Naturbummler Flitzer I Review: Cosy Hard-Shell Roof Tent

Roof-tent owners are no longer a rare sight on campsites. Whether on an off-roader, an estate or a small hatchback, more and more solo travellers, couples and families now carry their bed securely mounted on the roof of the car. Hard-shell models such as the Naturbummler Flitzer I make that especially convenient thanks to their rapid setup. This one is a comparatively affordable hard-shell roof tent with a genuinely cosy interior and an extremely comfortable mattress, and the published laboratory test set out to find whether it is worth buying. This review is based on that test, not on a hands-on trial of our own.

There are three common types of roof tent: hard-shell, fold-out and inflatable. Air tents use inflatable tubes instead of poles, which makes them a little lighter but less stable in strong wind. Fold-out tents take up less room on the roof and in the garage because their base is split and only unfolded once you arrive. Hard-shell tents are usually both pricier and heavier — reckon on around 60 kilograms — but they pitch extremely quickly, since the roof simply lifts or cranks upwards. Made from synthetic fibre, glass fibre or carbon, they stand securely on their own without a ladder, are better insulated and, thanks to their low profile, generate less wind noise on the move. When mounting any roof tent on the crossbars, keep within the car's maximum roof load, which is listed in the vehicle's technical data and is typically between 50 and 100 kilograms — a limit that applies only while driving, since when parked the tent, luggage and occupants may exceed it without harm. By law a roof tent must not overhang the front bumper, may extend no more than a metre at the rear and up to 40 centimetres each side beyond the marker lights, with a maximum width of 2.55 metres and a maximum height of 4 metres.

There is a little work before the relaxation begins: the 59-kilogram polycarbonate box, in anthracite, has to be heaved onto the roof — best done with three or four helpers to avoid scratching the paintwork. Naturbummler also offers the tent in white, with an ABS shell. Closed, it is pleasingly flat at 28 centimetres, though its 220 x 135-centimetre footprint means it needs some garage space; hanging it from the ceiling on a pulley is the tidiest solution. The anthracite surface, dimpled like a golf ball, is happily resistant to scratches, and the mounting rails are already built into the underside. Sturdy stainless-steel plates let it attach quickly to most standard bars, with all the fixings supplied, along with a solid telescopic aluminium ladder that stows inside the folded tent and extends to 2.30 metres. On arrival, only four securing straps and a metal clamp stand between you and a first nap: a little effort pushes the roof up on four gas struts, and the ladder hooks in at either entrance. Large awnings, with supplied poles, keep off sun and rain, and the four corners carry windows with fine mosquito netting.

The Flitzer I is well prepared for wet weather, with drainage channels on every side. The breathable side walls are made of poly-cotton canvas with UV50+ sun protection — robust, stable material with a 3,000-millimetre water column, and a thorough soaking from a garden hose left the tent unbothered in testing. The seams are high-pressure sealed and very precisely finished.

Inside, the 210 x 126-centimetre space lets two people stretch right out. Headroom is a different matter — barely a metre — but that is ample for sitting comfortably, and anyone wanting more floor space can step up to the roomier 220 x 145-centimetre Flitzer I XL. The living comfort, like the materials and finish, is excellent. The ceiling is lined in black flannel with red lines for better insulation, which looks smart and barely feels like a tent at all. Sleeping is hotel-like: the fire-resistant mattress is a generous 8 centimetres thick, made of a viscoelastic foam that is neither too firm nor too soft, with a removable, washable cover, and a further flannel lining beneath it helps the tent hold its temperature. Small items such as a phone or wallet disappear into two pockets with three compartments each, a net under the ceiling takes clothing, and four hooks allow a lamp or a washing line to be hung. The gas struts are sheathed in tent fabric, so there is no risk of injury, and between the four windows and two entrances the interior ventilates perfectly, letting trapped heat escape quickly; late sleepers are well served by effective blackout.

Packing away is as quick as pitching. You simply push or pull the lid down at the front and back — Naturbummler fits long straps so this can be done comfortably from the ground — making sure the fabric panels are folded inward on every side before closing. Shut the metal clasp, remember the safety straps, and the tent is ready for the next adventure. Thanks to the tough outer shell, no rain cover is needed.

Anyone after a still-affordable, high-quality and extremely cosy hard-shell roof tent should put the Naturbummler Flitzer I firmly on the shortlist. It has a robust outer shell, pitches in next to no time and offers plenty of room for two. Two entrances and four windows bring in ample light and fresh air, while the quilted ceiling both looks good and insulates well. The 8-centimetre mattress ensures a restful night, and the fabric is stable, waterproof and breathable. Whether at the campsite around the corner or deep in the wilderness, the Flitzer I leaves little standing between you and the next trip.