Connectable Zempire Speedbase 2 Sleeping Pod and Speedbase 2 Air Shelter

In total three Zempire Speedbase 2 Sleeping Pods can be connected to a Speedbase 2 Air Shelter creating a unique camping village for 6 people, with an incredibly pleasant central covered living area.

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Key features & benefits

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What this is about

There are two main separate elements to discuss here and both are completely unique themselves. When used together, this makes the set even more incredible and unique.

Connectable design

This is the most important feature here and this applies to both elements. The first is their Speedbase 2 Air Shelter which is presented in detail in my separate text.

Here just to mention that this is a freestanding gazebo supported with a combination of air beams and aluminum poles.

On all four sides you have long looped zippers and this is the detail that creates magic. Here you can attach walls or several separate tents from Zempire brand.

The second element is what they call the Speedbase 2 Sleeping Pod, and this is a tent for two people. The top picture above shows it attached to the gazebo.

The picture below shows its rear side so you can see a few more details. Observe that it attaches directly to the gazebo, there are no separate link elements, just a matching zipper and you have a watertight connection here.

Because of all these features, I have included it my list of best connectable tents.

Zempire Speedbase 2 Sleeping Pod features

As mentioned, the Speedbase 2 Air Shelter is described in my separate text. This is why the focus of the text here is on the Pod.

Now, being a tent for two, it alone is clearly not a family camping option. However, you have seen the word “connectable” in the title. 

So, no less that three Pods can be attached to the central gazebo shelter. In such a configuration, this is a very large structure that can accommodate 6 people.

This Pod is a double-layer tent with a fly and an inner tent that attaches to the roof with toggles, you realize this from the picture below.

The floored inner tent of the Pod is with a gigantic 360° door which you can see in the pictures above and below, so you can unzip it almost completely and store in the side pocket. 

There are multiple storage options on the front wall, they are visible in the pictures, and there is also a cable-port, so you can use electricity connection for each of the Pods separately.

 Inside the inner tent you also have wall pouches:

Materials

The air beams and poles: The main gazebo is with massive air beams for support, and the structure is further stabilized with aluminum poles. More details are in the mentioned separate text.

The Pod itself has no poles, this is a suspended design that requires the gazebo. On the rear side you have guylines and stakes, see the picture.

The fabric: They use what they call the Dura-Core solution-dyed 75-denier ripstop polyester with an impressive 3000 mm waterproof rating due to its polyurethane coating. They claim this to be a fade-resistant material.

Note also that this is a dark-rest material, so you can sleep longer in the morning, and it is also very suitable for family with kids that have to sleep during the day. Even gazebo is with such a feature. So, I have included it in my list of dark rest tents.

Other details:

• Internal lantern attachment, see the picture below.
• Glow-in-the-dark zippers makes unzipping the door at night quick and easy.

Note that they provide a very useful Zempire Speedbase 2 Sleeping Pod manual so have a look.

Ventilation

If you check the photos, you will realize that there are four vents on the central gazebo roof. On the other hand, each of the inner tents has two low rear windows that double as floor vents.

The huge door on each of the pods is also with mesh, so you have as much cross flow as you want. There is nothing really to object to this design.

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Who are the Zempire Speedbase 2 Sleeping Pod and Speedbase 2 Air Shelter for

Regarding the area, there is a lot to say here as this is not an ordinary tent. Note that the inner tent is not particularly long, pity they did not make it a bit longer.

But the overall area in each of them is more than enough for two users, you have 33.9 ft² (3.15 m²).

When three tents are attached, this is a 6-person structure, and the central gazebo in this case is fully protected from three sides. The area under the gazebo is 72.8 ft² (6.76 m²).

In fact, they offer a separate wall which you can attach on the remaining fourth access point and create a floorless and fully protected central living room. 

In this configuration, with three inner tents in place and with gazebo, the total covered and protected area is 174.5 ft² (16.2 m²), a true camping castle.

Modular feature: Note that you can attach the Pods, but you do not have to use the inner tent with each of them.

For example, you can do this when only four people are in the group, and you will have more area for storage and for furniture.

The actual total covered floorless area under three Pods together with the gazebo is 195.8 ft² (18.2 m²). The floored area will depend on how many inner tents you use, with three this is maximum of 101.7 ft² (9.45 m²).

The complete structure is perfect for parents with 4-5 kids, and also for three couples of groups of friends, with plenty of privacy for everybody. 

Regarding seasons & climate, the pod is a two-layer tent with a great waterproof rating, and I am sure you can use it year-round. Though the stability depends on the central Speedbase 2 Air Shelter which is remarkably stable and reinforced with aluminum poles.

When the whole structure is completely closed with the Zempire Speedbase 2 Deluxe Wall(s) in place, I am sure it can withstand lots of wind pressure.

Ventilation is also optimal, so it will perform great in warm areas, and it is also closable if you are in a cold climate.

Regarding the weight, the Pod alone is remarkably light, so even with three in package this is still great. But there is Gazebo as well, so the total weight with three pods and gazebo is around 35.7 lb (16.2 kg).

The packed size is a bit less great, each tent measures (L x D) 28.3 x 6.7 inches (71 x 17 cm). Add the central shelter to this with its 22.4 x 13.4 x 11.4 inches (57 x 34 x 29 cm) packed size.

My rating below is for the total weight and packed size of three pods and the central shelter. In other words, I rate the set as a 6-person tent with a porch.

Regarding the price, Zempire products are high quality and usually expensive, but the I would say that the Speedbase 2 Sleeping Pod is moderately priced. However, it must be used with the pricy Speedbase 2 Air Shelter.

But you do not have to buy several pods, start with one and then build your camping village later.

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Specifications for the Zempire Speedbase 2 Sleeping Pod alone

• Weight of one Pod: 3 lb 10 oz (1.6 kg).
• Official capacity: 2 people.
• Dimensions of one Pod: 83 x 59 in (211 x 150 cm).
• Inner floored area of one Pod: 33.9 ft² (3.15 m²).
• Total covered area of one Pod: 41 ft² (3.8 m²).
• Peak height for the Pod: 65 in (165 cm).
• Packed size of one Pod (L x D): 28.3 x 6.7 in (71 x 17 cm).
• Warranty: 2 year warranty. On their site they write: “We take pride in the quality and design of every ZEMPIRE shelter, thats why our SHELTER SERIES come with a strong guarantee designed to protect you as our valued customer. ZEMPIRE will repair or replace this shelter, should it fail due to faulty materials or manufacture for a period of 2 years from the date you purchase.”

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Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons

Below you can see how this tent stands against my standard rating criteria that I apply consistently to all of them here in the site so that you can easily compare:

 

BEST PLACEs TO BUY:

REI

For more tents of this type please check in the category Inflatable Tents.

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