Simple Setup, Big Windows, and a Freakin’ Couch! Thule WideSky Rooftop Tent Review

It was at 4:00 in the morning, after a bear had lumbered into my truck bed, shaking the vehicle and straining the leaf springs, that I became a faithful roof-top tent (RTT) camper. That pivotal experience happened in 2019, and it has ensured that a RTT remained on my pickup. But over the years, my Roof Nest Sandpiper began to show its age and became a bit more of a burden than a benefit.

I knew I wanted a new RTT to replace my old one, but the market is saturated. With so many options, I needed a tent that was substantively different and offered something distinctively better than the competition. The Thule WideSky fit the bill. Its unique hybrid clamshell/pop-up design, massive windows, and promise of an in-tent sofa made it a standout.

In short: While it’s tempting to seek lower-priced, value options in the crowded RTT market, the Thule WideSky makes a good case for investing in a higher-priced tent. Though it promises clever features, like a bed that converts to a sofa, integrated lighting, and a removable rainfly, its simplicity and stout construction offer true peace of mind—especially when short-lived, cheap alternatives with convoluted setups abound.

Check out all of our favorites in the GearJunkie Guide to Best Rooftop Tents.

Thule WideSky Review

Setup

I received the WideSky via freight delivery in the spring. It’s worth noting that the bottom of the tent was damaged in transit. This did not affect the tent’s testing or performance, but I’ve noticed more and more issues with shipping damage on larger items. This rooftop tent will arrive on a pallet, so be sure to unwrap the product and inspect everything before signing off on the delivery.

I’ve set up three rooftop tents, and the WideSky is by far the easiest to date. You will need a second person to lift the nearly 150-pound tent onto the appropriate vehicle racks. I installed the WideSky on Thule Xscape truck bed racks, aboard my 2001 Mazda B4000 (the covert Ford Ranger). The tent secures to the crossbars with nifty twist-and-snap brackets. This made installation much faster than the classic bolt-tightened brackets. In total, installation took about 30 minutes, and that was without reading through the instructions to start.

Operation, Impressions

The WideSky is a hardshell, hybrid design — that is, it’s halfway between a full pop-top and a true clamshell. Instead of a solid hinge on one end, the “rear” of the tent elevates about a foot, while the front (the door and ladder side) yawns open wide.

The shell secures with four clasps (two front, two rear), and these can be tightened or loosened by twisting the threaded clip. Undo all clips and give the WideSky a little push from the front, and the struts quickly take over, elevating the tent to its full height. I’ve operated these open and closed about 50 times so far, and they work perfectly.

For takedown, Thule added slide buckles and a long, removable nylon strap. Clip this on either side of the tent when you’re ready to close it. Stand at the rear of your vehicle and pull the straps toward you. Again, the struts take over about halfway down and collapse the tent fully. The buckles are a great addition, as they eliminate the need to tuck the long nylon strap somewhere along the sides of the tent. Just unbuckle it and store it within the ladder bag.

The telescoping ladder is mostly standard, save for the rubber strip that connects it to the tent. Previous tents I’ve used had hooks the ladder slid onto. Here, the WideSky has a slotted track on three sides; the rubber strip slides into it, so you can move the ladder much more freely. The ladder bag doubles as shoe and accessory storage.

Accessories, Features

The WideSky adds a couple of creature comforts to the mix, which are all generally handy, but may not see regular use. First off, the tent comes equipped with zip-on awnings that are especially useful when rain is in the forecast. These are a bit of a hassle to set up, since you will need to move the ladder to either side of the tent to zip them on. While I never had the tent in a real downpour, I did install the awnings to see how it’s done. It’s fairly straightforward, but it does take a good 5-10 minutes (including moving the ladder), so don’t wait until the last minute to set them up if rain is forecast.

Inside the WideSky, Thule integrated an LED lighting system. This requires a USB-A port on a modest power bank. LEDs don’t require much juice, so simple pocket-size power banks will suffice. And finally, in what is perhaps the boldest design addition, the 2.4-inch foam mattress converts like a futon into a sofa. I’ll be honest, I was pretty skeptical of this, since it seemed like a solution to a problem that did not exist — and after a little trouble figuring it out, I was frustrated by it altogether. However, once you get the hang of how the sofa feature works (two straps on either side that you pull toward you until half the mattress locks upright), it’s actually a very comfortable addition. It may take some finagling to figure out, but it’s a fun way to start the morning: have a cup of coffee and watch the sun rise.

WideSky Testing

Having tested a pop-top, soft-shell, and now hybrid roof tent, I can confirm the hybrid is my favorite. Large fold-out soft shells are far too labor-intensive for my tastes, and while pop-ups are quick and spacious, collapsing them down can be a bear. The WideSky’s hybrid design makes it the easiest to set up and take down of any tent I’ve tried.

Inside, the tent has plenty of headroom for me, and I’m 6’3″ — spacious enough to stretch out while sleeping and when seated at the front. The mattress is plenty comfortable by camping standards, though glampers might want a little more cushion. The 2.4-in. foam mattress isn’t the thickest you’ll find on the market. The mattress spans 79 in. x 51 in. and is listed as a two-person sleeper. I tested it with a 40-lb. cattle dog and had zero complaints.

While the tent only has true windows on three sides, it does have a zip-down flap with a screen in the rear. I found this a very important feature for mitigating heat and capturing any semblance of a cross-breeze. The walls are thick, and while that’s great for weather protection, the tent can get hot if you’re parked in the sun or in muggy conditions.

On the Road

The WideSky had very little impact on the drivability and gas mileage in my 25-year-old truck. In fact, it felt a little more stable than my previous pop-top, which weighed about the same. The clips held strong and didn’t require additional tightening. The shell wipes clean very easily. And I never felt any excessive drag at highway speeds.

Who’s It For?

So long as you’re not camping with a full family, the WideSky could be a great fit. It’s not too much tent for one person, but it’s suitable for a couple or a camper with a furry companion. It’s the easiest tent to install and operate that I’ve tested, and it’s equipped with modern features that add just enough comfort and convenience to feel fancy.

Nothing about the features or performance will raise a flag, but the price tag might. The WideSky is not excessively expensive, but at $4,000, it is at the high end of two-person options for the category. If price is a major limiting factor, there are very decent options, albeit with varying levels of build quality and feature sets. If you ever see a good-condition WideSky on a used marketplace, you could be looking at a super deal.

But if you’re willing to invest in a buy-once camp setup, the WideSky won’t disappoint. It’s a fantastic combination of simplicity, comfort, and convenience.