This is the Heimplanet Cave XL Neo Black Tent, it’s a new limited-edition version of the Cave XL model from the German company that has become famous for their series of advanced inflatable tents.
These tents have become known for their ability to withstand high-winds, as the structure can bend and move to absorb energy. They’re also loved by their owners for how quickly they can be set up, particularly with an electric air pump.
Heimplanet was founded by a group of German friends in 2011 after years in development, and the Cave tent was their first design.
Heimplanet Tents
Heimplanet was founded by a group of German friends in 2011 after years in development, and the Cave tent was their first design.
The idea for a tent that could be set up in a manner of seconds first occurred to the founders during a surf trip along the Portuguese coastline, it was raining one day when they arrived at the campsite and the process of erecting a tent with poles, pegs, and guy lines took so long that everything had been soaked inside and out.
The team developed a geodesic dome tent with quickly inflatable beams that consist of multiple chambers called the Inflatable Diamond Grid (IDG). Even if one chamber is punctured the tent remains upright and a patch can be applied to bring the affected chamber back online.
The Heimplanet Cave XL Neo Black Tent
The Heimplanet Cave XL tent is made from 40D high-tenacity polyester with double ripstop throughout, it has a higher tensile strength than the earlier version and as an added bonus it also weighs slightly less.
The tent has five closable ventilation points, allowing you to adjust the flow of air depending on whether you’re in a hot or cold climate. Inside the tent you’ll also find a number of sewn-in pockets for stowing your gear, and there’s a vestibule at the entrance providing space for cooking utensils, shoes, and wet clothing.
The Cave XL tent weighs in at 5.7 kgs or 12.7 lbs and it can be used with most regular camping pumps, some people already have one for pumping up mattresses, pillows, or sleeping mats, but Heimplanet sell a suitable pump separately for €49.
Some have concerns about the tent having a leak, which is understandable. These tents apparently only get punctures rarely, and when they do the main structure remains upright thanks to the multi-chamber system.
The Heimplanet Cave XL Tent uses a geodesic dome structure, with quickly inflatable beams, that consist of multiple chambers called the Inflatable Diamond Grid (IDG). Even if one chamber is punctured the tent remains upright and a patch can be applied to bring the affected chamber back online.
Repairing it is as easy as using the included patch kit – and it’s much quicker than fixing a broken fiberglass tent pole when in the field. The Neo Black version of the Cave XL is completely black, as the name suggests, and it’s the company’s newest release.
Previous limited edition tents from Heimplanet have sold quickly and this one likely will too, so if you want one it might be better to order sooner rather than later.
Images courtesy of Heimplanet
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