The 6 Best Subaru Tent Models

14 comments Jun 03, 2021

Subaru Tent Guide

In this article or guide we will do an in-depth review of the best Subaru tent models in the whole market. We will look not only at those we consider to be the 6 best, but at why we decided so, as well as some other add-ons such as camping accessories or tent attachments, which can hugely benefit your Subaru camping or overlanding experience.

All models included in this guide have been tested, used, and camped in by our team. This is an informed review, we sell all these Subaru tents as well as a lot more, and from an informed and experienced place we chose those models which stood out.

Hopefully, by the end of this guide, whether you own a Subaru Ascent, Forester, Outback, Crosstrek or even an Impreza, you will know which roof top tent to buy and why. From hard shell to soft shell, we will look at different styles and brands, stating why we like them, good characteristics and overviews, so that you can choose the right Subaru tent. Still, you can take a look at all the other roof top tent models we have.

 

The Best Subaru Tent Topper Options 

Skycamp 3.0 Subaru Tent

iKamper has been manufacturing perhaps the most innovative and revolutionary rooftop tents for over 5 years. They started with a Kickstarter campaign, and grew to the point in which their South Korean factory now produces thousands of tents to sell all over the world. The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 is their newest model, which can comfortably accommodate a family of 5, or four adults. It’s a bit on the larger side for a roof top tent, therefore, it’s recommended to have either a larger Subaru, or a very solid roof rack to carry it.

With a sleeping footprint of 82” x 76”, the Skycamp 3.0 is large and comfy. Amongst the great new features, the tent has a better light blocking inner canvas, which allows less light to come in and lets you sleep till later every morning. Plus, the mattress is completely new and different to all others in the industry, it’s a 9/zone, 2.5” thick insulated polyfoam mattress, which is perhaps the most comfortable out there. Add to that the excellent quality canvas, the double layered and insulated outer shell and the insulated aluminum base, and from comfort to safety and protection from the elements this Subaru roof tent is outstanding.

Installation will take around one hour, but the Skycamp 3.0 includes all the hardware to mount it either over crossbars or a platform rack over whichever Subaru you own. As mentioned above, we recommend it to be used on the larger vehicles such as Ascent or Forester, but it’s used on all sorts of Subaru cars. We recommend a solid rack that must have at least a 165 lbs load rating when in motion, with the slats or crossbars that must be between 32” to 48” apart.

Finally, this rooftop tent comes with a 2 year warranty. Add to that the fact that you can easily detach the canvas to use the tent itself as a cargo or gear carrier, and you’ve got yourself not just a tent, but an additional storage container in case you’re off on a longer holiday! 

Why we like it? 

• Manufactured at their own headquarters
• Top notch design and quality control
• Incredibly comfortable mattress
• Works with an annex
• Fits 4 or 5 easily 

Pros: 

• Highest quality Subaru tent in the market
• Can be also used as a cargo carrier
• Allows you to leave some bedding inside
• 4 season roof top tent

Cons:

• Can be a bit heavy and large for some Subaru models
• Sits on the expensive side of the spectrum 

Sleeping Capacity	Weight	Dimensions	Warranty
4-5 People	165 lbs	55x85.5x13” Closed 83x77x48” Open	2 Years

 

 

Low Pro Thule Subaru Tent

Tepui came out with the Low Pro roof top tent models right before they got bought out by Thule. Now they are Thule Tepui, or well, just Thule. The Low Pro maintains the smart design and thorough process from the original Tepui owners, yet is has gained a global visibility and craftmanship thanks to Thule. The best of both worlds right?

And why is it great for a Subaru? Let’s start by saying it’s one of the lightest roof top tents in the market, with the Low Pro 3 model weighing only 120 lbs. It’s also made of 100% recyclable materials, so it reduces waste and helps the environment. Aren’t Subaru owners seen as the “environment lovers”? Just kidding. But yes, this tent is made from a recyclable material, which is a huge step forward for the camping industry.

On top of that, it’s the lowest profile softshell roof top tent in the whole market, at only 7” tall when fully packed down. That not only reduces the wind resistance, having a lower impact on the mpg of your Subaru, but it’ll make less noise, and it might allow you to park inside your garage or public parking lots even with the tent on top. 

The Thule Low Pro Subaru roof tent can comfortably sleep either 2 or 3 people depending on the size you choose. Despite being low profile and lightweight, it’s still rugged enough to withstand all 4 seasons and weather conditions out there. The canvas is made of 3000WP polyester ripstop, UV and mildew resistant, flame retardant and waterproof. Finally, if you choose the Low Pro 2, well it weighs only 105 lbs, which makes it really light, perfect for the smaller Subarus.

Why we like it?

• Lowest profiled tent
• Lightweight
• Made from 100% recyclable materials
• 4 season rooftop tent 

Pros:

• High quality materials and craftsmanship
• Includes the patented ZipperGimp technology which allows you to change the canvas fully and with ease
• Very well insulated thanks to the recyclable materials

Cons:

• Mattress is slightly thin to our liking
• When packed, ladder must be stored inside your vehicle 

Sleeping Capacity	Weight	Dimensions	Warranty
2-3 People	105 lbs	50x43x8.5” Closed 50x84x44” Open	2 Years

 

Guana Equipment Wanaka Subaru Roof Top Tent

For those of you who don’t know, Guana Equipment is a Costarican roof top tent and overlanding accessory company that has been selling and operating in USA for over 5 years. Their roof top tents are considered camping "setups", as they offer much more than just a tent, they are literally almost a house! The Wanaka 55" features one of the biggest, if not the biggest annex in the industry, with enough space to fit 2 adults, keep inside of it a table and a couple of chairs, or use as a spare room. It has three awning doors that allow you to have an ever larger camping footprint/area.

That said, a top notch company, with great products, great after-purchase service, and the ability to come up with small tiny details and features that make a big difference. Not for nothing do they sell in different countries and continents: they are a well respected company and name.

This is a great Subaru tent top, as it literally can fit aby Subaru: Ascent, Forester, Crosstrek, Outback you name it. Despite being a 3 person roof top tent, with a rugged canvas and a diamond plate aluminum base, it weighs only 145 lbs, remaining on the lighter side and allowing you to install it over almost any roof rack or cross bar system. The Guana Equipment Wanaka 55" RTT is ideal for your Subaru, given it can easily accommodate 3 people on top of it, and 2 more in the annex if you want.

Built for a 4-season use, it has a bunch of additional accessories that make it worth every cent. For example, it comes with boot bags included, an LED light, anti condensation mat, as well a other small design improvements that turn this into a true camping setup for your family.

Trust me, if you want all the bells and whistles, this is the right Subaru tent.

Why we like it? 

• Biggest annex in the market
• Outstanding materials and quality
• Includes a ton of extra accessories
• Lightweight 

Pros: 

• 4 season rooftop tent with a rugged canvas and excellent base
• Includes an LED light, boot bags, anti condensation mat, storage net and a huge annex
• With the annex, if open, you have one of the biggest camping setups in the market 

Cons: 

• Not as affordable as other models, however, this is a premium tent. 

Sleeping Capacity	Weight	Dimensions	Warranty
3 People	155 lbs	56.3x48x12” Closed 56.3x122x49.5” Open	2 Years

 

FSR High Country 55 Subaru Roof Top Tent

FSR is well known as a game-changer in the rooftop tent market. They always have surprises with their different edition series and their High Country models are no exception. Having actually owned the very first edition of the High Country to ever come out, we are very optimistic and confident that you’d simply love it. The ease of setup and take down, the comfort, and the space, are hard to match.

This newest edition or line blew everyone away! It has UPF 50+ protection which allows you to stay inside the tent when you want to take a quick nap even when the sun is fully up. Can you believe that? And being 100% waterproof PVC, it keeps you dry and warm when it’s raining.

Perfect for all seasons, the interior of this Subaru roof tent is also pretty impressive. It features a large living area, built-in pockets, and plenty of places to hang your gear; and you can enjoy the panoramic view from your tent with the help of a built-in awning.

The FSR High Country 55 roof top tent is very handy and perfect for couples, small families or even solo camping with your pet. The wide side windows and the door rolls from the top down will give you an excellent airflow system to make you feel comfortable. It’s hard for it to ever get too hot inside such a well-ventilated tent.

As said before, the RTT comes with a few extra perks, such as 2 hanging shoe and storage pockets that roll up and store with ease. It’s easy for you to climb up and down and store your shoes next to the entrance, yet avoiding getting any sand, dirt or other elements inside your sacred sleeping area.

This roof tent has a ladder that extends to 7 ½’ which is removable and can be used on both sides of the tent for easy access; and a 3” high-density memory foam mattress that will let you sleep like a rock, and has a removable, washable cover. Perhaps the best thing about it, is that it opens and closes in just 60 seconds, just like hard shell tents do, but it’s not a hardshell, it’s more spacious yet as easy to set up and pack down.

Why we like it?

• Opens and closes in 60 seconds
• Spacious
• Excellent air flow
• Full of extra accessories

Pros:

• Extremely comfortable mattress
• Very spacious even for 3 people
• Weighs only 135 lbs, remaining on the lighter side of the equation 

Cons:

• The base has some rails that are not as common as those from other tents, installing it on certain racks might take slightly longer, but you only need to do this once.

Sleeping Capacity	Weight	Dimensions	Warranty
3 People	135 lbs	52x60x12” Closed 104x60x49” Open	1 Year

 

Skycamp Mini 3.0

Much like its older brother, the Skycamp Mini 3.0 is a fantastic tent for any Subaru, perhaps even better for the smaller models such as the Crosstrek and Outback. This 4 season roof top tent weighs only 125 lbs, making it one of the lightest roof top tents in the whole market, which is ideal for smaller vehicles, such as a Subaru.

It still has a good sleeping footprint of 83x52” that can comfortably accommodate two adults. It comes with the new and innovative and incredibly comfortable 9-zone insulated polyfoam mattress, which is 2.25” thick, yet will have you sleeping like a baby. Being more compact it fits better even on smaller platform racks, without any overhang on any of the sides of your ride.

The insulation on all iKamper tents is outstanding, hence why this is literally a 4 season Subaru tent, which can withstand from snow to rain, to heat. The canvas being 300gsm poly-cotton remains breathable, even though it’s thick enough to protect you and your fellow campers from strong winds. IKamper is a company that’s known for the attention to detail, that’s why this tent allows you to remove the canvas, and use the shells as a storage compartment when you’re not planning to sleep inside of it!

Why we like it:

• Incredibly high quality
• Compact and ideal for smaller Subaru models
• Weighs only 125 lbs

Pros:

• Can be used with an annex
• Can be used as a storage or cargo carrier
• Fits two adults comfortably
• 2 Year warranty

Cons:

• You pay premium price for it

Sleeping Capacity	Weight	Dimensions	Warranty
2 People	125 lbs	55x57.5x13.5” Closed 83x52x48” Open	2 Years

 

Tuff Stuff Alpha 2 Hard Shell Subaru Tent

Finally, another hard shell roof top tent, you might say. Well, we made sure we talked about Subaru tents we have officially tested, owned and used, plus we wanted this list to cover many different styles. The Tuff Stuff Alpha 2 hard shell roof top tent is a side opening tent model, that can comfortably fit two adults, it opens and closes in less than 60 seconds, but most importantly, it has the perfect dimensions to fit even the smaller Subaru vehicles.

At an incredibly affordable price of only $2699, the Alpha II is comfortable, durable and smartly designed. It measures 59.75” x 49.75” x 14” when closed, meaning it can be mounted to even a Crosstrek or Outback without it seeming too big or bulky for these models. It then opens up to offer a sleeping footprint of 53 x 78”, ideal for two adults. Weighing only 141 lbs, it’s on the lighter side, meaning there is a lower mpg impact, and will work with most roof racks.

Tuff Stuff made sure to equip it with a few add-ons, such as LED light strips both in and out of the tent, one boot bag, and another storage bag, a telescoping ladder, and YKK zippers. The shell is made of ABS plastic, but reinforced with FRP, a form of fiberglass, which ensure better insulation that allows you to camp during the colder months. Not to forget, you can purchase an annex if needed.

Special thanks to @notchosubie and @nacionaladventures for sharing the great shot of their tent and Subaru!

Why we like it?

• Compact, the perfect Subaru roof tent
• Very well designed and very comfortable
• You can add an annex to it

Pros:

• Excellent materials, especially the shell
• Includes boot bags, storage bags and LED lights
• Fits two adults comfortably
• Lightweight for a hard shell

Cons:

• A bit too tall when closed, not as low profile as it could be.

Sleeping Capacity	Weight	Dimensions	Warranty
2 People	141 lbs	49.75x59.75x14” Closed 79x59.75x46” Open	1 Year

 

Subaru Tent Attachment

We get this question a lot: Can I use an annex even if I own a Subaru? Yes you can. Now, there are a few things you should know first:

• Not all tents have annexes or are compatible with them
• Not all annexes are the same
• It’s likely the annex or tent attachment will drag on the ground
• It’s not a big deal if it drags, but handle with care

When we say not all tents can use an annex, well, some models, as you may have seen above, were not designed to have one. An example are the Low Pro models. Does this make them worse? Of course not, but they just don’t have one.

An annex or Subaru roof tent attachment is great, but it does take space to store it (they tend to be quite big), and it can take from 5 to 10 minutes to install them. They give you a private and standing changing room area, an additional storage area, or even more sleeping space. Yet some people don’t need them, so, there’s that.

Now, not all annexes are the same, meaning some will go under the tent overhang (just like the Wanaka’s large annex), others attach t the top of the tent, like with the iKamper models.

In most cases, given the Subaru vehicles low wheel base, even when they have some sort of lift kit, it’s likely the annexes will drag a bit at the bottom. Most tent attachments are supposed to be at around a 78” to 81” height. Something lower than that can drag. It’s not a problem, but if you don’t handle it with care, the annex is made of canvas which if in contact with sharp objects, can be damaged. Consider that!

Should you choose a Subaru tent with an attachment or not? Ask yourself this: do you want the extra space? Are you willing to take 5 to 10 more minutes to install it or take it off every time you camp? Answer those two questions, there’s your answer.

 

Subaru Tent Accessory

This section is dedicated to the accessories we thing are a great addition to any tent. Let’s begin with lights. Most tents already include the LED light strips (Guana Equipment, Tuff Stuff), but others don’t. Get an Led light strip, or at least some form of light you can hang inside or outside the tent. It can get dark in the wild, lights are a fantastic add-on to make your Subaru camping experience a much better one.

Shoe bags or boot bags are another must. As mentioned above, most tents include them, but if they don’t, buying them is a great idea. Preferably two boot bags so you and those camping with you have enough space to store them in a dry bag, right next to the ladder, and not make a mess inside the tent when climbing up or down.

Finally, some form of insulator. We recommend the Guana Equipment Inner Insulation Layer pictured here, because it’s a universal layer that works on most soft shell roof top tents. The insulators will create more condensation inside any Subaru tent as they are less breathable than just the canvas, yet they provide a great layer of warmth during colder months. For an affordable price, you get to sleep way better!

 

Subaru Tent FAQs

Can you put a tent on top of a Subaru?

Yes you can, but you must have the right roof rack system. That means, a rack system whether it’s a platform rack or cross bars, that have a dynamic weight capacity that’s equal or larger to the weight of the tent. If the roof top tent weighs 150 lbs, the dynamic weight capacity (when the vehicle is in motion), must be 150 lbs or more.

 

Can you camp in a Subaru?

Short answer is yes, you can try and sleep inside of it, but the best and most comfortable solution is to get a Subaru roof top tent and sort it out.

 

How much weight can you put in a Subaru roof?

Most Subaru car models, such as the Outback, have a dynamic roof weight capacity of 176 lbs, meaning it can carry that weight on the roof. However, when parked, that capacity can go up to over 650 lbs. This is as mentioned by Subaru themselves on their site and car guides.

 

Is there such a thing as a Subaru dog tent?

You can definitely get your dog to camp and sleep with you over a roof top tent. Don’t believe us? Click here to watch this video.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out and send us an email to: info@offroadtents.com, or call us at: 844-200-3979.