Free EU delivery on orders over €250 · Rock-solid guarantee · we repair what we sell
Ridgeback Overland Est. 2011
Specialist since 2011

Built for the roof. Tested in real weather. Fitted right, backed in full, ready when you are.

We spec, fit and service rooftop tents for men who use them hard. Every unit we sell has been opened in the cold, slept in, and checked before it goes on a vehicle.

0 Outdoorsmen kitted
0 Years in the field
0 Field-proven products
0 Trustpilot rating ★
Rock-solid guarantee Tested in lab, proven in field
1% for nature Conservation partner network
Guides on call Available Mon–Sat, by phone
Repair service for life We repair what we sell
Founded 2011 · Family-owned

Ridgeback Overland. A workshop where the gear is built. Six generations on.

Here's what we promise: if you buy a tent from us, we stand behind it. That means a two-year structural warranty on every unit we sell, a repair service that turns most jobs around in eight working days, and a named person you can call when something isn't right. Not a ticket system. A person.

We started in 2011 with four tents in a rented unit and a Land Cruiser in the car park that we used as a test rig. Thirteen years on, we run a workshop with nine full-time staff — two of them do nothing but fitting and post-sale checks. Every tent that leaves us has been opened, inspected, and signed off. That takes time. We think it's worth it.

The operational side is straightforward. We carry between sixty and eighty units in stock at any given time, sourced from three manufacturers we've worked with long enough to argue with when spec decisions don't suit European conditions. We've had that argument more than once. We test in cold, damp, high-wind conditions because that's what most of our customers actually face — not desert crossings, not Instagram overlanding.

Our buyers are men who've done their research, weighed the options, and want a straight answer. Join that group and you'll find we answer emails the same day, give you the load rating and the shell spec upfront, and tell you when a tent isn't right for your vehicle rather than sell you the wrong thing.

What we don't do: we don't drop-ship. We don't list products we've never handled. And we don't pretend a tent is an investment in a lifestyle — it's a piece of kit, and it should work every time you open it.

David Marsh

— David Marsh, founder

Built to sleep well above the ground.

We spec every tent ourselves, mount them on our own vehicles, and only list what we'd take on a three-week crossing. That's the whole idea.

€0 Donated to conservation
0 Restoration projects backed
0 Years giving back
The people behind it

The team that fits and tests the gear.

David Marsh

David Marsh

Founder & Workshop Lead

David spent eleven years fitting expedition equipment before starting Ridgeback Overland in 2011.

Robert Haines

Robert Haines

Senior Fitting Specialist

Robert has been fitting roof systems to 4x4s and camper platforms for sixteen years.

Andreas Brandt

Andreas Brandt

Technical & Warranty Lead

Andreas came to us from a canvas and frame repair background — fifteen years working on awnings, expedition

Claire Ashworth

Claire Ashworth

Customer Service & Accounts

Claire has managed customer accounts and post-sale follow-up with us since 2014.

Roof tents & overland gear

Browse the range.

Hard-shell and soft-top tents built for extended trips — specced for the conditions you're actually planning to drive into.

Pro staff picks

Gear that earns its weight.

Picked by the guides on our pro staff — not by marketing. These are the pieces they actually pack.

Pro pick
hardshell tent

Ridgeline Hardshell 2-Person

Fibreglass-reinforced ABS shell, 60mm high-density foam mattress, opens in under 90 seconds.

softshell tent

Cairn Softshell 3-Person

420D ripstop poly-cotton canvas shell, 1500mm hydrostatic head, fully taped seams.

New
accessory

Vestibule Annex Room

Attaches directly to the Cairn Softshell ladder skirt.

mounting

Fixed-Point Mount Kit

Machined 6061-T6 aluminium brackets, M10 stainless hardware throughout.

Limited
bedding

Summit Down Bag 800

800-fill European goose down, comfort rating -8°C, limit -14°C.

accessory

60mm High-Density Mattress

High-resilience 60mm foam cut to fit the Ridgeline shell exactly.

Before you order

Questions we get on the phone.

Roof load ratings, mounting systems, shipping to the EU and beyond — answered straight.

01 How long does delivery take, and do you ship to Europe?

We ship to the UK, EU, Norway, and the EU. Standard delivery runs 3-5 working days within the UK, 5-9 days into mainland Europe. Norway and the EU may take a day or two longer depending on customs clearance. Orders are tracked from dispatch. Duties and import taxes are included in the price you see at checkout — no surprise charges when the package arrives.

02 What is the warranty on the Ridgeline Hardshell and Cairn Softshell?

Both tents carry a Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects — stitching, pole failure, zip function, and waterproof seam tape. If something fails under normal use, bring it back or post it in. We assess it, repair it where we can, and replace components where we can't. What we won't cover is damage from improper mounting, overloading, or a roof rack that wasn't specced for the weight. — Darren H., Senior Tent Technician, 12 seasons in the field.

03 Can I return a tent if it does not suit my vehicle or setup?

Yes. Unused, uninstalled tents can come back within 30 days for a full refund or exchange. Once a tent has been mounted and used, returns are assessed case by case — we're not going to refuse a reasonable conversation. Call or email before sending anything back so we can sort the logistics properly. The contact details are on our Contacts page.

04 How do I know which mount kit fits my roof rack system?

That depends on your rack brand, crossbar profile, and how much load your roof is rated to carry. Our Fixed-Point Mount Kit fits most T-slot and channel-bar systems — Thule, Rhino-Rack, Front Runner, and similar. If you're unsure, send us your vehicle make, year, and rack system and we'll confirm the fit before you order. Getting this wrong is a real problem, so we'd rather spend five minutes checking than have you return the kit.

05 What is the 60mm High-Density Mattress made from, and does it compress the tent?

It's a 60mm closed-cell high-density foam, pre-cut to the tent floor and bonded with a non-slip base layer. It doesn't compress down for storage — the tent folds around it when closed. Honestly, that's the trade-off for the support it gives. If you want something that packs smaller, a thinner foam insert works, but most people who try the 60mm don't go back.

06 Is the Summit Down Bag 800 warm enough for shoulder-season camping at altitude?

The Summit Down Bag 800 is filled with 800-fill-power hydrophobic goose down and rated to -8°C comfort. For shoulder-season use — early October in the Alps, late September in Scandinavia — it handles the cold well. At serious altitude or in sustained wet conditions, layer a merino liner inside. The shell is Pertex Quantum, which sheds light moisture, but it's not a waterproof bag. Keep it off the tent floor if condensation is running.

07 Does the Vestibule Annex Room work with both the Hardshell and the Softshell?

The Vestibule Annex fits the Cairn Softshell 3-Person directly — the connection points are built into that tent's ladder side. It does not attach to the Ridgeline Hardshell, which has a different entry geometry. We're working on a Hardshell-compatible annex but it's not available yet. If you need covered storage space with the Hardshell, a ground-level awning off the vehicle side is the practical answer for now.

08 How do I care for the Cairn Softshell canvas to keep it waterproof?

After a wet trip, open the tent fully and let the canvas dry before you fold it down — mildew sets in fast if you pack it damp. Once a season, or when water stops beading on the outer, reproof with a quality DWR spray or wash-in treatment suited to canvas. Avoid harsh detergents. The poles and hinges benefit from a light wipe-down after any coastal or dusty trip. Five minutes of care after each outing will extend the life of the canvas by years.

The full catalogue

Filter by tent type, vehicle load, season rating.

Every model listed with weight, mount spec and setup time. Pick what fits the roof and the route.

0 products in catalog
Weight
Material
Length
Action
hardshell tent

Ridgeline Hardshell 2-Person

Fibreglass-reinforced ABS shell, 60mm high-density foam mattress, opens in under 90 seconds.

softshell tent

Cairn Softshell 3-Person

420D ripstop poly-cotton canvas shell, 1500mm hydrostatic head, fully taped seams.

accessory

Vestibule Annex Room

Attaches directly to the Cairn Softshell ladder skirt.

mounting

Fixed-Point Mount Kit

Machined 6061-T6 aluminium brackets, M10 stainless hardware throughout.

bedding

Summit Down Bag 800

800-fill European goose down, comfort rating -8°C, limit -14°C.

accessory

60mm High-Density Mattress

High-resilience 60mm foam cut to fit the Ridgeline shell exactly.

accessory

270° Side Awning Pro

Wraps 270 degrees around the driver and passenger side.

hardshell tent

Ridgeline XL Hardshell 2-Person

Same ABS shell construction as the standard Ridgeline, but 20cm wider — enough for two adults who don't want

accessory

Telescoping Alloy Ladder

2.4m extended, 6061 aluminium rungs, non-slip rubber feet.

accessory

CORDURA Dust and Rain Cover

1000D CORDURA shell, fitted to the Ridgeline Hardshell profile.

service

Annual Service and Inspection

Send the tent in. We check the shell seals, test the hinge mechanism, inspect the mattress foam, re-tension

bedding

Inner Thermal Liner

200gsm merino-poly blend, fitted to the Ridgeline and Cairn floor dimensions.

mounting

Heavy-Duty Crossbar Set

Steel crossbars, 1.4m span, with T-slot track on the upper face. Rated to 200kg static.

bedding

Merino Camp Blanket

400gsm pure merino, 200x140cm. Doubles as a top layer in the tent or a wrap around the camp chair in the

Field notes

Honest write-ups from the field.

Verified buyers, real expeditions. We don't filter for tone — only for whether the kit was actually used.

★★★★★

"Ran the Ridgeback hardshell tent through a full week in the highlands — three nights of driving rain, one frost, one morning where I genuinely couldn't see ten metres. The mounting hardware didn't shift a millimetre. Ladder held steady on uneven ground. Setup from closed to sleeping position is under four minutes once you've done it twice. I've owned two other rooftop tents and this one is in a different class for seam integrity alone."

Lars J.
Lars J. overlander, 12 seasons
★★★★★

"The aluminium cross-bar mount is specced properly — no flex, no rattle at motorway speed. I ran it on roof bars rated to 75kg dynamic and the whole assembly felt planted. Condensation management is better than I expected for a softshell design. The inner fabric wicks well overnight. Good kit."

Thomas B.
Thomas B. retired engineer
★★★★☆

"First rooftop tent I've owned. The setup guide is clear enough but step seven on the hinge adjustment could use a diagram — I had to email support. They came back the same day with photos, which sorted it. Tent itself is well-built, the mattress is firmer than I expected and that's not a complaint. Would recommend, just be aware the first assembly takes longer than the stated time."

Joost van H.
Joost van H. first-time buyer
★★★★★

"I put clients in this tent on multi-day trips. It has to perform reliably every time — no exceptions. The zipper tracks on the entry panel have held up across repeated wet-dry cycles without snagging. The base shell shows no delamination after a season of hard use on rough terrain. Ridgeback answered a warranty question in under 24 hours. That matters when you're running a commercial operation."

Massimo C.
Massimo C. overland guide, 8 years
★★★☆☆

"The tent itself is solid — no complaints about build quality or the sleep system. Delivery took sixteen days, which was longer than the estimate on the order page. Packaging was intact and the product arrived in perfect condition, so no lasting issue. I'd order again but I'd plan for the extra wait time."

Petter B.
Petter B. regular customer
★★★★★

"Crossed several mountain passes in early spring — temperatures well below zero at altitude, significant wind on exposed sections. The draft skirt on the tent floor makes a real difference. Warm enough with a three-season bag. The annex connection points lined up with no persuasion needed, which isn't always the case with third-party annexes. Built to a standard I'd expect from a specialist."

Friedrich M.
Friedrich M. vehicle expedition, 20 years
European Outdoors Alliance Wild Waters Trust Wilderness Foundation EU BirdLife International Forest & Trail Society 1% for the Planet Atlantic Coastline Trust European Wildlife Federation European Outdoors Alliance Wild Waters Trust Wilderness Foundation EU BirdLife International Forest & Trail Society 1% for the Planet Atlantic Coastline Trust European Wildlife Federation
Is this gear for you?

You measure success in seasons. Not in seasons on Instagram.

01

You've been at it long enough to know which compromises matter on day eight, not day one.

02

You read material specs before marketing — denier counts, fill weights, GPM ratings.

03

You'd rather buy one piece this decade than three over the same span.

04

You want to talk to someone who's actually been out in the field, not a script in a call centre.

Built for men aged 35-65+ — established working professionals, craftsmen, and longtime collectors.

Talk to a guide

Tell us what you do. We'll tell you what to pack.

Our specialists answer their own phone. No scripts, no call centres. Tell them the conditions you face, the trails you walk — they'll come back with three pieces of gear and a reason for each.

Contact Us

Visit the workshop, write to us, or call during opening hours.

Ridgeback Overland

Address
Rue de Rive 12, 1204 Genève, Geneva
Email
[email protected]
Phone
+41 22 518 34 07

Opening hours

MonClosed
Tue–Fri10:00 – 18:30
Saturday10:00 – 17:00
SundayClosed

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