Thule roof top tent Approach M – 12 ½ roof top tents in direct comparison

At just under € 2,700, the Thule Approach M soft-top roof tent might not be any cheaper than some of the aluminium hard-shell tents in this test, but it also offers most of the same features: easy handling and quick assembly/disassembly. In other words, comfortable travelling. Can Thule’s soft-shell roof top tent assert itself against the hard-shell competition?

We tested 12 ½ of the most exciting roof top tents in a direct comparison and took along 20 roof tent newbies and experts, 2 small kids, 2 dogs and 1 giant teddy bear on an epic road trip – here for our buying advice, and an overview of all the roof tents we tested.

If you’re a couple or small family looking for a premium roof top tent, you’ll inevitably stumble across Thule at some point. The Swedish manufacturer of outdoor and transportation products has several roof tents in its range. The Approach M we tested is designed for 2-3 people, while the S and L versions accommodate 2 and 4 people, respectively. According to Thule, the Approach “makes adventure travel easier, more comfortable, and more fun”. Plus, an innovative design should make it quick and easy to install on your car roof. After faffing around with several roof top tents to fit them on the roof bars, we were particularly keen to see whether Thule’s statement is actually true or just bold marketing]. The Thule Approach is several hundred euros more expensive than the other soft-shell tents in this test, but does it also give you more in return for its price?

Thule Approach M

€2,699.95

TECHNICAL DATA

Type Soft-top tent
People 2 adults, 1 child
Weight 61 kg
Dimensions (opened)
240 x 143 x 102 cm cm
Dimensions (closed)
124 x 143 x 28 cm
Interior height 100 cm

Mattress

Bed area 235 x 125/130 (Width can be adapted to the frame)
Thickness 6 cm
Material double density foam
Covers Removable and machine washable

Thule Approach M

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Removable rain cover with tension rods
High-quality assembly kit with torque spanner

RECOMMENDED OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

Thule Approach Awning S/M € 349.95
Shoe organiser € 69.95
Anti-condensation mat M € 159.95

Thule Approach M roof top tent: preparation and installation

If Thule’s statement is true, we can assume that the installation doesn’t require much preparation either. However, unlike the qeedo and the hard shell tents from Arcta and Vickywood, the Approach does require some pre-assembly. While the rails for the roof bars are already fitted, you’ll have to install the ladder hinges and accessory eyelets. Once that’s done, bolt on the ladder and zip in the soft cover, and then you’re ready to put the tent on the roof.

Lifting the Thule Approach onto the car roof requires two strong people. However, assembly is far quicker than with most other tents in this test, and the Thule is more or less on par with the Quechua and qeedo. Once it’s on the roof, you can fit the pre-moulded, plastic-coated brackets on the roof bars and secure them to the tent rail with the bayonet locks. Alongside the qeedo, Quechua and Yakima, the Thule is one of the only tents in this test that doesn’t rely on locking nuts, which are extremely finicky to tighten once out of sight, above your head – even with a ratchet. Instead, the Swedish brand relies on wing nuts that don’t come loose with vibrations. Unique in this test field: Thule deliver the tent with a 4 Nm pre-set torque ratchet, which ensures consistent torque across all bolts. The simple roof installation definitely offsets the one-off assembly effort.

Unique in the test field: The bayonet lock makes it even easier to secure the Thule Approach to the roof bars.

Depending on the height of your vehicle, you’ll have to push in the tension rods either from the outside or inside of the tent. Once they’re in, you’ll have a clear view through the big windows.

Thule Approach M roof top tent: assembly and disassembly

Without the rain cover, you can set up the Approach quickly and easily by yourself. While the first time it will take you around five minutes, the procedure gets easier with time and after a while it will only take you around three minutes. The manufacturer includes a helpful little feature to open the cover: where’s the end of the zip? A white label on one side of the cover reminds you where it is. Now remove the cover and open the floor, and the Thule is ready to use. If the rain and sun canopy are already attached to the inner tent, you’ll just need to tension them with the poles. A unique feature of all Thule tents in this test: the flysheet poles are stored in a practical bag that is sewn into the front of the entrance. This means that they’re always in the same place and don’t fly around inside the tent when you’re moving.

However, if you set up the tent from scratch and have to attach the removable rain and sun cover, the whole process becomes a little more complicated than stated by Thule: during this test, it required at least two (preferably three) people. The flysheet is very light and flutters around on even the lightest breeze. This makes it practically impossible to pitch the tent on your own, so we recommend leaving the cover on at all times.

Dismantling the Thule roof tent obviously takes longer than with the quick-folding hard-shell roof tents in this test. The soft-shell models from qeedo and Quechua are also quicker to dismantle, not least because the transport cover is fixed in place with elastic bands rather than zips. But even with Thule’s roof tent, it takes less than eight minutes to remove all the window poles, close the windows, fold up the tent and secure the transport cover. This is easy to pull over all four corners, provided the sleeping bags and pillows you leave inside are not too thick.

Thin sleeping bags can fit flat inside the folded tent.

The Thule Approach M in action

The Thule roof tent welcomes you with a pleasantly spacious feel, with generously-sized windows providing plenty of light through panoramic windows on all four sides, which measure 70 cm across and 120 cm diagonally. If you open them completely, you’re almost completely outdoors – provided you do without the mosquito nets fitted to all sides. With the rain cover attached, you can still stargaze through the see-through windows. The interior height is pretty good too, making it easy to change your clothes, and providing plenty of space to keep yourself entertained once the sun sets – the Thule isn’t just a space for sleeping, unlike some of the more cramped options in this test. In typical Thule fashion, the materials are very high quality and the zips run smoothly, even in the corners. Thule also thought about the organisation inside the tent: there are two mesh pockets for smaller items, as well as loops to hang lamps and similar items. Unlike most of the hard-shell tents, like the Vickywood, Naturbummler and Arcta, the Approach doesn’t come with lighting as standard.

When it comes to sleeping, the Thule roof tent is much like many of the models in our comparison test: the dual-density foam mattress is comfortable if you sleep on your stomach or back, while side sleepers might require an upgrade, or use an additional topper. The internal frame limits the bed surface somewhat, as the mattress is only 125 cm wide at this point.

Although sold separately, it’s a practical piece of kit: the waterproof shoe organiser fits much more than just a pair of old shoes.

Just like in granny’s kitchen, the windows can be used as a hatch.

Tuning tip: Buy the optional anti-condensation mat for optimum air circulation in cold weather.

Under the test conditions during our DOWNTOWN road trip, with night-time temperatures in the single digits, only slight condensation formed on the poles of the Thule roof tent, even with the windows fully closed, so we can safely say that the breathable 600D polyester ripstop material regulates moisture well. If you still want to be on the safe side when it comes to mould protection, you’ll have to dig deep into your pockets to get Thule’s anti-condensation mat: while many of the other manufacturers include it in the price, the Swedish manufacturers charge a whopping € 159.95. For holidays in winter, it’s definitely worth adding this to your purchase, as is the insulation for the Thule roof tent, which costs another € 299.95. Bargain!

Speaking of seasons and the weather: Thule want to make travelling with a roof tent more “enjoyable”. Is that also the case in rainy weather? This is where the Swedish outdoor specialists disappoint us: despite the rain cover, you’ll get soaked when getting in and out the tent. If you want to stay dry on the ladder, you’ll have to splash yet more cash on the custom zip-in awning, which sets you back another € 349.95. This is big enough to protect 2 to 3 people from the sun and rain, including a table and chairs. Or you can go all-in and get the matching annexe for € 599.95. Even if you don’t, the Thule roof tent is still a good place to stay in bad weather. If it isn’t pouring down with rain, the panoramic side windows can be left completely open thanks to the rain cover. And if a storm comes up, the fastening system lets you put the rain cover into full-storm mode, so at least your belongings inside the tent will be well protected while you make yourself comfortable in the Faraday cage below.

When using the car for a day trip, it’s nice to be able to leave all your sleeping gear inside the tent. With the Thule roof tent, this is only possible with thin sleeping bags and 1-2 small pillows, which can be annoying if you want to transport your favourite blanket in the roof tent. Yakima’s soft-top tent, as well as the hard-top roof tents from Naturbummler and Intrepid, on the other hand, can hold much more.

Who should take a closer look at the Thule Approach M roof top tent?

A nice little detail: on Thule’s website, just punch in your car’s details in the configurator to get all of the compatible products. The Thule roof tent is suitable for all vehicles with a dynamic roof load of around 75 kg, from compact cars to vans. If you have a car with a long roof, the Approach’s relatively short 124 cm length leaves plenty of room for additional boxes, solar panels, etc, either in front of or behind the tent. The Thule roof tent is suitable for two adults and families with a small child (less than 120 cm) lying across the top or bottom of the tent. However, children grow, so the Approach in this size might not be a permanent solution for families of three or four. If that’s your case, you’re better off reaching for the Approach L, which measures 170 cm in width. Without the awning, which allows you to get in and out of the tent without getting wet for a hefty € 349.95 premium, the Thule roof tent is more suitable for fair-weather camping, despite the storm mode and rain cover. And despite the uncomplicated set-up, the Approach isn’t for the impatient who want to have their roof tent fully set up in just two simple steps.

It’s either your child or Pablo Escobear in the Thule roof tent! You won’t fit both, so you’ll have to roll the dice…

And there’s no room in the boot either, because it’s taken up by this practical drawer.

Or perhaps you leave Pablo AND your child at grandmas’ and pack an extra beer keg instead 😉 .

Our conclusion about the
Thule Approach M roof top tent

For just under € 2,700, Thule offer a high-quality, well thought-out product that’s easy to assemble and saves your nerves. However, unlike many of their competitors, Thule skimp on accessories, and quite literally leave their customers out in the rain when climbing in and out of the tent. For the fully-covered version, you’ll have to fork out over € 3,000, which isn’t exactly a bargain.