We love going on camping adventures, and our Subaru Outback is the perfect car for that. After all, the Subaru comes off-road-ready – you only needed to equip it with a few camping accessories and you are ready to go. One of our favorite camping gear is the rooftop tent that attaches to the roof of the car. With a rooftop tent, you can have your camp set up in minutes and enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about bugs or uneven grounds.
Of course, there are other ways to camp in your car – like sleeping in back of your car – but if you’re looking for something simple and spacious, then you’ll want to buy a roof top tent for your Subaru.
- Best overall: Thule Tepui Explorer
- Best value: Smittybilt Overlander Tent
- One man set up (light tent): Front Runner Roof Top Tent
Can you put a rooftop tent on Subaru Outback, Forester or Crosstrek?
Sure, you can put a rooftop tent on your Subaru. You might have to install some cross rails or mounting racks if you don’t already have them, but that’s no problem as they are readily available online (these Yakima racks work great for us).
But if you own a newer Subaru model, you are in luck! The 2022 Subaru Forester and Outback come with a new ladder-type roof rail design with a higher carrying capacity (220lb) and a static load limit of 800lb, allowing for safe use of a rooftop tent.
Be sure to check your car’s manual to ensure it can support your tent’s dynamic load and static weight.
Are Roof Top Tents Worth It?
Rooftop tents offer you some huge advantages over traditional camping methods. First, these tents sit atop your vehicle and provide a smooth, even surface to sleep on. They keep you off the ground, and away from bugs, mud, and animals.
We like that you can set them up and take them down quickly and they make it easy to go when you want without having to find an RV park or campground. Best of all, they allow you to enjoy beautiful expansive views atop your car.
But there are some downsides too: going up and down ladders can be difficult for some people and rooftop tents are usually more expensive than regular ones. Ultimately, a rooftop tent is worth the money if you value the added safety and convenience it brings.
Best Rooftop Tent for Subaru Outback
Thule Tepui Explorer
Tepui tents are known for their top-notch RTT nets, and the Thule Tepui Explorer tops our list of the best roof top tent for the Subaru Forester, Outback or Crosstrek. The construction is solid; the tent is made with a tough polyester/cotton blend material that’s waterproofed to withstand the elements in any season. Inside, you’ll find a high-density foam mattress and four large storage pockets. Mesh panels provide ventilation while keeping out the bugs. This tent has 37.3 square feet of living space, which means it will be able to fit three people comfortably—or two people and their gear. When you’re not using it, simply store it in its included storage bag.
- Sleeping Capacity: 3-person Subaru rooftop tent
- Weight: 131 pounds
- Static load capacity: 600lb
- Floor Dimensions: 96 x 56 x 52 in
- Floor Area: 37.3 square feet
- Available in olive green and haze grey
Smittybilt Overlander Tent
This roof top tent has many of the same great features as the more expensive models. These include windows with bug screens, a rainfly, a water-proof tent material, a firm foam mattress, a shoe storage bag, and a built-in interior LED strip —all in a lightweight package that sets up in minutes. Plus, all bedding and accessories are stored inside the tent so they don’t take up space in your car when you’re not using them. You can leave the rainfly attached and the sunroof opens in place to catch some late-night breeze and enjoy a perfect view of the sky above. Like other Smittybilt products, this tent is made of high-quality materials and built to last.
The tent also available in Size XL and sleeps 3-4 people. This Amazon best seller is our budget pick from our review of the best roof-top tents for Subaru Outbacks, Foresters, and Crosstreks.
- Sleeping capacity: 2-person roof top tent for Subaru
- Weight: 144lb
- Open size: 95″” W x 56″” L x 51″” H
- Floor Area: 37.3 square feet
- Static load capacity: 661 lbs.
Yakima SkyRise Rooftop Tent
If you are looking to get a sturdy but lightweight rooftop tent for your Subaru Crosstrek, the Yakima SkyRise is a great option. It is light, which means you can lift it onto the roof of your car by yourself. The strong nylon material used for the tent is solid, waterproofed, and breathable, with mesh panels for ventilation. When not in use, the roof top tent for Outbacks folds the roof of your vehicle and is protected by the included thick durable cover.
The Yakima is a good choice for hikers who are looking to camp in comfortable places. It’s lightweight yet durable; however, the material is thinner than other options. So if you’re going to be in a bad weather situation for an extended period, we suggest looking at a hard-shell tent like the KingCamp rooftop tent or iKamper. Pair up this tent with the Yakima rack if you don’t have one already.
- Static load capacity: 600 pounds
- Sleeping capacity: 2-person roof top tent for Subaru
- Packaged Weight: 115 lbs.
- Dimensions: L 58 in x W 48 in x H 16.5 in
Front Runner Roof Top Tent
This Subaru roof top tent weighs less than 100 pounds so it is easy to get onto the roof rack by yourself. And, it opens up seamlessly and folds down in the same effortless manner. The breathable, waterproof, poly-cotton material used in the construction means your tent will keep dry and well ventilated. Inside, there are two interior pockets and overhead Velcro loops to store gear or hang lights and other items.
The whole tent seems very well constructed—the materials used have a feeling of quality and the zippers don’t feel cheap either! Despite its low weight and lighter canvas, the rooftop tent for Subaru Outback remains weather-proof. Despite its low weight and lighter canvas, it remains weather-proof. It easily withstands a sudden thunderstorm with heavy winds without letting a drop of water inside. It’s a great deal that comes at a very affordable price.
- Dimensions: 96″ L x 51″W x 46″ H
- Static Load Rating: 600lbs
- Weight: 96lbs.
- Sleeping Capacity: 2-person Subaru rooftop tent
Raptor Series Voyager Roof Top Camping Tent
The tent has a unique design that features a built-in awning – perfect for enjoying the view from your tent. And the design also allows for a quick and easy setup;- simply pull off the cover, install the ladder, then grab the two securing hooks to pull up your tent. It features a sturdy, waterproof polyester construction, a rainfly, and net screens on the door and windows so you can enjoy your time in nature without worrying about getting rained on or having to deal with bugs and other creepy crawlies. Users love how well it retains heat at night, stays cool during the day, and keeps out the wind. That, combined with its overall build quality and a price tag of less than $1,200 makes this a great rooftop tent for crossovers and SUVs.
- Sleeping Capacity: Two
- Awning Included: Yes
- Max load 750 lb.
- Weight: 150lbs.
- Dimensions: L 83.5in x W 52in x H 48.5in
Read also: Best Subaru Forester All Terrain Tires
Softshell or Hard Shell roof top tent for Subaru?
When it comes to buying a roof-top tent for your Subaru crossover, you have two types to choose from: hard-shell and soft-shell.
Hard-shell tents are the best choice if you want something easy to set up and take down; they literally pop up in seconds. Plus, not only they are good for storing your beddings, but you can use them as an extra storage bin for other stuff. They can be a little expensive, but their durability, convenience, and added features are well worth it if you can afford them.
On the other hand, soft-shell tents take a little more effort to set up than hard-shell tents, but they’re still quicker and easier to put together than regular tents. Once set up, they can house more people. However, they can’t be used for extra storage like the hard-shell ones when you’re driving.
