Vickywood BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) vs Yakima SkyRise HD
The Vickywood BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) and the Yakima SkyRise HD 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. Vickywood and Yakima take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The SkyRise HD is 16 kg lighter at 52 kg against 68 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 BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) gives 4.04 m² of sleeping floor against 3.47 m², about 16 percent more, though both are rated for 3. The BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) lists $526 lower, at $2,473 against $2,999.
Vickywood
BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160)
The BIG WILLOW 4.0 in its 160 width is the smaller of two BIG WILLOW sizes, a large soft-shell fold-out rated for up to 3 people with side-mounted gas struts assisting setup. Open dimensions are given by the maker as approximately 245 x 165 cm. It includes a dimmable USB-C LED and large roof windows.
- Large fold-out floor area
- Gas-strut assisted setup
- Headline weight states it includes mattress and ladder
- Tent fabric material not specified
Yakima
SkyRise HD
The SkyRise HD is Yakima's heavy-duty softshell rooftop tent, built from 600D ripstop polyester with a 3000mm PU coating and a removable 210D polyester rainfly, plus an expansion pop-out that covers ladder access. Its published open dimensions are 126"/96" long by 56" wide with a 48-inch peak, and it weighs 131.5 lbs. Yakima rates it 4-season, includes a memory-foam mattress, anti-condensation mat and lockable clamps, and backs it with a limited two-year warranty.
- Heavier-duty 600D ripstop polyester shell compared with the lighter SkyRise SL
- Rainfly and pop-out extend to cover ladder access
- Includes memory-foam mattress, anti-condensation mat and lockable clamps
- Heavier than Yakima's SkyRise SL at 131.5 lbs
Which one to pick
Take the SkyRise HD if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) 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 | 3 |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $2,470— best of the tents compared | $2,999— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 150 lb— worst of the tents compared | 115 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 5 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 15.4 in— best of the tents compared | 16.5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 8 ft— best of the tents compared | 8 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 5 ft 5 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 43.5 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 37.4 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | — | — |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | Aluminum honeycomb base with rubberized surface | — |
| Fabric | — | 600D Ripstop Polyester |
| Warranty | — | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Vickywood product page | Yakima product page |
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Or read the full spec sheets for the Vickywood BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) and the Yakima SkyRise HD.