There are some adventures you don’t realize you’ve outgrown until you’re in the middle of them.
That was us this summer.
For years we absolutely loved our Thule Approach rooftop tent. It gave our family countless nights under the stars, made spontaneous camping trips easy, and became part of so many memories. But somewhere along the way our little boys stopped being… well… little.
Max and Revel are growing fast, and while squeezing four of us into the tent was once cozy, it was starting to feel downright cramped. We weren’t ready to give up the freedom of rooftop camping—we simply needed a tent that could grow with our family.
After a lot of research, we decided to mount the Wild Land OrthFrame Rooftop Tent on top of our Nissan Pathfinder. We were looking for more space, wanted to try a hard-shell design, and hoped setup would be just as easy as our old tent.
After spending several trips living out of it, it has exceeded our expectations.
Why We Chose the OrthFrame
We weren’t looking for the biggest rooftop tent on the market. We were looking for one that fit the way we actually adventure.
There were three things that immediately stood out:
- Plenty of room for our growing family.
- A hard-shell design that promised quick setup and durability.
- Thoughtful features that would make camping simpler and more comfortable.
As a family balancing races, work, homeschooling, and everyday life, the easier it is to get out the door, the more often we actually go.
And that’s exactly what this tent has done.
More Space Means More Adventures
The very first thing we noticed was how spacious the OrthFrame feels.
Instead of everyone trying to find a comfortable position, we actually have room to spread out. The boys can read books before bed, play cards if the weather turns, or simply stretch out after a long day outside.
Jason and I appreciate not waking each other every time someone rolls over, and somehow bedtime has become a little more peaceful now that everyone has their own space.
It’s amazing how much a little extra room changes the camping experience. One of my favorite evenings so far happened after a full day of exploring. The boys climbed into the tent with their books while Jason started dinner below. We turned on the LED lights, opened the big windows, and watched the sunset while everyone slowly settled into the evening.
Nothing spectacular happened. But those simple evenings are exactly why we camp. The tent didn’t create that memory—but it made it easier for it to happen.
We Finally Made the Jump to a Hard-Shell Tent
I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure whether switching to a hard-shell rooftop tent would make that much of a difference.
It absolutely does.
Setup couldn’t be much easier. Release the latches, give it a push, and the gas struts do most of the work. Within just a few (so far we have gotten it down to 2) minutes we’re climbing the ladder and settling in for the night.
Packing everything away takes a bit longer only because you have to clear out the sleeping bags and random stuff in the pockets, but all in all it is just as seamless.
When you’re camping with kids, the last thing you want is a complicated setup or a frustrating morning teardown. This tent keeps the whole process quick and stress-free, which means we’re much more likely to say “yes” to spontaneous overnight adventures.
Thoughtfully Designed for Real Camping
This is where the OrthFrame has really impressed me. The extra space is wonderful, but it’s the thoughtful little details that have made the biggest difference.
The Sleeping Pads
The mattress is incredibly comfortable, but one feature I wasn’t expecting to love so much was the self-inflating sleeping pads. They add just the right amount of extra cushioning and are incredibly easy to inflate and deflate. There’s no wrestling with pumps or trying to squeeze every last bit of air out before packing up. At the end of a trip, everything packs away quickly, which is exactly what you want when you’ve got kids asking when breakfast is.
Organization Done Right
Camping with kids comes with gear. No matter how minimal you are, it just does. Somehow they always sneak in a whole bag of stuff the minute we are leaving and also when I am at the end of my rope and just ready to go.. so I cave.
Headlamps, books, charging cords, glasses, stuffed animals, toys, snacks, etc. Everything finally has a home. Instead of digging through sleeping bags trying to find someone’s headlamp, everything stays organized and within reach. The ceiling of the OrthFrame is lined with storage pockets, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite features.
It’s a small detail that makes camp feel calmer.
Exterior Shoe Bags
Another feature we use every single trip is the exterior shoe storage. Instead of muddy shoes coming inside the tent—or sitting outside in the rain overnight—they slip into dedicated hanging shoe bags. And when those fill up, the outside groove of the tent is a great spot as well! It’s both simple and brilliant.
LED Lighting
One feature I didn’t know I’d appreciate so much was the built-in LED light strip.
Instead of hanging headlamps from random loops or fumbling around with lanterns, we simply plug the lights into a power bank and flip a switch.
Whether we’re reading bedtime stories, organizing gear after dark, or playing a quick game before bed, it’s one of those small luxuries that quickly becomes something you never want to camp without.
Built for Real Weather
Living and adventuring in the Pacific Northwest means we rarely get perfect weather, so gear has to perform when conditions don’t. The OrthFrame has already passed that test multiple times over.
We’ve camped through two torrential downpours, and not a single drop of water made its way inside. We stayed warm, dry, and comfortable all night long.
Just as impressive has been the ventilation. If you’ve spent much time camping, you know that condensation can sometimes be as frustrating as rain. Waking up to damp tent walls isn’t exactly the easiest way to start the day.
The OrthFrame’s vents create fantastic airflow, and we’ve consistently woken up to a dry interior—even after cool, humid nights. It’s one of those features that’s easy to overlook until you’ve experienced how much of a difference it makes.
The Little Luxuries Matter
Camping doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort. One of our favorite unexpected upgrades has been the integrated LED light strip inside the tent.
It provides plenty of light for reading bedtime stories, organizing gear after dark, or playing a quick game before everyone falls asleep. Instead of hanging headlamps from random loops or juggling lanterns, the whole tent is evenly lit with the flip of a switch.
It’s a small feature, but after using it, it’s hard to imagine going back.
Why We Love Rooftop Camping
One of the reasons our family loves rooftop camping so much is because it removes barriers.
Sometimes we’re camping beside a mountain lake. Other times we’re parked at a trailhead before an early morning run or mountain bike ride. Occasionally we’re simply escaping town for one night because the forecast is too beautiful to ignore.
With the tent mounted on top of the Pathfinder, we’re always just a few minutes away from leaving. Adventure doesn’t require weeks of planning anymore, instead it simply requires saying “yes”.
Is It Worth the Upgrade?
For our family, absolutely.
Our Thule Approach served us incredibly well for years, and I would recommend it to couples or families with younger children without hesitation.
But families grow. Kids get taller, lifestyles change and so gear needs to change.
For us, upgrading wasn’t about getting something newer—it was about making sure camping continued to be easy, comfortable, and fun as our adventures evolved.
The Wild Land OrthFrame has given us the room we needed, the convenience we hoped for, and enough thoughtful features that every trip feels just a little bit easier and more seamless.
Final Thoughts
As our boys grow, our adventures grow too.
We’ve learned that the best gear isn’t necessarily the gear with the longest feature list, it’s the gear that removes barriers.
If setup only takes a few minutes, if everyone sleeps comfortably, if packing up is simple, and if we can leave for an adventure on a whim, we’re going to spend more nights outside together.
And at the end of the day, that’s what matters most to me.
The Wild Land OrthFrame hasn’t just given us a bigger place to sleep.
It’s given our family one more reason to keep saying yes to adventure.
**Below is a little video review of the tent.