The Thule Tepui Foothill at ~116 lbs is the lightest rooftop tent we recommend, followed by the Meedo Apolle TNT 2.0 at 120.9 lbs and the Thule Approach 2 M at 128 lbs. The Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO Air at 130 lbs is the lightest hardshell we list.
Vehicle weight limits are the single biggest constraint when choosing a rooftop tent. If your car, wagon, or compact SUV has a dynamic roof load rating under 150 lbs, your options narrow significantly. Every tent on this list weighs 130 lbs or less.
Thule has discontinued the Low-Pro 2, which at 112 lbs was the lightest tent in this roundup. Its role now falls to the Foothill, which fits Subaru Outbacks, Honda CR-Vs, Toyota RAV4s, and similar vehicles with aftermarket crossbars rated for its weight.
The Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO Air at 130 lbs is the lightest hardshell we list. Its hybrid ABS and aluminum clamshell closes to 8 inches tall, and Roofnest says it works on most vehicles with a properly rated rack.
The Thule Tepui Foothill at 116 lbs takes a unique approach. Its half-width design takes up only one side of your roof rack, leaving the other half for bikes, kayaks, or a cargo box. Ideal for adventurers who need both a tent and roof-mounted gear.
The Thule Approach 2 M at 128 lbs is the full-width option. It sleeps three on a 95 x 51 inch floor, sets up in under three minutes, and uses lockable mounting brackets with a torque-limiting tool.
The Meedo Apolle TNT 2.0 is the lighter and cheaper full-width choice for two. It weighs 120.9 lbs, costs about $1,600, and folds down to about 11 inches. Meedo is a newer brand with very few reviews so far, so it is the value pick here rather than the safe one.
The only half-width rooftop tent on the market. Takes up just half your roof rack, leaving the other half for bikes, kayaks, or cargo boxes. Perfect for adventurers who need both a tent and gear space on their roof.
Thule's current 3-person softshell. Unzip the travel cover, unfold the base, and it is ready in under three minutes. Lockable mounting brackets with a torque-limiting tool cut installation time, and the 95 by 51 inch floor carries a 2.4-inch dual-layer foam mattress.
Pros:
+ Sets up in under 3 minutes
+ Lockable mounting brackets with torque-limiting tool
+ 2.4-inch dual-layer foam mattress with quilted cover
Cons:
- About $3,000, high for a softshell
- 128 lbs needs a rack with an adequate dynamic rating
Roofnest's lightweight 2-person clamshell. At 130 lbs and 8 inches tall when closed, it suits mid-size and full-size vehicles and most others with a properly rated rack. Bedding stays inside when it is closed, and the Rest EZ sleep system (self-inflating foam mattress, sheet set, insulated blanket) comes in the box.
The lightest full-width tent we list, at about half the price of the Thule Approach 2 M. Meedo's bi-fold softshell weighs 120.9 lbs, folds down to about 11 inches for driving, and comes with a 4.5-inch high-density foam mattress, thicker than the Approach's 2.4-inch or the Nomadic 4's 3-inch pad. Meedo is a young brand with almost no independent reviews yet, so treat it as a value pick rather than a proven one.
Pros:
+ 120.9 lbs, the lightest full-width tent we list
+ 4.5-inch high-density foam mattress
+ Folds down to about 11 inches for driving
Cons:
- Almost no independent reviews yet (one Amazon rating as of October 2026)
- Meedo's own listings disagree on capacity (2 vs 3); plan on two adults
The Thule Tepui Foothill at ~116 lbs is the lightest rooftop tent we recommend, followed by the Meedo Apolle TNT 2.0 at 120.9 lbs, the Thule Approach 2 M at 128 lbs, and the Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO Air at 130 lbs. The 112-lb Thule Tepui Low-Pro 2 has been discontinued.
Can I put a rooftop tent on a Subaru Outback?
Yes. The Outback's factory crossbars support about 150 lbs dynamic load. Aftermarket racks push that higher. Check your rack's rating against the tent: the Thule Tepui Foothill (~116 lbs), Meedo Apolle TNT 2.0 (120.9 lbs), Thule Approach 2 M (128 lbs), and Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO Air (130 lbs) are the lightest options we list.
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