Subaru Forester Roof Top Tents for Sale
While we've been writing tent reviews for vehicles for several years, there's no vehicle we know better than the Subaru Forester, because our owner (this author, hi!) owns two of them. A 2009 and a 2018.
We have LOVED camping on top of our Subaru Forester, and we're excited to help you be able to do the same.
We've written this collection page to give you an overview of the best roof top tents for Subaru Foresters available today.
We'll also go through how to mount a roof top tent to your Subaru Forester, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions we get. So, let's get to it!
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Top Subaru Forester Roof Top Tents for Sale
The Overland Junction Labrador is a high quality soft shell tent that comes in 2, 3, or 4+ person. It was designed and tested atop a Subaru Forester. Each size is large, and also super lightweight. And all have large skylights, a 2.75" mattress, and an optional annex.
- ✔ Large in each of its sizes
- ✔ Light in each of its sizes
- ✔ Great mattress
The Freespirit Aspen Lite roof top tent weighs in at just 100 pounds. And while it's a compact tent, it still has an extremely comfortable 3" mattress that can deflate to allow additional room to store gear. Plus, it has Freespirit's high quality, 3-layer tent body fabric.
- ✔ Unbeatable mattress
- ✔ High quality materials
- ✔ Integrated LED lighting
The Roofnest Meadowlark is an ultralight, ultracompact soft shell roof top tent. At just 90 pounds, the Meadowlark can fit any Forester with ease, and still give a great camping experience. Set up of this tent couldn't be easier, and the 2.5" mattress doesn't disappoint.
- ✔ Lightest tent on the market
- ✔ 2.5" foam mattress
- ✔ Super fast set-up
The Overland Vehicle Systems Nomadic 2 Extended Roof Top Tent is a 2-person tent that has tough fabrics and a comfortable mattress to ensure you have a great shelter no matter where your Subaru Forester takes you. Plus, add an annex for even more space.
- ✔ Sleeps 2 People
- ✔ Thick Foam Mattress
- ✔ Quick Setup
With a 60-second setup and takedown time, the Tuff Stuff Alpha II is a fold-out, hard shell roof top tent that is one of the most durable tents around. It has a thick foam mattress that sleeps 2 people comfortably and has the option to add an annex for more space.
- ✔ Sleeps 2 People
- ✔ 60 Second Setup
- ✔ Optional Add-On-Room
The Overland Junction Golden is a high quality, hard shell roof top tent that is redefining camping with truly 360-degree views. It was designed and tested on a Subaru Forester at 9,000 feet in the Rockies and is as tough and comfortable as they come.
- ✔ High quality fabrics
- ✔ 2.75" foam mattress
- ✔ Unbelievable views
The Roofnest Condor 2 has top-notch materials, a comfortable mattress, and features galore (including optional crossbars and a hybrid annex + awning system for a ton more usable space). It's available in 2 fold-out sizes depending on your group size.
- ✔ Sleeps 2-4 People
- ✔ Great design
- ✔ Tons of add-ons
For those on a tighter budget, the Overland Vehicle Systems TMBK Subaru Forester Roof Top Tent is a great, affordable option. It is very light (110 pounds) and can still sleep 2-3 people. It's also a quick setup at 5 minutes and has a comfortable mattress.
- ✔ Sleeps 2-3 People
- ✔ Affordable
- ✔ Lightweight
Can you mount a roof top tent on a Subaru Forester?
Yes, you can mount a roof top tent on any Subaru Forester - it's strong enough to support the weight of a tent and the people in it.
However, you need to make sure that your factory roof rack (a) has crossbars - the ones that run from one side of the car to the other - and (b) those crossbars can handle the weight of the tent too.
Check your owner's manual if you do have crossbars to find the dynamic weight capacity. As long as that weight capacity is higher than the weight of the tent (you don't need to worry about people weight here) then you're good to go.
If you don't have crossbars or they can't handle the weight of the tent you want, you will need to buy a Subaru Forester roof rack or crossbars. Aftermarket crossbars start around $300 and full fledged roof racks go up to about $1500.
If you're interested in just crossbars, reach out to us for great options. If you want a full-fledged rack that can handle much more weight, check out our Prinsu collection for the 2003-2008 Subaru Forester, the 2009-2013 Subaru Forester, the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester, or the 2019-2023 Subaru Forester.
Subaru Forester Roof Top Tents FAQ
Can I put a roof top tent on my Subaru Forester?
Yes, you can put a roof top tent on a Subaru Forester. But to install a roof top tent on your Subaru Forester, you will need a roof rack with crossbars, or standalone crossbars, that can handle the weight of the tent. Crossbars are the ones that go from one side of the car to the other. Depending on the year, your Subaru might already have that.
Do these roof top tents come with mattresses, or do I need to buy one separately?
Each of the Subaru Forester roof top tents seen above includes a comfortable mattress. If you're used to camping in a ground tent, you'll notice a considerable improvement in comfort.
How long does it take to set these tents up?
These roof top tents can be set up and taken down in 1-5 minutes. Hard shell tents are much faster - right around 1 minute usually. Soft shell tents are a bit slower - closer to 5 minutes.
What is the weight limit for the roof tent on a Subaru Forester?
The weight limit for the roof top tent on a Subaru Forester depends on the tent more than the Forester. Check each tent product page for its weight capacity. Most are in the 600-900 pound range. To ensure your Subaru Forester can handle the weight of the tent, check your owner's manual for your roof rack weight capacity. You don't need to worry about your weight, as that's the static weight capacity which is MUCH higher than the dynamic weight capacity listed in the manual.
How much weight can a Subaru Forester roof hold?
To determine how much weight your Subaru Forester can hold, it's important to check your owner's manual. Don't believe what your read online as even Subaru Foresters from the same year can vary. The manual will likely give you a dynamic weight capacity. As long as the tent is lighter than the dynamic weight capacity, you'll be good to go.
Does a warranty cover these roof top tent?
Yes, each roof top tent on our list is backed by a manufacturer's warranty.
Why should you buy a roof top tent for your Subaru Forester?
Camp Anywhere
You won't have to look for a wide open space to set up your tent. You can camp anywhere with a roof top tent on your Subaru Forester, from a muddy mountain to a stick and rock-covered forest, to a sandy beach!
Simple Installation
The days of struggling to orient the poles on your ground tent are long gone. Setting up roof top tents is super easy and takes less than 5 minutes for soft shell tents and less than 1 minute for hard shell tents.
Very Comfortable
All roof top tents include a comfortable mattress and tent fabrics that will keep you warm and dry in all weather conditions. This is not ground tent camping - you'll be amazed how comfortable roof top tents are.
Have Additional Questions About Subaru Forester Roof Top Tents?
Overland Junction is happy to assist you in finding the ideal roof top tent for your Subaru Forester that meets your needs while staying within your budget. Please browse our website and contact our team by text or phone at 833-205-7703 or email at support@overlandjunction.com if you have any questions or would like to learn more about any of our roof top tents before making a purchase.
