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After a long, hectic day out in the wilderness and traveling through tough terrain, who wouldn’t want to have a comfortable spot for resting? In any adventurous inventory, the overlanding tent and storage spaces are extremely important, apart from other gear like a rugged vehicle and power backup.
Any tent just wouldn’t do in these situations. An overlanding tent needs to be portable, robust, and versatile enough to be used for different purposes, and even in different configurations like the rest of your camping gear.
There are different types of Overlanding tents available on the market, designed for different weather conditions, capacity, and usage in outdoor conditions.
SMRT Tent develops and manufactures a range of outdoor and adventure gear for adrenaline junkies, and they have a versatile Summit Suite rooftop tent in their lineup, ideal for Overlanding and camping.
Let’s understand why this tent is so popular among Overlanding enthusiasts, its important features, and specs, and what makes it one of your best options. A few other options in Overlanding tents are also discussed to make this choice easier for you.
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Best Overlanding Tent: SMRT
The SMRT Sumit Suite Rooftop Tent has limitless utility and a dependable service life, so campers can rely on it for years and years. Let’s have an in-depth look at some of the salient qualities of this tent/
Lightweight and Sturdy
With a packaged weight of just 160 lbs and a compact design, this tent is a great option for a rooftop camping outing. Its size, weight, and dimensions also makes it easy to store and transport, irrespective of the terrain and location.
It has dual shell layering for sturdiness and longevity. The outer shell is made of powder-coated heavy-duty honeycomb and extruded aluminum that makes it all-weather resistant, tough, and puncture-resistant. The inner shell has weatherstripping to make it durable for all circumstances.
An aluminum handle and stainless steel hardware gives it corrosion and rust repellent properties. A 280 g ripstop polyester/cotton canvas tent material with a 1,900 mm PU coating and UPF 40 rating is super resistant to weather, mold, and mildew. It’s also breathable and quick-drying, ideal for year-round camping and overlanding.
Easy to Install and Use
SMRT Suite comes with an elastic cord to pull in fabric for easy packing and unpacking. Multiple hooks and designated latches make it easier to secure on the rooftop or any other location. There are 360° upper and lower mounting channels that allow you to attach tent hardware and any additional accessories, and two sets of ladder-mounting brackets offer multiple options for entry points.
There‘s also an option of an 8.5’ telescopic ladder which can be adjusted to different heights to enable different entry points.
All openings come with both canvas panels and mesh windows for ventilation, and toggle-and-loop fasteners hold all entryway canvas and mesh neatly out of the way.
Additionally, one functional canopy with tension poles can be stowed up at the rear entryway, and adjusted with help of side zippers.
Spacious and Practical
Despite its compact size, the SMRT tent accommodates three people. While traveling, it has a rooftop capacity of 175 lbs (and 80 lbs when open), to support accessories like a bike or a kayak.
On the inside, there are multiple storage spaces like two internal pockets for flashlights and other items. There’s a large internal mesh storage pocket on the tent ceiling to hold clothing or apparel, and for hanging lights. There are two shoe bags with “s” clips as well, and to help you sleep comfortably, it comes with a three-inch EPS open-cell foam mattress that is water-resistant and super comfortable.
It also has a flat top that allows easy access and placement of portable solar panels. Moreover, the SMRT Summit Suite has a lot of additional accessories and add-ons that can be purchased separately for enhanced utility and comfort.
Specifications
- Capacity: 3-person
- Weight: 160 lbs
- Packed Size: 84.5 x 60 x 6.3 inches
- Length: 81.5 inches
- Width: 59 inches
- Height: 56 inches
- Canopy Fabric: 280 g ripstop canvas (65% polyester/35% cotton)
A (Very) Large Overlanding Tent Option
Image Credit: Amazon
The Ozark Trail 10-person tent is the best large tent one could choose for Overlanding.
Built with durability and practicality in mind, it offers superb space, all-condition usability, and dependability – no matter what the conditions may be.
This large family-size tent comes with windows on all sides, protected by a rainfly so you can enjoy the view, even when it’s pouring.
The tent also comes with a room divider that offers extra privacy if required, and easily fits 10 people on the floor – including two queen-size mattresses.
This 10-person tent is made of durable 68D coated polyester fabric material, and includes gear loft and electrical cord access for utility and comfort.
If you have a big group (or just want a lot of room for yourself), it’s hard to go wrong with this tent!
Specifications
- Capacity: 10 person
- Weight: 35.2 lbs
- Packed Size: 29.92 x 11.89 x 10.87 inches
- Length: 168 inches
- Width: 120 Inches
- Height: 86 Inches
- Canopy Fabric: Polyester
The Best Small Overlanding Tent
The MSR Elixir 1 tent is the most comfortable tent for solitary trekkers and campers, combining a quick and easy setup with ample space. The adaptable tent has one easy-entry entrance and a big vestibule for storing stuff.
To provide ventilation, warmth, and seclusion, the tent body blends permeable mesh with substantial canopy fabric. A built-in gear loft on the inside keeps smaller items organized and accessible, and the glow-in-the-dark zipper pull makes it simple to discover at night.
The Elixir 1 tent was also designed for maximum livability, whether you’re camping in the front country or hiking further into the woods. It includes a footprint for a fast and easy setup and protection from moist ground as well.
Specifications
- Capacity: 1 person
- Weight: 5.5 lbs
- Packed Size: 18.5 x 7.56 x 4.88 inches
- Length: 86 inches
- Width: 63 inches
- Canopy Fabric: Polyester
Other Recommended Overlanding Gear