Roofnest Meadowlark 2 XL vs Yakima SkyRise HD
The Roofnest Meadowlark 2 XL 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. Roofnest and Yakima take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Roofnest Meadowlark 2 XL brings 54 kg, 3.6 m² of floor, 114 cm of headroom and sleeps 3. The Yakima SkyRise HD counters with 52 kg, 3.47 m² of floor, 121.92 cm of headroom and sleeps 3.
On weight they are effectively level — 54 kg against 52 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Floor area is close to identical at 3.6 m² and 3.47 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The Meadowlark 2 XL lists about 40% lower than the SkyRise HD.
Canvas differs too: 600D rip-stop polyoxford, 2000 mm waterproof rating against 600D Ripstop Polyester. Closed, the Meadowlark 2 XL sits 8.909999999999997 cm lower on the roof — 33 cm against 41.91 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Roofnest
Meadowlark 2 XL
Roofnest's soft-shell entry point, and the cheapest tent they sell. It delivers a 3.60 m² three-person floor for well under half the price of the hardshell Condor, at the cost of a fabric cover instead of a shell.
- Well under half the price of Roofnest's hardshells
- 3.60 m² floor for three
- 54 kg suits mid-size SUVs
- Soft cover means slower pack-down in bad weather
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 Meadowlark 2 XL 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 | 3 |
| Season rating | 4-season | 4-season |
| List price | $2,095— best of the tents compared | $3,499.99— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 120 lb— worst of the tents compared | 115 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 5 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 13 in— best of the tents compared | 16.5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared | 8 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 5 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 38.8 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 37.4 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.5 in | — |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 60 sec | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 600D rip-stop polyoxford, 2000 mm waterproof rating | 600D Ripstop Polyester |
| Warranty | 2years | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Roofnest product page | Yakima product page |
Related comparisons
- Meadowlark 2 XLvsLite
- Meadowlark 2 XLvsBAOBAB AIR 135
- Meadowlark 2 XLvsFun
- Meadowlark 2 XLvsPioneer 2 Tent
Or read the full spec sheets for the Roofnest Meadowlark 2 XL and the Yakima SkyRise HD.