Short answer: iKamper builds the sleeker, faster-to-deploy hardshell and charges a premium for it; 23Zero has closed the design gap and covers both soft-shell and hardshell with a deeper accessory range. Either one is a good tent. But you're also paying for their marketing, and there's a third option most people never see — covered at the end.

Being a fly angler and getting up there in age, a comfortable tent makes a trip feel a lot more convenient. I love it for long drives too, because if I'm tired I can just pull over and set up. Winter has been the real change — a roof top tent has expanded my range of cold-weather water knowing I've got a warm place to relax at the end of the day.

23Zero roof top tents

Product range: Both soft-shell and hard-shell models. They're an all-around manufacturer and have done a good job improving the details that get overlooked from a comfort standpoint.

Construction: Durable polycotton canvas for breathability and water resistance, with light suppression technology and eco-friendly fabric options on both tents and awnings.

Seasonality: Generally built for all-season use, with full-coverage rainfly and weatherproof coatings.

Features: Sky panels for stargazing, annexes for extra space, thick mattresses. Several hardshell builds let you add a rack on top for lighter items, and you can leave pillows and sleeping bags in the tent — which saves real cargo space in the vehicle.

Stand outs: One of the better all-around manufacturers, and I like that they take learning from each model into the next redesign. The newer fabrics are much improved, cut designs have been altered, and the hinging technology is some of the best in the industry. The Armadillo X2 in particular is off the charts. They also make all the ancillary gear — awnings, trash haulers, the lot. These guys live and breathe overlanding.

iKamper roof top tents

Product range: Known for innovative design, primarily hardshell tents that prioritise setup speed and aerodynamics.

Construction: Fiberglass or ABS hard shells with waterproofed polycotton canvas, plus insulation wall blankets for winter camping. They pay real attention to quality details.

Seasonality: Versatile across conditions, with insulation options. The insulation blankets keep you warm and cut condensation, which is the thing that actually ruins a cold night.

Features: The expandable hardshell design and integrated mattresses are the signature. Awnings and annex rooms available. Mattresses have been upgraded significantly from earlier generations.

Stand outs: Excellent at building purpose-made kits — everything arrives ready with details worked out per model. The designs are good, which is why they haven't changed much, though there are innovations since the base models that should surface in the next round. They have excellent marketing and are very well known for quality, which is certainly a plus.

Head to head: the key differences

	23Zero	iKamper
Design philosophy	Soft-shell and hardshell both	Hardshell, quick-deploy focus
Look	More utilitarian, still sleek	Distinctly sleek and aerodynamic
Accessories	Broad overlanding ecosystem	Model-specific kits
Price	Competitive	Premium

Design philosophy: iKamper focuses on innovative quick-setup hardshells; 23Zero offers traditional soft-shell alongside hardshell. I've seen far more design improvement out of 23Zero recently, and I think they're now on an equal playing field — which means there are genuine advantages to both.

Aesthetics: iKamper's sleek profile can be the deciding factor if you care about how the tent looks and how it cuts air on your vehicle. 23Zero looks more utilitarian. Both review well, but I'm a proponent of never having a field issue because I don't want the hassle — so 23Zero is my pick between the two.

Ease of use: Both are easy. Hardshells are quicker to set up and pack down than traditional soft-shells, full stop.

Comfort: Mattress quality, ventilation, and internal storage vary, but the differences are minimal and both sit well above the majority of brands. Be wary of new manufacturers knocking off established designs — they come and go like bad colds. These two are built to last.

Two alternatives worth knowing about

Here's the part nobody in the roof top tent world says out loud: a big chunk of what you pay for with the two brands above is brand recognition. They've earned it — but there are manufacturers building comparable tents without the marketing budget, and you keep the difference.

We carry Guana Equipment, whose Wanaka line is the best example I know. Guana was started by people who'd spent years living out of roof top tents and got tired of the compromises. They aren't a household name. The tents are excellent.

1. Guana Equipment Wanaka 64" — the all-rounder

The Wanaka 64" with XL Annex is where most anglers should look. It sleeps 3-4 up top, and the annex is the headline: 100" x 100", which is close to the largest on the market. Average annexes run around 65" x 75", so this is a different category of space.

Why that matters for fishing specifically: the annex has a removable floor and three doors that convert into awnings with the poles included. That gives you a covered, standing-height space to strip out of waders in the rain, hang wet gear, and keep it out of the vehicle overnight. Anyone who has changed out of soaked waders in a parking lot in February understands the value.

It's a 4-season tent — 600D waterproof ripstop with taped seams and PU coating, YKK zippers throughout, 1" aluminium poles, diamond plate aluminium base, 3" high-density foam mattress, anti-condensation mat, LED light strip, boot bags, and a 2-year warranty. Two sky windows for stargazing, and a silver coating inside the rainfly that keeps the tent darker and cooler.

2. Guana Equipment Wanaka 55" — for smaller vehicles

The Wanaka 55" with XL Annex carries the same build and the same enormous annex on a narrower footprint. It fits any vehicle with a roof rack or crossbars rated to 165 lbs dynamic, and it's been used on a Mini Cooper, Subaru Outback and Crosstrek, and RAV4 as well as full-size trucks.

This is the one if you drive a wagon or a small SUV, or if garage clearance is your real constraint. Fair warning from the spec: on a lower vehicle the annex can sit a bit low and you won't get its full capacity — the tent itself works fine regardless.

Fishing with the whole family? The Wanaka 72" sleeps four up top with room for two more in the annex.

How to actually decide

Long story short: make sure it fits your vehicle, fits in your garage, and fits all the right people. Check your rack's dynamic weight rating — that's the number that matters while you're driving, and these tents run 140-175 lbs before anyone climbs in.

Beyond that, weigh how often you'll set up and break down. If you're relocating every night, a hardshell's speed is worth paying for. If you're basecamping for a few days at a time, a soft-shell with a huge annex gives you far more usable living space for the money.

Get it right and you'll never consider sleeping on the ground again — and your winter fishing range opens up considerably.

Browse our off road and overlanding and camping collections, and keep your gear dry on the way with a dry bag.