Quick take: After a year of exposure to the elements, camping in all conditions, and rolling down tight trails, this the Skycamp DLX Mini still looks as good as new, and we expect it will provide a restful backcountry home for years to come.
iKamper pioneered hardshell rooftop tents back in 2017, and their Kickstarter raised a staggering $2.37 million in backing, making it the most successful tent campaign in Kickstarter history. Since then, their dedicated team based in South Korea has been designing and manufacturing a range of rooftop tents with incredible attention to design and craftsmanship. Currently, several iKamper models are available with huge discounts, including the Skycamp 3.0 Mini and Skycamp 3.0, both of which are over $1,000 off!
iKamper Skycamp DLX Mini: Compact and Feature Packed
Now in their fourth generation, the iKamper team has continued to refine their Skycamp series of tents. We just finished up an all-seasons review of the Skycamp DLX Mini, which is currently out of stock. No doubt, because it’s a great option for overlanders looking for a tent that provides an incredibly comfortable living space that’s lightweight and compact when closed. However, the same features can be found in the Skycamp series, which includes the updated 4.0 and 3.0 ranges that offer tents in sizes to fit every rig.
Like most of our reviews, the real experience with the iKamper Skycamp DLX Mini started with the installation. It was easily completed with the help of a friend since the tent weighs in at 140 lbs. The included mounting hardware made positioning and mounting the tent incredibly easy. iKamper’s Mounting Brackets are designed to work with low-profile and flat roof racks, and it’s some of the easiest we’ve ever used. This mounting system is especially handy if you plan to remove the tent when you aren’t using it, but it’s so comfortable and easy to set up you’ll be tempted to head out camping as much as possible.
Photo by Rick Stowe
Once it was mounted on the Rover, opening the iKamper was as easy as popping a couple of latches, opening the tent, adding the spring poles, and attaching the ladder. The self-inflating mattress rolls out and can be topped off via pump. The cord-lined floor offers insulation so this tent can easily be used in three seasons, and with the optional insulation tent pushed into deep winter travels. It also helps with sound dampening and helps keep the overall weight of the tent down.
Integrated bi-color LEDs and USB power are nice touches that add a lot of livability to the iKamper. Just plug in your power source, and you can dial in the lighting inside and outside of the tent to fit your needs.
Photo by Rick Stowe
Photo by Rick Stowe
Photo by Rick Stowe
Photo by Rick Stowe
iKamper does an incredible job with their accessories lineup, from the previously mentioned insulation kit to padded stairs for their ladders. They also have a full line of awnings and annexes to work with all of their tents. This product line makes it very easy to dial in the exact features that you want for your tent.
Don’t just take our word for the build quality and excellent design that iKamper offers. iKamper is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified for quality and environmental management, meaning they have met strict quality management systems to consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements while minimizing the ecological footprint of their production process and facilities.
This is one of, if not the best, compact tents that we’ve reviewed, and we can’t wait to see what’s next from iKamper. With their thoughtful design process, each generation of tent has been better than the last without forgetting what works. After a year of exposure to the elements, camping in all conditions, and rolling down tight trails, this the Skycamp DLX Mini still looks as good as new, and we expect it will provide a restful backcountry home for years to come.
