Coolest Tent: Camping Awards 2024

WINNER – Coolest Tent 2024

Thule Outset

Price TBC

(Photo courtesy of Thule)

Why the Thule Outset?

Coolness in tents comes in lots of forms. It might be a cool look, a cool take on an existing design or simply a cool new feature. Or, best of all, it could be something completely different – a cool new product that immediately gets heads turning and people talking.

Thule's Outset definitely falls into the latter category, although it has elements of the others, too.

It first caught the eye at last year’s Caravan Salon trade fair in Germany, where it was one of a number of innovative products launched by the Swedish company, well known for its rooftop tents, roof boxes, bike racks and rear storage solutions.

At shows like that, a tent needs to be pretty special to divert attention away from all the shiny motorhomes, campervans and caravans, but that’s what the Outset managed.

It is billed as the first tent on the market that mounts directly onto the towbar of your vehicle, and it’s clear that design elements of Thule’s other car storage and camping products went into the process of developing the Outset. The designers have taken elements of roof tents, trailer tents and bike racks, to create something totally new.

At first glance, it looks like a cargo box fitted on a rear towbar-mounted platform, but when you find the perfect camping spot, all is revealed. The fabric folds out of the carry bag and pops into shape, and instantly creates a spacious tent for two adults.

So, as cool as it is, what are the practical benefits of the Outset? Why go for this option over a ‘normal’ ground tent, especially when the price is likely to top £3k?

Well, for one, it frees up your boot space and lets you easily pack all your camping equipment in the back. The design also allows you to easily open and access the boot, while the tent is attached to the towbar.

As mentioned already, setting up the Outset is quick and easy. And when it’s set up, it’s fitted with legs, so is raised off the ground, which makes it appealing to many campers.

In fact, it has most of the benefits of a roof tent, without the need to climb up a ladder to get access – or clamber down in the middle of the night when nature calls! Also, unlike a rooftop tent, you can leave the tent set up on the campsite and go off in the car.

Another advantage over a roof tent is the location at the back of your car, rather on the roof, when driving – the better aerodynamics mean better fuel economy or battery range. And, of course, there’s no potential issues with negotiating low height barriers in car parks. You’ll be able to see this cool new tent in person, when it is launched later this year.

We like

• Cool, innovative design
• Rear mounted rather than roof
• Quality materials