Yakima SkyRise HD vs Yakima SkyRise SL
Both of these are Yakima tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The SkyRise HD and the SkyRise SL share Yakima's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
On weight they are effectively level — 52 kg against 55 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. The SkyRise SL lists $500 lower, at $2,499 against $2,999.
Canvas differs too: 600D Ripstop Polyester against 210D Ripstop Polyester.
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
Yakima
SkyRise SL
The SkyRise SL is Yakima's lightweight softshell rooftop tent, using 210D ripstop polyester for both the body and rainfly and weighing 121 lbs, lighter than the 600D SkyRise HD. It packs to 58 by 48 by 16.5 inches and includes a 2.5-inch memory-foam mattress (94 by 55 inches) with a removable cover. Yakima rates it 4-season and backs it with a limited two-year warranty.
- Lighter than Yakima's SkyRise HD at 121 lbs
- Includes a 2.5-inch memory-foam mattress with removable cover
- Yakima rates it 4-season
- Lighter-weight 210D polyester fabric versus the 600D SkyRise HD
Which one to pick
Take the SkyRise SL 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 | $2,999— worst of the tents compared | $2,499— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 115 lb— best of the tents compared | 121 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 10 in | 4 ft 10 in |
| Packed width | 4 ft | 4 ft |
| Packed height | 16.5 in | 16.5 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 8 ft | — |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 8 in | — |
| Floor area | 37.4 sq ft | — |
| Interior height | 4 ft | — |
| Mattress thickness | — | 2.5 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 600D Ripstop Polyester | 210D Ripstop Polyester |
| Warranty | 2years | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Yakima product page | Yakima product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Yakima SkyRise HD and the Yakima SkyRise SL.