iKamper (2012), a deep-dive into the company history

Weekly Social Listening

1. Lightweight Rooftop Tents Take the Spotlight

At Overland Expo West, a standout discussion on Reddit spotlighted FeatherLyte—a lightweight rooftop tent priced under $2K with a fully serviceable design—and innovations from Travoca and Denali Campers with minimalist, lightweight construction.

2. Debate Around Trend Longevity

However, skepticism is rising around trends with comments suggesting past overenthusiastic engagement now appears less authentic. Some users even label certain hype as bot-driven.

3. Overlanding “Trend” Fading, Core Enthusiasts Persist

Forums like JLWranglerForums indicate that social media–driven overlanding may be waning:

4. YouTube Reflects This Sentiment

Several creators are exploring whether overlanding’s popularity is plateauing or fading altogether:

• Is Overlanding Finally Dead in 2025? raises questions about sustainability beyond the hype

• Has Overlanding Peaked? Real Talk About Its Future offers candid reflections on the community’s direction

5. Camping Demand Still Strong — Boondocking Gains Attention

The Dyrt’s 2025 camping report reveals continued growth in camping activity. Notably, fewer cancellations and no-shows suggest strong site usage. This drives more interest in boondocking and remote stays, with implications for overland gear demand.

6. Community Engagement and Forums Still Active

Forum hubs such as Overland Trail Guides remain busy with trip reports, event planning, and gear discussions—reflecting sustained grassroots activity.

Overall Sentiment Summary

Most outdoor product launches fail — here’s how to avoid it

Bringing new gear to market is risky. Development cycles are long, prototypes are expensive, and even strong ideas often fail once they hit the shelves.

This year, we ran a full pre-validation test on a technical jacket project — and the results were eye-opening.

👉 I’ve put together the Executive Summary (free to read on Google Docs) — covering the discoveries, the benchmarks, and the 3 big takeaways for outdoor brands in 2025.

[Read the Executive Summary on Google Docs →]

iKamper: From a Garage in South Korea to a Global Rooftop Tent Phenomenon

In the world of overlanding, some brands feel like they’ve always been there: ARB, Eezi-Awn, Front Runner. Then there are the newer names that burst onto the scene seemingly overnight. iKamper is one of those — except its story stretches back further than most people realize, to a tinkerer in South Korea who dreamed of making camping easier for families.

Today, iKamper is a global brand, with products sold in more than 30 countries and revenues widely estimated in the $50–70 million range. But it started with one man, a garage workshop, and a bold bet on crowdfunding.

The Founder Story: Soon Park

Soon Park grew up in South Korea with a curiosity for design and mechanics. Like many great outdoor founders, he was less interested in spreadsheets than in solving problems he encountered firsthand.

In 2012, Park packed up his family and took a year-long road trip across the United States. They camped in national parks, lived out of their vehicle, and discovered both the joys and the frustrations of extended travel. Rooftop tents existed, but they were bulky, heavy, and often impractical for families.

Back in Korea, Park returned to his workshop determined to build something better — lighter, sleeker, easier to set up. His vision was a hard-shell rooftop tent that folded out in seconds, providing comfort without the wrestling match that came with soft-shell designs.

By 2014, Park had prototypes. By 2016, he was ready to share them with the world.

Kickstarter: The Breakthrough

Instead of chasing traditional retail channels, Park went straight to the people. In 2016, iKamper launched its first Kickstarter campaign for the Skycamp rooftop tent.

The goal was $100,000. They hit it in hours. By the time the campaign closed, iKamper had raised over $2.3 million from backers in 46 countries — one of the most successful outdoor crowdfunding campaigns ever at the time.

The Skycamp’s promise was simple and compelling:

• Set up in less than a minute.

• Sleep up to four people.

• Durable hard-shell design, made for real travel.

The Kickstarter success didn’t just provide cash. It validated demand, built a loyal community, and generated viral buzz across social media and overlanding forums. Suddenly, iKamper was on the map.

Scaling the Business

Crowdfunding success stories often flame out — production delays, quality issues, or lack of infrastructure. iKamper avoided that fate by quickly professionalizing.

• Manufacturing Base: Park kept production in South Korea, ensuring tight quality control and leveraging the country’s advanced manufacturing capabilities.

• Global Distribution: iKamper opened offices in the U.S. (Seattle area), Europe, and China, positioning itself as a truly international company.

• Product Expansion: After the Skycamp, the company launched smaller Skycamp Mini models, the X-Cover hybrid RTT, awnings, and camping accessories.

By 2019, iKamper was moving thousands of tents annually, with retail prices ranging from $3,000 to $4,500. With strong margins and high ASPs, revenue quickly climbed into the tens of millions.

Revenue Growth

While private, iKamper’s growth has been charted by industry insiders:

• 2016: $2.3M Kickstarter campaign.

• 2017–2018: Estimated $10–15M annual sales as production scaled.

• 2019–2021: Revenues climb to ~$40M; rapid expansion in U.S. and Europe.

• 2022–2024: Estimated $50–70M annual revenues, with strong export share (the U.S. is its largest market).

That makes iKamper one of the fastest-growing gear brands in the overlanding segment, comparable in scale to Goose Gear, Leitner Designs, and even approaching Front Runner’s territory.

M&A and Investment

Unlike some peers, iKamper hasn’t sold to a conglomerate or taken on a major equity buyout (yet). The company remains founder-led and privately held, with Park as CEO and a tight-knit executive team around him.

There have been rumors of interest from larger outdoor groups — Solo Brands, Thule, and even automotive OEMs have been floated in trade chatter. But for now, Park has held onto independence, focusing instead on partnerships:

• Automaker tie-ins: Limited collaborations with Jeep and Ford dealerships for RTT packages.

• Dealer network growth: More than 200 authorized dealers worldwide now carry iKamper.

• Community investment: The company runs the “iKamper Roof Top Tent” community group, one of the most active user groups in the category.

That independence is part of iKamper’s appeal — they’re not a faceless conglomerate but a community-rooted innovator.

The Tech Edge

iKamper’s success is built on a combination of design smarts and relentless iteration.

• Speed of Setup: The original Skycamp could be set up in under a minute, a benchmark that competitors still chase.

• Hard-Shell Durability: Molded fiberglass and aluminum designs improved aerodynamics and lifespan.

• Family Focus: Unlike traditional two-person RTTs, the Skycamp was designed for four — addressing the family overlanding segment directly.

• Hybrid Innovation: The X-Cover merged hard-shell protection with soft-shell expansion, creating a new sub-category.

• User Feedback Loops: Crowdfunding and social listening meant customers became part of the R&D process.

This combination of engineering rigor and customer involvement helped iKamper fend off cheaper copycats, especially from China.

Why It Worked

Several factors explain iKamper’s rise:

1. Visionary Founder: Park lived the lifestyle, identified the problem, and obsessed over solving it.

2. Crowdfunding Magic (something we know a bit about as well!): Instead of waiting for retailers, iKamper used Kickstarter to build both capital and community.

3. Global DNA: From day one, they weren’t just a Korean brand. They targeted the U.S. and Europe aggressively.

4. Premium Positioning: High prices might have been risky, but they signaled quality and kept margins strong.

5. Community Building: iKamper didn’t just sell products — they cultivated a tribe.

Challenges

Of course, success brings challenges:

• Competition: The RTT market is now crowded, with cheaper alternatives flooding Amazon.

• Supply Chain Costs: Manufacturing in Korea provides quality, but tariffs and logistics add complexity.

• Market Saturation: Rooftop tents are a high-ticket item, meaning replacement cycles are long.

• Scaling Service: DTC customers expect flawless support — a strain for a still-lean team.

The Road Ahead

Looking forward, iKamper has several levers to pull:

• Product Diversification: Beyond tents, iKamper has launched cookware (Disco Series), camping furniture, and accessories — aiming to become a full outdoor lifestyle brand.

• Automotive Partnerships: Deeper OEM collaborations could unlock mass adoption.

• Sustainability Moves: Eco-materials and circular programs could differentiate them in a crowded space.

• Regional Manufacturing: Setting up assembly in the U.S. or Europe could reduce costs and strengthen supply chains.

Timeline Snapshot

• 1980s–1990s: Park grows up tinkering, drawn to design and camping.

• 2012: Year-long U.S. road trip plants the seed.

• 2014: Prototypes built in Korea.

• 2016: Kickstarter launches Skycamp, raises $2.3M.

• 2017–2019: Skycamp becomes global RTT hit.

• 2020: Expands dealer network; rumors of M&A swirl.

• 2022–2024: Revenues reach ~$50–70M; product line diversifies.

• 2025: iKamper remains independent, founder-led, and globally distributed.

Bottom Line

iKamper isn’t just another gear company. It’s a reminder that in today’s outdoor industry, a single founder with a clear vision and a willingness to take unconventional bets can build a global powerhouse.

From a South Korean garage to tens of thousands of rooftops around the world, iKamper has proved that community + design + bold distribution can disrupt even the most entrenched markets.

For B2B readers, the lessons are clear:

• Crowdfunding can be more than financing — it can be brand building.

• Premium pricing works when paired with authenticity and innovation.

• Global thinking from day one accelerates growth.

• Founder passion remains one of the most powerful differentiators in outdoor business.

iKamper’s story is still being written. The tents may fold down in under a minute, but the business journey is a long climb — and so far, they’re handling the switchbacks with style.