Heimplanet Cave Tent: Definitive Review (2023)
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This is the TopNotch Ultimate Heimplanet Cave Tent Review 2023, where we’ll look over all the ins-and-outs of this unique little tent.
As usual, thanks for joining us today, and we look forward to letting you know a little more about this particular tent.
In this comprehensive review we’ll cover:
- Product specs and features
- The kinds of camping where the Heimplanet excels… and where it falls short
- How it compares to the other inflatable tents we reviewed
- Why we think this tent is the perfect addition to your next backpacking trip
- Lots more…
So if you want to learn plenty more about this lightweight inflatable tent, you’ll love this guide.
Let’s get started.
- Manufacturer: Heimplanet
- Dimensions: 54 x 50 x 40”
- Capacity: 3 people
- Weight: 11 lbs
- Seasons: 4
Bottom Line: The go-to tent for intense backpackers and campers who are willing to invest
Pros
- Excellent durability and weather resistance
- Innovative and sturdy design
- Very light
Cons
- Very high price point
Our Verdict: Heimplanet Cave Tent
Backpacking tents have a reputation for being overpriced, overrated and uncomfortable.
And there’s a lot of truth in that.
The fact is, most people who have the time to go on long backpacking trips have the finances to shell out a little more for their gear, from premium hiking poles to state-of-the-art GPS units.
However, Heimplanet Cave Tent have sort of reinvented the wheel when it comes to reliable, sturdy and lightweight tents, and we’re always excited to see what whacky new design they come out with. The Cave – in both ‘traditional’ and ‘Cairo camo’ – was no exception.
It’s a geodesic dome-style tent, small and squat, that can probably be mistaken for a large boulder if you aren’t looking for it.
That being said, what you won’t mistake is this tent’s incredibly rugged nature, easy setup, miniscule pack size and ridiculously light weight.
In that sense it’s a backpacker’s dream.
Add in the fact that this tent is inflatable – meaning air frames, rather than poles – and you have something truly special on your hands.
But no tent is perfect, and we’ll also go over a few of the places where we think the tent could have performed better, namely comfort and price.
So strap in, ladies and gentlemen! Let’s get started!
Related: 10 Best Inflatable Tents
Analysis Comparisons and Test Results
The Heimplanet Cave is an inflatable geodesic dome backpacking tent, rated to fit three people, but comfortably fitting two in reality.
The tent features air beams in lieu of tent poles, which can be inflated via a hand pump, and easily deflated from vents located on the bottom of the tent. When fully inflated, the tent reaches an internal height of 40”.
Weighing in at right around 11lbs, this is one of the lightest tents we have ever reviewed, and it packs down to 16x13x9”, easily fitting into most backpacks.
In addition…
The tent is rated to perform in wind speeds reaching 110 mph, and can be used in all seasons, assuming the user is outfitted with proper winter gear.
Ease Of Set-Up
As with most of the inflatable tents on or list, we set up and let down the Cave very, very easily.
While this is fairly innocuous for most inflatable tents, it’s a great feature for any tent that you’ll be taking far out into nature, which the Cave is marketed for.
Ease Of Set-Up Rating
After all…
…you wouldn’t want to be stuck on the wrong side of a thunderstorm miles from civilization, trying to clip together poles and get your rain fly on.
The Cave precludes this possibility by offering quick and easy setup, along with a pre-installed rain fly and ground sheet.
Comfort
Plenty of space, a great roof height, and other cushy accommodations can really set the mood for a relaxing weekend in the woods.
Unfortunately, the Cave doesn’t really have any of these things.
Comfort Rating
Generally, this tent trades comfort for ruthless efficiency, creating a sturdy, lightweight and portable masterpiece in the process.
So when you pitch this tent, you won’t have room for much of anything beyond your gear and sleeping bag. And you won’t be able to stand when you’re inside.
There are a few gear storage pockets, but that’s about all the luxury you can expect from this efficient little tent.
Weather Resistance
As you can see, the Heimplanet and Vango tents were in a class of their own for handling different weather conditions, really redefining our expectations of inflatable tents.
However, if there had been an “11”, the Heimplanet would have qualified easily.
Weather Resistance Rating
And we’re not being dramatic.
The tent is both waterproof and as close to wind-proof as you can reasonably expect (it’ll survive 100 mph winds).
Its wind resistance is largely due to the same low ceiling that lowers its comfort score, making the tent very aerodynamic and giving no hard angles for the wind to push against.
Durability
We’ve said it plenty already, but here goes more.
This tent is really, really tough.
Not only can it withstand the elements, the tent is also capable of shrugging off heavy falling objects, as well as sharp sticks and stones that would puncture a lesser tent.
Durability Rating
It’s either incredibly advanced engineering or some black magic that created a tent that is this lightweight and so durable at the same time; we certainly didn’t believe it was possible before a few nights in the Cave.
Versatility
Versatility measures how well a tent adapts to different situations, environments and adventures.
Primarily, versatility measures a tent’s portability and weight; a tent that’s lightweight and portable can be taken on longer expeditions, opening up a whole new set of avenues for your outdoor adventures.
Versatility Rating
This is typically the category where backpacking tents excel, and that was definitely true for the Cave with its lightweight air frame and minute packed size.
This tent easily topped our list.
Our Final Verdict: Heimplanet Cave Tent
So let’s wrap it up and put a bow on it.
How did this tent do against the rest of our inflatable tents?
Super well, it turns out.
Our Final Verdict
In fact, this is one of the closest contests we’ve ever had for TopNotch Editor’s Choice!
The Vango Odyssey ended up on the very edge, due to its great comfort rating and excellent weather resistance.
But let’s be clear…
This tent is not without its problems.
We’ve already mentioned its lack of comfort and ‘accommodation’, but it’s the price we considered.
You’ll probably never need another tent (it also comes with a repair kit), and you will rightly pay for that.
If you have the budget, and you’re into extreme backpacking, this is the tent for you… if not, you may want to check out some of the other inflatable tents on the market, including our Best Value Award winner.
Conclusion: Heimplanet Cave Tent
So there you have it: everything you need to know about this unique little tent, and then some!
But now we’ve gotten the technicals out of the way, how did we feel about it?
How was our experience?
Easy.
We loved it.
This tent has the kind of design that breaks the mold in all the right ways.
It looks like something you could live on Mars with, and it practically is, given its incredible durability and weather resistance.
I’d like to stress again how rare it is for a tent which excels in so many areas with so few compromises.
So if you love the outdoors, and you love hiking, you’ll probably love this tent.
So go ahead and treat yourself to the Cave; of course it costs more, it’s the very best.
Thanks for reading our review!
