Can you swap your van for a roof tent? Matt Heason thinks you can

Matt Heason, founder of Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, reviews the Alpkit Lookout roof tent after switching from van life to car camping

Adventurer, photographer and Sheffield Adventure Film Festival founder Matt Heason reflects on the transition from nearly a decade of van life to life on the road with a roof tent. Testing the Alpkit Lookout during a summer of climbing and research for a new guidebook, he finds that with the right gear, ditching the van doesn't mean giving up on comfort, convenience or spontaneity.

“It’s literally a pop-up tent, erected in a couple of seconds. Very satisfying!”

Matt’s enthusiasm for the Lookout roof tent is rooted in his love of mobility and adventure. He chose the Lookout model over the Nest for its lighter build, lower cost, and roomier interior—especially important for his 6'5" frame. After years of van-based adventures across the UK and beyond, he’s found that the Lookout delivers many of the same perks, including spontaneous stopovers, solid weather protection, and a comfortable night’s sleep.

He praises its quick deployment, with set-up taking mere seconds once the tent is unfolded. The interior is spacious, well-ventilated and dark enough for a proper rest. A king-sized mattress stays in place inside the tent, and the well-thought-out entry system includes storm porches, bug nets and a rooftop window for added light.

Despite some small gripes—fiddly packing down, minor limitations in storage, and a slight dent in fuel economy—Matt’s experience shows the Lookout is more than capable of supporting serious adventures. He’s even lent it to family for city-based use, including an overnight at a quiet pub car park in London.

Matt Heason’s story gives weight to the Lookout’s versatility. As someone who’s logged thousands of miles on the road with his campervan, his endorsement suggests that the shift to a roof tent doesn’t have to be a downgrade. In fact, for seasonal travel or short-term use, it can be a highly effective alternative—lighter, easier to store, and less restrictive when it comes to parking or stealth camping.

Matt’s two weeks with the Alpkit Lookout show how a seasoned adventurer can adapt to a new mode of travel without giving up the essence of van life. The tent’s low profile, fast setup, and generous space offer enough comfort and utility to meet the demands of an outdoor lifestyle—and it even invites a bit of social interaction on the way.

For those transitioning from a campervan, or anyone wanting a nimble and reliable way to sleep on the go, the Lookout is an inviting proposition.

Read the full review by Matt Heason here.