• Comfort 70% 70%
  • Ease of Conversion 80% 80%
  • Ease of Installation 90% 90%
  • Durability & Weatherproofing 90% 90%

Price: $3,499

Type: Fold-out hardshell

Floor Dimensions: 80.7″ x 50.4″, 28.2 sq ft

Peak Inside Height: 45″

Weight: 125 lbs

Approx. Setup Time: 60 seconds

Doors/Windows: 1/5

Pockets: 2

Floor Material: Honeycomb aluminum

Canopy Material: 300gsm poly/cotton

Rainfly Material: 150D polyester

Shell Material: Double-layered FRP

What We Like: Fast setup and takedown, Fits a wide range of vehicles, High-quality craftsmanship

What We Don’t: Expensive compared to similar RTTs, Mattress could be more comfortable

After Soon Park’s Kickstarter campaign to produce the iKamper Skycamp exceeded its $100,000 goal with a whopping $2.3 million, it was clear that he had a natural instinct for what customers look for in a rooftop tent. However, iKamper was no one-hit-wonder, and the Skycamp was quickly followed up by the Skycamp Mini. This slightly smaller and more economical 2-person option also fits a broader range of vehicles. With a price tag of $3,499, the Skycamp Mini is $400 cheaper than the Skycamp 2.0 but still much more expensive than some of the other RTTs on our 2021 list.

We participate in affiliate programs to help us fund Gear Hacker. Some of the links in this website are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product using our link, we will earn a small commission. Don’t worry! This comes at no additional cost to you, and we will never base our reviews on whether or not we earn a commission off of a product. With that said, if you find our review helpful and decide to purchase an item we review, we would be very appreciative if you use our links to do so. It will help us bring you more awesome content in the future!

Compare to Similar Products

See Our Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review 2021 HERE!

Roofnest Condor XL: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

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  • Comfort 90% 90%
  • Ease of Conversion 70% 70%
  • Ease of Installation 90% 90%
  • Durability & Weatherproofing 80% 80%

Pros

Roomy interior

Quick deployment

Clever skyview window

Cons

Expensive compared to softshell RTTs

Overkill for solo camping

Slightly cumbersome rainfly

Type: Fold-out hardshell

Floor Dimensions: 93" x 74″, 47.8 sq ft

Peak Inside Height: 50"

Weight: 160 lbs

Approx. Setup Time: 60 seconds

iKamper Skycamp 2: Front Runner Roof Top Tent: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

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  • Comfort 80% 80%
  • Ease of Conversion 80% 80%
  • Ease of Installation 90% 90%
  • Durability & Weatherproofing 90% 90%

Pros

Quick setup

Durable exterior

Weather-resistant design

Roomy interior

Cons

Thin mattress

Can be difficult to install

Expensive

Type: Fold-out hardshell

Floor Dimensions: 83” x 77”, 43.2 sq ft

Peak Inside Height: 45"

Weight: 160 lbs

Approx. Setup Time: 60 seconds

Thule Tepui Explorer Kukenam 3: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

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  • Comfort 80% 80%
  • Ease of Conversion 70% 70%
  • Ease of Installation 70% 70%
  • Durability & Weatherproofing 70% 70%

Pros

Rugged design

Reasonable price

Expansive and comfortable interior

Skyview windows

Cons

Slightly complicated for first installation

Several conversion steps

Type: Fold-out softshell

Floor Dimensions: 56" x 96", 37.3 sq ft

Peak Inside Height: 52"

Weight: 130 lbs

Approx. Setup Time: 3 minutes

James Baroud Evasion: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker
  • Comfort 90% 90%
  • Ease of Conversion 80% 80%
  • Ease of Installation 90% 90%
  • Durability & Weatherproofing 100% 100%

Pros

High build quality

Interior ventilation fan

Rapid deployment

Panoramic windows

Cons

Very pricey

Possibly overkill for occasional campers

Type: Pop-up hardshell

Floor Dimensions: 55" x 78", 29.7 sq ft

Peak Inside Height: 41"

Weight: 145 lbs

Approx. Setup Time: 60 seconds

Smittybilt Overlander: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Amazon.com

  • Comfort 70% 70%
  • Ease of Conversion 60% 60%
  • Ease of Installation 60% 60%
  • Durability & Weatherproofing 70% 70%

Pros

Low price

Included LED light strip and boot bag

Roomy interior

Cons

Complicated installation

Travel cover could be improved

Type: Fold-out softshell

Floor Dimensions: 56" x 96", 37.3 sq ft

Peak Inside Height: 51"

Weight: 144 lbs

Approx. Setup Time: 3 minutes

iKamper Skycamp Mini: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Rei.com

  • Comfort 70% 70%
  • Ease of Conversion 80% 80%
  • Ease of Installation 90% 90%
  • Durability & Weatherproofing 90% 90%

Pros

Fast setup and takedown

Fits a wide range of vehicles

High-quality craftsmanship

Cons

Expensive compared to similar RTTs

Mattress could be more comfortable

Type: Fold-out hardshell

Floor Dimensions: 80.7" x 50.4", 28.2 sq ft

Peak Inside Height: 45"

Weight: 125 lbs

Approx. Setup Time: 60 seconds

Roofnest Sparrow: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Roofnest.com

  • Comfort 70% 70%
  • Ease of Conversion 80% 80%
  • Ease of Installation 90% 90%
  • Durability & Weatherproofing 80% 80%

Pros

Multiple ladder orientations

Thick mattress

Vertical walls

Cons

Low ceiling

Ladder blocks vehicle door

No skyview window

Flimsy awnings

Type: Pop-up hardshell

Floor Dimensions: 83" x 49", 28.2 sq ft

Peak Inside Height: 40"

Weight: 130 lbs

Approx. Setup Time: 60 seconds

Roofnest Falcon: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

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  • Comfort 60% 60%
  • Ease of Conversion 90% 90%
  • Ease of Installation 80% 80%
  • Durability & Weatherproofing 90% 90%

Pros

Rugged construction

Compatible with several add-ons

Multiple ladder orientations

Quick setup

Cons

Limited headroom

Expensive as a 2P

No skyview window

Type: Pop-up clamshell

Floor Dimensions: 88" x 48″, 29.3 sq ft

Peak Inside Height: 60"

Weight: 140 lbs

Approx. Setup Time: 60 seconds

Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 3: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Backcountry.com

  • Comfort 90% 90%
  • Ease of Conversion 60% 60%
  • Ease of Installation 70% 70%
  • Durability & Weatherproofing 70% 70%

Pros

Durable exterior

Comfortable interior

Includes privacy canopy and annex

Cons

Longer conversion time

Expensive for a softshell RTT

Type: Fold-out softshell

Floor Dimensions: 56" x 96", 37.3 sq ft

Peak Inside Height: 52"

Weight: 152 lbs

Approx. Setup Time: 5 minutes

Front Runner Roof Top Tent: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker
  • Comfort 60% 60%
  • Ease of Conversion 50% 50%
  • Ease of Installation 50% 50%
  • Durability & Weatherproofing 40% 40%

Pros

Lightweight

Inexpensive

Cons

Questionable durability

Can be difficult to install

Type: Fold-out softshell

Floor Dimensions: 52" x 98", 35.4 sq ft

Peak Inside Height: 55"

Weight: 93 lbs

Approx. Setup Time: 5 minutes

After Soon Park’s Kickstarter campaign to produce the iKamper Skycamp exceeded its $100,000 goal with a whopping $2.3 million, it was clear that he had a natural instinct for what customers look for in a rooftop tent. However, iKamper was no one-hit-wonder, and the Skycamp was quickly followed up by the Skycamp Mini. This slightly smaller and more economical 2-person option also fits a broader range of vehicles. With a price tag of $3,499, the Skycamp Mini is $400 cheaper than the Skycamp 2.0 but still much more expensive than some of the other RTTs on our 2021 list.

iKamper Skycamp Mini: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

Comfort

Interior dimensions for the Skycamp Mini are 80.7″ x 50.4″, giving you 28.2 sq ft of space. This provides the Mini with roughly two-thirds of the interior space offered by its big brother yet identical interior space as the Roofnest Sparrow, which costs $400 less. The max headroom for the Mini is 45”, the same as the Skycamp 2.0 and 5” more than the Sparrow. However, the Sparrow has a flat roof that provides slightly more optimal interior volume.

iKamper Skycamp Mini: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

Like the Skycamp 2.0, the iKamper Skycamp Mini features two side windows and a skylight window above, with no windows on the hardshell wall. These 3-layer canopy windows utilize vinyl, mesh, and polyester for maximized versatility. We weren’t pleased to find only two interior storage pockets with the 3- to 4-person Skycamp 2.0. However, this number is much more appropriate with the smaller advertised capacity of the Mini. The built-in mattress for the Skycamp Mini is made of 1.6” high-density polyfoam. While this mattress does sport an impressive R-value (warmth rating) of 6.4, it was not the most comfortable mattress we’ve ever tested.

iKamper Skycamp Mini: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

Ease of Conversion

One of our favorite things about the iKamper RTTs is the lightning-fast setup time. The Skycamp Mini can be converted in only 60 seconds using the exact same process as the Skycamp 2.0. You’ll first unlock and release the two steel clips on the passenger side, then give the roof a slight nudge upwards; the gas struts will then take over and extend the hardshell to its maximum height. You’ll then extend the ladder and pull it to the ground to unfold the tent’s extension panel; the ladder will automatically lock in place, allowing you to climb up top. Ideally, the ladder should be angled around 70°. The final steps are to insert the tension poles for the awning over the entryway, slide the mattress over, then clip the corners of the awning/rainfly into place. We loved that because the ladder on all iKamper models is attached to the extension panel, you should still be able to access the vehicle door underneath, unlike what you’ll find with most pop-up hardshell tents like the Rooftop Sparrow or even the ultra-premium James Baroud Evasion.

 

iKamper Skycamp Mini: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

Tear-down for the Skycamp Mini will take just a few seconds more than setup. Begin by stacking the half-mattresses on the far side of the tent, then remove the tension poles from the entryway and stash them inside the tent body. Next, you’ll collapse the ladder, fold up the extension panel, and then pull down the hardshell roof using the three attached straps (this may take just a bit of muscle, as the gas struts will provide resistance). Once the hardshell is almost entirely closed, the straps can be tucked away inside, and the clips can be locked down.

iKamper Skycamp Mini: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

Ease of Installation

We actually preferred the Skycamp Mini to the Skycamp 2.0 with regard to installation due to its lower weight and smaller size. It weighs 125 lbs with a packed size of 57.1” x 54.3” x 12.5”, making it 35 lbs lighter and 2’4” shorter than its bigger sibling, which makes installation a much more manageable operation as well as storage when you don’t plan to camp any time soon. Like the Skycamp, there is no assembly required for the tent itself, but you will need at least two people to lift this onto your vehicle’s roof. Another benefit to the Mini is that it accommodates smaller vehicles like the Mini Cooper or Subaru Forester; the lower roofs on these cars make it easier to lift the RTT even if you’re a bit shorter in stature. It can even be outfitted to a truck bed, assuming you already have a compatible rack installed.
iKamper Skycamp Mini: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

Although it’s highly versatile, the Skycamp Mini can’t just be strapped to any vehicle (sorry, convertible drivers). Your car will need to be outfitted with crossbars or a roof rack, and the crossbars must be spaced at least 22” (55cm) apart. The Mini comes with Mounting Brackets 2.0 that are compatible with a maximum crossbar height of 1.2″ (3cm) and a width of 3.5″ (9cm). For higher crossbars, you’ll need to purchase the Mounting Brackets 1.0 for $69.

iKamper Skycamp Mini: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

After you’ve lifted up the Mini and centered it on the crossbars, you’ll then need to install the four mounting brackets. First, insert the bracket into the rail located at the bottom of the floor panel, then insert the bolt between the brackets, begin tightening it by hand and then use an Allen wrench to securely fasten the bolt, and finally insert the railcap. If you’ve just purchased the Skycamp Mini, we recommend you find an area where the tent can be opened and sufficiently ventilated to release any trapped gasses before your first outing.

Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

Durability & Weatherproofing

As with the Skycamp 2.0, we were impressed by the high-quality materials used for the Skycamp Mini. Its floors are made of honeycomb aluminum panels, while the canopy is 300gsm poly-cotton canvas that’s both breathable and rugged. The rainfly is waterproof 150D polyester (PU 3000mm), while the hardshell is double-layered fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) with 1″ air insulation. All the poles are either 16mm aluminum or 4mm nickel-plated steel. The telescoping ladder has a 330 lb weight limit while the tent itself has a weight limit of 900 lb.

 

iKamper goes above and beyond in the area of waterproofing with all of their models, even using waterproof zippers on the door. The integrated awning is sure to keep out all of the wet stuff, and on sunny days the rainfly can be rolled up. The window covers can be converted into canopies using the included tension poles.

iKamper Skycamp Mini: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

Optional Extras

Like the Skycamp 2.0, the Skycamp Mini can be outfitted with many additional accessories to improve your next outing. There are 15 in all, but we’ve listed some of our favorites below. 

iKamper Skycamp Mini: Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review - Gear Hacker

The Bottom Line

The iKamper Skycamp Mini is an attractive option for camping couples or even solo campers that don’t own a large SUV. Its aerodynamic hardshell design provides extra protection from the elements and improves gas mileage while closed, while the fold-out design is an innovative feature that both saves space and deals more out. However, iKamper is not the only player in the RTT game, and there are several competitive alternatives worth considering. The Roofnest Sparrow has similar dimensions to the SkyCamp Mini and will save you $400. At the same time, the Roofnest Condor XL, which is only $100 less than the Mini, provides nearly 20 more square feet of interior space. You could also snap up the Thule Tepui Explorer Kukenam 3 for just over half the price of the Mini and get another 10 square feet, but you’ll lose the benefit of the hardshell top. Although we didn’t love the price point of the Skycamp Mini, we were enamored with its design and build quality. It would be a welcome addition to our next camping retreat.

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We participate in affiliate programs to help us fund Gear Hacker. Some of the links in this website are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product using our link, we will earn a small commission. Don’t worry! This comes at no additional cost to you, and we will never base our reviews on whether or not we earn a commission off of a product. With that said, if you find our review helpful and decide to purchase an item we review, we would be very appreciative if you use our links to do so. It will help us bring you more awesome content in the future!