Front Runner Feather-Lite II vs Front Runner Roof Top Tent
Both of these are Front Runner tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Feather-Lite II and the Roof Top Tent share Front Runner's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Roof Top Tent is 6 kg lighter at 43 kg against 49 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Floor area is close to identical at 3.2 m² and 3.12 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. List prices are within $10 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
Canvas differs too: 260g poly-cotton ripstop body; 400D polyester oxford rainfly, 2000 mm water column against 260g poly-cotton ripstop body; 400D polyester oxford rainfly.
Front Runner
Feather-Lite II
The updated Feather-Lite, with an overhang that shields the entrance and telescopic ladder from rain and transparent stargazing panels in the roof. It shares the original's 260g poly-cotton body and 6 cm mattress but runs slightly larger and heavier at 49 kg, with a 2000 mm-rated rainfly.
- Overhang covers the entrance and ladder
- Transparent stargazing panels in the roof
- 2000 mm water column rainfly
- 6 kg heavier than the original Front Runner tent
Front Runner
Roof Top Tent
Front Runner's original fold-out, now sold under the Dometic umbrella. At 43 kg it is the lighter of the two Front Runner tents, and its 33 cm closed profile keeps the vehicle low on the road. The body is a 260g poly-cotton ripstop under a 400D polyester rainfly, and an annex is available to close in the space under the tent.
- 43 kg suits smaller crossovers and factory roof limits
- Low 33 cm packed profile
- Annex and skylight windows available
- Front Runner does not publish a setup time or season rating
Which one to pick
Take the Roof Top Tent if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Beyond that the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex, cargo rails — are where the remaining difference lies.
Every specification, side by side
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,209— worst of the tents compared | $1,199— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 108 lb— worst of the tents compared | 95 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | — | — |
| Packed width | — | — |
| Packed height | 12.6 in— best of the tents compared | 13 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 8 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 3 in | 4 ft 3 in |
| Floor area | 34.4 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 33.6 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2.4 in | 2.4 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 260g poly-cotton ripstop body; 400D polyester oxford rainfly, 2000 mm water column | 260g poly-cotton ripstop body; 400D polyester oxford rainfly |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | No | No |
| Heater / HVAC port | No | No |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Front Runner product page | Front Runner product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Front Runner Feather-Lite II and the Front Runner Roof Top Tent.