With the dog days of summer ahead, some may be overwhelmed with deciding how to
make the most of the outdoors season. And though national parks have seen a
befuddling dip in youth attendance, local campgrounds remain a popular destination among Gen Ys. So, while the portable dwellings below are unlikely to appear at, say,
Burning Man, this new category of design-minded tents may convince even the most spider-phobic folks to sleep under the stars.
FieldCandy: Gone are the bland khaki tents of decades past. Now,
FieldCandy is delighting
glampers everywhere with brightly colored, wildly patterned tents designed to enliven typically drab campground environments. Largely waterproof with a 100% natural cotton interior (FieldCandy prides itself on being as
environmentally upstanding as possible), tent prints include
circuit boards,
intergalactic panoramas and
quotable montages, while matching carry bags ensure that travelers stay coordinated throughout their trek. These tents are unlikely to save their inhabitants from
location-based conundrums, but they are certain to provide the fodder for a compelling
photo story that’s not only memorable but stylish.
The Cave: Historically, caves were consigned to
troglodytes and
crime-fighting superheroes. Now, German startup
Heimplanet has introduced
The Cave, an inflatable geodesic dome that may be the most uncomplicated tent we’ve seen yet. Indeed, it's simple that it requires no steel components or poles to anchor it to the turf. Using a patented Inflatable Diamond Grid (IDG), its durable interconnected modules are capable of enduring
high speed winds, while the lightweight structure makes it easy to transport. Built from water-repellant nylon fabric (40D 210T, to be exact) with an integrated non-transparent mosquito net, the roomy interior of this Buckminster Fuller-inspired abode can accommodate up to six people.
BubbleTrees: Designer
Pierre Stéphane Dumas' celebrated
BubbleTrees have been used to comprise a
full-scale camping hotel, ensuring that visitors to France's
Bouches-du-Rhône region feel pampered while still getting the best views possible. The transparent, globe-shaped tents are made from UV-reflecting, recyclable materials. Due to their geometry, the acoustics reduce outside sounds, while an echo within the sphere encourages inhabitants to speak softly, thereby enhancing the meditative feel of the environs. Last but not least, those concerned with privacy can enjoy a built-in curtain that’s drawn from the bottom up, ensuring that what happens in the bubble, stays in the bubble.
