Soft Shell vs Hard Shell Roof Top Tents in Perth: Which Is Right for You

Planning your next 4×4 adventure across Western Australia? Choosing the right roof top tent can shape your entire camping experience. Whether you’re exploring Karijini, cruising up the Coral Coast, or chasing dirt tracks through the Pilbara, picking the right setup matters.

At Big Country 4×4 Australia, we help adventurers find the best roof top tent in Perth — without the guesswork.

Soft Shell vs Hard Shell Roof Top Tents: What’s the Difference?

The biggest difference comes down to how each tent is built, and how quickly you can get to sleep.

Hard Shell Roof Top Tents

Quick Overview of Hard Shell Roof Top Tents:

  • Rigid top and base
  • Pops up in seconds
  • Strong weather and wind protection
  • More aerodynamic while driving
  • Some models allow you to store bedding inside

Hard shell tents feature a rigid, aerodynamic top and base, allowing them to pop up instantly with minimal effort, making them exceptionally fast to set up and pack down.

This design also provides superior durability and weather resistance against wind and rain. Some tents allow bedding to be stored inside when closed. 

If you’re bouncing between campsites or coping with wild WA weather, a hard shell tent keeps things quick and simple.

Browse our hard shell rooftop tents.

Soft Shell Roof Top Tents

Quick Overview of Soft Shell Roof Top Tents

  • Fold-out fabric design
  • More internal floor space
  • Better value for money
  • Often lighter, fits more vehicles

Soft shell roof top tents use a durable fabric and fold open, typically offering a larger sleeping space and a more affordable price tag. While they take slightly longer to pitch due to the fabric cover and folding mechanism, their size makes them better suited for families or campers needing extra room.

If space is the priority (especially for families), soft shells shine.

Featured Roof Top Tents, Available at Big Country 4×4 Australia

Red Dog “Lab” Side Fold Roof Top Tent

(Hybrid Style – Hard Shell + Soft Shell Benefits)

This model gives you the best of both worlds — hard-shell durability with soft-shell spaciousness.

  • Hard shell strength + soft shell layout
  • Designed to handle heavy rain + coastal wind
  • Functional setup focused on comfort and space

This folding roof top tent is a hard shell model from Red Dog that offers the best of both worlds. It has the durability and structure of a hard shell roof top tent with the softness and folding ability of a soft shell tent.

This tent has been designed with functionality and comfort in mind to protect you from heavy wind and rain while camping.

View Red Dog Lab Roof Top Tent

Bundutop Electric Roof Top Tent

(Electric Hard Shell – The “Press a Button, and it’s Done” Tent)

Open and close your tent with one button. Zero effort.

  • Push-button electric lift
  • Large windows for airflow
  • Weatherproof design for serious touring
  • Roof strong enough to support a solar panel, ideal for powering your fridge

This electric roof top tent by Bundutec is one of the most sophisticated hard shell roof top tents for 4×4 vehicles. It opens with the push of a button, comes with large zip up windows, and offers ventilation or protection from the elements, depending on your needs. 

Need power? No problem, because this electric roof top tent is strong enough to support a solar panel on the roof that is strong enough to keep your fridge running.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a hard shell roof top tent faster to set up and pack down?

Hard shell roof top tents are significantly faster, usually taking under a minute, which is ideal if you need to change campsites.

Which style offers more interior space for families?

Soft shell tents fold out to cover a larger surface area, offering more floor space, making them a good option for families or groups.

Which roof top tent handles strong wind and rain better?

Hard shell tents are generally more durable and aerodynamic when closed, offering superior protection in harsh storms or strong coastal winds.

Ready to Choose Your Roof Top Tent?

Shop online with Big Country 4×4 Australia and find your ultimate roof top tent for your next adventure. Discover roof top tents for your 4×4 and match them with strong aluminium roof racks in Perth for reliable, long-lasting performance.