RoofBunk Explorer vs RoofBunk Explorer XL
Both of these are RoofBunk tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Explorer and the Explorer XL share RoofBunk's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Explorer is 15 kg lighter at 50 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. Inside, the Explorer XL gives 6.05 m² of sleeping floor against 4.34 m², about 39 percent more, and it sleeps 5 to the Explorer's 3. The Explorer lists $516 lower, at $1,484 against $2,000.
RoofBunk
Explorer
The Explorer is the entry model in RoofBunk's three-tent soft-shell Explorer range, a fold-out tent the maker rates for 2-3 occupants. RoofBunk lists open dimensions of 310 x 140cm - a figure that includes a 70 x 140cm entrance canopy over the ladder - a packed size of 140 x 120 x 30cm and a 6cm memory-foam mattress. It uses a 320gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas body (3000mm HH) with a 600D Oxford polyester rainfly (5000mm HH) and is marketed as 4-season.
- 4-season rating with a 3000mm-HH canvas body and 5000mm-HH rainfly
- Supplied with a 6cm memory-foam mattress, USB strip light and two skylights
- 2-year warranty, extendable to 7 years per RoofBunk
- Manufacturer does not state what the 50kg weight includes
RoofBunk
Explorer XL
The Explorer XL is the mid-size tent in RoofBunk's three soft-shell Explorer models, widening the sleeping platform to a published 240 x 195cm for up to 4-5 occupants. RoofBunk lists open dimensions of 310 x 195cm (including the entrance canopy), a 65kg (143 lbs) weight, a 6cm memory-foam mattress and the same 320gsm poly-cotton canvas and 600D Oxford rainfly as the standard Explorer. It is offered on pre-order and rated 4-season by the maker.
- Wider 240 x 195cm published sleeping area than the standard Explorer
- Weight published in both kg and lbs (65kg / 143 lbs)
- 4-season rated with the same canvas and rainfly as the rest of the range
- Sold on pre-order rather than in stock at time of verification
Which one to pick
Take the Explorer XL if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Explorer 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 | 3— worst of the tents compared | 5— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | 4-season | 4-season |
| List price | $1,480— best of the tents compared | $2,000— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 110 lb— best of the tents compared | 143 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 3 ft 11 in | 3 ft 11 in |
| Packed height | 11.8 in | 11.8 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 10 ft 2 in | 10 ft 2 in |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft 5 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 46.7 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 65.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 3 in | 4 ft 3 in |
| Mattress thickness | 2.4 in | 2.4 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 4 min | 4 min |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 320gsm poly-cotton blend ripstop canvas body; 600D Oxford polyester rainfly | 320gsm poly-cotton blend ripstop canvas body; 600D Oxford polyester rainfly |
| Warranty | 2years | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | RoofBunk product page | RoofBunk product page |
Related comparisons
- ExplorervsGen2 Overlander Standard Tent
- ExplorervsTanami Light 140
- ExplorervsCamisarde 125
- ExplorervsLite Cruiser 120 XL
Or read the full spec sheets for the RoofBunk Explorer and the RoofBunk Explorer XL.