After releasing its first rooftop tent 20 years ago, Australia’s ARB enters the hardshell market this summer with its latest overlanding lineup.
As of June 17, happy campers looking for a new rooftop tent (RTT) can take their search down under. ARB’s two new RTTs, the Esperance and the Flinders, seek to “balance comfort and vehicle performance,” per the tent-builder. They also clock in at affordable price points.
“ARB recognizes that the needs of overlanders are more diverse than ever before and created these purposeful rooftop tents accordingly,” the company said.
Rooftop Tents on the Rise
It’s not too surprising that ARB has widened the tent options available to consumers. Researchers expect the global market for camping tents to reach $7.9 billion by 2031, with mobile options like RTTs becoming increasingly popular.
Increased interest in camping among millennials and zoomers continues to drive the growth of the global tent market, Allied Market Research reported. It also said the “increase in adoption of westernized culture among Asian countries” has played a role in the boom. As a result, consumers now enjoy many new options for RTTs.
Esperance and Flinders
With the Esperance, ARB made efficiency a high priority. The tent’s clamshell design packs down to a height of 13 inches and weighs just 123 pounds. Opened up, the tent offers dimensions of 60 x 79 x 47 inches.
Gas struts keep the tent open, allowing campers to stargaze on clear nights. The Esperance includes a telescopic ladder, two large windows, a removable rainfly, and a 1.5-inch-thick mattress that sleeps two.
ARB’s other new tent model is the Flinders, an “airy counterpart” of the Esperance. The Flinders offers the company’s biggest footprint at 55 x 94 x 55 inches, yet still packs down comparable to previous models.
The ladder for the Flinders packs on externally, unlike the Esperance. However, the bigger variant also offers more interior space, a skylight, and five zipper windows. It comes with a foam mattress and a USB charging port.
ARB priced the two new entries to compete: the Esperance is available for about $2,680, while the Flinders rings up at $1,689.
