After six long years in the making – we put the James Baroud Odyssey to the test!
Imagine spending six huge years investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in research and design. With engineers working around the clock, labs bustling while scientists create new takes on old compounds and teams of people from all over the world lending their expertise to make the world’s latest rooftop tent. Then, imagine bringing the prototype, of which there’s only one, all the way to the Outback to be tested by me – Australia’s most accident-prone off-roader.
That might sound like risky business, but to me, it sounds exactly like something a company that believes in its product would do.
To be sure James Baroud knew precisely what they were signing up for, I sat them down and explained that the trip I had planned for this tent was the perfect mix of what any Aussie who buys it may do. Easy coastal nights and demanding Outback tracks. If they wanted to back out, now was their chance – but if a test was what they wanted: a test was what they’d get.
James Baroud didn’t flinch. Instead they told me to use the Odyssey exactly how they had designed it to be, in rugged real world conditions. So here’s the low down on the tent and the test!
The test
The plan was simple and made no sense since it saw us headed in every direction known to man. Lucky fuel is cheap, right? So we’d tackle the easy stuff first, heading west along the Eyre Peninsula (EP), then darting to the left and right of the Nullarbor to make sure the tent saw its fair share of rocky outcrops and tough crawls before turning around and carving our own path east. Just to make sure, we’d definitely tested the abundance of terrains that surround both the EP and the Nullarbor twice. What is it they say? To be sure, to be sure.
Then we’d tackle Goog’s Track, formidable even in good conditions, with over 300 steep sand dunes and approximately 45,000,000 corrugations thrown in for good measure. Unconvinced that it was actually a challenge, we decided to do it amidst a heat wave that’d see the track close to anyone who wished to try it after us. Finally, we’d head to the Northern Territory, figuring most Aussies would want to head there to see that big ol’ rock called Uluru at the very least.
With all bases covered, we brimmed the tanks, filled the fridges and got to testing!
The James Baroud Odyssey tent
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for mistaking the Odyssey for previous James Baroud rooftop tents. But take a closer look, and you’ll see some big changes. Firstly, the canvas is three times thicker and includes double stitching for added strength. The fabric innovation doesn’t stop there though. The canvas is also permeable to air, reflects UV rays, and resists water and heat, resulting in a night of much more comfortable sleep – even in the Outback.
When it comes to the setup, James Baroud has aimed to make the process seamless. High-pressure piston arms automatically assist in raising the top hull of the tent and locking it into place. The locking mechanism was a bit finicky on the prototype. However, this was already on the designers’ radar, and we’re assured it’ll be streamlined.
The Odyssey also has removable cargo bars designed for easy installation or removal. They cater for a massive 68 kilograms in a closed tent and 25 kilograms when open making them perfect for surfers and kayakers!
One thing we reckon is a game changer is the myriad mounting options for the Odyssey, sure they don’t change where you mount it – it’s a rooftop tent, after all. But they do change how you mount it. No longer are punters limited to the poxy mounting systems most other rooftop tents employ; with the James Baroud, consumers can choose which style they’d like to utilise to best fit their application, eliminating rattles and rubbing.
They’ve also added extra mounting rails down the bottom to ensure nothing gets airborne, even if you’re tackling the 45,000,000 corrugations mentioned above. Unfortunately, as you’ll see below, not all travellers were lucky enough not to lose their gear on Googs; I told you the track was rough!
The rear-facing window is PVC which means you can still enjoy the view even when it’s raining, but it’s in the Outback where the windows really come into their own. Because each one zips down, it means you can enjoy a cool breeze without being plagued with bugs. The biggest bonus, though? It’s not just the windows that zip open; it’s every side of the tent—resulting in 360 degrees of breeze. And it’s joyous.
The Odyssey still comes with the James Baroud creature comforts the seasoned connoisseur is used to. The solar-powered fan makes a huge difference, although the switching mechanism is still incredibly quirky, to say the least. The LED interior lighting is nifty. On one setting, it’s an inbuilt light capable of illuminating every inch of your rooftop tent. Flick a switch and remove it from its mount and it’s a handheld LED torch. The kind’ve ingenuity we love to see.
You’ll love the space, too, with enough room to leave two pillows, your PJs, all your bedding and even the ladder in the tent while it’s closed. Comfort is taken care of with a 65mm memory foam mattress. We’re pleased to confirm that there were no complaints even on night 14 of sleeping in the Odyssey.
The verdict on the Odyssey
There’s no doubt about it. The James Baroud Odyssey stood up to everything we threw at it. It proved dependable and comfortable in places other tents would have been a nightmare to sleep in. The setup time is more than bearable. Even when it’s 48 degrees plus while you’re putting it up or pulling it down. After all the corrugations, we thoroughly inspected the hull for fractures or defects and found none. Which is astounding, to say the least, since the same can’t be said for the bodies of the vehicles after tackling the tracks we did.
What caught our attention most is the capacity of the tent to deal with heat. During testing, we saw the mercury reach 51 degrees Celsius, hot enough to boil the froth off a schooner. Yet the Odyssey remained a much cooler place to be thanks to its trick ventilation and thick canvas.
Backed with a 5-year warranty, we’re confident that even if you manage to find something that phases the Odyssey, James Baroud won’t be phased about fixing it.
The rating
COMFORT: 8/10
EASE OF SET UP AND PACK DOWN: 7/10
CONSTRUCTION AND QUALITY: 9/10
DESIGN: 7.5/10
WEIGHT: 8.5/10
VERSATILITY: 8.5/10
Quick facts
WEIGHT: 68KG
HULL MATERIAL: 4mm ABS Plastic
WIND RESISTANCE: 120KM/h
LATCHES: 2 (rear)
LADDER HEIGHT: 2.4m or 3m with the optional XL Ladder.
INTERNAL STORAGE HEIGHT WHEN CLOSED: 20cm
SPECIFICATIONS: 140cm wide x 200cm long, open height: 100cm, closed height: 33.5cm (on the model tested).
Convinced? Well we’re excited to let you know that the Odyssey is available now for purchase. You can find it at any of their dealers.
