The Thule Approach M Roof Top Tent is a soft shell type with beautiful skylight windows and some excellent fly configurations. It is ventilated and very pleasant.
Key features & benefits
- Soft shell roof top tent.
- Skylight windows.
- Fly windows.
- Lightweight.
- Multiple fly configurations.
- Great ventilation.
What is in the name
From the title you realize that this is the M size from a series of three roof top tents. So this is an expandable construction typical for such soft-shell roof top tents. It packs quite small and it is surprisingly thin when closed on the car. The picture below shows how it looks when closed.
This tent has a ceiling with huge openings, see the picture below. They are double-layer type with zippered mesh and also with zippered panels. With this you can regulate light and ventilation.
The fly is included as well, and it is equipped with translucent windows that match the ceiling mesh sections. This means that you can have light inside even when the fly is on.
The picture below shows it from the side where the door and ladder are located. As you see, when the weather is calm, you can have the fly like an umbrella. The fly windows are also visible.
They write that it can be deployed and packed up in just a few minutes. I would say this may hold for deploying it, but for packing you will surely need more time. This is in particular so if the vehicle is tall, you have to zip the cover and this means you have to walk around and do this carefully.
Rain fly & ceiling features. Panoramic windows
This is the best part of this tent which offers great panoramic views because of the mentioned huge mesh areas on the ceiling. From the picture below you see how it looks from inside.
You have the following setups for the fly and ceiling:
- Standard. This means that the fly is raised with rods on the sides for extra air circulation. You have seen this in one of the pictures above.
- Storm mode. In this case the fly is closed, the rods are removed and the roof is ready for the storm.
- Ready-to-deploy mode. This means that the fly is rolled from the front and from the rear side, so you have skylight mesh and plenty of air. In this mode the fly is on the central part of the roof and you can easily unfold it if the weather changes.
- Removed fly. In this case you have just the inner tent and its ceiling with plenty of mesh to enjoy stars. But note that the mesh areas are fully closable if you feel cold.
- Fully open mesh. This means that the fly is not on, and you open the inner tent ceiling completely so there is no mesh on it. this is for maximum air circulation and for completely unobstructed views.
You can see all these options in this video, please have a look:
Other details
- You have a pocket at the entry underneath the door where the rods for the fly are stored.
- Two pouches are on the side walls.
- The tent comes with a cover that zips to the base all the way around. With everything zipped, the speed limit with the tent on the roof is 200 km/h.
Materials
The base includes welded aluminum tubes with insulation and aluminum cap sheet. The canopy fabric is a breathable water-resistant 600D polyester ripstop, so this is a particularly strong material.
The mattress is a dual-layer foam with a removable soft upper layer for a luxurious camping experience.
In the video below you can see some details, it shows how to put the tent in the car and how to use it, have a look:
Ventilation
You have already seen those large mesh areas on the canopy. They are closable, but you can keep them with mesh only even when it is raining. The fly will protect you completely, and yet these openings will act as enormous roof vents, so vapor can escape easily.
So there is nothing really to object here, this is a nicely ventilated structure.
Who is this Thule Approach M for
Regarding capacity, they describe it as a tent for 2-3 people. Now see the mattress dimensions which are 94.5 x 51.2 inches (240 x 130 cm). From this you realize that there is no way it can accommodate 3 people.
But the tent is long, so parents with a small kid sleeping transverse to the adults could manage it in such a space.
Regarding weight, it is moderately light with its 128 lb (58 kg). But it is fair to say that there are lighter options on the market.
Regarding seasons, at Thule site they describe it as usable year-round, but at some other places it is described as a 3-season tent. I think this tent can be used in all seasons.
Regarding price, it is quite steep, but this is a quality product and with an advanced design.
Pros & cons
What I like:
- Great skylights.
- Excellent fly features.
- Venting options.
What I dislike
- The price.
Specifications
- Weight capacity: 661 lb (300 kg).
- Weight: 128 lb (58 kg).
- Open dimensions: 94.5 x 56.3 x 40.2 in (240 x 143 x 102 cm).
- Box closed size: 56.3 x 48.8 x 11 in (143 x 124 x 28 cm).
- Mattress size: 94.5 x 51.2 in (240 x 130 cm).
- Sleeping area: 33.4 ft² (3.1 m²).
Place to buy
Final thoughts
In summary, the design of this Thule Approach M Roof Top Tent is truly amazing. This includes its great skylights, very functional fly, excellent ventilation, and much more. The price is steep, but this is not an ordinary roof top tent. Fully recommended.
Note that they have an accessory Thule Approach Awning designed for the tent presented here.
For more texts about products of this type please check under the category Off Ground Tents.
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