The roof tent world has slimmed down: lightweight models now start at around 12 kilograms, proving that camping on your car roof doesn’t have to be heavy or bulky. In our rooftop tent review with models from OLC Adventure, Groenberg and TentBox, our sister mag DOWNTOWN finds out which one weighs the least – and which concept really sets you free on holiday.

You’ll find our big roof tent buying guide and an overview of 15½ other models in our DOWNTOWN roof tent group review.

For a long time, aluminium hard-shell roof tents were the undisputed kings of the road trip – proven classics that scored with maximum comfort and robust construction. That luxury comes at a price, in more ways than one: established models often weigh around 75 kg and start at €2,500. In practice, that means installation only with several people, a permanent “aerodynamic drag project” on the roof, and the question of where to store the massive thing out of season. For many EV drivers or owners of small cars with low roof load limits, the roof tent adventure simply hasn’t been a real option, despite the fact that it would make a comfy basecamp for short trips, like a weekend at the bike park.

A new generation of lightweight roof tents tackles exactly these sore points, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. The basic idea is as simple as it is effective: save weight through innovative concepts like inflatable drop-stitch, aluminium exoskeletons or radical hard-shell diets. When transport, installation and storage suddenly become manageable for two people – or even solo – the roof tent turns into a flexible gadget rather than permanent rooftop real estate. Some manufacturers of lightweight roof tents also offer space-saving solutions, taking the sting out of the often tricky question of off-season storage.

In our rooftop tent comparison test with the TentBox GO, Groenberg WEEKEND COMFORT and OLC Adventure Ultra Light 130, we show how this new 12 to 38 kg class opens up the roof tent market to a much wider audience. To everyone who has been left out until now: solo travellers without installation help, city dwellers without a garage, or EV drivers who keep an eye on range. We don’t just check which model wins on the scales, but which concept genuinely frees up everyday camping. And why the established mid-range should start paying attention when a €1,300 tent suddenly flips the category on its head. Want to learn more? Check out the full ultra-light rooftop tent group test over at DOWNTOWN!

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Words: Felicia Nastal Photos: Tim Eckermann