In general, we’d rate rooftop tents as being more comfortable than regular, ground-pitched tents, but less comfortable than an RV or fifth wheel. But, of course, most campers are curious and industrious folk, and chances are good you can find ways to improve upon the overall comfort of your tent.

Camping on the roof of your car probably doesn’t sound very comfortable. Vehicles are made of metal, and roofs are usually curved, often with aerodynamic bumps or lines. However, rooftop tents are not literally pitched on the roof of a car: they’re pitched on platforms that mount to roof racks.

Ok, so sleeping on a platform also doesn’t sound super comfortable. Knowing this, almost every rooftop tent manufacturer we’ve seen on the market has included a mattress in their tent design. Some include thick foam mattresses to rest on after a day’s hiking and fishing; others include fancy moisture-wicking systems to keep campers dry even on the dewiest of mornings.