RoofBunk Explorer vs Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander Standard Tent
The RoofBunk Explorer and the Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander Standard Tent are both softshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. RoofBunk and Smittybilt take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Explorer is 10 kg lighter at 50 kg against 60 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 gives 4.34 m² of sleeping floor against 3.43 m², about 27 percent more, though both are rated for 3. List prices are within $15.990000000000009 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
Canvas differs too: 320gsm poly-cotton blend ripstop canvas body; 600D Oxford polyester rainfly against 600D heavy-duty ripstop polyester, waterproof polyurethane-impregnated top; 420D oxford rainfly.
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
Smittybilt
Gen2 Overlander Standard Tent
The Gen2 Overlander Standard is the more compact of Smittybilt's two soft-shell fold-out rooftop tents, sleeping 2-3 on a full-size 92" x 55" mattress. It uses a 600D ripstop polyester body with a 420D oxford rainfly, an anodized aluminum frame, stainless steel hinges and an LED light strip. Smittybilt rates it for a 660lbs/300kg load and covers it with a 2-year warranty.
- Full-size mattress and lower price than the XL soft-shell version
- Integrated LED strip and no-see-um mosquito screens
- 660lbs/300kg rated load with anodized aluminum frame
- Manufacturer does not publish tent weight or mattress thickness
Which one to pick
Take the Explorer if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Explorer 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 | RoofBunk Explorer
| |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 3 | 3 |
| Season rating | 4-season | — |
| List price | $1,480— best of the tents compared | $1,499.99— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 110 lb— best of the tents compared | 132 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 3 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11.8 in— worst of the tents compared | 11.5 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 10 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 46.7 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 36.9 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.4 in | — |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 4 min | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 320gsm poly-cotton blend ripstop canvas body; 600D Oxford polyester rainfly | 600D heavy-duty ripstop polyester, waterproof polyurethane-impregnated top; 420D oxford rainfly |
| Warranty | 2years | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | RoofBunk product page | Smittybilt product page |
Related comparisons
- ExplorervsTanami Light 140
- ExplorervsCamisarde 125
- ExplorervsLite Cruiser 120 XL
- Gen2 Overlander Standard TentvsTanami Light 140
Or read the full spec sheets for the RoofBunk Explorer and the Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander Standard Tent.