The Vagabond has been our flagship rooftop tent for years, and the 2.0 is the biggest upgrade we've ever made to it. We made it lighter and tougher, gave it a lower profile, and added a plush memory-foam mattress plus an insulated base that keeps the cold from creeping up at 2 a.m. Now it comes in two sizes, which raises the obvious question: which Vagabond should you get?

Here's the honest, spec-by-spec breakdown to help you choose, plus what to check on your vehicle before you order.

VAGABOND 2.0 VS. VAGABOND XL 2.0: SIDE BY SIDE

WHO SHOULD BUY THE VAGABOND 2.0?

The Vagabond 2.0 is the right call for most couples, solo travelers and weekend warriors. It's 20 lbs lighter than the XL, so it's easier on your rack and your fuel economy, and its 56" x 48" closed footprint is a great match for mid-size trucks and SUVs like the Tacoma, 4Runner, Bronco, Wrangler and Gladiator (with a rack rated for the load). At only 9" tall when closed, it keeps a low silhouette that won't catch every gust on the highway.

Two adults sleep easily, and a small kid or a dog fits as the third. If that's your crew most weekends, save the weight and go 2.0.

WHO SHOULD BUY THE VAGABOND XL 2.0?

The Vagabond XL 2.0 adds 16" of width to the sleeping area (72" vs. 56"), and that's what turns "cozy" into "the whole family fits." It sleeps 3–4, which makes it the move for families, anyone over six feet who likes to sprawl, or anyone who wants room to store gear inside the tent without losing sleeping space.

The trade-off is size and weight. The XL is 170 lbs and 72" long when closed, so it's best on full-size trucks (F-150, Tundra, Silverado, Ram 1500), a bed rack, or a long roof rack on a full-size SUV. As always, make sure your rack is rated for the load.

"It definitely lives up to the name."
— Verified customer, Vagabond XL 2.0

WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY A ROOFTOP TENT

1. Your rack's dynamic weight rating. The dynamic rating is what your rack can carry while you're driving. It has to cover the tent (150 lbs or 170 lbs) plus anything else you keep up top. Your rack maker publishes this number.
2. Rack length and crossbar spacing. Measure the usable length of your rack or bed rack. The closed tent footprint is 56" x 48" for the 2.0 and 72" x 48" for the XL.
3. Garage and parking clearance. Add the tent's closed height (9" for the 2.0, 12" for the XL) to your vehicle's height with the rack installed.
4. Who's coming along. Count heads, paws and gear on a typical trip, not your once-a-year mega trip.

SOFTSHELL VS. HARDSHELL: WHY THE VAGABOND IS A SOFTSHELL

Hardshells set up a little faster and shed wind well. Softshells like the Vagabond fold out to give you much more sleeping area for the same rack footprint (the 2.0 opens from 48" to 96" long) and they support an annex room underneath. For most people camping with more than one person, that extra floor space wins. With the 2.0's insulated base and memory-foam mattress, you're not giving up comfort to get it.

ACCESSORIES THAT MAKE A VAGABOND FEEL LIKE HOME

• Vagabond 2.0 Annex: a 6.5'-tall room underneath the tent for changing, gear storage or a kid's cot.
• Vagabond Tent Insulation: quilted insulation that snaps to the internal frame for shoulder-season and winter trips. It's compatible with V1 and V2 tents.
• Ladder Soft Steps: padded covers for the ladder rungs that your bare feet will thank you for.
• LED Track Light: a 6' rope light that slides into the Vagabond's extrusion to light up camp.

BLACK OR SAND: WHICH COLOR SHOULD YOU PICK?

Both Vagabond 2.0 sizes come in Black and Sand. It's mostly about looks, but a couple of practical points are worth thinking through. A Sand tent blends into desert and high-country landscapes and shows less dust. Black is the stealthier look in the trees and pairs with nearly any build. Look at your rack, your case colors and where you camp most, then pick the one that makes you want to walk out to the driveway and stare at your rig.

5 THINGS NEW ROOFTOP TENT OWNERS LEARN FAST

1. Level the vehicle, not the tent. A slight slope you don't notice while standing becomes very obvious at 2 a.m. Park on the flattest spot you can find, or use leveling blocks, before you open the tent.
2. Leave the bedding inside. Keeping your pillows and a light blanket in the tent when it's closed is one of the biggest perks of a rooftop tent. Arrive, open up, and you're in bed.
3. Vent it, even when it's cold. Cracking a window or vent cuts down on condensation from your breath overnight.
4. Dry it out after wet trips. The Vagabond's poly/cotton body is mold resistant, but it's still smart to open the tent at home and let it dry fully after a rainy weekend.
5. Plan the rest of the rack. A rooftop tent pairs perfectly with a low-profile 83L Rugged Case or a ROAM Water Tank alongside it. Just keep the total weight within your rack's dynamic rating.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many people does the ROAM Vagabond 2.0 sleep?

The Vagabond 2.0 sleeps 2–3 people. The Vagabond XL 2.0 sleeps 3–4.

How much does the Vagabond 2.0 weigh?

The Vagabond 2.0 weighs 150 lbs and the Vagabond XL 2.0 weighs 170 lbs.

How long does it take to set up a Vagabond 2.0?

Setup and teardown take about five minutes. Watch the full setup in the video above.

Is the Vagabond 2.0 good for cold weather?

Yes. It has an insulated aluminum base and a 2.5" memory foam mattress rated R-10.2. For colder trips, add the snap-in Vagabond Tent Insulation.

What's the difference between the original Vagabond and the Vagabond 2.0?

The 2.0 is lighter and tougher, with a redesigned low-profile silhouette, a 2.5" dual-layer memory foam mattress, integrated LED lighting, internal storage and an insulated base.

Is the black fabric tent hotter than the sand?

We get this question all the time, and the short answer is: not enough to make a noticeable difference. While darker colors naturally absorb more energy from the sun, the tent fabric itself is lightweight and doesn’t retain significant heat. Even after extended exposure to the sun, our testing has shown the black fabric raises the interior temperature by less than half a degree compared to the sand colorway. So if you prefer the look of the black tent, go for it, you won’t be sacrificing comfort or ending up with a noticeably hotter tent.