Heimplanet Fistral Classic
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | $799.00
Our Overall Rating | 89 out of 100
Pros - Quick setup and pack down, spacious
Cons - Heavy, wobbly
Overall - An innovative approach with complications
Technical Specifications
Packed Size - 7.87x14.96in
Weight - 6.44lbs
Sleeping Size - 31.22sqft
Our Analysis & Ratings
The Heimplanet Fistral Classic tent is an innovative and reliable inflatable tent. Inflatable doesn’t mean light, but it can mean reliable and easy to set up, as is the case with this tent. It bounces back in high winds, rather than snapping, and it’s portable, easy to use and inflates in seconds once everything is aligned.
Comfort - The Heimplanet Fistral has a decent sleeping size, with good internal height. Vestibules on each side meant we could keep our packs outside and give ourselves enough room to be comfortable in the tent.
Construction - The Fistral has a supplied adaptor, allowing you to use a normal camping mattress pump or one of Heimplanet’s, sold separately. It’s quick to inflate, and while it has a freestanding structure, we definitely recommend staking it down (please don’t ever camp in a tent that’s not staked down!), ensuring the fly is taught to maximize the vestibule space and provide a bit more sturdiness to the structure. The materials themselves are clearly durable and high-quality; in fact, it’s clear there have been sacrifices in terms of making the tent lightweight in order to ensure durability.
Features - The nylon, polyester, ripstop and dacron materials have a hardy and durable feel, but the tent also comes with a puncture repair kit with little clips allowing you to break the air beams into separate chambers so you can repair any leaks without the whole tent collapsing. As the stuff sack is narrow, it’s easier to stuff the tent back in, rather than rolling.
Size/Weight - While you wouldn’t hike long distances, with this tent, it’s still light enough and packable to carry in a backpack for a weekend trip. Remember, you need to factor in the weight of the pump you bring. This is fine if you’re bikepacking and already have one, but is not so great when backpacking.
Versatility - The Heimplanet Fistral is better suited as a weekend camping or bikepacking tent than for hiking use, due to its weight and required pump, but its durability means it’s great for windy conditions and heavy weather.
Overall - A sturdy, easy to set up and pack down tent for outdoor adventures and simple camping.
