Rhino-Rack Soft Shell (61026) vs Vickywood BAOBAB AIR 135
The Rhino-Rack Soft Shell (61026) and the Vickywood BAOBAB AIR 135 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 Vickywood take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
On weight they are effectively level — 45 kg against 42.5 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Floor area is close to identical at 2.67 m² and 2.86 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. List prices are within $190.99 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
They open differently: the Soft Shell (61026) is a fold-out and the BAOBAB AIR 135 an inflatable. That is not cosmetic — it decides whether headroom is even across the tent or tapers towards one end, and how much of the roof the tent occupies when closed. Canvas differs too: 600D rip-stop PolyOxford body, 210D fly, PU coated (CPAI-84) against 280 g/m2, 3,000 mm water column, UV 50+. Closed, the Soft Shell (61026) sits 6 cm lower on the roof — 21 cm against 27 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
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
Vickywood
BAOBAB AIR 135
The BAOBAB AIR 135 is Vickywood's inflatable folding tent, using a single-chamber air frame that unfolds as it inflates rather than poles. It sleeps 2 on a 220 x 130 cm area, has two roof windows and dimmable USB-C LED lighting, and the maker states inflation takes over a minute. It is the lightest-weight option among Vickywood's folding models by published figures.
- Pole-free single-chamber inflatable frame
- Low packed height (27 cm) and modest weight
- Two roof windows and dimmable USB-C LEDs
- Mattress thickness not published
Which one to pick
These two are closely matched on the numbers that usually decide it. Read the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex — and let whichever of those you will actually use break the tie.
Every specification, side by side
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Inflatable |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,800— worst of the tents compared | $1,610— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 99 lb— worst of the tents compared | 94 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 8.3 in— best of the tents compared | 10.6 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 | 4 ft 3 in |
| Floor area | 28.7 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 30.8 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft |
| Mattress thickness | 1.6 in | — |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 5 min | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | — | Aluminum honeycomb base |
| Fabric | 600D rip-stop PolyOxford body, 210D fly, PU coated (CPAI-84) | 280 g/m2, 3,000 mm water column, UV 50+ |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Rhino-Rack product page | Vickywood product page |
Related comparisons
- Soft Shell (61026)vsCamisarde 125
- Soft Shell (61026)vsPioneer 2 Tent
- Soft Shell (61026)vsDeluxe
- BAOBAB AIR 135vsCamisarde 125
Or read the full spec sheets for the Rhino-Rack Soft Shell (61026) and the Vickywood BAOBAB AIR 135.