The Zempire Speedbase 2 Air Shelter is an easy to use and versatile connectable gazebo construction that can be used on its own or attached to several tents from this brand.
Key features & benefits
- Freestanding shelter.
- Air beams for support.
- Very easy to use.
- Manual pump included.
- Incredibly versatile.
- Connectable design.
- Blackout fabric.
- Accessory walls available.
What is in the name
This Zempire Speedbase 2 Air Shelter is yet another incredibly versatile product from this New Zealand brand. On their site it is under the name Speedbase 2 Inflatable Air Gazebo, just to know to avoid confusion.
It should not be mixed with their Zempire Aerobase 3 Pro Shelter with 1 Wall that is also presented here in the site.
The shelter is of a dome type and quite tall for such a design, the peak height is shown below. But note that the four access openings are not a stand-up height.
It is fully freestanding and self-supporting, so you can move it short distances and rotate to get the best position in the camp. There are ground straps that keep the four legs attached to each other and at a pre-defined distance. The most important features are summarized in the picture:
Inflatable design
The mentioned self-supporting feature is partly also due to its inflatable beams. There are 2 inflation points to choose from, with double seal Boston valves, but indeed the entire shelter is inflated from a single point.
This makes setup simple, it inflates in under one minute, while deflation is fast and easy when you open both valves.
You have a manual pump included, you will see it in the picture below. When you start pumping, the tent raises on its own as in the pictures:
The pump is with an aluminum shaft, equipped with a pressure gauge and molded foot rests, and it comes with a carry bag included.
Note that they provide a detailed Zempire Speedbase 2 Air Shelter manual so follow the link to see more.
Versatile shelter
You have already seen how it looks and that they call it a gazebo. So this is one of the ways how you can use it, as a separate shed in the garden, on the beach, or in the camp.
But this shelter is designed to be used also together with several of their excellent tents. For this purpose, it is equipped with zippers, so that you can attach it to their Aerospeed 10, Aerospeed 6, and Aerospeed 4 tents. The picture below shows how this looks when one of the tents is connected.
In such a combination it creates a pleasant covered space and extends the tent by creating a covered living area during the day, and it also provides at least partial shelter for your camping furniture.
However, there is more to it. In fact, it can also be used with their new Zempire Speedbase 2 Sleeping Pod which is a two-person two layer tent. You can attach up to three of them and create a truly unique camping structure.
Materials and other details
The beams and poles: You have already seen about beams, they are 11 cm diameter.
But they have added 4 stabilizing aluminum brow poles that are 9.5 mm diameter. They prevent the shelter from twisting and provide additional stability in the wind, and also increases internal headroom.
The fabric: The canopy is made of what they call the Dura-Core solution-dyed 75-denier ripstop polyester, and it is with an impressive 3000 mm rating due to its polyurethane coating.
The fabric is with a fire retardant treatment and with lap felled seams. They write it is with UPF 50+ UV rating.
It is important to stress that this is a blackout fabric. This may not be as important as in a tent, but it still reduces glare and provides additional shade and comfort.
Other details include:
- Upper expel vents.
- Lantern hanging attachment, the pictures below.
- Power cord rigging.
- Webbing peg points.
- Aluminum tri sliders.
- Lower webbing support straps.
- Glow zip pullers.
- Two way zipper heads.
- There are 16 aluminum pegs included, 18.5 cm long.
Who is the Zempire Speedbase 2 Air Shelter for
Regarding the area, this gazebo is not really very large, the dimensions are shown below.
The covered area is 72.8 ft² (6.76 m²), and the picture below tells you what you can put underneath its roof:
So if you need something larger, the previously mentioned Zempire Aerobase 3 Pro Shelter with 1 Wall from the same brad may be good for you.
But if you attach any of the various tents which they offer, you create your pleasant camping hub with lots of useful features.
Regarding seasons & climate, they write it is for three season use, and I would agree with this. If you add the accessory wall, more below, you can have quite a good rain and wind protection.
The air beam frame is stabilized against wind with the added aluminum poles, and it comes with plenty of guylines. With all this, it will perform well even in windy places.
Regarding the weight, with 25 lb 7 oz (11.54 kg) in total, this is a heavy tent, but you have seen its height and all the features, so this is expected.
The packed size is also not its best feature, the numbers are shown below. Note that the carry bag is gusseted, and it is equipped with a draw string closure and tension straps.
Regarding the price, the shelter is pricy, as usual for this brand. But this is a high quality and unique product. But see also the warranty statement below.
Specifications
- Packed weight: 25 lb 7 oz (11.54 kg).
- Dimensions: 102 x 102 in (260 x 260 cm).
- Covered area: 72.8 ft² (6.76 m²).
- Peak height: 88.6 in (225 cm).
- Packed size: 22.4 x 13.4 x 11.4 in (57 x 34 x 29 cm).
- Warranty: 2 year Aerospeed series guarantee. They write: “We take pride in the quality and design of every ZEMPIRE tent, thats why our AEROSPEED SERIES tents come with a strong guarantee designed to protect you as our valued customer. ZEMPIRE will repair or replace this tent, should it fail due to faulty materials or manufacture for a period of 2 years from the date you purchase.”
Accessories
• Zempire Speedbase 2 Heat Shield Liner: It clips into the inside roof of the Speedbase 2 Air Shelter, and it helps to considerably decrease the internal temperature on hot, sunny days.
• Zempire Speedbase 2 Deluxe Wall: It adds additional shade and weather protection while you’re picnicking or camping. It is equipped with mesh and zippered panel for protection and privacy.
Note that you can have the wall on all four sides, so you can create a fully enclosed floorless room with four huge windows under the gazebo. You do not need an extra tent in such a configuration.
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
In summary, the Zempire Speedbase 2 Air Shelter stands out for its innovative design and ease of use. It’s not just a gazebo; it’s a versatile component that integrates seamlessly with various Zempire tents, enhancing your camping experience by providing additional living space and protection against the elements.
The inflatable air beams make setup and takedown a breeze, while the high-quality materials ensure durability and comfort. However, its weight and packed size are considerable, making it less ideal for those looking for ultra-portable options.
Despite its bulk, the Speedbase 2 Air Shelter justifies its premium price with its quality construction and multifunctionality.
Whether used standalone or connected to other tents, it offers a significant upgrade to your campsite setup with features like blackout fabric for glare reduction and ample headroom for comfort.
If you can manage the weight and cost, this shelter is a robust choice for those seeking a reliable, expandable camping solution that doesn’t skimp on innovation or comfort.
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:
Zempire Speedbase 2 Air Shelter
Pros
- Very easy to use.
- Tall shelter.
- Incredibly versatile.
- Quality craftsmanship.
Cons
- Bulky
- Heavy.
- Expensive.
BEST PLACEs TO BUY:
For more tents of this shape please check in the category Screen Houses & Sheds. Read also my separate text about Zempire Speedbase 2 Sleeping Pod that connects to the gazebo described above.
Let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and stay informed, I add texts here on a regular basis. Thank you for reading.
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