Along with Roofnest’s pop-up hardshell, the Sparrow, and the fold-out hardshell, the Condor, RTT company Roofnest also has a third design in its Falcon series. This pop-up clamshell tent is built for rugged adventuring and can comfortably accommodate two campers. At $3,495, it’s certainly not a frugal investment, as there are several other hardshell RTTs at slightly lower price points and countless softshell tents at a significantly lower cost. We loved the versatility and build quality of the Falcon, but we still aren’t sure if the price tag is justifiable. Its rugged construction and crossbar compatibility make it a great companion for kayakers and cyclists. However, tamer solo campers may find some of these features to be a tad overkill, given the Falcon’s hefty price tag. To those people, we’d recommend the Sparrow EYE, which has a similar design and a slightly smaller interior for $400 less than the Falcon.

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Along with Roofnest’s pop-up hardshell, the Sparrow, and the fold-out hardshell, the Condor, RTT company Roofnest also has a third design in its Falcon series. This pop-up clamshell tent is built for rugged adventuring and can comfortably accommodate 2 campers. At $3,495, it’s certainly not a frugal investment, as there are several other hardshell RTTs at slightly lower price points and countless softshell tents at a significantly lower cost. We loved the versatility and build quality of the Falcon, but we still aren’t sure if the price tag is justifiable.

Comfort

The interior of the Roofnest Falcon measures 88” long and 48” wide for a total of 29.3 sq ft. Peak headroom is 60″, however, the roof angles roughly 45° from the top of the back wall to the bottom of the front wall, essentially giving the Falcon half the interior volume of a hardshell that pops up on all four sides. Taller campers may find that they’ll need to sleep with their pillows at the back of the tent to avoid accidentally bumping their heads. Thankfully, though, the ceiling is cushioned—it also features a handy storage net to stash some of your lighter gear. Additionally, you’ll find small storage pockets at the front corners and a deployable shoe bag that can be hung outside the tent.

On the bottom of the Falcon, you’ll find a 7 cm (2.75”) foam mattress with a machine-washable cover and an anti-condensation mat below. Although we question Roofnest’s claim that it “feels like a real bed,” it certainly provides a notable degree of cushioning (nearly twice as much as you’ll find in the iKamper models). Chances are that you won’t need to pack a sleeping pad, but larger campers may feel their hips reach the bottom if they are side-sleepers.

Like the Roofnest Sparrow, the Falcon’s side windows also act as doors, with ladder mounts that enable campers to enter from three sides. We are big fans of this inclusion that makes it easy to set up your campsite since you won’t need to be overly concerned about the orientation of your vehicle and can easily adapt rather than having to re-park. Keep in mind, though, that the ladder cannot be stored inside the Falcon while it is closed, and in fact, there’s not even space to stash your bedding. One other drawback to the Falcon’s entry system is that it lacks an extension panel like the Condor XL when the ladder is mounted. It will block any vehicle doors beneath it.

Ease of Conversion

Ease of Installation

Your newly ordered Falcon will arrive fully assembled, so all you’ll need to do is remove the protective plastic and unbox the mounting hardware, which you’ll find in a separate box that also contains the telescoping ladder. These brackets will need to be partially assembled for quicker installation in the later steps. You’ll then lift your Falcon onto your vehicle’s crossbars and lock it into place. The Falcon weighs in at 140 lbs and will require at least two people to get it onto your roof. Ensure that your crossbars are spaced out at least 30” apart; you’ll also need at least 24” of width to accommodate the brackets. Slide the mounting hardware into the mounting tracks on the underside of the tent, so that there is a bolt hanging below either side of the crossbar connected by the mounting plate underneath. Finally, you’ll tighten down these bolts using the included 13mm ratcheting wrench; we recommend you work your way around the vehicle before tightening these completely, making sure the tent is centered on your vehicle. For a full breakdown of the installation process, check out the Roofnest website.

If you’re not planning to use your Roofnest any time soon, removing it from your vehicle is relatively simple. Loosen each mounting plate so that it’s completely unscrewed from one bolt and hanging off the end of the other. Once you’ve done this for all four brackets, you can lift the shell at all four corners and slide the brackets out of the tracks, then grab a friend to help you lift it off your vehicle. Packed side for the Falcon is 90″ x 50″ x 6.5″.

Durability & Weatherproofing

The Falcon scores high marks on durability thanks to its aluminum honeycomb shell both on the top and bottom. This goes a step beyond the Condor and Sparrow models with ABS/ABA plastic shells on top. The Falcon is the only Roofnest model that can accommodate crossbars on top. There are channels on top that can hold up to 50 lbs when attached in at least two places and enable you to mount various accessories.The bottom layer is reinforced with aluminum crossbars for additional support. At the same time, the canopy is made of a PU-coated polyester/cotton blend with a waterproof rating of 3000mm. All three entryways have zippable mesh and canvas layers to keep bugs out on humid days and rain on stormy days. The canvas layer on the rear entryway can be converted into a shade awning using the included tension poles. An additional rain awning can be unrolled from the top of the hardshell and supported by tension poles.

Optional Extras

The roof of the Falcon is compatible with the Goal Zero Batteries and Solar Panels ($250 – $700) that we discussed in our reviews of the Roofnest Sparrow and Condor XL, as well as a set of Falcon Crossbars ($169) to carry your bikes, kayaks, or any other adventure gear you’d typically strap to the top of your vehicle. The accessory channels, located on all four sides, can also be used to attach additional awnings; however, we were unable to find any Falcon awnings available for sale on the Roofnest website.

The Bottom Line

The Falcon is proof positive that Roofnest is no one-trick pony when it comes to RTTs, with a unique design to both the highly popular Condor and the more traditional Sparrow. Its rugged construction and crossbar compatibility make it a great companion for kayakers and cyclists. However, tamer solo campers may find some of these features to be a tad overkill, given the Falcon’s hefty price tag. To those people, we’d recommend the Sparrow EYE, which has a similar design and a slightly smaller interior for $400 less than the Falcon.

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