Rhino-Rack Soft Shell (61026) vs Vickywood LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2
The Rhino-Rack Soft Shell (61026) and the Vickywood LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2 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.
By the numbers, the Rhino-Rack Soft Shell (61026) brings 45 kg, 2.67 m² of floor and sleeps 2. The Vickywood LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2 counters with 43 kg, 2.7 m² of floor, 115 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
On weight they are effectively level — 45 kg against 43 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Floor area is close to identical at 2.67 m² and 2.7 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2 lists about 23% lower than the Soft Shell (61026).
Canvas differs too: 600D rip-stop PolyOxford body, 210D fly, PU coated (CPAI-84) against 420D Oxford polyester, PU-coated, 3,000 mm water column, UV 50+. Closed, the Soft Shell (61026) sits 14 cm lower on the roof — 21 cm against 35 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
LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2
The LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2 is a compact soft-shell fold-out tent for up to 2 people, with semi-automatic opening/closing side windows and a 7 cm cold-foam mattress. It has two roof windows and a 100 cm warm-white LED strip with USB. It is among Vickywood's lightest folding tents by published weight.
- Thick 7 cm cold-foam mattress
- Compact and light for a fold-out tent
- Two roof windows for ventilation
- Modest 3,000 mm water column rating
Which one to pick
Take the LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2 if the budget is fixed. 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 | — | — |
| List price | $1,800— worst of the tents compared | $1,390— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 99 lb— worst of the tents compared | 95 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 8.3 in— best of the tents compared | 13.8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 5 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 28.7 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 29.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | 3 ft 9 in |
| Mattress thickness | 1.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.8 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 minest. |
| Shell material | — | 1000G PVC protective cover |
| Fabric | 600D rip-stop PolyOxford body, 210D fly, PU coated (CPAI-84) | 420D Oxford polyester, PU-coated, 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
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- Soft Shell (61026)vsLite
Or read the full spec sheets for the Rhino-Rack Soft Shell (61026) and the Vickywood LITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2.