Rhino-Rack Soft Shell (61026) vs TentBox Lite
The Rhino-Rack Soft Shell (61026) and the TentBox Lite are both softshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Rhino-Rack and TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Rhino-Rack Soft Shell (61026) brings 45 kg, 2.67 m² of floor and sleeps 2. The TentBox Lite counters with 50 kg, 2.93 m² of floor, 105 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
The Soft Shell (61026) is 5 kg lighter at 45 kg against 50 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Inside, the Lite gives 2.93 m² of sleeping floor against 2.67 m², about 10 percent more, though both are rated for 2. The Soft Shell (61026) lists about 13% lower than the Lite.
Canvas differs too: 600D rip-stop PolyOxford body, 210D fly, PU coated (CPAI-84) against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head.
Rhino-Rack
Soft Shell (61026)
The softer, lighter of Rhino-Rack's two two-person fold-out tents, with a published kit weight of 45kg (99lb) including the tent, ladder and mounting system. It uses a 40mm foam mattress, a 600D body and a 210D fly, and includes an LED strip light and boot bags. Awnings sit over the front door and rear window for ventilation.
- Lighter kit than Rhino-Rack's hardshell (45kg vs 65kg)
- Compatible with a wide range of Rhino-Rack platforms (Reconn-Deck, Reconn, Vortex, Pioneer)
- LED strip light and boot bags included
- Thinner 40mm mattress than the hardshell's 70mm
TentBox
Lite
TentBox's fold-out two-person tent, and one of the slimmest soft-shells here at 25 cm closed. The rainfly comes off entirely for what TentBox calls summer mode, leaving mesh panels and double skylights.
- 25 cm closed, slim for a soft-shell
- Removable rainfly for open-sky nights
- 5-year warranty
- Five minutes to pitch
Which one to pick
Take the Soft Shell (61026) if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Lite if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Beyond that the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex, cargo rails — are where the remaining difference lies.
Every specification, side by side
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $1,800— best of the tents compared | $2,070— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 99 lb— best of the tents compared | 110 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 8.3 in— best of the tents compared | 9.8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 28.7 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 31.5 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | 3 ft 5 in |
| Mattress thickness | 1.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 5 min | 5 min |
| Shell material | — | Aluminium frame with heavy-duty hinge |
| Fabric | 600D rip-stop PolyOxford body, 210D fly, PU coated (CPAI-84) | Stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head |
| Warranty | — | 5years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | No |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | No |
| Carries cargo on top | — | No |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Rhino-Rack product page | TentBox product page |
Related comparisons
- Soft Shell (61026)vsCamisarde 125
- Soft Shell (61026)vsPioneer 2 Tent
- Soft Shell (61026)vsBAOBAB AIR 135
- LitevsMeadowlark 2 XL
Or read the full spec sheets for the Rhino-Rack Soft Shell (61026) and the TentBox Lite.