How the Bushbuck Armourdillo compares to iKamper, 23Zero & Feldon Shelter

Overview

If you’re in the market for a rooftop tent, no doubt you’ve run into the dilemma of just how many there are to choose from. Sifting through specs, comparing features, and trying to balance the pros and cons of each model can quickly start to feel like a part-time job. We get it. That’s why we’ve crafted this rooftop tent comparison guide—to make your decision-making process easier and help you find the right roof tent without doing your head in. Now, obviously, we can’t go and compare every rooftop tent on the market. So we’re focusing on our very own Bushbuck Armourdillo® Rooftop Tent and a handful of similar alternatives. Among the many roof tents available today, the Armourdillo® has a reputation for being durable, sleek, thoughtfully designed, and user-friendly. But how does it stack up, pound for pound, against the rest? Full disclosure, we are obviously biased towards the Armourdillo® as it’s our pride and joy, and we make no secret of the fact that we reckon it’s awesome. But we’ve really tried to set that aside as much as possible and present you with the cold, hard facts. In this guide, we’ll put the Armourdillo® head-to-head with some of the other roof tents you might be considering, comparing crucial aspects like durability, weather resistance, setup ease, hardware and overall functionality. We’ll dig into the details, so you can see how each tent measures up and decide which one is the best match for your camping adventures.

Comparison Table

If you’re struggling to juggle all the different roof tent features and specifications, this table is for you. You can see how the Bushbuck Armourdillo® Rooftop Tent stacks up against the 23Zero Panther, the iKamper Skycamp, and the Feldon Shelter Hawk’s Nest at a glance. We’ve done a direct comparison of all the key features and specifications (so no bias can seep in) to help you make an informed and objective decision.

	Bushbuck - Armourdillo 1.5m & 1.9m	23 Zero - Panther & 2000	iKamper Skycamp	Feldon Shelter Hawk’s Nest
Market release date	2019	2022	2017	2022
Shell height	270mm	342mm	343mm	200mm
Tent inner material	280gsm seam-sealed ripstop poly-cotton canvas	230gsm Tetron cotton canvas	300gsm poly-cotton canvas	360gsm polyester canvas
Tent rainfly material	210T ripstop Oxford fabric with silver membrane	210D polyester Oxford flysheet with silver membrane	75D ripstop with DWR coating	360gsm polyester canvas
Waterproof rating	3000mm	3000mm	3000mm	3000mm
Mattress material	High-density foam & luxury comfort foam	High-density foam	Insulated polyfoam	Dual-layer foam cell
Warranty	2 years	2 years	2 years	2 years
3mm aluminium shell	✅	❌	❌	❌
Side clam-shell opening	✅	✅	✅	❌
Awning & annex accessories	✅	✅	✅	❌
2.3m telescopic aluminium ladder	✅	✅	✅	✅
Integrated handle	✅	❌	❌	❌
Horizontal RHS structural columns	✅	❌	❌	✅
Universal roof rails	✅	✅	❌	Extra
Shell dust seal system	✅	❌	❌	✅
Insulated shell lining	✅	✅	✅	✅
Shell lining storage (wardrobe)	✅	❌	❌	❌
Anti-condensation mattress cover	✅	❌	✅	✅
Skylight window	✅	✅	✅	❌
Internal lighting	✅	✅	❌	❌
External lighting	✅	❌	❌	❌
Air vents	✅	❌	✅	✅
Power access	✅	❌	✅	❌
YKK zippers	✅	❌	✅	✅

Information is accurate as of September 2024

Bushbuck Armourdillo® vs 23Zero Panther

The Bushbuck Armourdillo and 23Zero Panther rooftop tents look similar from a distance, but how do they compare head-to-head? Both have an aluminium hard top, side clam-shell opening, a skylight for stargazing, and come in two different sizes. But there are key differences that might help you choose one over the other.

Aluminium Hard Shell: Bushbuck vs 23Zero

A lot of people like that the Bushbuck Armourdillo® and 23Zero Panther roof tents have durable aluminium hard shells. Not only are they more durable and hard-wearing, built for the hard knocks of off-roading, they also allow you to mount roof racks or rails, solar panels, or extra storage capacity on top. Not to mention, the aluminium hard shells also look better. So what are the differences between the Bushbuck Armourdillo® and 23Zero Panther hard shells? Firstly, the Armourdillo® shell is 3mm thick and the Panther is 2mm, so the Bushbuck roof tent is arguably stronger and able to bear more weight (check out the video of us driving a Land Rover Defender over the roof tent). The Armourdillo® shell also has what’s known as horizontal RHS structural columns, which provides additional strength and improves the integrity of the shell. The height of the Armourdillo® hard shell is 270mm while the Panther is 342mm, so the Bushbuck roof tent is more low profile and sleek when closed. Both shells are equipped with similar roof rails or tracks for fixing solar panels, roof racks, or additional storage capacity. And both shells are also insulated. As far as design goes, the Bushbuck Armourdillo® hard shell has a tread plate detail on top, which gives it more of a rugged look, while the 23Zero Panther has a smooth finish.

Tent Fabric: Bushbuck vs 23Zero

Aside from the shell, the main thing standing between you and the elements is the tent fabric. The roof tent and fly need to be waterproof, capable of withstanding strong winds, and durable enough for life off-road.

Main tent fabric

The Bushbuck Armourdillo® main tent is made from 280gsm poly-cotton canvas. It’s a heavy-duty, water-resistant fabric. The fabric has been seam-sealed to prevent water getting in through the stitching and has a 2000mm waterproof rating. The 23Zero Panther main tent is made from 230gsm 65/35 Tetron cotton canvas. The fabric is also known to be durable, but based on the gsm (grams per square metre), the Armourdillo® fabric is thicker and more durable. The Panther main tent doesn’t appear to be seam sealed and there’s no waterproof rating listed on the product description.

The 23Zero tent also has a light-suppressing inner lining, which helps to keep it darker inside.

Rain fly fabric

The Bushbuck Armourdillo® rain fly or cover is made from 210T ripstop Oxford fabric, which has a 3000mm waterproof rating and an antibacterial silver membrane. The 23Zero Panther has a 210D polyester Oxford flysheet with PU3000mm silver coating, which is comparable to the Bushbuck rain cover.

Roof Tent Size: Bushbuck vs 23Zero

When it comes to roof tents, size matters. You want to know your roof tent is small enough to fit comfortably on your vehicle and large enough for you to sleep comfortably inside. Both the Bushbuck Armourdillo® and 23Zero Panther rooftop tents come in similar sizes. So similar, in fact, you might suspect one copied the other (check the market release dates above). The main differences are in the closed height of the shell — Bushbuck’s hard shell is more low profile. And the closed length and open depth of Armourdillo® 1.5m and Panther 1600 — the 23Zero roof tent is slightly shorter (closed) and deeper (open). You can check out the exact measurements below, but for practical purposes, the Armourdillo® 1.5m and Panther 1600 can sleep up to 2 adults and a child at the feet (if you’re not too tall) while the Armourdillo® 1.9m and Panther 2000 can sleep up to 3 adults and a child at the feet (if you’re not too tall).

Armourdillo® (1.5m)

Closed: 1.23m W x 1.72m L x 26.5cm H
Open: 1.50m W x 2.00m D x 1.13m H

Armourdillo® (1.9m)

Closed: 1.23m W x 2.1m L x 26.5cm H
Open: 1.9m W x 2.1m D x 1.29m H

Panther 1600

Closed: 1.24m W x 1.58m L x 32cm H
Open: 1.52m W x 2.25m D x 1.13m H

Panther 2000

Closed: 1.4m W x 1.98m L x 30cm H
Open: 1.88m W x 2.4m D x 1.13m H

Roof Tent Weight: Bushbuck vs 23Zero

Total weight is an important consideration when choosing a rooftop tent as all vehicles have recommended Gross Vehicle Mass (GMV) limits and dynamic load limits. In some countries, such as Australia, you can get fined if you exceed these limits. Roof tent weight can also affect fuel consumption and vehicle performance, particularly on 4WD tracks. You might think an aluminium hard shell roof tent would be much heavier than soft shell alternatives, but both the Bushbuck Armourdillo® and 23Zero Panther are surprisingly lightweight. The Armourdillo 1.5m model weighs in at just 80kg and the 1.9m model weighs 90kg. The Panther 1600 weighs just 72kg (75.6kg with mounting kit and accessories) and the Panther 2000 weighs 88kg (91.6kg with mounting kit and accessories). The slight differences in weight can mostly be explained by the Panther’s less heavy-duty 2mm aluminium shell compared to the 3mm Armourdillo® shell. Both roof tents are compatible with the load-bearing capacity of most vehicles so it really comes down to whether durability or total weight is more important to you.

Roof Tent Features: Bushbuck vs 23Zero

While the Bushbuck Armourdillo® and the 23Zero Panther rooftop tents are similar from a distance, when you zoom in to the small details, the Armourdillo® brings a lot more to the table. Both have internal lighting. Both have external storage pockets for stashing your shoes, boots, and other essentials. Both have a high-density foam mattress. And both have a skylight window for stargazing. But from there, the Armourillo® starts to streak ahead. The Bushbuck Armourdillo® Rooftop Tent has an integrated handle, which makes it easier to pop it open and close it shut. It comes with a rubber shell dust seal system, which prevents dust from getting into the roof tent when you’re driving. This makes a real difference if you’re going off-road, or even using gravel roads, especially if you’re in the Australian outback. The Armourdillo® has an internal wardrobe for storing clothing and other roof tent essentials. It also has external lighting around the base, which is really handy if you’re cooking, chilling, or sorting out gear at night. The Bushbuck roof tent also has an anti-condensation mattress cover, which prevents your mattress from getting damp or mouldy, which is a problem in some rooftop tents. It also has air vents to help prevent condensation in general. The 23Zero Panther doesn’t have any of these additional features.

Roof Tent Functionality: Bushbuck vs 23Zero

When it comes to roof tents, functionality refers to how easy they are to set up and pack down as well as how “functional” they are as a home away from home. The Bushbuck Armourdillo® and 23Zero Panther are fairly evenly matched when it comes to functionality. Both have gas strut assisted opening and closing functionality. Essentially, the gas struts do the heavy lifting for you when you open and close the tent. They both have a 2.3m adjustable aluminium telescopic ladder, which assists with “unfolding” the tent and supports the weight of the tent when it’s set up. Both roof tents also come with universal roof rails for mounting a solar panel or other equipment on top of the shell. One of the major benefits of a hard shell tent is you can leave most of your bedding set-up when you pack the tent down. That comes in super handy when you’ve been driving or adventuring all day and you just want to set-up the roof tent and hit the hay.

Roof Tent Accessories: Bushbuck vs 23Zero

When you’re purchasing a rooftop tent, it’s worth checking if there are accessories or add-ons available, should you want to expand your camping space in future. The Bushbuck Armourdillo® Rooftop Tent has an accessories range that includes an Annex, which provides shelter over the ladder for when you’re entering and exiting the tent — super handy for those middle-of-the-night toilet runs when it’s raining. You can further accessories the roof tent with the Annex Wall Body, a fully-enclosed, waterproof room for shelter, privacy and relaxing. If you’re going camping with a large group, the Armourdillo® Airbeam TX Family Tent provides all the space you need with a kitchen and dining area and two bedrooms. All of the Armourdillo® accessories connect together to create a two-storey, multi-room camping experience. The 23Zero Panther Rooftop Tent has a compatible Change Room, similar to the Armourdillo® Annex and Wall Body set-up, as well as a smaller Privacy Shelter.

Bushbuck Armourdillo vs iKamper Skycamp

The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 is another rooftop tent that you might be considering if you’re looking at the Bushbuck Armourdillo®. It’s a popular model at a similar price point, but which roof tent is best for your needs? Let’s take a closer look. It’s important to note there are five different versions of the iKamper Skycamp — the Skycamp 3.0, Skycamp 3.0 Mini, Skycamp 3.0 2X, Skycamp DLX, and Skycamp DLX Mini. For that reason, it’s challenging to compare each feature head-to-head, but we’ve had a good crack at it. For simplicity’s sake, the Skycamp 3.0 and Skycamp 3.0 Mini are the most comparable to the Armourdillo® 1.9m and 1.5m.

Hard Shell: Armourdillo vs Skycamp

The Bushbuck Armourdillo® roof tent is renowned for its heavy-duty 3mm aluminium hard shell. It’s built for off-road adventures and can be mounted with roof racks or other accessories, such as solar panels or storage boxes. The iKamper Skycamp hard shell is made from plastic. In fairness, it’s dual-layer, fibre-reinforced plastic, which is seriously strong. But it’s not as durable as Bushbuck’s 3mm aluminium. Let’s just say, we don’t think they’ll be driving a Land Rover over the Skycamp anytime soon. You also can’t mount a plastic hard shell with roof racks or other accessories. Both roof tents have quilted insulation in the inside of the shell to provide warmth and minimise condensation, making them both suitable for all-season camping. The Armourdillo® shell has a dust seal system, which is great for keeping dust and dirt out of the tent when you’re driving, which is something the Skycamp doesn’t have. When closed, the Armourdillo® hard shell is 270mm while the Skycamp is around 340m, so the Bushbuck roof tent has a lower profile. The Skycamp’s plastic (FRP) hard shell is significantly lighter than the aluminium hard shell on the Armourdillo® (more on weight below). The main points of difference in the shell are: 3mm aluminium vs fibre-reinforced plastic, and durability vs weight.

Roof Tent Material: Armourdillo vs Skycamp

Main tent fabric

The Bushbuck Armourdillo® tent features a main fabric made from breathable 280gsm poly-cotton canvas. This material is heavy-duty and water-resistant, designed to keep you dry with its seam-sealed construction that prevents leaks at the stitching. It boasts a 2000mm waterproof rating, ensuring reliable protection in wet conditions. The iKamper Skycamp roof tents are made from 300gsm poly-cotton canvas, which is slightly more heavy-duty. There’s no mention of a waterproof rating for the main tent fabric, however, the fabric will have some inherent water resistance. The Skycamp uses a “blackout” fabric to reduce the amount of light that gets in, which may be handy if you enjoy sleeping in.

Rain fly fabric

The rain fly on your roof tent is arguably more important than the main tent fabric as it’s your first line of defence against the elements. The Bushbuck Armourdillo® rain fly or cover is made from 210T ripstop Oxford fabric, which has a 3000mm waterproof rating and an antibacterial silver membrane. The iKamper Skycamp range has a 75D ripstop polyester rainfly with a 3000mm waterproof rating. This is a lightweight fabric often used in regular camping tents. Bushbuck’s 210T ripstop Oxford fabric is certainly thicker and more durable than iKamper’s rainfly and arguably more suitable for the bumps and scuffs of off-road camping. However, this is likely where the Skycamp shaves off some weight, even if it means sacrificing durability in the process.

Roof Tent Size: Armourdillo vs Skycamp

Size is a major consideration when choosing a rooftop tent — both in terms of how it will fit on your vehicle and how many people can fit inside. The Bushbuck Armourdillo® has a short, compact, low profile design that allows it to fit on a wide range of vehicles, not just beefy utes and trucks. The Armourdillo® 1.5m model can sleep two adults and a child at your feet if you’re not too tall, while the 1.9m model can sleep up to three adults and a child at the feet. The Skycamp 3.0 Mini and Skycamp 3.0 are the most comparable to the Bushbuck Armourdillo®. The main difference worth noting is the Skycamp 3.0 has about 37cm more depth than the Armourdillo® 1.9m. The Mini can sleep two adults while the Standard 3.0 model can sleep up to four. The other thing worth noting is the Skycamp 3.0 is quite a bit wider (17cm) than the Armourdillo® when closed, which may make it less compatible with smaller vehicles. The Mini, however, is super compact and should fit a wide range of vehicles. When it comes to internal height, the Armourdillo® 1.9m has the most head room (5cm more than the Skycamp), but the 1.5m Armourdillo® comes in as the shortest.

Armourdillo® (1.5m)

Closed: 1.23m W x 1.72m L x 26.5cm H
Open: 1.50m W x 2.00m D x 1.13m H

Armourdillo® (1.9m)

Closed: 1.23m W x 2.1m L x 26.5cm H
Open: 1.9m W x 2.1m D x 1.29m H

Skycamp 3.0 Mini

Closed: 1.40m W x 1.46m L x 33cm H
Open: 1.30m W x 2.10m D x 1.22m H

Skycamp 3.0

Closed: 1.40m W x 2.17 L x 33cm H
Open: 1.96m W x 2.57 D x 1.22m H

Note: The Skycamp DLX and DLX Mini have the same measurements as the 3.0 and 3.0 Mini, they just come with more premium features.

Roof Tent Weight: Armourdillo vs Skycamp

When selecting a rooftop tent, it's crucial to consider the total weight since every vehicle has specific load limits. The weight of the roof tent can also influence fuel efficiency and the overall performance of the vehicle, especially when driving on 4WD trails. Weight vs durability may be the main differentiating factors between the Armourdillo® roof tents and Skycamp roof tents. The Armourdillo 1.5m model weighs in at just 80kg and the 1.9m model weighs 90kg. Whereas, the Skycamp Mini weighs just 57kg and the Skycamp 3.0 weighs 75kg. That’s a significant weight difference, which mainly comes down to the difference between Bushbuck’s 3mm aluminium hard shell and iKamper’s fibre-reinforced plastic shell, as well as the rainfly fabric. The Armourdillo® rooftop tents are compatible with the load capacity of most vehicles. However, if weight is your number one concern, the iKamper roof tents may be your best bet.

Roof Tent Features: Armourdillo vs Skycamp

The Bushbuck Armourdillo® and iKamper Skycamp roof tents are similar in so many ways, but when it comes to features, we start to see some separation. Let’s start with the similarities. Both roof tents have comfortable mattresses by rooftop tent standards. The Armourdillo® has a 5cm thick mattress made of 20mm high-density foam and 30mm luxury comfort foam. It also has a 300D Oxford lining with 140 grams of padded cotton insulation and a waterproof slipcover. The Skycamp has a 6.35cm mattress made of insulated polyfoam, but it doesn’t appear to have any waterproof protection. Both roof tents also have a skylight window for stargazing, which is super cool on clear nights, and air vents for helping with humidity and condensation. From there, the Bushuck roof tent starts to break away. It has:

Built-in internal and external lighting
External storage pockets
Internal wardrobe and storage
Integrated handle for easy opening and closing
Dust seal system for keeping dust out of the shell

The Skycamp 3.0 and 3.0 Mini roof tents don’t have any of these additional features. iKamper do offer more premium features in their Skycamp DLX roof tents, such as interior lighting and a more comfortable mattress, but these are priced accordingly.

Roof Tent Functionality: Armourdillo vs Skycamp

The Bushbuck Armourdillo® and iKamper Skycamp both score highly when it comes to functionality. Firstly, the Skycamp is a right side opening clam shell roof tent while the Armourdillo® comes in left and right side opening configurations. Both roof tents have gas struts that assist with opening and closing the tent and set-up time is generally around 2-3 minutes, or even less with practice. They both have an adjustable aluminium telescopic ladder that helps with “popping up” the tent and supports the tent when it’s set up. Both roof tents are designed to be closed with your bedding still inside, which saves on space and time. When it comes to functionality, the main difference is the Bushbuck Armourdillo® shell can be mounted with roof racks, solar panels and other accessories, whereas the Skycamp plastic shell can’t. The amount of livable space within the roof tents is also quite generous with the Skycamp 3.0 being the most spacious by a small margin.

Roof Tent Accessories: Bushbuck vs iKamper

Accessories allow you to expand the footprint of your rooftop tent, so it’s an important consideration if you’re wanting to go camping with your family or friends, or if you’re partial to a bit of “glamping”. The Bushbuck Armourdillo® Rooftop Tent offers a variety of accessories, including an Annex that covers the ladder, giving you shelter as you enter and exit the tent. This feature is especially convenient for those rainy, late-night trips outside. For added comfort, you can enhance the rooftop tent with the Annex Wall Body, a fully enclosed and waterproof space that offers both privacy and a place to unwind. If you’re camping with a larger group, the Armourdillo® Airbeam TX Family Tent provides ample room with designated kitchen, dining, and sleeping areas. All Armourdillo® accessories are designed to seamlessly connect, allowing you to create a multi-level, multi-room camping setup. iKamper has an even more extensive range of rooftop tent accessories, including the Annex Plus, which provides an annex shelter and additional room for cooking, dining and hanging out. They also have several different awnings and an insulation tent, which you can add to the inside of your roof tent if you’re camping in cold, winter conditions. Whichever roof tent you go with, you can be sure there are plenty of options for expanding your camping set-up.

Bushbuck Armourdillo vs Feldon Shelter Hawk's Nest

Feldon Shelter are a well known roof tent brand in New Zealand and the Hawk’s Nest is their aluminium hard shell model, making it the most comparable to the Bushbuck Armourdillo®. Being a rear opening roof tent, the Hawk’s Nest design is quite different to the Armourdillo®, but let’s take a quick look at how they stack up next to each other.

Aluminium Hard Shell: Armourdillo vs Hawk’s Nest

If you’re after an aluminium hard shell rooftop tent (a true hard top), then you may be tossing up between the Armourdillo® and Hawk’s Nest. Both are designed in New Zealand and both brands are known for quality and durability. The Bushbuck Armourdillo® hard shell is made from durable, 3mm thick aluminium reinforced with horizontal RHS structural columns. There’s no question the Armourdillo® is built tough. The shell is finished in a matte powder coat with tread plate details. The latest model is designed with more folds and fewer welds in the steel for even more durability. The Feldon Shelter Hawk’s Nest is also made from a 2.3mm aluminium shell. The shell is reinforced with 10 “backbones”, similar to the structural columns in the Armourdillo®. The shell is also powder coated.

Roof Tent Material: Armourdillo vs Hawk’s Nest

Main tent fabric

The Bushbuck Armourdillo® main tent is made from 280gsm poly-cotton canvas. It’s a heavy-duty fabric that’s been seam-sealed to prevent water getting in the holes at the stitching. The fabric has a 2000mm waterproof rating.

The Hawk’s Nest, on the other hand, is made from Feldon Shelter’s “X-Canvas” material, which is a 360gsm polyester canvas. It’s seriously heavy-duty for a roof tent and also has a 3000mm waterproof rating.

Rainfly fabric

The Bushbuck Armourdillo® rainfly is crafted from 210T ripstop Oxford fabric, which has a 3000mm waterproof rating and an antibacterial silver membrane. The Hawk’s Nest rain fly appears to be made from the same fabric as the main tent. The website and user manual is a little light on details. The design of the Hawk’s Nest means the hard shell acts as the roof whereas in the Armourdillo® the hard shell is more like the back wall. This is probably why the Hawk’s Nest has very little in the way of a rain fly. Head-to-head the Feldon Shelter X-Canvas packs more durability than Bushbuck’s tent fabric, but there’s no doubt that both of these tents are capable of withstanding wild weather.

Roof Tent Size: Armourdillo vs Hawk’s Nest

Roof tent size is about finding the right balance between what will fit on your vehicle and how much space you need for your camping adventures. The Bushbuck Armourdillo® is designed to fit on a wide range of vehicles, not just utes, SUVs and trucks. The Armourdillo® 1.5m model can sleep two adults and a child while the 1.9m model can sleep up to three adults and a child. The Hawk’s Nest roof tents are larger in almost every way and are probably only suitable for larger 4x4 vehicles, SUVs and vans. The one place the Hawk’s Nest is smaller is the closed height of the shell. At 20cm (17cm in the Low-Pro model), the Hawk’s Nest is seriously low-profile and aerodynamic. The Hawk’s Nest Standard can sleep up to two adults and the Hawk’s Nest Wide is designed to sleep two to three adults. Despite it being larger in size, the Hawk’s Nest offers the same (or slightly less) sleeping capacity compared with the Armourdillo®.

Armourdillo® (1.5m)

Closed: 1.23m W x 1.72m L x 26.5cm H
Open: 1.50m W x 2.00m D x 1.13m H

Armourdillo® (1.9m)

Closed: 1.23m W x 2.1m L x 26.5cm H
Open: 1.9m W x 2.1m D x 1.29m H

Hawk’s Nest Standard

Closed: 1.28m W x 2.25cm L x 20cm H
Open: 1.28m W x 2.25m D x 1.55cm H

Hawk’s Nest Wide

Closed: 1.43m W x 2.25cm L x 20cm H
Open: 1.43m W x 2.25cm D x 1.55m H

The Hawk’s Nest also comes in a “Low-Pro” mode which is only 17cm high when closed.

Roof Tent Weight: Bushbuck vs Feldon Shelter

Your vehicle will have static and dynamic roof load limits that are determined by the manufacturer. When choosing a rooftop tent, you want to make sure it falls within those limits. Roof tent weight also has a bearing on fuel consumption and vehicle performance. The Armourdillo 1.5m model weighs in at just 80kg and the 1.9m model weighs 90kg. The Hawk’s Nest Standard weighs only 72kg and the Hawk’s Nest Wide is 82kg. The Hawk’s Nest comes in lighter. It shaves off some weight by having a lower-profile hard shell. It also has a thinner, less heavy-duty aluminium shell than the Armourdillo®.

Roof Tent Features: Armourdillo vs Hawk’s Nest

When you’re getting into the nitty gritty of choosing a rooftop tent, your decision will often come down to the features that enhance your overall camping experience. This is where the Bushbuck Armourdillo® sets itself apart from the Feldon Shelter Hawk’s Nest. Both rooftop tents have a good quality mattress, which is important for a comfortable sleep. The Armourdillo® a 5cm thick dual-layer mattress made of 20mm high-density foam and 30mm luxury comfort foam. It has 140 grams of padded cotton insulation and a waterproof cover. The Hawk’s Nest has a 6cm thick dual-layer mattress with an anti-condensation lower layer, a machine washable cover, and waterproof underside and side panels. Both roof tents also have a rubber dust seal system for keeping dust, salt, and snow out of the tent when it’s closed up, helping to prevent corrosion and an unwanted mess when you arrive at camp. In terms of features, that’s about where it ends for the Hawk’s Nest. The Armourdillo®, however, comes with a bunch of additional features that are designed to elevate your camping experience. You’ve got built-in internal and external LED lighting, external storage pockets, internal wardrobe and storage, and an integrated handle for easy opening and closing. The Armourdillo® also has a skylight window which allows you to look at the stars on clear nights, or take in the views of your mountainous surroundings during daylight hours.

Roof Tent Functionality: Bushbuck vs Feldon Shelter

The Bushbuck Armourdillo® and Feldon Shelter Hawk’s Nest tick all the boxes when it comes to functionality. Both have gas struts that do the heavy lifting for you when it comes to opening and closing the roof tent. Both have an adjustable aluminium telescopic ladder. The Armourdillo® comes with built-in roof rails or tracks for attaching solar panels or extra gear on top, while mounted racks are optional extras when you purchase a Hawk’s Nest. Both roof tents have been designed to pack down with your bedding inside, which saves on set-up and pack-down time. The main difference is the Armourdillo® is a side-opening clam-shell rooftop tent, while the Hawk's Nest is a rear-opening tent.

Roof Tent Accessories: Armourdillo vs Hawk’s Nest

Most rooftop tents are only designed to sleep 2-3 adults. If you’re wanting to take your roof tent camping with the family or a larger group of friends, accessories or add-ons allow you to expand the living area of your rooftop tent. They include things like awnings, annexes, and additional tents or bedrooms. The Bushbuck Armourdillo® Rooftop Tent offers a variety of accessories, including:

The Armourdillo® Annex: A simple shelter that protects you from the weather when you’re entering and exiting the tent via the ladder.
The Armourdillo® Annex Wall Body: When attached to the Annex, this creates a fully-enclosed, waterproof room for changing, cooking, chilling, and storing extra gear. The walls can be rolled up or down for indoor-outdoor living.
The Armourdillo® Airbeam TX Family Tent: A 2-3 room family tent that attaches to the Annex and Wall Body that provides kitchen, dining, living, and sleeping space, turning your camp into a two-storey, multi-room home away from home. The Hawk’s Nest currently doesn’t have any accessories. The fact that the tent sits flush with the vehicle even when open may make it challenging to expand the footprint of this roof tent.

The Best Hard Shell Rooftop Tent?

If you're in the market for a hard shell rooftop tent, there’s no shortage of excellent options available today. Deciding on the best one ultimately depends on your personal needs, preferences, and budget. Whether you prioritize lightweight design, ease of setup, or rugged durability, each of the models we've covered has something unique to offer. We hope this comparison guide has helped bring some clarity to your decision-making process. Investing in a rooftop tent opens up a whole new world of adventure—elevating your camping experience, quite literally, and allowing you to explore the outdoors with comfort and confidence.

Explore the Bushbuck Rooftop Tents and Accessories