Roof Lodge Evolution 2 (140) vs Yakima SkyRise HD
The Roof Lodge Evolution 2 (140) 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. Roof Lodge and Yakima take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Roof Lodge Evolution 2 (140) brings 65 kg, 3.36 m² of floor, 120 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. 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 13 kg lighter at 52 kg against 65 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 3.36 m² and 3.47 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The Evolution 2 (140) lists about 34% lower than the SkyRise HD.
Canvas differs too: 320 g/m2 polycotton (65% polyester / 35% cotton), PU-coated against 600D Ripstop Polyester.
Roof Lodge
Evolution 2 (140)
The Roof Lodge Evolution 2 is a German-made fold-out softshell rooftop tent built on a thermoplastic honeycomb floor with a 320 g/m2 PU-coated polycotton canopy. The 140 cm width sleeps two on a 60 mm foam mattress at a setup height of about 120 cm, and mounts to standard crossbars up to 120 mm wide. It is the narrower of Roof Lodge's two Evolution 2 widths and can be ordered as a Basic tent or as an Extended version with a large ground annex.
- Designed and assembled in Germany on a rigid thermoplastic honeycomb floor
- Package includes a 60 mm mattress, 3D-mesh underlay, aluminium ladder, LED lighting and two skylight windows
- Compatible with an optional ground annex/awning for extended stays
- OEKO-TEX 100 certified mattress (two firmness options) plus long-term spare parts and repairs from Roof Lodge's own German workshop
- Optional thermal inner tent available for cold-weather use, extending it toward year-round camping
- Relatively heavy at 55 kg
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 Evolution 2 (140) 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 | 2— worst of the tents compared | 3— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | 3-season— worst of the tents compared | 4-season— best of the tents compared |
| List price | $2,320— best of the tents compared | $3,499.99— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 143 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 1 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 15.7 in— best of the tents compared | 16.5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared | 8 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 37.4 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.4 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 | — | — |
| Fabric | 320 g/m2 polycotton (65% polyester / 35% cotton), PU-coated | 600D Ripstop Polyester |
| Warranty | — | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Roof Lodge product page | Yakima product page |
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- Evolution 2 (140)vsLightweight (140)
Or read the full spec sheets for the Roof Lodge Evolution 2 (140) and the Yakima SkyRise HD.