Outdoors

Heimplanet's latest inflatable tent creates Icelandic-grade base camp

Heimplanet's latest inflatable tent creates Icelandic-grade base camp
Adventurers should have no trouble finding the Heimplanet Cave XL at the end of the day
Adventurers should have no trouble finding the Heimplanet Cave XL at the end of the day
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The Cave XL is designed to unroll and inflate in less than a minute
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The Cave XL is designed to unroll and inflate in less than a minute
As with Iceland's storm shelters, the bright orange helps the Cave XL stand out against the neutral colors of the Icelandic backdrop
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As with Iceland's storm shelters, the bright orange helps the Cave XL stand out against the neutral colors of the Icelandic backdrop
Storm shelters like this one served as the inspiration for the Heimplanet Cave XL's bright color
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Storm shelters like this one served as the inspiration for the Heimplanet Cave XL's bright color
A dollop of fiery color on an otherwise dark landscape
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A dollop of fiery color on an otherwise dark landscape
The new limited edition Cave XL 4-Season was a collaboration between the Heimplanet, 66°North and Benjamin Hardman, a photographer and brand ambassador for both brands
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The new limited edition Cave XL 4-Season was a collaboration between the Heimplanet, 66°North and Benjamin Hardman, a photographer and ambassador for both brands
The Cave XL weighs 13.7 lb and packs down to a 30-L package
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The Cave XL weighs 13.7 lb and packs down to a 30-L package
Going off the map with the Heimplanet x 66°North Cave XL 4-Season tent
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Going off the map with the Heimplanet x 66°North Cave XL 4-Season tent
The Cave XL is designed to unroll and inflate in less than a minute
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The Cave XL is designed to unroll and inflate in less than a minute
The Cave XL is slightly larger than the original Cave, much brighter in color and features a more robust 4-season design
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The Cave XL is slightly larger than the original Cave, much brighter in color and features a more robust 4-season design
The Heimplanet Cave XL sleeps three people
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The Heimplanet Cave XL sleeps three people
Adventurers should have no trouble finding the Heimplanet Cave XL at the end of the day
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Adventurers should have no trouble finding the Heimplanet Cave XL at the end of the day
View gallery - 11 images

The latest model in Heimplanet's family of highly distinctive geodesic inflatable tents is the most conspicuous yet. Inspired by the backcountry storm shelters of Iceland, the all-new Cave XL 4-Season brings an extra helping of size, storm worthiness and bright, blazing color. It's as ready to survive far-off stretches of empty, storm-ridden earth as it is your local campground.

Brainchild of photographer and Heimplanet brand ambassador Benjamin Hardman, the Cave XL 4-Season has been quite purposefully developed to withstand the harsh conditions of the land of fire and ice. Hardman worked closely with both Heimplanet and Icelandic apparel manufacturer 66°North, another company with which he had previously worked, to create the ultimate Cave, a four-season tent designed to perform in places that might experience all four seasons in a single day.

The Heimplanet Cave XL sleeps three people
The Heimplanet Cave XL sleeps three people

The work began by increasing the size of the Cave by 15 percent to earn that "XL" tag, in the process making the Cave XL a proper three-person tent with room for gear. Floor area grows to 5.4 square meters (58 sq ft), compared to 4.8 sq m (52 sq ft) in the standard Cave tent.

The Cave XL tent body features a dual-wall construction with a 40D breathable nylon-ripstop inner tent and 100D waterproof polyester-ripstop outer tent. The fabric of the outer tent extends all the way down to the ground to protect against windblown snow and ground moisture. The blazing orange color not only pays homage to the storm shelters of the Icelandic highlands but also makes the tent easier to find in all types of weather and light conditions, particularly the ones you find in Iceland.

Storm shelters like this one served as the inspiration for the Heimplanet Cave XL's bright color
Storm shelters like this one served as the inspiration for the Heimplanet Cave XL's bright color

Unlike hard-poled four-season tents, which can take a while to set up, the Cave XL is designed for fast, simple setup. All one needs to do is roll it out and pump up the inflatable dual-layer exo-frame, a process Heimplanet says can be completed in under a minute. A series of tent floor stake points and guy lines secure it to the ground. The crisscrossing inflatable beams provide a rugged, storm-ready structure that holds the tent fabric taut. The multi-chamber beam system inflates as a single unit but allows campers to close off critical sections to keep the tent standing in the event of a puncture or leak.

The Cave XL is designed to unroll and inflate in less than a minute
The Cave XL is designed to unroll and inflate in less than a minute

Inside, the Cave XL includes various wall storage pockets to keep gear organized, along with a ceiling pocket that serves to turn a headlamp or other outdoor light into an easy-access overhead tent light. A vestibule at the entrance works to hold boots, backpacks or other large gear.

The Cave XL weighs in at 6.2 kg (13.7 lb) and collapses down to 30-L pack size for transport. The 66°North limited edition collaboration tent retails for 990 euros, but it's currently listed as sold out on the Heimplanet's website. 66°North shows it available to order for US$1,199.

Source: Heimplanet

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2 comments
2 comments
paul314
Who needs a tiny house?
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I have absolutely no need for this, yet I really, really want one!