RoofBunk Explorer vs RoofBunk Explorer Super XL
Both of these are RoofBunk tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Explorer and the Explorer Super XL share RoofBunk's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Explorer is 22 kg lighter at 50 kg against 72 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Inside, the Explorer Super XL gives 6.98 m² of sleeping floor against 4.34 m², about 61 percent more, and it sleeps 6 to the Explorer's 3. The Explorer lists $774 lower, at $1,484 against $2,258.
RoofBunk
Explorer
The Explorer is the entry model in RoofBunk's three-tent soft-shell Explorer range, a fold-out tent the maker rates for 2-3 occupants. RoofBunk lists open dimensions of 310 x 140cm - a figure that includes a 70 x 140cm entrance canopy over the ladder - a packed size of 140 x 120 x 30cm and a 6cm memory-foam mattress. It uses a 320gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas body (3000mm HH) with a 600D Oxford polyester rainfly (5000mm HH) and is marketed as 4-season.
- 4-season rating with a 3000mm-HH canvas body and 5000mm-HH rainfly
- Supplied with a 6cm memory-foam mattress, USB strip light and two skylights
- 2-year warranty, extendable to 7 years per RoofBunk
- Manufacturer does not state what the 50kg weight includes
RoofBunk
Explorer Super XL
The Explorer Super XL is the largest of RoofBunk's three soft-shell tents, with a published sleeping area of 240 x 225cm for up to 5-6 occupants. RoofBunk lists open dimensions of 310 x 225cm (including the entrance canopy), a 72kg (158 lbs) weight, dual skylights and a 6cm memory-foam mattress. Construction matches the rest of the Explorer range: 320gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas with a 600D Oxford polyester rainfly, rated 4-season.
- Largest sleeping area of RoofBunk's three soft-shell tents (240 x 225cm)
- Weight published in both kg and lbs (72kg / 158 lbs)
- Dual skylights and a 6cm memory-foam mattress included
- Heaviest of RoofBunk's soft-shell Explorer tents at 72kg
Which one to pick
Take the Explorer Super XL if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Explorer if the budget is fixed. 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 | 3— worst of the tents compared | 6— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | 4-season | 4-season |
| List price | $1,480— best of the tents compared | $2,260— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 110 lb— best of the tents compared | 158 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 3 ft 11 in | 3 ft 11 in |
| Packed height | 11.8 in | 11.8 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 10 ft 2 in | 10 ft 2 in |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 5 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 46.7 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 75.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 3 in | 4 ft 3 in |
| 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. | 4 min | 4 min |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 320gsm poly-cotton blend ripstop canvas body; 600D Oxford polyester rainfly | 320gsm poly-cotton blend ripstop canvas body; 600D Oxford polyester rainfly |
| Warranty | 2years | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | RoofBunk product page | RoofBunk product page |
Related comparisons
- ExplorervsGen2 Overlander Standard Tent
- ExplorervsTanami Light 140
- ExplorervsCamisarde 125
- ExplorervsLite Cruiser 120 XL
Or read the full spec sheets for the RoofBunk Explorer and the RoofBunk Explorer Super XL.