Thule Approach 2 L vs Wild Land Air Cruiser
The Thule Approach 2 L and the Wild Land Air Cruiser 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. Thule and Wild Land take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Air Cruiser is 17 kg lighter at 51 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. Inside, the Approach 2 L gives 4.47 m² of sleeping floor against 2.84 m², about 57 percent more, and it sleeps 4 to the Air Cruiser's 3. Headroom separates them further: 145 cm in the Air Cruiser against 102 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The Air Cruiser lists $601 lower, at $2,999 against $3,600.
They open differently: the Approach 2 L is a fold-out and the Air Cruiser an inflatable. That is not cosmetic — it decides whether headroom is even across the tent or tapers towards one end, and how much of the roof the tent occupies when closed. Canvas differs too: 600D recycled polyester ripstop, water resistant against 600D poly-oxford PVC-coated cover (PU5000mm); 280g rip-stop polycotton PU-coated 2000mm walls; 210D poly-oxford PU3000mm floor. The Air Cruiser adds integrated LED lighting, which the Approach 2 L does not offer.
Thule
Approach 2 L
The largest Approach 2, with a 4.47 m² four-person floor. It is the only four-person tent here that stays under 70 kg, which keeps it inside the dynamic roof limit of several full-size trucks and SUVs.
- Lightest four-person tent here at 68 kg
- 4.47 m² floor
- Heating port and panoramic skylights
- 183 cm closed width needs a wide rack
Wild Land
Air Cruiser
The Air Cruiser is Wild Land's inflatable rooftop tent, using air beams over an aluminium base rather than poles, with a built-in electric pump the maker says fully inflates it in about four minutes. It sleeps 2-3 on a 5 cm foam mattress and includes LED lighting and dual roof skylights. It is the only inflatable model in Wild Land's US line-up.
- Built-in electric pump inflates the tent in about four minutes
- Includes LED lighting and dual roof skylights
- Full fabric specification published (PU5000mm cover)
- Heavier tent-only weight (51 kg) than the lighter fold-out models
Which one to pick
Take the Approach 2 L if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Air Cruiser 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 | Inflatable |
| Sleeps | 4— best of the tents compared | 3— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | 4-season | — |
| List price | $3,600— worst of the tents compared | $2,999— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 150 lb— worst of the tents compared | 112 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 6 ft— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11 in— best of the tents compared | 11.8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 8 ft— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 6 ft— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 48.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 30.6 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.4 in— best of the tents compared | 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 3 min— best of the tents compared | 4 min— worst of the tents compared |
| Shell material | — | Aluminium frame base |
| Fabric | 600D recycled polyester ripstop, water resistant | 600D poly-oxford PVC-coated cover (PU5000mm); 280g rip-stop polycotton PU-coated 2000mm walls; 210D poly-oxford PU3000mm floor |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | No | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Thule product page | Wild Land product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Thule Approach 2 L and the Wild Land Air Cruiser.