iKamper vs Roofnest / Which One Is Right For You?
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- čas přidán 25. 02. 2021
- We're talking about two of the biggest names in Rooftop Tents... iKamper vs Roofnest! In this video I compare the differences between the two brands and hopefully help you come to a conclusion of which tent is right for you. I have had experience with both iKamper and with Roofnest. I have been running the Roofnest Condor XL on my truck for the past several months and have loved it, while my good friend has had both the iKamper Skycamp (4 person) and the Skycamp Mini (2 person). Let me know which one you like and what you decide! Thanks for watching!
Check out Roofnest here: www.roofnest.com
Check out iKamper here: www.ikamper.com/
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First of all, this video affects my decision to purchase Roofnest tent over Ikamper. I purchased Roofnest Condor a couple of months ago. And, interestingly, one of my neighbors purchased Ikamper Skycamp almost at the same time. So, we had a chance to compare those two tents side by side in details. Long story short, Ikamper is definitely better choice than Roofnest. there is a few hundred dollars difference, but the quality of materials and workmanship were much different. Sam was saying that the fabric was different color. But, actually, there was big difference of the thickness of the fabric. Roofnest's fabric was much thinner. Hardshell and hardware... Roofnest's hardshell and hardware were kind of flimsy. Not even close to the ones with Ikamper. Overall, I feel that I have overpaid for Roofnest Condor. Ikamper was much easier to operate than Roofnest, too. If I had a chance to buy another rooftop tent, I surely buy Ikamper product, NOT Roofnest product.
That's fine Woo. I was giving my opinions in this video. Thanks for sharing yours. You are welcome to purchase whatever tent you like.
yes me too!! i get that roofnest this is so !!!!!!!Cheap!!!!! ikamper more quality
Wow this answered the exact question that I had. Once again Sam you have gone above and beyond
Thanks for the video, just ordered a Condor (non-XL) today. Was torn between the standard and XL and deciding factor was just that I didn’t need that much space (Max 2 people) and didn’t want it hanging over the tailgate on my Titan with the Yakima Outpost mid-height rack... very nice videos, now a subscriber and looking forward to camping with the roofnest. Also mounting on top of a retrax tonneau cover all scheduled to arrive later this month, ready for summer!
Thanks for watching Duncan! Glad the video was helpful and I appreciate you subscribing. Enjoy your trips, you'll love the tent!
I like both and slightly leaning towards Roofnest Condor XL but the fact that Ikamper is made in Korea gives that assurance. That high quality magic touch.
Yeah if money isn’t your deciding factor, you will definitely be happy with the ikamper. They’re built great. I haven’t noticed any major differences in build quality but I also don’t know the manufacturing process for both brands, and I haven’t owned mine long enough for a long term review. Thanks for watching! You’ll love having an RTT.
I would've had a similar perspective before I lived in Korea...now after 2 years I see how much unsubstantiated hype there is. Some Korean things are great, but all or even most.
Great review, thank you. Your insights helped me in deciding between the ikamper, Roofnest, and Tuff Stuff versions of the same platform.
Hey Carlos! Thanks for watching! I'm glad the review was helpful.
Great video. Thanks for the time and effort!
Thanks for the great video! Both are such great tents. One big perk to the ikamper is width. It is much more comfortable when sleeping 4 people next to each other. While the mattress size of the Roofnest Condor XL is 66W x 86L, the wider ikamper is 74W x 82L. I would say the Condor XL is better if you want to store bags at your feet, but the ikamper is better for a family sleeping 4 people who want a mattress that is close to a king bed.
That’s a great point, and I totally agree it feels a bit more natural to sleep 4 side by side in the ikamper. Which is why you have the longer form factor on the ikamper and causes it to hang off the bed of a short bed truck. Both great systems with a few subtle differences. Thanks for watching!
@@SamBischof😊
Great Video ... Thanks, Sam.
Was watching your detailed review of the Roof Nest last night.
Good to see that today you put out the comparison video.
I am in the market for a Roof Top Tent ...
Had liked the Roof Nest, then started liking the iKamper (there is a local dealer in SF Area - so that is one reason).
Now after watching your video, I am back to leaning towards the Roof Nest.
Hope to make a decision soon :)
Thanks again for the videos - they look so professional made !
Enjoy the outdoors!
Cheers!
Hey Madhu, thanks so much for watching and commenting! Rooftop tents are amazing and you will love whichever one you pick that is for sure! I’m glad this comparison was helpful! Best of luck shopping!
Hi @@SamBischof ... I have finally decided on the Roofnest Candor XL ... Need to figure out the rack/crossbars now ... I saw some reviews where people talked about crossbars not being very stable when you get inside the tent ... they seem to flex a little.. Do you think it is worth the Xtra $ to get a platform rack? I have Lexus GX 460 with flush rails (factory-fitted ones).
@@madhu1161 Congrats on deciding! I can only speak from experience but I have not experienced a single issue with flexing or stability. The rack I have does have 3 cross pieces as opposed to a stock rack with two cross pieces. Platform racks are multipurpose and definitely nice to have if you ever plan to take the tent off and on and do some traveling without it.
@@SamBischof Thanks a lot - appreciate it!!! Have a great week ahead.
Extra charges on items may also be attributed to the additional R&D work that had to be invested for the design, testing, etc... which are passed down to the consumers. Most copy-cat designs are able to shave off these types of costs, which is great for the consumer. This is the case for almost any sort of products out there. Now, whether that price warrants a $1000 upcharge or not, I couldn't say. However keep in mind that R&D is a significant investments for any organization.
Totally agree. Some of the pain points of being first to market right there, but as you said, better for the consumer as more people enter the market and drive the cost down overall. Thanks for watching!
Really well put together video. I appreciate how to the point you were, you can tell that you actually put thought into the video before filming. Too many "review" videos of dudes just walking around a tent saying whatever comes to mind in the moment. Thank you.
Thanks for watching Hunter! Glad the video was helpful. I appreciate your feedback!
I just canceled my iKamper 2.0 order. Factors were: customer service (not sure it exists) and price. This video and a few other research items made me make the switch. I don't have a good reason for going with the iKamper form the beginning other than that seemed to be the "best option" I could find at the time. But after 2 weeks of NOTHING from iKamper other than the pending CC charge, my mind was made up. I will save $1k (free shipping, no sales tax) and get more in the bag. Thanks again for the review!!!
Thanks for watching Alex! I almost did the same thing. Ikamper seemed to be trending and I assumed prices meant best quality. I’ve loved my Roofnest so far and love the extra little features. Glad this was helpful!
I had the same experience with their customer service. I liked my Ikamper 2.0 however
I tested out both. The biggest for me was that the floor of ikamper was much sturdier being aluminum vs Roofnest’s plastic. Very solid without any movement. Roofnest felt bendy. Fabrics were higher quality along with wider sleeping area. Price for ikamper 2.0 was $3199 on sale, so no brainer.
The floor of the roofnest isnt plastic. Wider sleeping area means shorter sleeping area. Not great for tall people. I agree that iKampers fabric is much nicer. Not a bad deal on sale! Thanks for watching!
This helped me decide to go with Roofnest Condor Xl. Thank you! I hope you could do a review with the Annex and Awning soon.
Glad the video was helpful! Thanks for watching :)
Hi, great video! I'm trying to decide between the Skycamp Mini and the Roofnest Condor. I have a Subaru Outback but may get an F150 in the next month or so. Thanks to your video I think I'm leaning towards the Roofnest. I like the fact that Roofnest is a CO company. iKamper is South Korean I'm told. Although I think the Roofnest is actually manufactured in China. The Roofnest people were very helpful when I called them today with general questions. Again very helpful video.
Hey thanks for watching! I’m glad it was helpful. I think you are right that they are all manufactured overseas. At the end of the day you’ll be happy with either platform. Very slight differences between the two besides price.
I just bought mine. Great review👍made my decision easier. Thank you
Glad the video was helpful! You’re gonna love the tent.
@@SamBischof you mentioned you had a Ikamper before. Did you return it back?
99% sure I'm going with Roofnest Falcon Pro - I like the "inline" orientation on a mid size truck (Chevy Colorado) and only need room for two people. Speed and ease of set up and take-down are our prime considerations. Great content that speaks to the overall quality and value of the brands.
That's what I would do if I were only camping with two for sure! It's a cool setup and super fast to deploy. Thanks for watching!
Love this vid bro. One thing I dig about the iKamper set up is that attachable annex option. Although, I haven’t done any research if roofnest offers that as well. Definitely been leaning towards the roofnest.
Hey man, thanks for the feedback! Roofnest does have an annex attachment for the Condor XL as well. Not sure if they’ve come out with other sizes since I released this video. Youll find it under accessories on their site. Thanks for watching!
Your video was very informative and with my other research, if I was buying one today, I would go with the Roof Nest.
Thanks for watching! I'm glad to hear the video was helpful!
This was helpful. Thanks!
We just bought the condor xl and we also have 2 boys and this thing is amazing. We have a Tacoma TRD off road and it fits perfect. Great video.
Glad you guys like it! We’ve definitely loved ours. So convenient with little kids. Thanks for watching!
Do you have it on a TRD long bed?
What size box is your Tacoma?
@@BC_Hunter I have the short bed. We do have slight overhang with the condor xl but we don’t mind it at all.
@@juanalfaro605 How much of an overhang?
Great video, thank you for taking the time to do it for us who have not made the decision on a RTT. I am currently on the fence about which one to buy. I even had my wife watch both your videos on the roof nest to get her opinion, she is leaning towards the RoofNest. I did have a question, do you find the ladder to be comfortable going up and down, are the rungs angles slightly? Did you have any concerns about being able to lock the roofnest to your truck or locked shut? Thank you
Hey Todd! Glad the video was helpful! Thanks for watching. I haven’t had any issues going up and down the ladder. I’ll typically climb it with my boots on and then sit on the edge of the tent and take them off and store them in the shoe bags. Also these things are so awkward to move, I don’t really worry about theft. I know people have had theirs stolen before but I think chances are slim. I think you could easily rig up a way to lock it to your rack though. Not sure what someone would do if they did open the tent? Probably just say wow this is really cool haha! Never had an issue.
Just pulled the trigger on a Roofnest Sparrow Adventure XL. Can’t wait to get it up here to ALASKA!!! 🇺🇸🤗
Awesome congrats! You’re gonna love it! I’m replying to this comment from my Roofnest right now haha
Thank you so much for your review. We are looking at purchasing a Bean Tear Drop Trailer and they offer the IKamper for over $4000. That’s a lot of money. We will now look into the at the Roof Nest
Glad the video was helpful! Sounds like a cool setup! Thank you for watching :)
I should add. Very good video comparing the tents. The plastic window will turn dark over time in the heat.
Great information on the tents, I think we are going to go with the Condor XL. I am wondering what rack system your buddy has on his rebel?
Thanks for watching Jeff, I'm sure you guys will love the tent. My buddy (also Jeff) runs the Yakima Outpost rack.
A lot of good info Sam. Like the honesty you had and the review I have never heard of the Roofnest till an Ad showed up LOL. But I have a Raptor so what your saying is with iKamper 4 person It will be longer on the tailgate VS the Roofnest condor than correct? Also, it should be fine on the Leitner Design set up or would that be an issue.
Thanks for the review, Buddy.
That’s correct! The ikamper will stick out quite a bit in the rear on a Raptor. You should have no issues with the Leitner Designs rack. That’s a great system. Thanks for watching!
Thank you@@SamBischof
@@farshidariz9750 Anytime!
HI, great video and comparison. I am in the market for a roof top for a 4 Runner so really value the information you have gathered and placed in the video. Hopefully I wll be making my decision soon. Dont need something as big as the Condor XL but I think Roofnest does present a better product. Thanks a lot.
Thanks for watching Joshua! I'm glad my video was helpful! There are a ton of products on the market now, so I know the decision can be overwhelming. I went through the same process. At the end of the day, as long as you aren't going for the absolute cheapest product, you'll end up pretty stoked with what you have. RTTs are a lot of fun. Enjoy!
Hi Sam! I’m on the fence between the two makers as well but leaning towards the Roofnest after watching your review.
I have also have a short bed f150 but trying to figure out how you got yours set up since Roofnest lists the Condor XL with 74"L x 55″W. Is it 55 inches from cabin to tailgate?
Thanks for sharing the video, for the price and accessories included, I'm getting the roofnest. What bed rack did you have and how tall is that? Thanks!
Awesome video! I'll be upgrading our softshell SmittyBilt Overlander XL Gen2 to the Roofnest Condor XL with the Annex soon! I love my current tent because it is very spacious and 1/3rd the price, but the setup and breakdown take 15-20 minutes even with two people (with the Annex room) and by the time we're done we are sweaty, tired, and frustrated lol. Hard shell setup and breakdown seem to be about 1/3rd the time for sure.
The setup and breakdown is worth it by itself! Under 5 minutes in either case. I love that about the hard shells. You’ll definitely enjoy it! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your thoughtfulness and time. Any thoughts on the 4 person Bushveld? Seems to belong in this discussion.
Hey Bruce, thanks for watching! Glad the video was helpful! I'm not super familiar with Bushveld, but a lot of these tents are based on the same platform and possibly even manufactured at the same places. Roofnest is still going strong for me, but there are lots of solid options out there.
I was set on getting the ikamper but after watching your video i think i will order a roofnest
Glad the video was helpful! Thank you for watching!
Great video Sam! Thanks for sharing! Cheers! 👍🏻🍻🇺🇸
Thank you for watching!
I like both platforms. I would have went with the Condor but it was not in stock, where as the skycamp mini 3.0 was. That pretty much made my decision.
Have you tried storing blankets and pillows on the condor while closed? Thank you🤙🏼
Sam, thank you for the info and the video, I have a defender 110X and really torn between these two tents! Need the s space as we also have two little ones but I want to be sure that the Roofnest will easily install onto my OEM expedition rack that I have mounted to my truck. Have you come across anyone with the same vehicle/set up that had a successful install and or some feedback regarding getting it done? I really don’t want to have to drill into my trucks roof so keeping my current rack is most important. Thank you in advance for the feedback and the response. Keep up the great work and happy camping!
Great comparison
I bought the Skycamper 2.0 purely because they had it in stock at REI and Roofnest wouldn't have had the tent to me in time for my first trip. Though I managed to buy it through REI when they were doing member appreciation this year and got it for 20% off, making my total less than $3200 after tax for it. So I am not too upset about the missing features since I got it for basically the same price. I just bought some cheap USB plug in LEDs on amazon that I am going to install inside the tent this weekend...... Also one thing I will note about the iKamper that I have seen a few others complain about, is that the mattress is sized semi poorly, so the struts inside the tent press into the mattress when closing, not only leaving marks in the mattress, but also making it semi difficult to close the tent. I plan on buying 2 inch king size memory foam from Amazon and just replacing the inner foam of the mattress, someone else made a video doing that and it made it easier to closer and made the bed slightly thicker.
That's a great deal on the iKamper! Both fantastic platforms, so I am sure you will enjoy it. I've seen a bunch of those mattress hack videos as well. Either the memory foam or the exped mattresses seem to be the go to. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@SamBischof just gotta teach the dogs how to use the ladder better 😅Thanks for making a good comparison video between the 2!
Hi Sam, Ive read a few reviews of the skycamp that suggest it's very difficult to leave sleeping bags and pillows inside when packing up!? How does the roofnest fair in this area from your experience? Thanks for the great video!b
Hey nick, thanks for watching! It’s about the same story with the Roofnest. The height when closed I believe is almost exactly the same. You can get away with leaving some bedding and pillows in there if they lay down flat. Just slowly test closing the shell without forcing it shut to find the limits. Hope that helps!
Great video! What I’ve been looking for. Thank you.
Question 1- Do you feel the window awning set up is faster on the roof nest vs the iKamper? I know the awning hook points are different between the two (open ring style vs a loop strap style). Wondering if it was more of a pain to get the hooks in for the window awning?
Question 2 - If you wanted to close all the windows for privacy, which would be easier? After some research, the roof nest, having a solid zip up option on the window would be? Would it allow you to keep the window awning up and not have to undo anything and zip up the solid part. On the iKamper, the only way to do so is to close the awning? Would you have to reach out, undo the poles so the window awning is free and zip down that part for total privacy? Is that accurate?
Hey Chris! Glad the video was helpful. Thanks for watching. To answer your questions... I’ve seen no difference in window setup time or convenience on either platform. Both take about the same time bending the poles into place and are equal in difficulty. Secondly, they both have zip up privacy panels that are I dependent from the awnings. They are on the interior and are a simple zip without having to do anything with the exterior awnings. Hope that helps!
@@SamBischof Thanks man!
I know this video is 2 years old but do you have a video or any opinion on Tentbox? I am looking for a hard shell and like TentBox Classic or Tentbox Cargo but was not aware of Roofnest and I see they have similar products that compare to Tentbox. Any insight on the matter?
Your review sealed the deal on a Roofnest....I have an Outback and trying to decide between the Sparrow xl and Condor xl....your thoughts? Liked and subscribed!!
Thanks for watching! I’m glad the video was helpful. If you camp with more than two I would highly suggest the condor XL. But it totally depends on what you are looking to do and what you’re rig setup is! Happy to answer any questions!
Thanks for the vid. I’m having trouble decided but your video gave good insights. Did your video make the damn price go up tho lol?
Haha uh oh! I haven’t checked?? Did they raise the price? Thanks for watching. Glad it was helpful!
I was all on board with the iKamper Skycamper. I really loved the world map. But watching a video with that tent and seeing it overhang definitely changed my mind. I'll most likely be going with the Roofnest.
Glad the video was helpful! Both great platforms with some minor differences. Either way you'll love having a Rooftop Tent! Thanks for watching
Hey Sam, can you fit bedding/pillows and still shut the tent? Same question about potentially adding a mattress topper? The website says no, but I'm wondering if that's more to keep people from stressing the hinges... Thanks!
Hey Wes, it’s not advised to stuff it full and try to force the lid shut. That being said you can get away with storing some things in there that lay flat. Try it out with a few of your items to see what the limitations are. Mattress topper plus bedding is probably a no go. Thanks for watching!
Hi & Thank you so much for reviewing, I have a 2012 Ford E250 and have no idea what roof rack I would use to put the roof nest on …. Any suggestions?
The rack I use is by CBI Offroad Fab. Not sure what they have for Fords, if anything. If not that you might look into some Yakima options. Thanks for watching!
because of your review I ordered the condor xl. should get it in a couple of days.
Hey happy to hear it was helpful! You’re gonna love the tent I’m sure. Thanks for watching!
Hi! I was thinking of getting a roofnest but I saw they were having some shipping issues recently online are you able to respond if you get it? I am hoping the shipping issues are fixed but just want to confirm!
@@briannagabaldon3254 I did get mine last week. I haven’t opened it yet because south Florida weather has been rainy. But it did come in. I think they contract out the delivery.
@@briannagabaldon3254 Hey! I believe I saw the same comment in their facebook group today haha! I had zero issues whatsoever. I think that was probably a one off and sounded more like a shipping company issue and not Roofnest. Because they are so big they have to be shipped as freight on a truck with a lift. Sounds to me like they screwed something up. I'm sure Roofnest will make it right. Thanks for watching!
Great video! Can you leave blankets or sleeping bags inside the tent and fold it away?
Thanks for watching! Yes you can store some items in the tent and have it fold down. You'll have to test it out a bit depending on your bedding. Don't force it closed, but a lot of folks can keep their bags / blankets and a couple pillows up there.
Can you lock the tent, and lock the tent onto the roof or truck rack?
Those are both nice tents and I considered them both but ultimately went with the Tuffstuff 4X4 Alpha hardshell tent. It's almost identical to the Roofnest but it's $800 or so cheaper. I would go so far as to say the Roofnest and Tuffstuff are made in the same factory. I will say this I can store two 30 degree Kelty sleeping bags, two pillows and two throw blankets inside it and still close it no problem. I got it on sale for $2020 out the door.
Sounds like a great deal! The majority of the parts definitely have to be manufactured in the same spot. I haven't had a chance to check out a TuffStuff yet but I've heard good things. That's good to know you can fit all of that in your tent, even with the mattress still in there? Thanks for watching!
@@SamBischof Yep all my sleeping gear fits just fine with the mattress still inside. It was the main reason I went with this particular tent.
I need to try that out with mine. I’m sure it’s the same. Thanks for the info!
From everything I have researched, I like the Roofnest product over the iKamper. My decision rests between the Condor XL and the Falcon XL. The low profile aluminum case on the Falcon appeals to me living in WV. A lot of trails and even secondary roads have a tree canopy with low hanging branches. While I like the space of the Condor, I am not sure how durable the fiberglass (?) shell might be?
Hey Keith! Thanks for watching. No doubt the aluminum is going to be stronger than the fiberglass, but I haven't had any issues so far and I do put my truck through it. I would say if you are able to garage park your rig, you'd be just fine with the Condor. If it's out in the sun year round, maybe the Falcon is the way to go.
I couldn’t tell if you had a hard plastic cover on the Condor or not and nothing was mentioned that I recall. Is it a hard or soft cover? Is there a difference in difficulty deploying the 2 tents? In mounting (other than the iKamper “hangover” you mentioned)? Also - would either or both of these brands be able to fit on a smaller Toyota pickup? TKU for putting this together for your viewers !
Which tent mounts to the roof rack easiest ? Reason I ask Is because I don’t plan to leave mine up when I’m not using it
This was a great video, thanks. One question not related to tent, what racks are you using? What height?
Hey Jaime, thanks for watching! The rack I am using is the Hooke Road for the Tundra. It's about 13" tall. Side note: this rack has really wide cross bars, so I had to custom make the brackets for the Roofnest since the stock ones didn't fit.
Not totally sold on a RTT yet, but this video pretty much sold me on the roofnest if I go this route.
Thanks for watching! They’re not for everyone. Especially if you don’t want to keep them on full time. But they are definitely convenient and making getting out to camp so much easier.
I almost put in an order for the ikamper 2.0 but that $4k price ia steep. Then I came across the condor xl and researched it extensively. This review shed some light on the difference between the two. No doubt the condor xl is the better option.
Thanks for watching! I’m glad the comparison was helpful. Both great platforms. Just a few differences. You’ll love it for sure!
I’m leaning toward the Condor and was wondering how hard it is to install? We would be putting it on a Suburban with a Thule rack system, but we also own an Outback and could use it on that as well. We would be taking it off and storing it when we’re not using it, is that easily doable? I can purchase the iKamper locally through REI and get REI support, it seems with the Condor the only option is just to order it which is a little scary, but it sounds like Condor has pretty good customer assist.
Hey Leslie, I’ve taken the condor xl off and on a number of times. Two people can lift the weight but it’s better with 3 for stabilization just because of its awkward shape. If peace of mind in shipping is worth the extra money to you then I would say pick up the ikamper locally. If you go with the condor be sure to inspect it at arrival and file any claims with the shipping company right then and there if it is damaged. Mine arrived with no issues. Good luck!
Would this go well on top of a Honda CRV or should I rather explore the smaller version (Condor)? Thanks for the video - good stuff.
I think if it fits your family size then it would go well! I am not super familiar with the mounting options for the CRV so you would want to make sure you have proper support for the tent. If you haven't already I would definitely suggest joining the Facebook group "Roofnest Flock". Lots of good information in there and you can even search for "CRV" to see if anyone else has experience mounting to your same vehicle. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching!
If possible, a future review would be great, how many times it was used, durability (and include typical weather)! I am concerned about the clarity of the "sky light". Is it good? can you see stars or is it more for interior light from the moon?
Yeah I have a couple ideas for a follow up review! The skylight is very clear! You can see stars no problem. I have yet to experience any fading or discoloration of the skylight. Thanks for watching!
Hi, whats the brand of the racks u use for you roof nest? Thanks!
Hi I now use the CBI Off-road bed rack :)
Is there a way in the Condor to roll up the side awnings so you have a better view of the horizon? It seems the harsh angle restricts the view to basically the ground?
That’s one of my biggest complaints about both RTT brands. With the awnings up you really don’t get a view. Roofnest did not include any hooks or loops to roll up the awnings but if you roll it up to the seam it stays put, and is what I normally do for a better breeze and view. Thanks for watching!
Does the Roofnest have the optional insulation for the Condor XL like the iKamper has for the Skycamp 2.0? On their website I only see it available for the sparrow line of tents.
They do sell an insulation layer under their accessories tab that fits the Condor XL. I haven’t used it. But they do have it!
Great review and comparison however in my opinion the Ikamper is a better built tent. In particular what set them apart is their blackout canvas. The cavas seems better quality and more durable and it has a fabric feel vs a plastic feel. Most other tents use polyurethane-coated polyester. Also the Ikamper uses honeycomb aluminum panels on its floor and hardshell. Anyway, I think both tents are great value for what they offer. Just my opinion.
Thanks for watching! I don't disagree. There is a noticeable difference in the light blocking between the tents. But when I am camping I wake up at sunrise no matter what tent I am in. Don't know why. I know Roofnest is releasing a new tent that's totally redesigned. Seems pretty comparable. Thanks for your comment!
I'm ultimately buying a condor xl, but would like to find a way to retrofit a rack on it (like the Falcon offers). That's another difference between this and the skycamp - can run a rack on the skycamp.
I was trying to find it, but I know I have seen people storing things on top of their Condors. But definitely makes it a little easier with things like the falcon with the aluminum shell as opposed to the fiberglass. Thanks for watching!
What is the interior storage like in both ikamper and roofnest? Does one have more pockets/organization options inside?
There's not much interior storage in either tent. I've seen a lot of DIY stuff for storage. But there isn't anything that comes with the tents. Thanks for watching!
@sam bischoff I have an F-150 with a Leer 100XR cap with the dual rails on the top. Have you seen anyone throw a roofnest on top of their truck cap?
I have not seen many reviews with that setup, which is what I am considering.
Quick question, your condor xl is it above your cab or behind it? I'm looking at the length and it says 74 in, I have the same truck you do. Any advice would be appreciated.
Hey Earl. In this video I’m at cab height. Everything is flush with the roof of the truck and the tailgate/bumper. I’ve since changed to a CBI roof rack. I’m an ambassador for them. Now my tent sits slightly higher than cab height but still same distance front to back. Thanks for watching!
What did that wrap on your truck run you. Looks Awesome!
Hey man! They are about $3500 retail. Check my channel I did a full video on the wrap. Thanks for watching!
Very useful. Thanks. My indecision is more about the height of the rack the tent goes on. I like the look of the lower height, like what you get with the 6" high Front Runner rack on the Diamondback HD bedcover. But I imagine a moose or bear meandering by inquisitively at night just has to look to the side and is looking directly into the tent with the lower rack, while with the higher rack, maybe 10-14" high, you are in your tent well above eye level. Maybe this shouldn't be a concern though. Any thoughts on this issue? As for the tents, I prefer the newer Roofnest Sparrow2 or Condor, for the reasons you mention plus with their newly streamlined hardcase and roof rack support above built in.
I was looking at both and ended up buying the Ikamper a couple of months ago. It has great fit and finish and the ladder rungs are angled so that they are flat and more comfortable when going up and down, I use the ladder all the time and it’s not difficult at all. I got the rocky black color on the shell and the shell seems to be great quality, it fits perfectly on my Jeep jku. Agreed the mattress could be a little thicker though I’ve never slept in the roofnest to compare. Fom my research I believe the roofnest is made in China in a factory that makes the same tent for a few different companies while Ikamper makes thier own tents in their South Korea factory and therefore has better quality control. If price is a main factor the roofnest seems like a very good value, if quality is the main concern Ikamper seems a bit better to me and the reason I went with it. Very informative review Sam. Sam I’m curious how much of a difference do you find the mattress to be? I would love to have been able to sleep on both to compare.
Thanks for the comment Tommy! I don’t disagree with anything you said. The ikamper mattress is just slightly more dense. So I think it sleeps a bit more stiff. But there isn’t a huge difference between the two. I sleep just fine on my Roofnest mattress but I know most people end up adding toppers or swapping mattresses for comfort. We are going to experiment with a memory foam topper on ours and see if we can make it all work and how much comfort it adds. Thanks for watching!
@@SamBischof That makes sense I guess they had to make it a little denser to compensate for the thickness. I’m in New York so I’ve only used it a couple of times so far but will put to the test soon now that it’s spring. I agree with not wanting to put an exped or something similar in it and slowing down the quick set up and take down that it was bought for. Thanks for the reply and info 👍🏼
@@SamBischof Hi Sam, I had to post an update to our earlier discussion. I was very reluctant but broke down and bought the Exped mattress for my Ikamper - I wasn’t wanting to spend the additional money or have the extra step to set up but couldn’t be happier with it. It is so worth the extra step of letting it inflate and then deflating it when packing up and doesn’t take much effort or time at all. I read the reviews of people raving about how comfortable it is and man it really is so comfortable. In my opinion it’s worth the upgrade and extra step in either of the rooftop tents, no buyers remorse whatsoever.
DAMN...hahahaha! Thank you for the info! Beginner camper and this helps for future purchase!
good review! Can you store your bedding in each of them?
A limited amount. You definitely don’t want to over fill it and force it closed. If you swap the mattress for an inflatable exped that you deflate each time you can store all of your bedding in there. With the standard mattress it would need to compress down quite a bit. Thanks for watching!
I have a crewmax as well what rack are you using I read all the comments and didn’t see any mention of the rack you have, thank you in advance 🤙🏽
Hey Ricardo! The rack I’m using in this video is by Hooke Road. You can find it on Amazon sometimes for about $500. I’m switching soon to a CBI Off-road Tundra rack. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching!
What about the weight difference?
Edit: Great video!
Re Condor XL:
Ease of closing with one short person?
Can you leave thick sleeping bag / pillow in it?
Replied on your other comment :)
I own the condor xl and have been in some down pours. And honestly, if you just use the awning in up position with just a big mesh it keeps the rain out completely. That is why the awning is designed that way, to keep the rain out. So there is no need for the silicone panel
I agree! It does a great job of keeping out the weather, even in semi-sideways rain.
Good reviews! Thanks for sharing
Qq: I noticed the iKamper has locks and didn’t see any on the Roofnest? Can you confirm?
Thinking of mounting one on a TAXA Woolly Bear, which will be on the side of my house, with wheel lock and hitch lock. Would love to know whether I can lock the RTT as well
Thanks
Thanks for watching! You’re correct. The ikamper has locks in the straps to prevent it from being opened. The Roofnest does not. I believe ikamper has upgraded brackets you can buy separately that have locks on the mounting points which in my opinion is where it matters. Not too worried about someone just opening the tent. Those bracket locks are a 3rd party product so they can be purchased and fit with a Roofnest as well.
Sam
Thanks!
I’m indeed thinking of just putting a little after market latch on it. Drill small hole, bolt with nut and washer, silicone to rain proof it.
Padlock and done.
It’s more of a deterrent than anything else.
So now that you’re 8 months more in, how’s the build quality? Are there any causes for concern over the limited 2 year warranty for the roofnest vs the 5 year of the iKamper?
Roofnest is still great and I still camp in it regularly. I haven’t had anything break or go wrong. Thanks for watching!
How did you mount your tent to the bed rack? We have a victory rack and I keep being told I have to have crossbars.
Yeah I have crossbars on my rack as well. The tent comes with mounting brackets meant for perpendicular crossbars.. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching!
hi
my car is dodge ram 2500 and really i like the condor xl should i go ahead?
That choice is yours my friend! But if you do decide I’m sure you’ll love it! Thanks for watching.
What’s the gas mileage decrease on the condor?
Hi Sam. Thanks for the comparison. I’m interested in your thoughts between the Area BFE and Skycamp 2 or 3.0. I’m 6’7” and will be putting this on my 2021 Grand Cherokee Overland with max of two people. Interior legroom space is a determining factor. Your comment on included accessories was interesting. Your thoughts would be appreciated!
Hey Jay, thanks for watching. If you are 6'7" I would probably go for the iKamper's longer form factor. The Roofnests have the same square footage but more of a square and the longest side is only 74" compared to the longest side of the iKamper 3.0 at 83". Hope that helps!
@@SamBischof Thanks Sam. I was thinking the same. There’s a company near me that rents them. I’m going to try that route first before taking the $$$$ plunge.
Curious how a 5.5ft bed holds a 74” long condor XL without any overhang? I have a shirt bed Tacoma which is similar and that’s going to for sure overhang. You sure the tundra bed isn’t bigger or am I missing something here?
The bed itself is 5.5 and then you have the bumper and tailgate that make up the difference of 8” give or take an inch. So you can see in this video and my other that it winds up being pretty flush. Thanks for watching!
I'm looking at both the iKamper and the RoofNest Condor XL. I'm wondering if you have had any experience buying from a dealer or just direct? Seems the pricing is the same, and I'm not sure what the dealer might provide, plus I have to drive to town to pick it up from the dealer.
I got mine directly from Roofnest. I have never purchased from a dealer, but I would just ask about warranties and return policies. Go with the one that has better support. Thanks for watching!
iKamper for me, I love it's sturdiness and the availability of all sort of attachments, it's also more affordable now $3199
Nice video I’m contemplating a hardshell rooftop tent. So I’m watching everybody’s videos I was contemplating the skycamp Mimi but I’ve seen the video where a couple had real issues with customer service and that’s a big thing for me. I am the type of person when I buy a top-notch product I expected to be top notch and if it’s not I expect customer service to address the issue and if they didn’t I’m the type of person who would hop on a plane go all the way to Korea to confront them. But my question for you when you’re tent are you able to pack it away with the bedding still inside or do you have to take the bedding out.
I believe with the roof nest condors, you cannot store the bedding inside :)
Hey Russel. Thanks for watching! You can store a very small amount of bedding inside. A couple blankets laid flat and some pillows that compress. But it’s not worth pushing it too much. The ikamper is the same story from what I understand. You can fit a few things inside.
@@SamBischof thanks for letting me know much appreciated I just don't understand why they don't make them just a little bit bigger so you can leave the bedding up there.
@@peachtrees_ thank you for letting me know I just wish they made these a little bit bigger so you could leave the bedding up there and if they all came with that option for a solar panel well then did be on a whole new level I think.
@@russellwood8750 It would definitely be convenient! The Condor XL does have a storage spot up top that some have fitted with a solar panel, but I think you'd get a lot more efficiency with a portable panel that you can set up at camp and point at the sun rather than having to move your vehicle each time to align the shell with the sun.
What is your bed rack?
Can either of those able to be packed up with your bedding still inside
Very limited with both tents! A few thin blankets or pillows that can compress down.
Have you done a comparison video of the Roofnest brand v James Baroud ? They look identical in quality but price ......
I haven't had a chance to compare the two, but a lot of these tents are manufactured at the same place, or at least with the same design. I've noticed a lot of the same form factors with very slight tweaks in some of the amenities included. Thanks for watching!
I was looking at both options and looking at a friends Roofnest here in town to buy. He has the Condor XL which you stated is 74w x 93l. Roofnest has the Condor XL 2 now which is 68w x 89l. Seems they went smaller on the new model and it weighs more? Did I read that right. If I want to fit a family of 4, seems I should go with the original XL version?
I haven't kept up on their latest models to be honest. But yes I know my measurements are correct on the original XL, strange to go smaller, but that would make more sense if you want more room to go with the original. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for the response and great video@@SamBischof
Nice video !
Thanks for watching, Jan!
The hard shell of roof nest opens closer to 90 degree making it less cramped inside whereas the i-kamper appears to be closer to 45 degrees
I hadn’t thought about comparing those! You may be right. There is more headroom in the Roofnest per the specs on the websites. Thanks for watching!
Hello Sam, does the roof nest have a star gazing roof?
Yes it does! I totally forgot to cover that in the video.
Is iKamper somehow a part of Apple or? 😂 Just kidding, amazing video mate! I was thinking to get the Sparrow eye but its too lengthy and I got a Subaru Impreza Hatch. So Condor would be a great fit I believe (I might be wrong) what do you think? Also Can I store like 2 small pillows, 1 small quilt and/or a single down sleeping bag in the tent?? Would I be able to close and pack the tent??
Thanks for watching! Every tent is a little different. You can usually get away with storing something’s in there as long as they squish flat. The Condor XL doesn’t have a ton of room for storage while closed.
@@SamBischof I decided to get the ARB Esperance RTT man. I wanted to buy the Roofnest Condor (non-XL) but theyre all off for Xmas already and can't reach them in any way. ARB and RN are the ones that are having discounts so going for ARB
I believe Roofnest is made in China and IKamper is made in Korea. That may be the price difference. I agree with previous posters about the cost of R and D. A lot of knock off brands that sell for cheaper stealing the IP of others. Do a search about the quality of both and how good customer service are for both. Remember you are nearly spending 4k after support is very important.
Disappointing he didn’t mention the major difference of the Roofnest being made in China and the iKamper S. Korea. For many of us, that is a major issue. As well as not mentioning the floor being plastic (vs iKamper alum)
Remember what they say, you pay for what you get. All the extra included accessories and actual price are lower for a reason.
Also Roofnest has delamination issues from what I’ve seen in the discussion boards. All of the sub-$3k Chinese built tents seem to have this as an issue along with all the other materials and manufacturing problems. Go with US, S. korea, or S. African made. More money but worth it in the long run.
Which racks is the tent mounted on?
Hooke Road Tundra bedrack. I’m switching to CBI Offroad Fab though.
Well that roofnest sure appreciated in value since this video... lol. I wish that 1k difference still existed.
Roofnest Condor XL
I have the same truck. Which bed rack is this?
Hey Daniel, the rack is by Hooke Road. It’s a good solid rack, but I’m switching to CBI next week. The cross bars on this rack are too wide for the tent hardware. I had to make my own. Thanks for watching!