Published on Aug 9, 2023
iKamper Skycamp 3.0 - Is it worth the price?
The all-new, improved, and updated iKamper Skycamp 3.0 rooftop tent is finally here. No doubt it's a great tent, but is it worth the price? Is it comfortable to sleep in? Find all the answers to your questions in our detailed review below...
Roof top tents have blown up in popularity over the past couple of years. There are more rooftop tent brands on the market than ever before, yet iKamper stands to be the best of them all.
Launched more than a decade ago, iKamper has come a long way since then. One of the most impressive things about iKamper as a company is that they listen to their customer better than anybody else on the market.
"Version 3 seems to address just about every negative I had from the original. Better windows, new logo, better shell. Skycamp 3 actually looks like where this tent should have been all along."
- Expedition Portal User on iKamper Skycamp 3.0
They take feedback from their global community of customers pretty seriously and have improved the Skycamp model repeatedly over the years to make it the best rooftop tent on the market.
This year, iKamper finally launched the much-awaited iKamper Skycamp 3.0 -- a new and improved version of Skycamp 2.0. They have done a lot of updates to the 3.0 model: from the mattress and fabric color to canvas design and more.
In the sections below, we will review each iKamper 3.0 feature in detail and discuss how it differs from its previous version and if it's really worth paying over $4K when there are tons of similar tents available at a much lower price.
Why Trust Our Review?
Instead of writing the review from our personal experience, we spoke to multiple customers who have used iKamper 3.0 on their adventures to truly understand the pros and cons of this tent. We do this to ensure our reviews are not biased or one-sided. You get the whole story as it is.
Skycamp 3.0 vs Skycamp 3.0 Mini
Skycamp 3.0 is available in two different models: Skycamp 3.0 and Skycamp 3.0 mini. Although they have a lot of things in common, they are a couple of features that make them different.
One of the most significant differences between the two models is the sleeping capacity. Skycamp 3.0 can sleep four people, whereas the Skycamp 3.0 mini can sleep two people. You probably already guessed that by their name. To get a better understanding of the size difference, check out the diagrams above.
As you can see, iKamper Skycamp 3.0 is much bigger than Skycamp 3.0 Mini. The floor width of 3.0 is about 44.3 sq ft, whereas the floor width of Mini is 29.9 sq ft.
From a small sedan to pickup trucks, You can mount Skycamp 3.0 Mini on almost any vehicle because of its compact and lightweight design (You will, of course, need to right roof rack system). Plus, Mini doesn't take up much space on your rack, so you will have extra space where you mount a recovery board, shovels, etc.
Skycamp 3.0 (4-person model), on the other hand, only fits SUVs, long sedans, and truck bed racks. It doesn't work with small sedans because of its large size. And unlike Mini, iKamper Skycamp 3.0 takes up all the space on your rack, and you won't be able to mount any other gear on your rack.
Mattress thickness is another feature these two models differ from each other. Skycamp 3.0 comes with a 2.5" thick mattress, whereas the Mini comes with a 2.25" thick mattress. The material used in the mattress is the same in both models, and the difference is unnoticeable.
Which model is right for you? Well, this really depends on your requirements. However, If you are looking for something compact and lightweight, go for the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini; if you need something spacious, go for the iKamper Skycamp 4-person model.
| Specs | Skycamp 3.0 | Skycamp 3.0 Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeping Capacity | 4 People | 2 People |
| Weight | 165 lbs | 125 lbs |
| Floor (LxW) | 83” x 77” (44.3 sq ft) | 83” x 62” (29.9 sq ft) |
| Price | $4199 | $3699 |
Setup and Installation
The ease of setup and takedown is one of the main appeals of hard shell rooftop tents, and this remains true for both iKamper Skycamp 3.0 models as well. They take about a minute or less to open and close -- the whole process is effortless. Please check out the video below to better understand the setup process.
The setup process is pretty much the with all hard shell rooftop tents. However, one minor feature makes iKamper Skycamp a little more effortless to set up compared to its predecessor. It's the new locking system.
In the previous versions, the shell's lock clasp was underneath the bottom panel. Often, you would find yourself squeezing your finger between the rack system and the tent to open the clasp (quite uncomfortable). But in the new iKamper, the lock clasp has been moved to the top, making it way more easier to open.
When it comes to installation, there are multiple ways to mount iKamper Skycamp on your vehicle. The cheapest option, however, is to use a pair of aftermarket crossbars like Thule Wingbar Evo or Rhino-Rack Vortex.
If you don't want to use crossbars, you can buy a vehicle-specific roof rack to mount the Skycamp rooftop tent. They are generally more expensive than crossbars, but you can mount a lot of gear on them when you are not using your rooftop tent.
If you are a truck owner, you can also use bed racks to mount iKamper Skycamp 3.0. Probably the most expensive option out of all, but it has its perks. Because you won't have the tent on your roof, there will be no wind drag or wind noise.
iKamper sends you all the mounting equipment you need to mount Skycamp 3.0 on your rack system with your purchase for free. One thing to note is that because of their weight, you won't be able to mount these tents on your vehicle on your own. You will need some help from a couple of your friends at the least.
Body Construction
One of the main complaints with previous versions of iKamper Skycamp was that the hard shell was too thin and not of great quality. iKamper addressed this issue by making the hard shell of Skycamp 3.0 pretty thick with good material.
The shell is made using double-layered fiber-reinforced plastic with 1" air insulation and is available in black and rocky black colors. The main difference between the black and rocky black variants is that the rocky black (aka matte black) color protects your shell from UV rays and hides scratches.
The body fabric of iKamper Skycamp 3.0 is made with a breathable, black-out, 300gsm poly-cotton canvas waterproof polyester with a 75D ripstop rainfly w/ eco-friendly water-repellent coating on top. In other words, iKamper 3.0 models come 4-season ready and will keep you dry and comfortable even during heavy rainfall and bad weather conditions (Even all zippers are waterproof to prevent water leaks!!).
The bottom panel of iKamper Skycamp 3.0 features an accessory rail where you can mount your shoe bags and hand camp lights. The panel also includes two weatherproof ports that allow you to pass cables and wiring to hook up any electronic gears, like fans, light strips, etc, that you might want to use.
Sleeping Experience
If you have previously used an iKamper Skycamp, then you probably know their mattress sucked! They were really thin and not very comfortable. Most customers had to put a sleeping bag or extra bedding on top of the mattress to make it more comfortable to sleep in.
The mattress is one of the most significant updates of iKamper Skycamp 3.0. It features a 9-zone insulated foam design and is about 2.5" thick, about 1" more thicker than previous versions. It's tough to make one mattress that is comfortable for everyone. However, Most people find it very comfortable to sleep on, but that might not be the case for you. If so, you always have the option to put sleeping bags or your own mattress to make your nights comfortable.
Speaking of sleeping bags, with iKamper Skycamp 3.0, you can store all your pillows, bedding, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, etc inside the tent when closing it. This is a super helpful feature that was not available in previous versions. It saves you a lot of time from lugging your pillows and sleeping bags up and down the tent whenever you want to open and close it.
Condensation inside RTTs during heavy rainfall and bad weather is a common issue (Previous Skycamp versions also had this issue). People often find heavy condensation underneath the mattress, which makes it hard to get a good night's sleep. While condensation might not seem like a big deal, If your rooftop tent is not designed to handle it, It can quickly ruin your whole trip.
To prevent this from happening, iKamper Skycamp 3.0's mattress includes an insulation layer below the mattress which not only keeps you warm but also reduces condensation during bad weather. Plus, as the body fabric is made using breathable materials, there is good ventilation inside Skycamp 3.0 at all times, which also helps prevent condensation.
All windows in Skycamp include mesh panels to prevent insects from entering and disturbing your sleep. The two side windows also have storage pockets where you can store your phone, wallet, keys, etc. You get a nice panoramic view of your campsite when you open all the windows, but it would have been more awesome if the side windows were a bit bigger (Not a deal breaker). Plus, a skylight window is built into the roof to make your nights more awesome!
Overall, iKamper Skycamp 3.0 offers a fantastic sleeping experience. No matter what weather you are camping in, you can trust this tent to keep you warm and comfortable to get a good night's sleep.
Accessories
iKamper has many accessories you can add to Skycamp to make it even better. Here's a quick look at our favorite accessories for Skycamp 3.0:
Ladder (Included)
All iKamper Skycamp 3.0 models include a redesigned telescoping ladder with angled steps that makes it easy for you to get in and out of the tent. It is height adjustable to ensure it fits perfectly with your vehicle.
Annex Plus (Optional)
In case you need additional room, Skycamp has an option for you to add an Annex to it. If you are unfamiliar with the word annex, it is basically an additional room you can use to change clothes, sleep your pets, etc. You can even use it as an extra sleeping space if required.
Skycamp's annex is very easy to set up and is made using 100% waterproof material but doesn't come with a floor. You can access the annex from inside the tent itself. It retails at about $890. While this a great add on, we do think its a bit overpriced. You can almost buy a entry level soft shell roof top tent at this price.
Awning Midgnight (Optional)
Another cool accessory you can add to your Skycamp roof top tent is the iKamper awning. Made using durable 100% waterproof polyester, it zips right onto the tent and provides you shade on both sunny and rainy days. Retails at $369.
Shoe Rack (Optional)
If you want your tent to be clean, this is a must-have for you! These lightweight hanging shoe rack keeps your shoes dry and your tent mud-free. It retails at $69, but we think for the price you pay for the tent, iKamper should include shoe racks with them for free.
What We Love About The New Skycamp:
- Both 4-person and 2-person models are very spacious to hang out and sleep in.
- The setup and takedown process is lightning quick and super easy.
- You can easily notice that the materials used in Skycamp 3.0 are of extremely high quality.
- Sleeping bags, pillows, etc., can be stored inside the tent when closed.
- Good ventilation and the anti-condensation layer underneath the mattress ensure there is no condensation during bad weather conditions.
- Body fabric is made using 100% waterproof material. You won't find water leaks even during heavy rainfall.
- The skylight window built into the tent's roof adds a luxurious feeling to your adventures.
- Low profile design helps prevent drop in your vehicle's MPG. Skycamp 3.0 mini doesn't take up too much space on the roof rack.
What We Don't Like About The New Skycamp:
- Even though the upgraded mattress is comfortable to sleep on, some people might find themself adding sleeping bags on top to make it more comfortable.
- Most rooftop tents around this price range have an option to add crossbars on the roof of the tent to allow you to mount extra gear like solar panels, kayaks, etc. Skycamp 3.0 doesn't have this option.
- Accessories like shoe bags should be included with the tent instead of having to buy them separately.
- The extremely expensive optional annex doesn't come with a PVC floor. Side windows could be bigger to create better views.
| iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Specs | |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Capacity | 2-4 People |
| Weight (Skycamp 3.0 & Mini) | 65 lbs & 125 lbs |
| Price | $3699-$4499 |
| Setup Time | 60 seconds |
| Skylight Window | Yes |
| Made In | South Korea |
Conclusion - iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Review
Is iKamper Skycamp 3.0 really worth the price? Well, it depends on who you ask. The quality of Skycamp is unquestionable, but there are roof top tents similar to iKamper that you can find for far less expensive. Overall, we think the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 is a great option and a much better tent than Skycamp 2.0. But the price point makes us uncomfortable, given all of the alternatives available today with the same (or in some cases even better) features.