Thule Approach 2 M vs Thule Approach 2 S
Both of these are Thule tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Approach 2 M and the Approach 2 S share Thule's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Approach 2 S is 8 kg lighter at 50 kg against 58 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 M gives 3.42 m² of sleeping floor against 2.6 m², about 32 percent more, and it sleeps 3 to the Approach 2 S's 2. Headroom separates them further: 102 cm in the Approach 2 M against 89 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The Approach 2 S lists $500 lower, at $2,500 against $3,000.
Thule
Approach 2 M
The middle Approach 2 and an iF Design Award winner. It folds out to a 3.42 m² three-person floor with panoramic skylights, and at 58 kg it stays inside the dynamic roof limit of most mid-size SUVs.
- 58 kg fits most factory dynamic roof limits
- Panoramic skylights and windows
- Integrated heating port for a diesel heater
- Three-minute setup, slow next to a hardshell
Thule
Approach 2 S
The smallest and lightest tent in this database at 50 kg, with a 109 cm closed length that fits crossbar spreads small cars can actually carry. It keeps the heating port and panoramic skylights of the larger Approach models.
- 50 kg, light enough for small-car roof limits
- 109 cm closed length suits small cars
- Integrated heating port despite the size
- 89 cm interior height means no sitting upright
Which one to pick
Take the Approach 2 M if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Approach 2 S 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— best of the tents compared | 2— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | 4-season | 4-season |
| List price | $3,000— worst of the tents compared | $2,500— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 128 lb— worst of the tents compared | 110 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11 in | 11 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.8 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 28 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared | 2 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| 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. | 3 min | 3 min |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 600D recycled polyester ripstop, water resistant | 600D recycled polyester ripstop, water resistant |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | No | No |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | Yes |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Thule product page | Thule product page |
Related comparisons
- Approach 2 MvsApproach 2 L
- Approach 2 MvsFoothill 2
- Approach 2 SvsFoothill 2
- Approach 2 SvsApproach 2 L
Or read the full spec sheets for the Thule Approach 2 M and the Thule Approach 2 S.