This Affordable Rooftop Tent Aims for a More Convenient and Versatile Sleep

This promising elevated abode combines a unique design with an inflatable construction for hassle-free camping.

Black rooftop tent with orange trim mounted on a black SUV with an extended awning.

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Popular as rooftop tents are because of their elevated sleeping and efficient set-up, they’re not without their compromises.

Namely, they can bring a huge hit to your fuel economy because of the added drag. Still, since more traditional setups are often heavy and/or cumbersome to install, it’s usually best to leave them in place if you have any plans for an outing.

Black pickup truck with an orange-trimmed rooftop tent mounted on the bed, parked on a grassy hill near a forest. — Portal’s Nomis One allows for a variety of mounting options thanks to its free-standing design.

That’s what makes this forthcoming option from Portal such an interesting prospect. In addition to the convenience of an RTT, it affords a flexibility that should make it super easy to live with.

Floating on air

It’s called the Nomis One, and it’s currently running as a project you can back on Kickstarter. Though only a few days into its campaign, it’s already well past its goal.

Black and orange modular pet carrier with mesh windows and a gray frame on a black base. — The AeroDeck serves as the foundation of the entire setup.

And rightly so, assuming the tent delivers on its selling points. By combining a poleless construction with a two-part design, Portal’s rooftop abode promises to be lightweight (just 45.8 pounds), quick to set up (less than 10 minutes) and super flexible in its applications.

Now, you can find these qualities in other options on the market. However, the Nomis One balances all of them simultaneously through a unique split form factor comprising both an inflatable base and an inflatable tent structure.

It means installation is incredibly simple, requiring users to pump up the AeroDeck, slide it onto the roof or bed and snap it into place. From there, just add air to the shelter itself and tie down any guy lines.

Black SUV with rooftop tent and attached ladder parked on grass with mountains in the background. — The AeroDeck snaps into a series of brackets that mount to your vehicle’s crossbars.

Along with making pitching your tent and breaking camp a hassle-free process, it also means that there’s nothing to snap or misplace. Moreover, the Nomis has a soft base and is completely free-standing, so it can even be set up on the ground if you’re not one for heights.

Tip-top rooftop

Beyond designing the Nomis One to be easy to use and flexible in accommodations, Portal has also sprinkled in some choice touches to make sure it’s a nice place to be.

Black and orange rooftop tent with a ladder mounted on a vehicle against a rocky desert background. — Exterior gear attachment points and interior storage ensures you can keep track of your things.

For instance, despite the name, it looks to be a spacious setup with claimed room to sleep three. Interior dimensions come to 82 by 52 by 49 inches, and it’s supposedly rated for loads of up to 550 pounds.

What’s more, the shell will be made from 300D Oxford fabric. In addition to giving it some built-in heat retention, Portal also claims this means the Nomis brings an impressive 5000mm PU waterproof rating.

Add to that other refined touches like integrated storage, gear hooks and exterior attachment points, and it makes for a pretty respectable setup out of the gate.

Black and orange inflatable camping tent set up on green grass with forest background. — If you’re looking to feel a little more grounded, the Nomis doubles as a standard tent.

Nevertheless, for those looking to take their tents even further, Portal does plan to offer accessories, like a cotton interior lining, a compatible exterior awning and a portable electric pump.

Availability and pricing

If you’re interested in learning more about the Portal Nomis One, you can head to the Kickstarter page. As of this writing, the tent itself is available for an early bird special at $499, while rooftop setups will run you from $749. The most complete setups clock in just over $1k.

Assuming everything goes according to plan, Portal hopes to have deliveries shipping in January 2027.

Black pickup truck with off-road tires and a black and orange rooftop tent mounted on the bed, parked on grassy terrain near a forest.

Portal Nomis One Inflatable Rooftop Tent

Starts at $499

$749 (33% off)

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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