BadAss Rugged Clamshell Roof Top Tent vs iKamper BDV Duo

Here you have my comparison of BadAss Rugged Clamshell Roof Top Tent and iKamper BDV Duo, two off-ground shelters built in the same style. So which is better? Find out in the text below.

Why this comparison: BadAss Rugged and iKamper BDV Duo similarities

Here you have two clamshell roof top tents, so they are of the hard shell type, both easy to use and very reliable. The meaning of this term is that when packed for transportation, you have a solid box on the roof. When you see their pictures you realize how elegant and thin they both look on the roof.

They are also of a similar size, and this is a non-extendable type which means the base of the box is the base of the tent as well. They offer enough space for two users.

Both are built with three doors that have mesh and panels, so you can use them all as doors and as windows. The lid in both shelters is with gas shock strut arms that allow for quick set up and structural integrity even in windy conditions.

BadAss Rugged

They claim this shelter is a ‘made-in-USA quality’, and I am not completely sure what this really means. Is it made in USA or made by USA quality standards? If anybody knows for sure do let me know in the comment sections below.

In any case, it is backed with their 3-year warranty. They describe it as the lightest and thinnest on the market, but strictly speaking this is not so. I know at least one which beats it in both features.

But it is indeed very light with its 113 pounds (51 kg) and thin only 4.85 inches (12.3 cm). The fabric is a truly rugged 420D Nylon Oxford Fabric, and the extruded aluminum frame supports its ABS shell.

They offer this clamshell tent with several options and this affects the final price. This is what they call a modular design, so here is what you have:

• If you wish, you can order it with cross bars or without them.
• You can also choose the lid with a solid window or without it.
• You can also have it without its removable awning or with the awning.
• Ladder is not included, so you can add it in the list as well.

In this video you can see how it works:

The iKamper BDV Duo is with the full name Blue Dot Voyager Duo, and it is shown in the picture below. This is an exo-shell design and you can see its frame from outside.

They describe the iKamper BDV Duo as the world’s first DIY roof top tent. Here is a very useful assembly video which shows every step of assembling it, please have a look:

BadAss Rugged and iKamper BDV Duo differences

I have summarized all the important differences in the comparison table below. I give + and – for one or another tent, and below the table you will see my arguments for this. So have a look:

Weight: Regarding the weight, it is hard to find a match for the BadAss Rugged, as mentioned above it weighs only 113 pounds (51 kg). Compare this with iKapmer BDV Duo that weighs 17 kg more, its weight is 150 pounds (68 kg).

Area: The base size of the BadAss Rugged is 84.6 x 51.6 inches (215 x 131 cm). In the iKapmer BDV Duo this is 90 x 56 inches (228 x 142 cm), so you have more space inside.

Mattress: In the BadAss Rugged this is just a pad 1 inch thick (2.5), and in the iKamper BDV Duo 2.75 inches (7 cm). None is very thick, but what you have in the former is useless.

Materials: I give advantage to the iKapmer BDV Duo because of its breathable polycotton fabric.

I also like the fact that its awning is integrated as compared to removable awning in the other shelter which you have to order separately. You need such a detail so I do not see the point of having this as an accessory.

Weight capacity: You have 500 pounds (227 kg) in the BadAss Rugged, and 600 pounds (270 kg) in the iKamper BDV Duo.

Box thickness: The BadAss Rugged is very thin, only 4.85 inches (12.3 cm). In the iKamper BDV Duo this is 7 inches (18 cm).

Warranty: You have 3 years with the BadAss Rugged. With the iKamper BDV Duo initial warranty is 2 years, but there is also 3 years plus with some different formulation, it is best to check details on their site.

Box features: I like the fact that you can have option with a window on the solid lid in the BadAss Rugged roof top tent. You can use it together with the cross bars.

So cross bars make it functional for transportation of bulky gear that you can place on the roof top tent, and the window makes it pleasant when you are inside. Not many clamshell roof top tents have such a window in the lid.

Price: This changes all the time and it depends on sellers. On the other hand, you have modular options with the BadAss Rugged roof top tent so its price depends on that. But its complete variant with all extras is still slightly below the price of the iKamper BDV Duo.

Places to buy

BadAss Tents Rugged Clamshell Roof Top Tent:

Off Road Tents
Overland Junction

iKamper Blue Dot Voyager Duo (BDV):

iKamper

Off Road Tents

REI

Backcountry

Summary

So you have seen them both, BadAss Rugged Clamshell Roof Top Tent vs iKamper BDV Duo, and the comparison table above shows that they they are very close regarding features. But not every feature is equally important for everybody, so this is the matter of preference.

Here are a few I would point out. The pad inside of the BadAss Rugged is really disappointing, you have to add something extra, most likely an air pad that will not take space when deflated. On the other hand, the lid window in the same tent box is a truly great detail.

Let me know what you think, there is a comment box below. For more stuff of this type please check under the category Roof Top Tents. Check my comparison between iKamper Skycamp 3.0 2X and iKamper Skycamp 3.0.

Bookmark this site and keep as a reference, you will always have new texts added here and this will keep you informed. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.