Kings Kwiky Roof Top Tent Review [MKII] – Worth It?

Thinking of getting the Kings hard shell pop up roof top tent but not sure whether this one is right for you? Perhaps you’ve seen some negative reviews and are wondering whether it is best to steer clear?

Well, in this Adventure Kings Kwiky roof top tent review, I will break down the pros and cons of this tent relative to the competition, as well as discuss some of the main features that set it apart.

I have spent hours and hours reading and watching online reviews, so I will also let you know what people like about this tent and more importantly, what they don’t like.

Let’s get started!

Pros & Cons

Now that we know the main pros and cons of the tent, let’s take a look in more detail.

Size

Hard shell roof top tents are naturally much smaller than their soft shell cousins, as they don’t fold out clamshell style like the soft shells.

In saying that, the Kings Kwiky roof top tent is considerably smaller than some of the other hard shell RTTs out there. It is both shorter and narrower than the likes of the Eezi Awn Dart RTT.

The interior width is only 1,010mm, which is quite narrow in my opinion.  For context, a standard double bed (not a queen or king) is typically 1,385mm wide. For a couple this is alright, but for 2 adults friends, it really is quite tight inside.

The 930mm internal ceiling is fairly low and means that you can just barely sit up in the tent, as long as you are not too tall.

Basically, the tent is alright for a couple or 2 good friends who don’t mind squeezing in together. Don’t expect to be doing anything in the tent other than sleeping, as it isn’t very roomy.

When it comes to the packed dimensions, the smaller size is actually a bonus, as it frees up some space on your roof if needed.

Packed up, the tent is 320mm high, which isn’t too bad. The design is reasonably aerodynamic, so you shouldn’t notice much extra drag on the highway.

Weight

Hard shell RTTs are naturally quite heavy and the Kings Kwiky is no exception. It comes in at a hefty 73kg, so don’t expect to carry it unless you have at least 3 people handy.

Weatherproofing

The hard shell case is made from ABS plastic and the sides are made from 320 GSM canvas (the same as is used in their soft shell roof top tent).

The plastic case is waterproof of course, and the canvas is too as long as you season it before using it for the first time. Seasoning involves getting the canvas wet to help the fibres swell up and close and holes left when the canvas was sewn during the manufacturing process.

You can read this to find out how to season a tent.

Roof Rack Compatibility

Bedding

The Kwiky roof top tent comes with a 50mm foam mattress which is alright if you are just going away for the weekend, but not particularly comfortable for an extended trip.

If you will be using it a lot, I highly recommend that you look into getting a mattress topper or replacing the mattress entirely. Especially those who have trouble sleeping.

This will add to the total cost you are paying, but the Kwiky is much cheaper than the competition anyway, so you will still end up way in front.

The bedding can be left inside the tent when the unit is packed up, which is great and saves a lot of time.

Setup

Thanks to the heavy duty gas struts on the tent structure, setup is very simple for this tent. Within 2 minutes you can expect to have the entire tent set up.

Simply open up the tent by releasing the straps and the unit will start inflating automatically. It can sometimes form a vacuum inside the tent, so open up one of the doors to let air into the tent and then it will be able to fully open up.

Build Quality & Warranty

Build quality was a big issue with the original version of the Kwiky roof top tent. Many people found that after a few months of use, the hard shell case started cracking in the corners.

Adventure Kings have addressed this in the MKII version (released in late 2020), which has been redesigned to adjust the stress points and has improved internal bracing to help address this issue.

I haven’t heard any reports of people with the Kwiky MKII hard shell having the same issue with the case (although it is still early days).

In any case, those who did experience problems with the original version of the tent had no issues getting their unit replaced under the 1 year warranty that the tent comes with. Adventure Kings are quick to replace defective units that are still within the warranty period.

Other roof top tents do have longer warranties (often 2 to 3 years), so the Kings 1 year warranty is not the best, but understandable considering the price.

Price

Speaking of price, the Kings Kwiky blows the competition out of the water with a very affordable price tag of a bit over $1,000.

Most other hard shell roof top tents are $3,000+, so the Kwiky is an absolute bargain compared to them. Use the buttons below to check the latest prices.

Conclusion - Kings Kwiky Roof Top Tent

The Kings Kwiky is a very solid choice for a hard shell roof top tent. While it is a bit smaller and the included mattress isn’t great, the price is absolutely amazing for what you are getting.

While there were quality issues with the hard shell case in the original version, the new Kwiky MKII seems to have fixed these issues while keeping the affordable price.

For those who are just planning on using their roof top tent occasionally, this is a fantastic choice.

However, if you will be doing extended trips or expeditions, it is probably worthwhile upgrading to a higher quality product that you can absolutely rely on.

Hopefully this Kings Kwiky roof top tent review has helped you figure out whether this tent is the right one for you! If you want to see how it stacks up against the competition, check out my list of the best hard shell roof top tents in Australia!