Sprache wechseln
We can talk about rooftop tents all day, if you want—31 days in a row, in fact. The different styles, materials, weight, interior space, how easy they are to set up and take down…but at the end of the day, the single criteria that makes a tent great is its ability to provide you with a comfortable night’s sleep that lets you wake up feeling refreshed. Basically, your comfort and wellbeing boils down to the mattress.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Some of us prefer to sleep on our sides, others on their backs or stomachs. Some of us are heavier than others. So when you’re looking at rooftop tents, keep these basic criteria in mind when you do the lie-down test and don’t rush it…feel the mattress and give it a chance to settle in for a short while.
Soft-shell and hybrid tents present the biggest challenges because the mattresses have to fold, which means that the combined height of two pieces of mattress on top of each other directly impacts the overall height of the closed tent. Or, if you decide to swap the original mattress with an alternative, the height of the closed tent will affect the thickness of the mattress you wish to put inside.
Hard-shell tents are often designed to accommodate a thicker mattress than their folding counterparts, and to store bedding on the mattress when the tent is closed. This does give you some extra wiggle room if, for example, you want to swap the mattress or add a topper at a later date.
FEATURES
But let’s not start off by wanting to change the mattress from the outset. Instead, let’s take a look at the different features that are important to your good night’s sleep:
Material Right out of the box, most rooftop tent manufacturers provide a mattress of one kind or another. Common options include:
- Foam: the most common standard solution
- Memory foam: more expensive, customisable with different zones
- Air-inflated: adjustable firmness, takes up less space when deflated
Thickness Don’t jump to the conclusion that thicker always means to more comfortable. Thickness is certainly a good starting point, but lie on the mattress as if you were sleeping. Your weight distribution will make a big difference—shoulders and hips can quickly compress the material…which takes us directly to the next point.
Density Higher-density foam usually provides better support and prevents sagging over time. Depending on how firm or soft you like your mattress, balance the density and thickness to your needs.
An important note about memory foam mattresses: if you are planning on winter camping and anticipate low temperatures, memory foam can become quite hard and consequently uncomfortable.
Water Resistance A waterproof or water-resistant cover can help protect the mattress from moisture and ensure longevity. This is especially important at the end or side of the mattress closest to the door on wet and windy days. However, waterproof covers (and air mattresses) are not usually breathable.
Breathability A mattress with a breathable fabric surface/cover helps to regulate temperature and moisture, making for a more comfortable sleeping experience. Ideally, the cover should be removable and washable.
Durability Look for a mattress designed for outdoor use, with robust construction and materials that can withstand wear and tear.
Ventilation Mesh/Anti-Condensation Mat Whatever you want to call it, this is absolutely vital, has a unique impact on comfort, and belongs in every rooftop tent. Whether it is hot or cold outside, humidity and condensation are your enemy. There’s nothing worse than your mattress absorbing moisture for several days or weeks when you’re travelling. A free flow of air beneath the mattress makes all the difference.
Damp mattresses do not insulate as well, mould can set in, bad odours can develop. An underlying ventilation mesh/anti-condensation mat will reduce the risk of these problems to an absolute minimum and improve the quality of sleep. Not forgetting that they add approximately 10 mm to the overall height of the mattress which means added comfort and distance from (at least in winter) a cold hard surface.
Topper For hard-shell tents, this can be a great upgrade to improve comfort. However, soft-shell and hybrid tents will struggle to accommodate one when the tent is folded.
Comfort Level Some people prefer a firmer mattress, while others like a softer one. Testing different mattresses and/or reading reviews can help you find the right level of comfort.
A useful way of adding comfort to any tent, without affecting the height of the mattress too much when closed, is to slide an air mattress under the foam mattress and pump it up to the desired level of firmness. There are mattresses with pumps that inflate in less than a minute. However, this option will compromise the effectiveness of a ventilation mesh/anti-condensation mat.
BOTTOM LINE
The quality of your sleep boils down to the mattress. While most rooftop tents are pre-configured by the manufacturer, some do provide customers with choices regarding mattress specifications.
At the end of the day, you will have to look closely at the nine characteristics detailed above and decide what is going to elevate your camping experience to the max.
