Space XL: A rooftop tent for the big and tall

Deran Garabedian, a passionate outdoorsman, understands that a truly satisfying experience engages all the senses. Join Deran as he explores the West Coast in his James Baroud Space XL rooftop tent, a premium piece of overlanding equipment designed for those who appreciate both comfort and innovation.

My first impression of the James Baroud Space XL was that, beyond its sleek and attractive look, it was built with the kind of obsessive attention to detail usually reserved for fine Swiss watches and gourmet sandwiches. Every material seemed meticulously chosen, ensuring this tent wasn’t just made to last but designed to deliver an outstanding user experience. It’s more than just a tent; it’s a mobile haven, a testament to James Baroud’s legacy of quality, durability, and a touch of luxury that elevates the entire overlanding experience. Crafted with extra height–a key feature we’ll delve into later–the Space XL is tailored for those who savor those quiet moments in nature, whether soaking in panoramic views or simply unwinding after a day on the trail.

Initially, I attempted to install this RTT on my truck rack solo, my excitement completely clouding better judgment. This thing is truly an XL, at 7.25ft in length and 5.25ft in width, and the heft of a grand piano. Let’s be clear: this isn’t a one-person job. I quickly learned that enlisting a couple of friends and a cooler full of cold beverages transformed the installation from a potential struggle into a fun, collaborative effort. With the three of us, we managed to install the Space and have it popped open in about ten minutes. The ease of securing it to the rack was impressive; the flush mounting system required just a slide of the brackets down the rail and tightening the bolts. The system also keeps the Space XL low to the deck with no added height from the brackets.

Once the tent was open, I was pleased to find a springy 2.5-inch sleeping pad, a dynamic flashlight with modes to light the interior, and a solar fan that powered on instantly. This design provides superior headroom and a spacious interior, with windows offering a 180-degree view and three doors for easy access. I haven’t measured the floor-to-ceiling height yet, but I can confirm that there is plenty of clearance for me to kneel and the excitement in my 5’3” wife’s voice was adorable when she tried to convince me she was standing! Bottom line, there is a lot of “Space” for comfort and activities.

Did you know?

The average American male stands about 5’9″ (approximately 69 inches) tall. Most rooftop tents on the market offer heights between 48 and 55 inches. This means that for the average male, and certainly for anyone taller, simply kneeling upright inside a standard rooftop tent is often impossible. This limited headroom can make basic tasks like changing clothes or organizing gear a frustrating exercise in contortion.

We recommend the Space Size XL to users over 6’4″ tall and M to users under 6″4. But the final answer to the question of “how many people fit in a given tent?” will be determined by your specific size and level of comfort requirements.

On my first attempt, I’ve never been perfect at closing any RTT, but after taking a moment to read the instructions, not only was I able to close it efficiently; the Space XL made me look like I knew what I was doing. Closing a rooftop tent can sometimes feel like wrestling an alligator, you have to find the exact way of doing it, but the Space XL, thankfully, is more of a gentle giant. The steps were simple but required some strength. While those heavy-duty pistons might feel a bit stiff initially–especially out of the box–they loosen up with use, promising smoother operation over time. I’m confident they’ll ease up with more use. This tent closes quickly with minimal effort, and once you get the hang of it, the process is surprisingly quick. This is a very welcome feature that makes it a great tent for any kind of inexperienced user.

The Space XL is more than just a tent; it’s an investment in quality, comfort. It exemplifies the James Baroud legacy of crafting exceptional overlanding gear that helps you to explore the world with confidence and style.

I guess what I’m really saying is this, the James Baroud Space XL has exceeded my expectations right out of the box. Its meticulous design and high-quality materials promise durability and an outstanding user experience. The features of the tent, from the quick deployment to the sleeping pad and ready to use solar fan, suggest an enhanced overlanding adventure. I’m eagerly anticipating my first journey!

Author

Deran is a sommelier and outdoor enthusiast. Currently he is curating healthy, clean-ingredient consumer packaged goods for use as private label. Deran is passionate about bringing consumers healthy & affordable options for their dining table. He feels most alive combining his knowledge of food and beverage pairing, along with his outdoors experience, to create an amazing sensory explosion around a campsite with close friends. 

Deran represents a blend of urban energy and outdoor adventure in his Seattle lifestyle. Amidst the vibrant cityscape, he thrives on the rush of urban running routes and scenic cycling paths, finding exhilaration in the pulse of city life. Yet, he’s equally at home amidst the beauty of nature’s sensations.

Deran’s weekends are often spent on getaways, escaping to serene camping spots near high alpine lakes where the freezing cold waters grow the best tasting trout. Whether casting his line into crystal clear waters or trekking through dense forests, Deran finds joy in every outdoor pursuit, cherishing the stillness of nature and the camaraderie of shared adventure. For him, happiness is found in the simple pleasures of sharing stories and laughter around a crackling fire, bridging the worlds of urban bustle and outdoor tranquility. 

Features

The Space rooftop tent is designed with considerable extra space and other innovative features that set it appart. This tent was made to re define luxury overlanding.

Reliable under extreme weather

Comfortable high density mattress

24h Solar Powered Vent

180º Panoramic view

Up to 5 year industry leading warranty

Breathable and waterproof fabric

Internal storage even when closed

Room for the whole family

Skyline view

Comes in any color you choose

Part of the engineering philosophy is to build tents that are very reliable. Avoid accessories that, if they fail, completely ruin your experience. Almost all other rooftop tent manufacturers in the industry use collapsible ladders yet, they have a key flaw. When testing ladders in the Moroccan desert we confirmed sand and dirt get inside of the telescopic legs of the ladder damaging them until at some point they cannot longer open and close.

There is also another performance benefit of having a sloped roof, improved temperature regulation. The 2 factors that affect comfort in cold environments are:

1. The temperature of still air inside the tent which can be regulated by using a heating blanket 
2. An external factor such as wind (convection heat transfer)

On any James Baroud tent the two shells and technical fabric do a superb job of regulating both the internal and external factors. The super thick 4-layer fiberglass and aluminized canvas help to keep internal temperatures stable by creating a wind breaking effect. On parallel opening tents the technical fabric of the walls is the first line of defense, and we design them very tight to avoid flapping w