Roam Adventure Co Vagabond 2.0 vs Yakima SkyRise HD
The Roam Adventure Co Vagabond 2.0 and the Yakima SkyRise HD 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. Roam Adventure Co and Yakima take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Roam Adventure Co Vagabond 2.0 brings 68 kg, 3.46 m² of floor and sleeps 3. The Yakima SkyRise HD counters with 52 kg, 3.47 m² of floor, 121.92 cm of headroom and sleeps 3.
The SkyRise HD is 16 kg lighter at 52 kg against 68 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Floor area is close to identical at 3.46 m² and 3.47 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The Vagabond 2.0 lists about 31% lower than the SkyRise HD.
Canvas differs too: 600D poly/cotton ripstop; 420D PU nylon rainfly against 600D Ripstop Polyester. Closed, the Vagabond 2.0 sits 18.909999999999997 cm lower on the roof — 23 cm against 41.91 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Roam Adventure Co
Vagabond 2.0
Roam's insulated-base fold-out softshell for two to three, with an included annex, a skylight and a high-R-value memory-foam mattress.
- Insulated base, R-10 mattress
- Annex and skylight included
- 2-year warranty
- ~5 min softshell setup
Yakima
SkyRise HD
The SkyRise HD is Yakima's heavy-duty softshell rooftop tent, built from 600D ripstop polyester with a 3000mm PU coating and a removable 210D polyester rainfly, plus an expansion pop-out that covers ladder access. Its published open dimensions are 126"/96" long by 56" wide with a 48-inch peak, and it weighs 131.5 lbs. Yakima rates it 4-season, includes a memory-foam mattress, anti-condensation mat and lockable clamps, and backs it with a limited two-year warranty.
- Heavier-duty 600D ripstop polyester shell compared with the lighter SkyRise SL
- Rainfly and pop-out extend to cover ladder access
- Includes memory-foam mattress, anti-condensation mat and lockable clamps
- Heavier than Yakima's SkyRise SL at 131.5 lbs
Which one to pick
Take the Vagabond 2.0 if the budget is fixed. Take the SkyRise HD if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. 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 | 3 | 3 |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $2,399— best of the tents compared | $3,499.99— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 150 lb— worst of the tents compared | 115 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 9.1 in— best of the tents compared | 16.5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 8 ft— best of the tents compared | 8 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 37.2 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 37.4 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft |
| Mattress thickness | 2.5 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 | Insulated aluminium base | — |
| Fabric | 600D poly/cotton ripstop; 420D PU nylon rainfly | 600D Ripstop Polyester |
| Warranty | 2years | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Roam Adventure Co product page | Yakima product page |
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Or read the full spec sheets for the Roam Adventure Co Vagabond 2.0 and the Yakima SkyRise HD.