REASONS TO BUY
Incredibly easy to install
Cushy mattress
Locking latches
REASONS TO AVOID
Harder to convert than pop-up hardshells
Not the most spacious
iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini Review
A fine blend of a hardshell traveler and a fold-out softshell that is likely the right model for a certain person
The iKmamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini is a fold-out version with a hard plastic shell.
Credit: Ross Patton
RELATED: Best Rooftop Tents of 2024
Our Verdict
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini is the perfect blend of a rooftop tent that isn't much bigger than most softshell models while in travel mode but offers the protection of hardshell versions that are usually much bigger while you're on the road. When it comes time to camp, it takes a minute or two longer to convert than the quickest models, but it's still way faster and easier than dealing with a traditional camping tent that gets set up on the ground. Unboxing and installing the Skycamp is easy, and, as a bonus, it locks shut.
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 This Product
iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Hardshell Rooftop Tent | Best Softshell Rooftop Tent |  Best Low-Profile Hardtop Rooftop Tent |  Best Bang for the Buck | |
| Price | $3,699 List $3,699 at Backcountry | $2,995 List | $1,999 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $3,595 List | $1,632 List $1,346 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A rooftop tent that travels like a hardshell but sets up and camps like a fold-out | Our number one suggestion for those in the market for a hardshell model because of its ease of use, storage space, and overall enjoyment | A soft top fold-out rooftop tent that has massive windows | A hardshell rooftop tent with a tiny thickness, luxurious comfort, and accessories | A high-performance model that doesn't injure your bank account |
| Rating Categories | iKamper Skycamp 3.0... | Roofnest Sparrow EYE | Thule Approach M | Roofnest Falcon 2 | Smittybilt GEN2 Ove... |
| Space and Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Durability (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Conversion (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Assembly and Installation (15%) | |||||
| Cover Convenience (10%) | |||||
| Specs | iKamper Skycamp 3.0... | Roofnest Sparrow EYE | Thule Approach M | Roofnest Falcon 2 | Smittybilt GEN2 Ove... |
| Seasons | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Weight | 125 lbs | 130 lbs | 128 lbs | 160 lbs | 154 lbs |
| Max Inside Height | 48 in | 44 in | 40 in | 60 in | 51 in |
| Pockets | 2 | 1 detachable | 2 | 2 detachable, gear grid with 5 pockets | 5 |
| Windows | 2 side | 2 side | 4 | 2 side | 3 side, 2 roof |
| Floor Dimensions | 52 in x 83 in | 83 in x 49 in | 95 in x 56 in | 86 in x 48 in | 56 in x 96 in |
| Floor Area | 29.9 sq ft | 28 sq ft | 38 sq ft | 29 sq ft | 38 sq ft |
| Packed Size | 15in x 60 in x 62 in | 6 in x 50 in x 88 in | 11 in x 49 in x 56 in | 11 in x 50 in x 85 in | 12 in x 48 in x 56 in |
| Floor Materials | Insulating honeycomb aluminum panels | Fiberglass-reinforced ASA/ABS | Aluminum | Honeycomb aluminum | Aluminum |
| Main Tent Materials | 300g poly-cotton canvas | Polyurethane-coated polyester and cotton blend | 600 D polyester ripstop | 320g poly-cotton | 600 D |
| Rainfly Materials | 75 D Ripstop polyester | n/a | TPU-coated nylon | n/a | 420D Oxford |
| Number of Poles | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Design Type | Fold-out, hardshell | Wedge | Fold-out | Wedge | Fold-out |
| Capacity | 2 Person | 2-3 Person | 2-3 Person | 2-3 Person | 2-3 Person |
| Extras | Mounting Brackets 3.0, iKamper Allen wrench, ladder, 2 keys, hard shell wax (Gloss Black), tension poles, 4 rail end caps | Mattress, LED light, privacy tent, ground mat, anti-condensation mat | Dual-layer foam mattress, removable rain cover, lockable mounting bracket | Mattress, 8.5' ladder, anti-condensation mat, dual detachable pockets, privacy tent, and LED lights | Interior LED, extension cords, boot bag |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini is unique because it is both a hardshell and a fold-out. This design means that the shell offers rugged durability and security while the tent is in travel mode while maintaining the footprint of a traditional softshell fold-out.
Performance Comparison
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini is a combination of a hardshell cover and a fold-out canopy.
Credit: Ross Patton
Space and Comfort
The Skycamp 3.0 Mini did reasonably well in this portion of our review. First and foremost, the mattress is on par with the best of the best. It's cushy and warm. There's also insulation on the underside of the shell, making those cold nights seem cozy. We also like the large main door that almost creates a front deck on the fold-out.
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 mattress was one of our favorites.
Credit: Ross Patton
However, it lost a few points when it came to spaciousness. The ends of the tent encroach on headspace, even if you sleep with your head toward the door. This may not be a deal breaker for you, especially if you're used to sleeping in a small traditional tent on the ground. But compared to the most spacious models we've tested, this one feels a bit cramped.
The hardshell half of the iKamper's roof is insulated to help keep the tent warm on cold nights.
Credit: Ross Patton
Durability
Regarding physical fortitude, the Skycamp faired decently in our assessment. While in travel mode, the tent is protected by the thick fiber-reinforced plastic shell that can take all of the pinecones and highway pebbles you can throw at it. It has the gnarliest latch system that we've seen, complete with steel, cables, and locks. The canopy material is where the Skycamp lost some points for this metric. Made with a 320G polyester/cotton blend, it is just weaker than some of the 600D ripstop that we've come across in our years of testing.
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 has extra strong metal and cable buckles.
Credit: Ross Patton
Ease of Conversion
Like most hardshell pop-ups, internal hydraulic pistons assist with opening the tent. For the initial portion of the conversion process, you only need to open the latches and let the mechanical components lift the shell into the “open” position. However, at that point, you have to extend the ladder and unfold the floor in a similar fashion to a softshell fold-out rooftop tent.
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini is fairly quick and easy to convert to camping mode but not quite as easy as hardshell pop-ups.
Credit: Ross Patton
When it comes time to break it down, you fold the floor back into the tent and collapse the ladder. This is where it gets a bit more difficult than most hardshell pop-ups — to get the canopy back into the shell, you have to grab three straps and use your body weight to bring the cover down. This process is relatively straightforward, but the canopy tends to bunch up in some strange places, and takes an extra bit of time to cram all of the folds back into the shell.
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 is reasonably quick to break down, but it does take an extra bit of time when compared to the easiest models.
Credit: Ross Patton
Our team uncovered a flaw with the design of the latch system of the Skycamp. To remove the key from the lock, it must be in the “lock” position. This means that without the key, you can't close the latch. We'd prefer a system that allows you to close the tent first and lock it if you want.
It's great that the iKamper has locking latches, but you can't close them when the key is removed.
Credit: Ross Patton
Ease of Assembly and Installation
The Skycamp 3.0 is one of the easiest tents we've ever seen when it comes to unboxing and installing. It comes in a sandwich-style box that makes getting it out of the box a no-brainer. All you have to do is cut a few nylon straps and lift the lid off. Next, lift it out of the box and onto your rack. The only thing left to do is slide the mounting brackets into the track, lean the tent to get them into position on your rack, and tighten them down with the included tools.
Cover Convenience
Like the other hardshell models, we gave the Skycamp 3.0 Mini a perfect score for this metric because it doesn't have a tent cover. It does, however, come with a bonus fabric cover that slips over the whole shell to protect it during shipping that can also be used in the off-season.
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 comes shipped in a fabric cover that protects the shell from scratches.
Credit: Ross Patton
Should You Buy the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini?
The Skycamp 3.0 is the way to go if you like the idea of a fold-out model with a small travel footprint but want the travel mode protection of a hardshell. It's easy to unbox and install and has a super comfy mattress. It's not quite as roomy as certain models, and we wish the canopy was a little thicker, but overall it's one of the better rooftop tents that we've tested.
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini has a great mattress, it's easy to install, and is very secure and durable while in travel mode.
Credit: Ross Patton
What Other Rooftop Tents Should You Consider?
This model isn't exactly affordable. If you're shopping for a rooftop tent on a budget, check out the Smittybilt Overlander, which offers a lot of the comfort and space of many models at a fraction of the price. For those looking for a model that offers a ton of cubic footage and views of the stars, we recommend the Thule Approach M. If you have the roof space and want something that converts from travel to sleep mode in less time than it took you to read this paragraph, the Roofnest Sparrow EYE is the way to go.
—
Ross Patton
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