Wild Land Air Cruiser vs Yakima SkyRise HD
The Wild Land Air Cruiser 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. Wild Land and Yakima take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
On weight they are effectively level — 51 kg against 52 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Inside, the SkyRise HD gives 3.47 m² of sleeping floor against 2.84 m², about 22 percent more, though both are rated for 3. Headroom separates them further: 145 cm in the Air Cruiser against 121.92 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. Both list at $2,999, so price cannot decide this one at all.
They open differently: the Air Cruiser is an inflatable and the SkyRise HD a fold-out. 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 poly-oxford PVC-coated cover (PU5000mm); 280g rip-stop polycotton PU-coated 2000mm walls; 210D poly-oxford PU3000mm floor against 600D Ripstop Polyester. Closed, the Air Cruiser sits 11.909999999999997 cm lower on the roof — 30 cm against 41.91 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
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
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 SkyRise HD if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. 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 | Inflatable | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 3 | 3 |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $2,999 | $2,999 |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 112 lb— best of the tents compared | 115 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 3 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11.8 in— best of the tents compared | 16.5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 8 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 30.6 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 37.4 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in | — |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 4 min | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | Aluminium frame base | — |
| Fabric | 600D poly-oxford PVC-coated cover (PU5000mm); 280g rip-stop polycotton PU-coated 2000mm walls; 210D poly-oxford PU3000mm floor | 600D Ripstop Polyester |
| Warranty | — | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Wild Land product page | Yakima product page |
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Or read the full spec sheets for the Wild Land Air Cruiser and the Yakima SkyRise HD.