Robens Aero Yurt 8 Man Airventure Air Tent is a very tall poly-cotton breathable 4-season structure with 8 air beams instead of poles, freestanding, and yes, very expensive.
Key features
- Air beams, no poles.
- Ripstop Poly-Cotton tent.
- Single valve design.
- Exceptionally tall.
- Tent for all seasons.
- Breathable fabric yet fully waterproof.
So what type of tent is this Robens Aero Yurt 8 Tent
Here you have a quality product, a freestanding tent with air beams instead of classic poles. This is an octagonal structure with 8 thick air beams that all converge to the top point. I have included it in my list of best inflatable tents and from the features presented below you will realize that it deserves to be there.
An interesting detail in this design is that you can inflate it through a single valve for all the beams. This means that one person can easily set this tent up easily. The picture below shows the beams in the top section:
As it appears, the version they sell on the US market is with 4 valves and I am not completely sure today if they sell the tent with a single valve. But the tent with 4 valves can be inflated through one valve only and you will see this in the video below.
The tent is also particularly tall, with 106.3 inches (270 cm) height in the middle and 73 inches (185 cm) close to the side walls, see the picture. So this is a stand-up design in practically all the area. This is why I have added it to my list of very tall tents for family camping.
The tent is with one door only, and you can see its size in the picture. So it is almost as big as a door in a house. Regarding the shape of the tent, they call it a yurt as you realize from the title and this is because of its general shape. But this is a modern tent with all the features you need for full protection from elements and from insects. So the floor is there and it is fully sewn-in, and the door is with a mesh and with a panel.
I would put this tent in the category of cabin-style tents, and this is because of its steep and straightened walls. Note that the tent is without dividers, so this is one-room construction, pity they did not add something for privacy. See how it looks with several beds inside:
Who is it for
Capacity: The declared capacity is 8 people and the picture below shows how they think you can use the space for sleeping on the ground. Now, the area is 181 ft² (16.8 m²) and this would give 22.6 ft² (2.1 m²) per person.
So this is indeed a generous space for 8 people. This can work well regardless of where you use this tent. But this is also a glamping tent and you can use it for a smaller number of users.
Weight-wise, be ready for this – the tent weighs no less than 69.2 lb (31.4 kg). So this is a lot but bear in mind that this is a poly-cotton tent. You will see in the comparison table below how it compares with some other tents with the same or similar fabric. So it could be described as lightweight for such a type.
Climate-wise & seasons-wise, tents with the material which you have here are the closest to what is normally described as a 4-season tent. I have discussed this issue in my separate text. So this structure creates a cool atmosphere in the case of summer warm weather camping, it is breathable and well-ventilated.
But it is also completely enclosed with solid windows, and with all the openings that can be closed. Polycotton fabric always gives a bit more insulation than a synthetic material, so this is one of the features that make it a 4-season tent.
But bear in mind that air beams are not the best option in the case of snow accumulated on the tent, it can collapse under the pressure. For real winter use, it is better to choose one of the winter tents presented in my separate text. I have included this tent in my list with cold weather tents for camping.
Wind testing: They claim it is tested for winds up to 95 km/h and you are safe in the tent in such circumstances. Note also that with such air beams, there can be no broken or damaged poles. The tent may collapse or deform under the wind pressure, but it will bounce back to its original shape when the wind pressure drops.
The packed size (L x D) 42.5 x 18.1 inches (108 x 46 cm) is such that this is clearly a tent for camping at places with a car access.
Materials
The door & windows
There are 2 solid windows here with what appears to be a PVC material plus a zippered panel for privacy. The single door is a full mesh structure plus a zippered panel.
The fabric
So the best part here is its wall and roof, this is a blend of 35% cotton and 65% polyester. Note that this is a ripstop material. This is what they call the HydroTex Polycotton, a breathable yet waterproof material. It creates a stable internal micro-climate and it allows water vapor to escape. The material has some UV-inhibitors added and it is with a DWR finish.
The mix with polyester reduces the weight because cotton alone is much heavier, this is why it is lighter than pure cotton tents, you will see some in the comparison table below. Polyester also ads strength and durability.
On the other hand, cotton threads swell when they get wet, and they expand in the process. This is what makes such tents waterproof even without any coating; the coating itself adds weight as well, and it has a limited time.
The floor is also a quality and durable 210T Oxford polyester with an impressive 10000 mm waterproof rating. You will love to know that this is a bathtub design. This is all very impressive.
So this is a single layer construction as you would expect from such a tent. With breathable materials, condensation should be reduced to a minimum, nothing better you can expect from a tent, but condensation can still occur even in such a tent. I have included this tent also in my list of best canvas camping tents.
Ventilation
This is a breathable material and you have three openings with mesh. But the tent is equipped also with 3 very long floor vents. So there is almost nothing one could object here. I said almost, so indeed they did not add roof vents. My guess is this is because it is so tall and it would be difficult to get to them when the tent is up, to close when/if needed. But you really do not need them with such a breathable material.
Pumping the air beams
- To raise the tent, put the nozzle of the pump (included in the package) into the valve and twist it to lock it.
- Pump until 9 psi (0.6 bar) pressure is reached.
- Take off the hose and close the valve cover.
Note that changes in the temperature may affect the air pressure in the tube, so you might want to check the pressure occasionally. I mentioned that the structure is freestanding but it is suggested that you first stake the tent properly and then pump the beams.
Here is a bit more in this short video:
In this video you will see the tent’s beams inflated through one single valve. The pump used here is electric, just to know that the pump included in the package is manual.
Good and less good features
Pros
- Great size.
- Very pleasant & livable tent.
- Solid windows.
- Great floor rating.
- Top-quality materials.
Cons
- Heavy.
- No storage pouches.
- Very expensive.
Specifications
- Type: inflatable camping tent.
- Declared capacity: 8 people.
- Weight: 69.2 lb (31.4 kg).
- Dimensions: 177.2 x 177.2 in (450 x 450 cm).
- Area: 181 ft² (16.8 m²).
- Area per person: 22.6 ft² (2.1 m²).
- Peak height: 106.3 in (270 cm).
- Packed size: 42.5 x 18.1 in (108 x 46 cm).
Robens Aero Yurt 8 Man Airventure Tent vs Competitors
Actually, this tent is very unique so it is difficult to find true competitors. But here in the table, I have decided to show this White Duck Outdoors Avalon Canvas Bell Tent and Teton Sports Sierra 16 Canvas Tent, both canvas tents for 8 people. The style is different and those two are tents with a single metal pole.
The Robens tent is lighter but it is also smaller. The other two tents are taller but this is only in the very center due to their central single pole. But the Robens tent is high throughout the area so you have far more volume in this tent, and it is far more expensive. So follow the links to read more.
Weight, lb (kg)
Floor area, sq ft (sq m)
Peak height, in (cm)
Packed size, in (cm)
Doors
Support
Freestanding
Stove jacket
Price
Robens
Aero Yurt 8
69.2 (31.4)
181 (16.8)
106.3 (270)
42.5 x 18.1 x 18.1
(108 x 46 x 46)
1
air beams
yes
no
$$$$$
White Duck
Avalon
95 (43.1)
201 (18.7)
125 (318)
45 x 15 x 13
(114 x 38 x 33)
1
steel pole
no
yes
$$$$
Teton Sports
Sierra 16
74 (33.6)
200 (18.6)
113 (287)
36 x 16 x 9
(91 x 41 x 23)
1
steel pole
no
no
$$$
Final thoughts
The two words that best describe this Robens Aero Yurt 8 Man Airventure Air Tent are – simplicity & quality. Regarding simplicity, I do not remember seeing a tent with so many air beams that are inflated through a single valve. This is an ingenious solution.
Regarding quality, you have seen its features above. Not many tents on the market are with ripstop polycotton fabric. See also its huge waterproof rating. So indeed I am totally impressed with this tent. It is included in my list of best inflatable canvas tents.
You might want to know that there is yet another great canvas tent from this brand presented here in the site, the Robens Klondike tent. For more canvas options please consult our text with best canvas tents.
Note that this is not a sponsored text and I am not paid by the brand. I wonder what you think about this tent, please share your thoughts there is a comment box below.
Great review, thanks! Where can these be purchased from in the US?
This tent is available everywhere in the EU, but I cannot see it anywhere in the US. Sorry to disappoint you.
Thanks JV for all your reviews and prompt response too. VERY helpful in my search for the perfect tent. This one really seems perfect for my purposes, and as you wrote, nothing else is like it. I see a Robens dealer in Nova Scotia, so a presence on this side of the pond at least. Did you see on Robens’ site they have a “new for 2023” version of this with poles? Much higher wind loads (210 kph) and 15 minutes pitching time posted, so maybe there were problems with the inflatable version or they opted for greater rigidity. I’ll try to contact them tomorrow. Thanks again!
Hi George, yes you are right they have built a version with steel poles and it looks incredibly strong. My guess is they wanted something rigid for places with strong winds. I do not think anything was wrong with the inflatable version, it is widely present in the EU and appreciated by everybody. This brand builds such great tents, pity they are not present in the North America. I have seen they also have an inner tent that can be used with it.
Robens tents are available in the US by way of their dealer in Nova Scotia, Wild Coast Camping Gear Inc. Peter there knows the models very well. They ship to the US for free and he said they are happy to sell to Americans. The new aluminum poled yurt tent is $2,700 CAD which is $2,006 USD. As of 2/20/2023
Correction: Actually not sure if it’s aluminum or steel, but similar enough. It appears the inflatable version is being discontinued in favor of the rigid poles, whatever they are. Either version appears to be a unique and top quality tent. I’ll likely pull the trigger and order it very soon. If so, review to follow 🙂
It is steel 22 mm, incredible poles. You will have a great tent.
Yes I found the dealer from the Robens site. Pity they do not have some bigger online seller.
In 2020 I discovered this ROBENS version on AmazonJapan. I was ready to purchase but then it disappeared from the AmazonJapan listing never to return. Some time passed and suddenly discovered the Japanese version in a LOGOS retail catalog. Bought the tent in September 2020 and it shipped to me in perfect condition. Until I came upon your article here was not aware of there being many differences. Otherwise I completely love this tent.
First, the LOGOS version lists a much lower bundle weight of only 17.0 Kg. Second, all eight of my roof sections are mesh. There is a separate waterproof rainfly that latches down completely at eight locations. Rain tight but not air tight. Third is that the LOGO tent has four windows and they are all mesh with panels that zip up from the inside. The eight legs are sewn together at the bottom with a continuous strip of ground sheet material which assists in setup by keeping the shape and spacing. So just peg two or three legs and inflate. The tent will tell you where the other pegs go. This strip also sits snugly against the ground making sure no wind/critters can get up under the bathtub floor. The bathtub floor fastens to the uprights by way of Boston fasteners (16 locations). Tedious but very effective. There are two distinct layers to the outside perimeter drip line which require another peg but that brings the water further out and away from the floor.
I’m not sure which came first, the ROBENS or the LOGOS but I was first inspired by the ROBENS. The tent that I have now has been out on numerous trips in northeast Japan and has survived severe weather elements the last trip with three days of constant heavy rain. Not a leak anywhere. Because of the weight difference I assume my fabric is all POLYOX and not a cotton/polyester blend. But it is quiet in the wind. Your clear plastic windows add weight too. The four windows with mesh are nice in summer. I have been using the 12VDC inflator pump that also carries the LOGOS name. It is very effective and does the job in under ten minutes. I guess the only thing that I would trade off would be my wide open ceiling. Our summers here rarely last longer than three weeks and we get plenty of rain. I would rather have the ROBENS version with all roof sections rainproof.
I love my tent. As an elderly solo camper I was getting fed up with bent and broken metal poles and wind is no longer an issue. Either tent is perfect for me.
William B.
Interesting story William, thank you for this. I checked the site of Logos, there is an English version but with very little information. No doubt this is a very different company and brand from Japan. Cannot see their products as I cannot search the site which is in Japanese completely. Robens is from Denmark and well known in EU, and they have really great products. Robens tent appear occasionally on Amazon-US but they also disappear quickly. Not sure why this is so, they are top quality.
JV, I think that I read something somewhere that said Robens is no longer using the air beam approach. If true, that is sad news. I used my LOGOS (Japanese version) two more times last season and each time I praised this tent’s design. So easy to setup and so sturdy in the wind. Amazon Japan has once again dropped the Robens from their offerings.
One thing I never see in any reviews anywhere is that the hand pump provided usually has a manual valve that you switch over that lets you draw a vacuum to remove residual air during packout. Granted, a little tricky because you have to prop up the connection in such a way that the pump does not effectively seal against the inside back wall. But it makes for a much smaller package.
On a lighter side I am providing a link to a how-to video on my LOGOS version tent. This is how they advertise in Japan. Enjoy! Keep up your good work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a6Hk_SpSL8
Thank you William. I checked on Robens site and cannot see any inflatable tent, so you are probably right.
I think I have mentioned this about deflating the tent with the pump, but do not remember where. This Logos tent from the video looks like a very different material. Perhaps synthetic?
We’ve been using this tent for the past 3 years, and it’s just plain perfect for us, family of four with kids 5 and 10. The review is fair. But compared to other tents of same size and materials, it’s neither heavy or expensive. Yes, we’re using it with an electric pump. No, we would not use an air inflated tent for 200 days in extreme heat. And there is no stove pipe port built in. But this indeed is the greatest tent we ever had, and it brought us happiness and memories we could ever dream of. Air inflated, polycotton climate, glamping tent with 2,70 height of this size. Show me a better tent with this specs, and I would buy it.
Thank you Anders for such a great comment, I am sure it will be appreciated by my readers. This tent is still unique on the market. I wish you many more pleasant years with this tent.
Does the pump nozzle fit on electric pumps? Is there a particular pump to look for?
Hi Erin, the tent comes with a pump included.
I need a tent that can be handle being set up for 2 months straight. I will only need to actually camp in it on the weekends. I really love everything about this tent but I want to know if you think it can handle being up 2 months at a time (March and April) year after year. I’m in east Texas, so the sun can be intense, but I would put it in the shade under trees and I wouldn’t use it during summer.
Hi Claire, in the shade it would not be so much exposed to the sun, and it already has some UV protection according to the declaration from the manufacturer. You would use it in the early spring when the sun is less strong in any case. With all this in mind, this should be fine, this is an impressive tent.
How would this tent go being set up around 200 days a year in hot, windy and dusty environments, such as the Australian desert? Frequently over 35°C, winds frequently over 25 knots, and plenty of red dust flying around.
Hi Mike, I have not been in such an environment so cannot say for sure. But regarding your specific mentioned weather conditions, I do not think that anything can be better than a poly-cotton tent for such a warm environment. On the other hand, it has solid windows to prevent dust from getting in, so this should work fine, while the tent is still breathable if you have to close everything when there is lots of dust in the air.
Regarding the windy conditions, they claim it is tested to withstand up to 95 km/h and this is twice more than what you have there. On the other hand, air beams can never break due to wind pressure. The tent bounces back as soon as the wind pressure drops.
Can you put a tent stove in there with a stove pipe jack adapter kit for the roof?
Apart from the rip stop it seems to be the exact same HydroTex Polycotton material used in the Klondike/Trapper style tents Roben makes which come with a stove pipe port already built in?
A tent/yurt this size would need to be able to have a stove to heat the huge airspace in cold environments/seasons!
I am sure this can be done. There are components for this to order separately from some sellers. If you know what kind of wood-burning stove you would use then you can look for the corresponding pipe jack for the roof. I have seen some of them here on Amazon.
I just purchased this tent I was wondering does it have a access point for power so I plug up my tv
Hi Rachel, as far as I know, there is no e-cable port in this tent. But regardless of that, you have an incredibly well-built tent.