The Recon Pop-Up Roof Top Tent is a great entry-level 2-person tent for the weekend warrior looking for a bit more comfort compared to the Clamshell type Roof Top Tent, where taller persons sometimes struggle with enough foot space. The Recon offers awesome 360º views through four massive windows, all with the option to zip up the insect mesh to keep bugs out, without compromising the sights nature throws at you from the top of your vehicle.
With an innovative design that fits the gas struts inside the frame lift system, Recon can be set up in 2 minutes or less by releasing the hidden clasps and giving a slight push to raise the tent to 40”, without having to use a handle to crank it up or down. This leaves you with more time to explore the surroundings, prepare food, or simply enjoy sharing campfire stories with friends and family.
The Recon is an awesome-looking tent too, with its bright orange color contrasting strikingly against the black and gray fabric, it lets everyone in camp know that you have arrived. However, if you are trying to blend into the surroundings or to stay out of sight, you should probably go for a more discrete roof top tent option.
With its good waterproof capabilities and with the structural integrity to withstand all but the most extreme conditions, we would happily use Recon as a three-season tent for shorter expeditions and long weekend adventures.
Proudly MADE IN THE USA, the Recon Pop-Up Roof Top Tent fits most vehicles with a roof rack or crossbars. This tactical styled Hard Shell Roof Top Tent is amongst the lightest and slimmest on the market weighing in at 135 lbs and measuring only 5” tall. It comes included with a sleeping pad with cover, as well as top crossbars with a load capacity of 75 lbs in transit, perfect for storing extra gear, SUPs, surfboards, etc.
The slim and lightweight design does come at a cost in terms of space. With a sleeping space of 45" this is not a wide tent, which is fine if you like to snuggle closely with your partner. However, if you are a light sleeper, or if two larger persons are sharing the tent you might feel a bit cramped.
Excellent vehicle integration keeps the Recon snug to the vehicle (1″ above the roof) for better aerodynamics, less drag, and wind noise. This helps to give minimum impact to the vehicle’s MPG when using it as a daily driver with the tent fitted and while en route to your overlanding adventure. The Recon comes with basic mounting hardware included.
1. Would you use this tent in the winter, when the temperature is below 40ºF?
If it was only for one night and with a GOOD sleeping bag, sure no problem. But as a 4-season full-time overlanding tent, not unless Badass Tents starts to offer an optional “Winter Hood” insulation kit.
2. What do you like about this tent?
I like the low weight and slim profile, which makes a huge difference if you are fitting it to a vehicle with standard suspension. People often forget how much it changes a vehicle’s stability and safety performance when you change its center of gravity by adding too much weight too high up. You should never ignore or exceed the manufacturer's load restrictions.
As mentioned above the low weight and slim design does come at a price. With a sleeping space only 45" wide you can feel cramped in there if you are two larger persons sharing the tent. If you are just on your own you will have plenty of space in the Recon. As a reference, my wife and I are tiny persons (5,1' and 5.5', both under 140 lbs), and the tent we have been using for our international adventures the last couple of years is 55" wide. But keep in mind that we use our tent for longer trips where you need more space. If you are a weekend warrior, or only go on shorter trips the Recon will do great.
3. What would you change about the tent if you could?
I would upgrade the mattress, but I would do that to almost any tent available on the market, with a few exceptions. I would also install a two-color light bar inside it. One that gives a bright warm white light for when you need good lightning inside at night and have the doors or insect mesh closed. And one red or amber light to find your way in and out of the tent at night, without bringing all the bugs with you. Do that with the white light on and you’ll have a zoo inside your tent in no time.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to make your camping experience unforgettable. Order your Badass Recon Pop-up Roof Top Tent now and start enjoying the great outdoors like never before!
As experienced Overlanders, we fully understand that things do not always go according to plan.
That is why we offer you our 30-Day Return Policy, so you can get back on the road for more adventures in a heartbeat.
Read more about the terms and conditions that apply in our Easy Returns Policy
Shipping is FREE on most orders with a total value above $250 to customers within the lower 48 United States (Contiguous United States). NOTE: For Front Runner orders, Free Shipping to the lower 48 states ONLY applies to rack kits and orders with a total value above $1,500
However, due to their size and weight, some products may require an LTL truck flat fee shipping charge based on the zone you live in. This flat fee rate will be calculated at checkout, but ONLY for certain brands and products.
Products where the LTL truck flat fee may apply are rooftop tents, roof racks, awnings, bumpers, bed racks, rock sliders, fridges, and drawer systems.
Brands where Flat Fee Shipping based on zones apply:
Please refer to the zone map displayed below for your location.
Read more about the terms and conditions that apply in our Shipping Policy
We know you have plenty of options when shopping for Overlanding gear online, so why choose Open Road Overland? Because we’re more than just a store—we’re your trusted partner for every adventure. Here’s why shopping with us is a game-changer:
Your security is our top priority. We use encrypted SSL technology and are Level 1 PCI DSS compliant, ensuring your transactions and personal information are always protected. When you shop with us, you can trust that your data is safe and your purchase is secure.
We’ve been Overlanding since 1998 — long before it became a buzzword. With 25 years of experience testing gear in the toughest conditions across six continents, we only sell products we would use ourselves. If it’s in our store, it’s been trail-tested and approved.
No matter what you drive—a passenger car, pickup truck, or a fully rigged 4x4—we have the knowledge to help you build the perfect setup. Our team has driven nearly everything and can guide you toward the best gear for your specific adventure needs.
Fast and FREE Shipping on most orders above $250 to the lower 48 states
30-Day Easy Returns. Not happy with your product, we'll take it back no questions asked, and without charging you ANY restocking fee. Ever!
We don’t just sell gear — we build relationships and pride ourselves on providing the best service, anywhere. Our dedicated Customer Service team is made up of real Overlanders who understand your needs and are ready to help with expert advice, product recommendations, and troubleshooting. Whether you have a question before purchase or need support after, we’re always here to ensure your experience is seamless and stress-free.
Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or a seasoned pro pushing the limits, we believe Overlanding should be accessible to all. That’s why we offer both entry-level products and top-tier gear, ensuring every adventurer finds what they need. More than that, we’re here to help, guide, and support you every step of the way.
United StatesHave had the Recon for about a month and have spent 4 nights in it so far. No issues bouncing around the trails when out around and about. Love the space in the tent with the flat ceiling and front vestibule. Impressed with the low profile of the tent when closed up, the height of the closed tent while driving was one of my main concerns when shopping around for the rooftop tent, and I barely notice the tent is on my roof when driving down the freeway.
The Recon Pop-Up Roof Top Tent is a great entry-level 2-person tent for the weekend warrior looking for a bit more comfort compared to the Clamshell type Roof Top Tent, where taller persons sometimes struggle with enough foot space. The Recon offers awesome 360º views through four massive windows, all with the option to zip up the insect mesh to keep bugs out, without compromising the sights nature throws at you from the top of your vehicle.
With an innovative design that fits the gas struts inside the frame lift system, Recon can be set up in 2 minutes or less by releasing the hidden clasps and giving a slight push to raise the tent to 40”, without having to use a handle to crank it up or down. This leaves you with more time to explore the surroundings, prepare food, or simply enjoy sharing campfire stories with friends and family.
The Recon is an awesome-looking tent too, with its bright orange color contrasting strikingly against the black and gray fabric, it lets everyone in camp know that you have arrived. However, if you are trying to blend into the surroundings or to stay out of sight, you should probably go for a more discrete roof top tent option.
With its good waterproof capabilities and with the structural integrity to withstand all but the most extreme conditions, we would happily use Recon as a three-season tent for shorter expeditions and long weekend adventures.
Proudly MADE IN THE USA, the Recon Pop-Up Roof Top Tent fits most vehicles with a roof rack or crossbars. This tactical styled Hard Shell Roof Top Tent is amongst the lightest and slimmest on the market weighing in at 135 lbs and measuring only 5” tall. It comes included with a sleeping pad with cover, as well as top crossbars with a load capacity of 75 lbs in transit, perfect for storing extra gear, SUPs, surfboards, etc.
The slim and lightweight design does come at a cost in terms of space. With a sleeping space of 45" this is not a wide tent, which is fine if you like to snuggle closely with your partner. However, if you are a light sleeper, or if two larger persons are sharing the tent you might feel a bit cramped.
Excellent vehicle integration keeps the Recon snug to the vehicle (1″ above the roof) for better aerodynamics, less drag, and wind noise. This helps to give minimum impact to the vehicle’s MPG when using it as a daily driver with the tent fitted and while en route to your overlanding adventure. The Recon comes with basic mounting hardware included.
1. Would you use this tent in the winter, when the temperature is below 40ºF?
If it was only for one night and with a GOOD sleeping bag, sure no problem. But as a 4-season full-time overlanding tent, not unless Badass Tents starts to offer an optional “Winter Hood” insulation kit.
2. What do you like about this tent?
I like the low weight and slim profile, which makes a huge difference if you are fitting it to a vehicle with standard suspension. People often forget how much it changes a vehicle’s stability and safety performance when you change its center of gravity by adding too much weight too high up. You should never ignore or exceed the manufacturer's load restrictions.
As mentioned above the low weight and slim design does come at a price. With a sleeping space only 45" wide you can feel cramped in there if you are two larger persons sharing the tent. If you are just on your own you will have plenty of space in the Recon. As a reference, my wife and I are tiny persons (5,1' and 5.5', both under 140 lbs), and the tent we have been using for our international adventures the last couple of years is 55" wide. But keep in mind that we use our tent for longer trips where you need more space. If you are a weekend warrior, or only go on shorter trips the Recon will do great.
3. What would you change about the tent if you could?
I would upgrade the mattress, but I would do that to almost any tent available on the market, with a few exceptions. I would also install a two-color light bar inside it. One that gives a bright warm white light for when you need good lightning inside at night and have the doors or insect mesh closed. And one red or amber light to find your way in and out of the tent at night, without bringing all the bugs with you. Do that with the white light on and you’ll have a zoo inside your tent in no time.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to make your camping experience unforgettable. Order your Badass Recon Pop-up Roof Top Tent now and start enjoying the great outdoors like never before!
As experienced Overlanders, we fully understand that things do not always go according to plan.
That is why we offer you our 30-Day Return Policy, so you can get back on the road for more adventures in a heartbeat.
Read more about the terms and conditions that apply in our Easy Returns Policy
Shipping is FREE on most orders with a total value above $250 to customers within the lower 48 United States (Contiguous United States). NOTE: For Front Runner orders, Free Shipping to the lower 48 states ONLY applies to rack kits and orders with a total value above $1,500
However, due to their size and weight, some products may require an LTL truck flat fee shipping charge based on the zone you live in. This flat fee rate will be calculated at checkout, but ONLY for certain brands and products.
Products where the LTL truck flat fee may apply are rooftop tents, roof racks, awnings, bumpers, bed racks, rock sliders, fridges, and drawer systems.
Brands where Flat Fee Shipping based on zones apply:
Please refer to the zone map displayed below for your location.
Read more about the terms and conditions that apply in our Shipping Policy
We know you have plenty of options when shopping for Overlanding gear online, so why choose Open Road Overland? Because we’re more than just a store—we’re your trusted partner for every adventure. Here’s why shopping with us is a game-changer:
Your security is our top priority. We use encrypted SSL technology and are Level 1 PCI DSS compliant, ensuring your transactions and personal information are always protected. When you shop with us, you can trust that your data is safe and your purchase is secure.
We’ve been Overlanding since 1998 — long before it became a buzzword. With 25 years of experience testing gear in the toughest conditions across six continents, we only sell products we would use ourselves. If it’s in our store, it’s been trail-tested and approved.
No matter what you drive—a passenger car, pickup truck, or a fully rigged 4x4—we have the knowledge to help you build the perfect setup. Our team has driven nearly everything and can guide you toward the best gear for your specific adventure needs.
Fast and FREE Shipping on most orders above $250 to the lower 48 states
30-Day Easy Returns. Not happy with your product, we'll take it back no questions asked, and without charging you ANY restocking fee. Ever!
We don’t just sell gear — we build relationships and pride ourselves on providing the best service, anywhere. Our dedicated Customer Service team is made up of real Overlanders who understand your needs and are ready to help with expert advice, product recommendations, and troubleshooting. Whether you have a question before purchase or need support after, we’re always here to ensure your experience is seamless and stress-free.
Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or a seasoned pro pushing the limits, we believe Overlanding should be accessible to all. That’s why we offer both entry-level products and top-tier gear, ensuring every adventurer finds what they need. More than that, we’re here to help, guide, and support you every step of the way.
