Best 2-Person Rooftop Tent

When only the best will do, there’s one name you can be sure to count on in the world of RTTs: James Baroud. One of our favorite offerings in the James Baroud lineup is the Evasion, a pop-up hardshell that will accommodate 2 adults and one child. They say you can’t put a price tag on quality, but at $4,149.95, the Evasion certainly tries. For those that plan to spend a great deal of time in their RTT, this could very well be money well spent, but it’s far from the most economical choice for casual campers. Despite the substantial price tag, there was simply no other product compared to the Evasion, which is why we named it our Best 2-Person Rooftop Tent.

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See Our Best Rooftop Camping Tents Review 2021 HERE!

When only the best will do, there’s one name you can be sure to count on in the world of RTTs: James Baroud. This Portugal-based company with 30 years of experience is staffed by outdoor enthusiasts and 4WD experts. Their rooftop tents are even used by the support crews in the Paris to Dakar rallies. The current James Baroud lineup features 2 softshell tents and 6 hardshells. All of their hardshells utilize a patented automatic opening system that’s unparalleled in terms of ease and speed of deployment. One of our favorites amongst this group is the James Baroud Evasion, a pop-up hardshell that will accommodate 2 adults and one child. They say you can’t put a price tag on quality, but at $4,149.95, the Evasion is a serious investment. For those that plan to spend a great deal of time in their RTT, this could very well be money well spent, but it’s far from the most economical choice for casual campers. Despite the substantial price tag, there was simply no other product that could compare to the Evasion, which is why we named it our Best 2-Person Rooftop Tent.

Comfort

Life inside the Evasion is unmatched by any other RTT we’ve come across. This well-appointed interior includes a plush 3″ high-density mattress that’s as close to an actual mattress as anything else we’ve seen. The Evasion comes equipped with an LED lantern that is rechargeable, removable, and can be mounted along the edge of the ceiling; this is a handy inclusion—and a bit novel, considering most campers tend to own a lantern already. What really blew us away (literally) was the electric ventilation fan built into the ceiling. The fan is powered by a 24-hour-life battery that can be recharged by an integrated solar panel kit. The fan’s primary purpose is to eliminate condensation buildup and release any heat buildup inside the tent, the main culprit for moisture and mold. It also comes with a second propeller with reverse blades to function as a fan. This is a feature we’ve yet to see on any other RTT and a true game-changer in the comfort department. Next to the ventilation fan, you’ll find a hanging storage net that’s ideal for jackets or extra bedding; there’s also a smaller storage pocket on one of the side walls.  

Ease of Conversion

Once your camping is complete and it’s time to hit the road, the Evasion can be taken down with relative ease. We recommend you start from inside the tent and release the corner struts from their locked position by pulling them away from the corners so that they resemble “elbows.” At this point, you can remove the ladder and either toss it in your vehicle,or stow it in its storage bag and slide it inside the Evasion—just be sure that it’s located near the middle so that it doesn’t risk interfering with the collapsed struts. You’ll then make sure all doors are closed—there are red marks on the doors indicating where the zippers should be located—and head to the front of the tent, where you’ll use the handle at the front corner to pull down the front of the roof and clip it into place, making sure all the front-wall fabric is stuffed inside the shell. Finally, you’ll head to the back and use the strap to pull down the rest of the roof. Check to see that all fabric is inside the tent, then lock the remaining clips into place. It’s also crucial that you don’t leave the fan running while the Evasion is closed to avoid overheating.

Ease of Installation

Your newly ordered James Baroud Evasion will come fully assembled in its own storage cover. All packed away, the Evasion measures 78.5″ x 55.5″ x 13.5″ and will require you to set aside some space in your garage during the off-season.

It will require at least two people to lift the 145 lb tent onto your vehicle’s crossbars. The Evasion comes with 6 mounting brackets to accommodate vehicles with more than two crossbars, but most vehicles should only need to use 4 brackets. Lift up each corner of the Evasion to slide the 8 hanging bolts into the two aluminum railings running from the front to the back of the Evasion’s underside, so that each pair of bolts is flanking each side of its respective crossbar. Make sure your tent is centered both front-to-back and left-to-right, then attach the mounting plates to the underside of each crossbar. We recommend you attach these plates loosely at first to allow one final look-over before locking them down completely, just in case the tent has shifted from its centered position.

Durability & Weatherproofing

We’ve yet to find a rooftop tent that comes close to matching the build quality of the James Baroud lineup. Although the Evasion is a pricey piece of gear, it’s most certainly a “buy it for life” product and is even backed by a 5-year warranty. Both the upper and lower shells are made of reinforced polyester glass and finished with Gelcoat. The top shell also has two air slots with a dust filter that improves the ventilation inside the tent while in transit and a rear aileron intended to keep things balanced.

For the canopy of the Evasion, James Baroud has employed a proprietary aluminized polyester with an acrylic coating. This unique material is 100% waterproof and breathable. It’s also UV-resistant and solar-reflective, so it should keep the interior from getting too hot in peak summer conditions. The canvas is threaded into aluminum guides at the edges of the shell to optimize waterproofing; it’s also capable of withstanding wind gusts up to 75mph (120kmh). All windows are outfitted with a mosquito net stitched right into the fabric, which is strong enough to tow a 4×4 without tearing.

Optional Extras

James Baroud offers a massive range of accessories to improve your camping experience. There are 16 in all, but we’ve listed a few of our favorites below: 

• Adventure Bag ($175.95)
• Tablet Holder – $110.95 ($110.95)
• Anti-Condensation Mattress ($310.95)
• Vehicle Insulation Kit ($444.95)
• Isothermic Tent Insulation Kit ($515.95)
• Tunnel Attachment ($445.95)
• All Awning Accessories

The Bottom Line

For those serious about car camping and seeking a one-time purchase that will stand the test of time, you simply can’t go wrong with the James Baroud Evasion. This well-built pop-up hardshell is the Rolls-Royce of RTTs. It has user-friendly features you won’t find anywhere else and rugged materials capable of tackling anything that Mother Nature throws at it. That being said, the nearly $4,200 price tag is likely enough to turn away any casual or budget-conscious car campers. There are competitive alternatives available at lower price points, such as the Roofnest Sparrow or even the iKamper Skycamp Mini.

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