Thule began U.S. shipments in April of the Widesky, a $3,999.95 aluminum hardshell rooftop tent with a convertible sofa, a tall front cabin, and a 7.9-inch closed profile.
The tent sleeps two and weighs 147 pounds (66.7 kg), per Thule's published specs and independent coverage by Bike Rumor and New Atlas. Open external dimensions are 83 × 55 × 52 inches; closed footprint is 83 × 55 × 7.9 inches. Static load capacity is rated to 660 pounds, with a minimum roof-bar spread of 28 inches. The MSRP is not disclosed in Thule's release but is listed at $3,999.95 by multiple outlets and at REI.
What distinguishes the Widesky from Thule's existing Approach hardshell line is the cabin geometry. The front of the shell sits higher than the back, creating headroom that allows for upright sitting, and the mattress's two integrated straps pull up to form a sofa backrest. Panoramic doors and mesh panels open the interior to airflow and sightlines; dimmable LED strips run along the ceiling, which is lined in insulated felt. The opening mechanism is gas-assisted with pull-down straps for packing.
"With Thule Widesky, we focused on creating a refined hardshell experience that feels just as comfortable during the day as it does at night. It's designed for people who value comfort and smart design, and who want a rooftop tent that invites them to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view," said Kajsa Levinsson, Thule's senior category manager for adventure camping, in the company's press release.
At 147 pounds, the Widesky is lighter than several comparable aluminum hardshells in the wedge category, which run from roughly 160 to 220 pounds depending on the model. Combined with the 7.9-inch closed profile, the figure widens the range of roof racks and vehicles the tent can sit on, including standard passenger cars, according to Thule.
The pitch behind the design is that hardshell wedge rooftop tents have historically been a compromise between fast pitch and livable volume. They pop open in a minute or less, weatherproof better than soft-shells, and store low enough to drive with closed, but the cabin shape leaves the interior sized mainly for sleeping. Reviewing the Widesky for New Atlas, C.C. Weiss described the problem more plainly: "Having used compact dome and rooftop tents for decades, I avoid spending much time in them unless I'm sleeping at night." The Widesky's bet is that buyers will pay roughly $2,000 more than Thule's entry hardshell for a cabin that solves that.
The Widesky follows a prototype shown at the 2025 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, according to New Atlas, and slots in above the Approach line, which retailers list from $1,999.95.
The category and where the Widesky sits
Hardshell wedge rooftop tents emerged in the mid-2010s as a middle path between aluminum clamshells, which fully encapsulate the sleeper but pack tall, and soft-shells, which give the most volume but pitch slowly and weatherproof less well. The Roofnest Sparrow, the James Baroud Discovery, the iKamper Skycamp Mini, and Thule's own Approach are the volume sellers in the category. Most share the same compromise: a closed profile in the 7- to 12-inch range, fast gas-strut opening, a sleeping space sized for two adults, and ceiling clearance that drops sharply from the front to the back.
The Widesky's distinguishing move is what happens inside that wedge. Peak interior height runs 46 inches without the mattress, 43.6 inches with it, per Bike Rumor. That is enough to sit upright at the front without contortion. The mattress then converts to a sofa backrest, turning the cabin into a seating area rather than a flat sleeping platform.
Thule's parent lineup in the category includes the Foothill, a soft-shell folder, and the Approach series, a more conventional hardshell wedge that starts at $1,999.95 at retailers. The company also sells the Outset, a hitch-mounted tent that doesn't sit on the roof at all. The Widesky is the first new Thule rooftop tent platform since the Approach.
What to check before buying
The 28-inch minimum bar spread is wider than some crossover-style vehicles ship with at the factory, so the rack measurement is the first thing to confirm. The 660-pound static load capacity covers the rack's holding weight while parked; sleepers plus the 147-pound tent need to stay under both the rack's rated capacity and the vehicle's roof rating, whichever is lower. Dynamic capacity, which governs roof load while driving, is a separate figure and is normally well below static.
The press release doesn't disclose fabric denier, R-value, or warranty terms. Buyers should check those on the product spec sheet before ordering. Setup time is stated as "seconds" in Thule's marketing and "under 30 seconds" in coverage by Universe Discovery; an independent measurement isn't yet available.
The Widesky is listed at REI and on Backcountry.com at the $3,999.95 MSRP.
In the Approach hardshell line, Thule has a wedge that starts at half the Widesky's price. The new tent doubles that for a cabin its maker says is worth sitting in awake.
How we reported this
This article draws on the following primary sources, accessed May 28, 2026:
- Thule press release, "Thule introduces Thule Widesky" — manufacturer's launch release, including the quoted statement from Kajsa Levinsson, dimensional specs in metric, and feature list.
- Bike Rumor, "Thule Widesky Rooftop Tent", by Zach Overholt, April 13, 2026 — full English-unit spec sheet including static load (660 lb), peak interior height (46 in / 43.6 in with mattress), minimum bar spread (28 in), and base materials.
- New Atlas, "Thule Widesky Rooftop Lounge Tent", by C.C. Weiss, April 14, 2026 — 2025 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon prototype showing; the cited first-person observation about rooftop-tent daytime use.
- Universe Discovery, "Thule Widesky Rooftop Lounge Tent Review", April 18, 2026 — $3,999.95 MSRP, 30-second setup time, 660-pound static capacity.
Thule has not yet released fabric denier, R-value, or warranty terms for the Widesky. The Approach hardshell starting price of $1,999.95 is sourced from a retailer listing and should be verified against Thule's product page if used elsewhere.