid close attention to every single detail and created a product that’s robust enough for several years of intense use. Those who prefer simplicity and closeness to nature will fall in love with Skycamper, as it doesn’t have any whiz-bang gadgetry such as ceiling fans, lighting outlets, ice makers or power outlets. Everything is chosen based on basic functionality and purpose.

Multiple configurations

The Skycamp can be mounted in numerous ways and you can attach it to almost any car, SUV or truck. From a truck bed to a mount pushed over the windshield to a truck bed to a pull-along trailer, there is a plethora of configurations you can try.

iKamper: the downsides

Serious storage space required

As the iKamper is 7 feet tall, you can’t simply keep it in a regular-sized garage. If you don’t have a super spacious garage or a large storage space, it’s pretty challenging to store it. You can invest in a conveyance system in order to remove and store the tent above the vehicle, although this can be pretty expensive.

The space can be rather tight for some groups

While the Skycamp offers plenty of space for two adults and two kids, four grownups can sometimes feel like they need more space. This shouldn’t be much of an issue for a short road trip, but if we’re talking about a couple of weeks long adventure, space can be a problem.

Not very pocket-friendly

Those on a budget can see the iKamper’s price as an obvious concern. Thus, the people who consider purchasing Skycamp, have to think if they’ll use it enough to justify their investment. For example, if you’re a family that goes on camping road trips all the time, the RTT is great for you, despite its cost.

In short, while the iKamper hardshell tent is kind of pricey, it’s a premium product that mainly delivers what it promises. It has sleek, lightweight aerodynamics that nicely go hand in hand with the spacious design and simple setup. Hence, the Skycamp’s RTT is an excellent evolution of roof top tents and a well-worth investment for families of four and groups of friends.

If you will make use of it, it might turn out to be a great investment for you.