Roof Tent Buying Guide – What to Know Before You Buy

In New Zealand, many roof tents marketed as “premium” or “designed for NZ conditions” are in fact mid-spec imports with a local logo. For buyers spending over $4,000, this can be a costly disappointment.

There’s a place for budget tents when fairly priced. But once you’re in the $4,000–$5,500 range, it’s vital to know whether you’re really getting expedition-grade performance, or simply paying more for the same generic product.

At Xpeditionz, we’re the only NZ distributor with direct experience of both Chinese-origin roof tents and genuine premium world brands such as EEZI-AWN and Quick Pitch. Our perspective comes not just from selling gear, but from years of cross-continent expeditions where equipment is truly tested.

Canvas Quality

Polyester (Oxford/400D/600D/900D):
Durable in the wet, but weak in sun, hot, or cold conditions. Fine for entry-level tents, but not for long-term performance.

Polycotton:
What you want — but quality varies. Chinese polycotton is acceptable for mid-spec tents (like our own SUB60). By contrast, South African-woven canvas used on world brands is in a league of its own: naturally blackout, superior thermal properties, and proven to last decades.

Seam sealing:
Budget canvas relies on seam seal tapes, which often break down after a few years. Premium canvas doesn’t need them — the weave itself is weatherproof.

Shell Construction

Aluminium beats plastic. Plastic shells may look sleek at first, but quickly degrade under NZ sun. Aluminium is far stronger and longer-lived.

Corners matter. Generic brands use extrusions joined with plastic corners; premium shells are fully welded and formed from metal — far more durable.

Awning compatibility. Mid-spec shells generally can’t support freestanding 270° awnings. Premium brands like Quick Pitch are engineered to do so, even in high winds.

Insulation

Some brands advertise “insulated” shells when all they have is a felt liner. True insulation means thick foam layers built into the floor and shell. That’s why serious world-class tents don’t need anti-condensation mats — they simply don’t get the same condensation issues.

The difference is obvious in use: in winter, you’ll stay warmer with less bedding. In summer, the tent runs cooler.

Mattresses

Most generic hard shells come with 40–50 mm mattresses. Adequate for a shop demo, not for a full night’s sleep.

Premium tents feature 70–80 mm mattresses, often multi-layered with quilted tops. Customers at expos often say: “this feels like a real bed.” That’s not something you’ll hear about thin foam pads.

Other Features

Premium tents usually come with integrated lighting and proper onboard electrics wired through Anderson plugs — not just a USB light strip.

The Bottom Line

Ignore the marketing — focus on construction, canvas, insulation and mattress quality.

If you’re shopping between $4,000–$5,500, most of what you’ll see are rebranded mid-spec imports at inflated prices. With a modest step up toward $6,000, you move into genuine world-class gear like the EEZI-AWN Blade or Quick Pitch range. The difference in comfort, durability, and performance is huge compared to the small increase in spend.

If you want equipment proven to last decades — the same tents trusted for cross-continent expeditions worldwide — you’re in the right place.

👉 See our Hard Shell Models
👉 See our Soft Shell Models