Rooftop tents have transformed car camping, and the Roofnest Sparrow is a standout example of what a hard-shell rooftop tent can offer.
Although we’ve spent many nights in soft-shell rooftop tents, we hadn’t owned a hard-shell model before this test, so we were eager to try the new Roofnest Sparrow.
We used the Sparrow for a week mounted to the roof of a 2020 Kia Telluride. The Telluride proved to be a comfortable, capable vehicle for this review and complemented the tent well.
On the Road with the Roofnest Sparrow
The best way to evaluate a rooftop tent is on a road trip. Southern California was still hot, so we avoided deep desert destinations like Joshua Tree and the Mojave National Preserve. The Telluride is all-wheel drive and capable, but we chose a route suited to family travel rather than off-road exploration.
We drove about 500 miles from Los Angeles to Tucson to visit family, with a couple of overnight stops along the way. We also spent a night in the Sparrow in my parents’ driveway in the Catalina Foothills so we could test both on-the-road and at-home setups.
First Impressions
The Roofnest Sparrow is one of the best-looking rooftop tents we’ve seen. Closed, its profile is lower and sleeker than many cargo boxes and far more aerodynamic than boxy soft-shell tents, which helps reduce the fuel penalty.
The tent’s clean lines are interrupted only by the tasteful stainless-steel latches that secure the shell.
Mounted on Aero Thule crossbars, the Sparrow sat on the Telluride looking almost factory-installed, with a neat, integrated appearance.
Wind noise was minimal even at highway speeds. That low noise level is likely because the Sparrow measures only 11 inches tall when closed and is constructed from fiberglass-reinforced ABS, which helps avoid rattles.
Weighing 130 pounds, the Sparrow is light for a full-size two-person hard-shell tent. Two people can lift it onto or off a roof rack without much trouble, and its light weight is appealing to overlanders mindful of added load.
Setup the Roofnest Sparrow
One of the main advantages of hard-shell rooftop tents is how quickly they open and close compared with soft-sided models.
Before opening the Sparrow, park on level ground. If the vehicle is tilted, you’ll end up sleeping on an angle. If necessary, level a tire or two with boards or move to a flatter spot—setup considerations are similar to pitching a ground tent.
To deploy the Sparrow, release the stainless latches and push up. Gas-charged struts at each corner assist the shell to pop open smoothly and quickly.
Finish by attaching the telescoping ladder to the side or rear and climb in—it’s that simple.
The tent fabric is a 280-gram polyurethane-coated polyester and cotton blend with a 3000mm waterproof rating—well above the typical 1000mm rating found on many backpacking tents—so it offers solid protection from rain, wind and cold.
Each window converts to a small awning using the included poles, and mesh panels provide ventilation while keeping insects out—helpful for warm evenings when you want cross-breezes.
Sleeping in the Roofnest Sparrow
After a long drive through heavy Los Angeles traffic, we stopped at a primitive campground outside El Centro, California. The kids were already asleep, but within ten minutes we had the Sparrow open and easily carried our small children up the ladder to settle them on the mattress.
The 7.5-foot telescoping ladder is straightforward to set up. Roofnest provides ladder clips on three sides so you can position the ladder for your vehicle and campsite layout.
We slept well initially, but early in the night we awoke to the smell of wildfire smoke and left the site while it was still dark. Later, in Tucson, we enjoyed a full night’s sleep in clear air.
Sparrow Interior
Inside the Sparrow you get nearly 360-degree views that are a hallmark of pop-up hard-shell tents, and with 40 inches of headroom you won’t feel cramped.
A key strength of the Sparrow is its mattress. The 3-inch foam mattress is custom cut to use the tent’s floor area efficiently and is pleasantly plush. We packed sleeping bags and pillows on top of the mattress before leaving so bedding didn’t take up space inside the vehicle.
To avoid moisture buildup, the Sparrow includes an anti-condensation mat that creates an air-permeable layer between the mattress and the lower shell. That improves airflow, reduces condensation, and adds a bit of padding for comfort.
The Sparrow is rated as a two-person tent, and we fit one adult and two small children comfortably. For those needing extra room, Roofnest offers a Sparrow XL model.
Specifications
Key specifications for the Roofnest Sparrow:
- Sleeps: 2
- Interior: 83″ L x 49″ W
- Exterior: 85″ L x 50″ W
- Height: 11″ when closed
- Max headroom: 40″ when open
- Width between Roofnest mounting rails: 21.5″
- Minimum distance front-back between rack crossbars: 28″
- Weight: 130 lbs
- Included with tent: 7.5′ ladder, anti-condensation mat, detachable pocket, 4’x4′ ground mat
We were sorry to return the Sparrow at the end of our loan. Rooftop tents add convenience and a sense of adventure to travel, and our kids really enjoyed the experience. Ground tents remain useful in many situations, but for mobile exploration and overlanding, a hard-shell rooftop tent like the Sparrow delivers a superior experience when the budget and vehicle compatibility allow.
For those comparing tent types, camping in a hard-shell rooftop tent differs notably from soft-sided models. If you can accommodate the cost and roof space, a hard-shell tent offers faster setup, better durability, and improved comfort.
The Roofnest Sparrow is available to order directly from the manufacturer and is positioned as a premium, well-built option for weekenders and overlanders seeking a compact, lightweight hard-shell rooftop tent.
