When you're standing in a showroom (or scrolling through options online) trying to choose your first roof top tent, the soft shell versus hard shell decision feels massive. I've been there. I spent weeks agonising over choices like this before my first off grid trip.
Here's the truth: both styles are excellent, but they excel in different scenarios. After years of using both types across various conditions, I can tell you there's no universal "best" choice. There's only the best choice for your specific needs.
Let me break down everything I've learned so you can make the right call.
What's the Actual Difference?
Soft Shell RTTs use a fabric-based design. Think of them as your traditional ground tent elevated onto your roof. They typically have a hard base, canvas walls, and a rainfly. When packed, the tent fabric folds into the base.
Hard Shell RTTs feature rigid panels (usually fibreglass or ABS plastic) that form both the floor and roof. The entire structure is encased when closed, with the tent popping up via gas struts or manual lift systems.
That's the basic distinction, but the real differences emerge when you actually use them.
Setup and Pack-Down: The Daily Reality
This is where your daily experience lives, and it matters more than most people initially think.
Soft Shell Setup
Opening a soft shell RTT typically takes 3-5 minutes once you've done it a few times. You'll unlatch the cover, unfold the tent (usually in 2-3 sections), extend the ladder, and zip up the entry. Some models require attaching poles or adjusting guy lines.
Pack-down is the same in reverse, with an extra step: you need to ensure everything folds precisely to fit back into the base. On a wet morning, this means handling damp canvas. After rain, you'll ideally want to set it up again when you get home to let it dry fully. Leaving it packed wet for extended periods invites mould.
Hard Shell Setup
Hard shells are genuinely faster. Most open in 30-60 seconds: unlatch, lift (gas struts do the work), extend ladder, done. No folding, no adjusting.
Pack-down? Close the shell, latch it, go. You can pack a wet hard shell without worry. The waterproof exterior protects everything inside, and there's usually enough ventilation to prevent mould issues.
Real-world impact: If you're doing a multi-week trip and moving camp every day or two, those minutes add up. After a long day of driving, that 60-second setup feels very different from a 5-minute one. For weekend warriors who might only set up twice per trip, the difference matters less.
Weather Performance: Where They Differ
Wind Resistance
Hard shells win here, hands down. That rigid structure cuts through wind with minimal movement. I've weathered 60+ km/h winds in a hard shell and barely noticed.
Soft shells perform well, but you'll hear and feel the fabric moving in strong winds. It's not dangerous (quality RTTs are engineered for this), but it's definitely more noticeable. Some people find the slight movement reassuring (you know the tent's flexing as designed). Others find it unsettling.
Rain Protection
Both types handle rain well when properly sealed, but the experience differs.
Hard shells shed water immediately. Rain rolls off the shell, and you're completely protected. The rigid structure means no sagging spots where water can pool.
Soft shells with quality waterproof ratings (3000mm+) keep you dry, but rain is louder on canvas than on a hard shell. You'll also want to ensure your rainfly is properly tensioned to avoid water pooling. In extended rain, some moisture can wick through zip seals if they're not well-maintained.
Temperature Regulation
This one surprised me: soft shells often perform better in temperature extremes.
In hot conditions, canvas breathes better than fibreglass. I've been significantly more comfortable in soft shells during Australian summers. The fabric allows air circulation that hard shells just can't match.
In cold weather, it's more nuanced. Some people argue soft shells provide better insulation. My experience is they're roughly comparable. You'll want proper sleeping gear either way. The bigger factor is condensation: soft shells breathe better, reducing condensation buildup on cold nights.
Durability and Longevity
Hard Shell Durability
The rigid exterior protects well against branches, hail, and general abuse. The shell itself is essentially maintenance-free. You might occasionally need to clean or wax it, but that's about it.
However, if something does break (a strut fails, the shell cracks), repairs are more complex and expensive. You're often looking at replacement parts rather than simple patches.
Soft Shell Durability
Quality canvas is remarkably durable, but it requires more maintenance. You'll need to periodically treat zips, check seams, and ensure the waterproofing remains effective. Small tears or holes can be patched in the field. I've fixed a torn corner with tent repair tape and continued a trip without issues.
The canvas will eventually need replacing (typically after 7-10 years of regular use), but this is usually cheaper than replacing hard shell components.
My take: Hard shells require less ongoing maintenance but more expensive fixes when things go wrong. Soft shells need regular care but are more field-repairable.
Weight, Aerodynamics, and Fuel Economy
Here's where physics takes over.
Weight Distribution
Hard shells are typically lighter (40-70kg) compared to equivalent soft shells (50-90kg). That 20kg difference might not sound massive, but it's all high on your roof, affecting your vehicle's centre of gravity.
For smaller 4WDs or vehicles near their roof load limit, this matters. For full-size wagons or utes with high roof ratings, it's less critical.
Aerodynamics
Hard shells are more aerodynamic when closed. That sleek profile cuts through air more efficiently than a soft shell's bulkier packed form.
Real-world fuel impact? In my testing on highway driving, I've seen roughly 0.5-1L/100km better fuel economy with hard shells compared to soft shells. Over a long trip, that adds up, though probably not enough to offset the price difference.
Height Considerations
Soft shells typically add 20-35cm to your vehicle height when packed. Hard shells add 15-25cm. This matters if you frequently encounter height restrictions (underground parking, low branches on remote tracks, some ferry restrictions).
Living Space and Comfort
Interior Space
Soft shells generally offer more headroom and liveable space. When deployed, they extend significantly, creating a roomy interior. Many models include annexes that add substantial living area.
Hard shells are more compact. You'll have enough space to sleep comfortably, but less room to sit up or move around. Most hard shells don't support annexes.
Who this matters for: If you spend a lot of time in your tent (reading, bad weather days, travelling with kids who need space), soft shells win. If you primarily sleep in your tent and live outside, hard shells are fine.
Mattress Quality
Both types can accommodate quality mattresses, though soft shells often come with thicker, more comfortable stock mattresses (typically 50-80mm high-density foam). Hard shells use thinner mattresses (30-50mm) due to space constraints when closed.
You can upgrade either type, but soft shells give you more options.
Price: The Reality Check
This is straightforward: hard shells cost more.
Soft Shell Price Range: $2,000-$5,000 for quality options Hard Shell Price Range: $3,500-$8,000+ for comparable quality
That $1,500-$3,000 difference buys a lot of camping gear. The question is whether the convenience and features of a hard shell justify the premium for your situation.
Budget matters, but so does value. A $2,500 quality soft shell that serves you well is better than a $4,000 hard shell you regret buying.
Installation and Compatibility
Both types require roof racks or crossbars rated for their weight plus occupants (typically 150-200kg dynamic load). Installation complexity is similar. Both bolt to your roof rack and take an hour or two to mount properly.
The key difference: hard shells require more precise positioning due to their fixed footprint. Soft shells have more flexibility in placement since they extend beyond their base.
So Which Should You Choose?
After all that, here's my honest recommendation framework:
Choose a Soft Shell RTT if:
- You want maximum interior space and comfort
- You're on a tighter budget
- You value the traditional camping feel
- You plan to use annexes or awnings extensively
- You're comfortable with slightly longer setup times
- You want better temperature regulation in hot climates
- You prefer repairable gear you can maintain yourself
Choose a Hard Shell RTT if:
- Setup speed is your top priority
- You frequently camp in windy conditions
- You move camp locations often (daily or every other day)
- You want minimal maintenance requirements
- Height restrictions are a concern for your vehicle
- You're willing to pay premium for convenience
- Aerodynamics and fuel economy matter to you
- You primarily use your RTT for sleeping only
Consider Your Actual Usage Pattern
Here's the question that cuts through everything: How do you actually camp?
If you're doing 2-3 night weekend trips a few times a year, the setup time difference is minimal over the course of a year. If you're doing month-long expeditions moving camp every 1-2 days, that's 15-30 setups per trip. The time savings become significant.
If you camp in established campgrounds with amenities, you're probably spending most time outside the tent anyway. If you're wild camping in exposed locations, weather resistance and quick setup become more valuable.
My Personal Experience
I started with a soft shell RTT for my first van conversion. It was perfect for that stage. I needed the space, appreciated the budget-friendliness, and enjoyed the traditional tent feel. The setup time didn't bother me because I was rarely moving camp daily.
Three years later, when I upgraded my setup for more frequent travel, I switched to a hard shell. The convenience factor was worth the premium at that point in my journey. The 60-second setup after long driving days genuinely improved my trip quality.
But here's the thing: I don't regret starting with the soft shell. It taught me what I actually valued in a RTT, and I likely would have wasted money buying a hard shell first only to realize I wanted the extra space.
Final Thoughts
There's no wrong choice here. There's only wrong choices for your specific needs. Both soft and hard shell RTTs will get you comfortably off the ground, protect you from the elements, and enable amazing camping experiences.
Focus less on which type is "better" in absolute terms, and more on which type matches your camping style, budget, and priorities. Talk to people who camp the way you plan to camp. Rent or borrow both types if possible before committing.
And remember: the best roof top tent is the one that gets you out there exploring, not the one that sits on your roof because it didn't meet your actual needs.
The right choice is out there. Take your time finding it.
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Questions about RTTs? Drop us a message. We're always happy to chat through your specific needs and help you find the right setup.