A tent is a big part of any camping trip, and they’re even more important on an overland trip where an equipment failure can mean you’re miles away from adequate shelter. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best tents for overlanding that we can find. We’ve tested many of these tents firsthand, and the rest have been checked out by our staff at Overland Expo events around the country. Each tent is from a trusted manufacturer, and our team wouldn’t hesitate to take these tents out for a weekend or a month-long expedition. So, from rooftop tents to ground tents and from the svelte to the heavy-duty, here are our choices for the best tents for overlanding.
Our Favorite Overlanding Tents
Alu Cab — 3R Expedition Rooftop Tent
The 3R Expedition is the latest rendition of a wedge-style stent from Alu Cab. It’s feature-packed and built for the long haul. Not only is it an excellent shelter in all conditions, but the 3R Expedition is supported by a host of accessories, including a direct mount 270-degree awning, a similar shower cube, a drop-down interior table, and even a mattress frame that transforms into a couch. If you want to learn more about this bomb-proof tent that will serve you in the backcountry for years to come, you can read our full review here.
MSRP: $4,399
Freespirit Recreation — Evolution 2
The FSR Evolution V2 is a premium rooftop tent that has earned its place in the upper echelon of hardshell RTT options. Its thoughtful design, high-quality construction, and four-season performance make it stand out in a time when overlanders have such a wide variety of options in the market. Read our full review here.
MSRP: $4,095
Freespirit Recreation — Odyssey
Freespirit Recreation’s (FSR) Odyssey aluminum hard-shell rooftop tent is a slim, crossbar-capable, and side-hinged clamshell rooftop tent. It boasts a relatively low weight at 134 pounds, despite its impressive spec sheet. Although we found it easy to use and rugged, we did feel it could benefit from slightly smoother operating hardware and a comfier mattress. That said, for those wanting a slim, light, roomy, and utility-rich aluminum hard-shell rooftop tent, the Odyssey is hard to beat. You can read our full review here.
MSRP: $3,295
OZTENT — RV-3
OZTENT’s RV-3 tent sets up in 30 seconds (no, really), packs down nearly as fast, and can withstand 50-mile-per-hour winds. These bona fides make it one of the best ground tents I’ve ever tested. It has a great design. We tested the OZTENT RV-3 over four overlanding trips now and have become absolutely smitten with the thing — especially for winter camping. It is rated at sleeping three to four people, and it may. All we know is that it has enough room for an extra-long cot, which is essential for tall overlanders, plus two or so feet of space for standing and dressing. And it’s a pleasure to use. In fact, it might be the best ground tent for winter camping we have ever encountered. Read our full review here.
MSRP: $999
Roofnest — Condor Overland
The Condor Overland from Roofnest takes the hybrid rooftop tent design to the next level providing a compact package when closed but a roomy and comfortable space when deployed. The aluminum shell not only keeps the tent protected, but also offers mounting points for tools and other accessories. Read our full review here.
MSRP: $3,745
READ MORE: The Best Overlanding Deals of the Week
Honorable Mentions Best Overlanding Tents
Alu-Cab — LT50 Lightweight Tent
Plenty of overlanders adventure in vehicles that might not be rated for heavier rooftop tents, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have options. The LT50 Lightweight Tent from Alu Cab is perfect for station wagons, smaller SUVs, or just overlanders looking to remain weight-conscious while outfitting their rig. While it’s lightweight at only 110 pounds, it doesn’t skimp on features. You can still store your bedding inside, with optional load bars and a perimeter track that’s great for mounting awnings and other accessories. If you’re looking for a lightweight but far from minimalist tent, the Alu-Cab LT50 is a great option.
MSRP: $2,699
Gazelle — T4 Hub Tent
If you’ve been to an Overland Expo or even driven by some popular campsites, there’s a great chance you’ve noticed the green and orange dome-style tents that are common amongst overlanders. The Hub series from Gazelle are quick to set up and break down. You can literally go from unzipping the bag to inside the tent within a minute. We prefer the T4 size, which measures 94×94 inches and has a peak height of 76 inches. With the Gazelle T4, you can set up camp, explore your rig all day, and come back to a roomy backcountry abode in the evening.
MSRP: $399.95
iKamper — SkyCamp Mini 3.0
For those of you who’ve heard of — or seen — the gargantuan iKamper Skycamp but worried it was too big for your rig, iKamper has a new option for you: The Skycamp Mini 3.0. Just like the hard-shell foldout Skycamp, the mini expands off the passenger side of your vehicle. Since it’s smaller, the Skycamp Mini 3.0 only supports two campers. You can also choose the color of your hard-shell top color: Black or Rocky Black.
MSRP: $3,699
Rhino Rack — Roof Top Soft Shell Tent
Rhino Rack is known for making a wide range of innovative roof racks for a wide range of vehicles. Now, they’re bringing that expertise to another facet of overlanding with a range of rooftop tents. The Soft Shell model from Rhino Rack is a great lightweight option with a small footprint when closed but plenty of space for two to sleep. Plus, it utilizes a Rhino Rack mounting system for easy installation, interior LEDs, and exterior boot bags you can trust.
MSRP: $1,799
Sea to Summit — Telos Freestanding Ultralight Tent
Not all overlanding tents have to be on top of the vehicle or the size of small rooms to serve you well in the backcountry. Sea to Summit’s range of Telos Freestanding tents are great options for adventurers who want one tent to do it all, and we mean “do it all.” They’re lightweight enough for backpacking, and the components even come in multiple bags that make it easy to split up or balance the load in your pack. The Telos line also includes three models with subtle differences for different adventurers, including a Plus series with heavier-duty fabrics and a Telos Bikepacking model that’s perfect for mounting on your bike forks. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll get plenty of room for two or three people in a lightweight but spacious package that’s a great shelter for backpacking, bikepacking, moto camping, and overlanding.
MSRP: Starting at $449
