Zempire Aerospeed 6 Air Tent Review
The Zempire Aerospeed 6 Air ($600) is a roomy, stable shelter with an unconventional twist: It uses inflatable air columns instead of traditional tent poles. The design makes for a smooth setup and strong structural support—so long as you stake it out properly. We were impressed by this tent’s vertical walls, excellent weather protection, and quality build, but found the Aerospeed quite heavy and harder to pack away than more conventional options. If you prioritize comfort and space, though, this is a standout pick.
Space & Livability
Storage
Weather Protection
Durability & Quality
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Floor dimensions
120 x 104 in. (86.7 sq. ft.)
Vestibule Area
18.1 + 18.1 sq. ft.
Peak height
74.8 in.
Weight
23 lb. 13 oz.
Packed Size
23.2 x 11.4 x 11.8 in.
Capacities
4P, 6P, 10P
Number of Pockets
6
Pros
Cons
Zempire Aerospeed 6 Air
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Tents.
With nearly 100 square feet of floor space, the Zempire Aerospeed 6 Air is more spacious than most six-person tents we’ve tested. Its rectangular floor plan comfortably fit five rectangular sleeping pads during testing (the Nemo Roamer, which measures 26 in. across), with a configuration of four pads lined up vertically and the fifth going width-wise across the tent. At 74.8 inches tall and with near-vertical sidewalls, the Aerospeed will allow most users to stand up and move around freely, especially near the tent’s center. During testing, two adults and their gear spread out comfortably inside, and I think that you could fit six sleepers in a pinch, if you’re adults that are packing light or a family with kids.
The verticality of the Aerospeed’s walls and its dome-shaped roof provide a livable interior that doesn’t feel cramped, even with gear scattered around. Large doors on either end make for easy accessibility, and the tent includes a zippered cable port near the floor for electronics—a nice touch for long-term campsite stays. Compared to the REI Co-op Wonderland 6 (83.3 sq. ft.) and The North Face Wawona 6 (86.1 sq. ft.), the Zempire Aerospeed 6 Air offers slightly more usable floor space and better head clearance near the walls of the tent. Overall, it’s a great home base for multi-day car camping trips.
Inside, the Aerospeed has six storage pockets, arranged in two columns of three pockets in opposite corners of the tent. The pockets vary in size, with the smaller ones at the bottom—good for holding headlamps and knick-knacks—and larger ones at the top, providing easy access to your layers and heftier gear. While the pocket materials are high-quality, we wish the compartments were located in all four corners for better accessibility if you have a full house.
Vestibule storage comes from two symmetrical, 18.1-square-foot spaces, one at each entrance. The openings are useful for caching shoes, duffels, or small packs, but they feel modest compared to the ones on camping tents like the Wawona, which sports a massive, mudroom-style vestibule up front. On the plus side, the Aerospeed’s dual doors and symmetrical layout mean you can split gear storage between two people or groups more easily. Overall, the lack of gear lofts and more pocket variety holds this tent back from a higher score in this category.
When properly staked out, the Aerospeed feels like a bunker. Its air poles form an X-shaped structure, and they’re reinforced by two aluminum brow poles that add stiffness over each door. The guylines and guyline attachment points feel substantial as well. In moderately breezy conditions, the tent holds its shape well. The rainfly coverage is substantial, especially in the front and rear, while zippered mesh windows offer decent ventilation. On testing nights I spent in California’s high desert, I experienced no leaks or condensation, and the tent remained stable during morning wind in Joshua Tree.
The catch? You need to stake the Zempire Aerospeed 6 Air down for it to hold its shape, and you need to stake it correctly. On soft or sandy ground—like at the beach, as I quickly found out—wind can pull the stakes out and cause the tent to sag inward, compromising its shape. The dependency on a perfect setup—which could really come back to bite you in the middle of a windy and rainy night—makes this tent less versatile during inclement weather than freestanding options like the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 or the Wawona, both of which are more forgiving in tricky terrain. For campers who frequent windy, rocky outcrops or loose desert dirt, that could be a dealbreaker.
Everything about the Zempire Aerospeed 6 Air feels tough, from its 150-denier, PU-coated floor to the robust zippers and sturdy mesh. Even the stakes are higher quality than usual, closer to MSR Groundhogs than the flimsy silver pins that ship with most car camping tents. During testing, the tent withstood rocky, pinecone-littered terrain without any abrasion or punctures to the floor. The zippers ran smoothly throughout, and the thick air pole shells inspire confidence—I never doubted them, even during an unexpected earthquake. (Ed. note: We think that’s a Better Trail first!)
The only durability concern I noticed was fraying on one of the fabric loops caused by a sharp stake edge. Giving the stake more slack resolved the issue, but it’s something to watch for, especially since you’ll need to stake the tent out perfectly to set it up. Compared to other premium large tents, the Aerospeed holds its own on build quality and surpasses cheaper models like the Kelty Daydreamer 4. The materials here match or exceed what’s found on competitors in this price range.
Inflatable tents are still a novelty for many U.S. campers, so there’s a learning curve to setting up the Aerospeed. But once you read the clear instructions—illustrations in the booklet help—it’s surprisingly easy to pitch. After staking the tent down, inflating the air poles with the included pump takes about five minutes. (Just remember, make sure the stakes are solidly sunk into the ground, so they don’t pull up and collapse the tent.) Packing it away is more involved: You’ll need to follow the folding instructions carefully to fit it back into its stuff sack. If you don’t, you’ll be wrestling with a rolled-up tent that’s too wide and long to store properly.
Once I got the hang of it, I found that setup can be completed solo in about 15 to 18 minutes. Breakdown takes a little longer, especially when you’re trying to squeeze out the last bit of air and nail the fold width. Still, the pre-attached rainfly simplifies things, and the all-in-one stuff sack with built-in organizer pockets is better than most. Compared to other dome camping tents, like the Wawona or Wonderland, the Aerospeed requires more effort, but rewards you with a more polished internal setup and roominess.
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PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Solution-Dyed Materials
Solution dyeing adds pigment to synthetic fibers during production rather than afterward, reducing water use, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and chemical waste, while also creating fabrics that resist fading better over time. A green check mark indicates a product features a substantial amount of solution-dyed materials, a yellow check mark indicates moderate or limited use of solution-dyed fabrics, and a red X indicates there are no solution-dyed materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
The North Face Wawona 6 ($550): Set It Up Anywhere
If you prefer a tent with traditional poles, The North Face Wawona 6 offers nearly as burly a build, with only a small hit to livable space. And that’s not counting its generously sized vestibule, which is large enough for camp chairs or a small table. The Wawona also boasts a slightly taller 76-inch peak height and more pockets for better organization. Still, the lack of a true rear entrance can cause traffic jams near the front, and the large vestibule tends to catch the wind. It’s much easier to pitch than the Aerospeed, though, which must be perfectly staked. The Wawona’s freestanding design (aside from the vestibule) lets you set it up just about anywhere. And its top-loading stuff sack makes packing up quicker and easier. Unless you’re set on an inflatable tent or plan to camp mostly on hard-packed ground, the Wawona offers better versatility. For more, read our review of the Wawona 6.
REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent ($549): For When The Storm Rolls In
The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 might not match the headroom or square footage of the Aerospeed, but it gives it a run for its money in durability. This tent features a similarly beefy 75-denier polyester taffeta rainfly and canopy combined with a 150-denier polyester floor, but it trades the Aerospeed’s high walls for a more wind-resistant five-pole dome structure. The Base Camp’s freestanding design gives it more structural stability, particularly when you can’t stake it down. Otherwise, both tents weigh over 20 pounds and can be tricky to pack unless perfectly folded. Ultimately, if you’re seeking a balmy-weather companion to make home, the Aerospeed offers a more comfortable living experience. But if your adventures take you into more intense environments, the Base Camp will better protect you and your gear. For more, check out our review of the Base Camp 6.
The Aerospeed 6 Air takes a different approach to tent design, using inflatable air poles as its framework. It delivers a generous amount of livable space and a surprisingly burly build, but it needs to be anchored well to perform properly and is a hassle to pack back into its stuff sack.
Space & Livability
Storage
Weather Protection
Durability & Quality
Ease of Use
Sustainability
The North Face Wawona combines near-vertical walls, a massive vestibule, and premium materials for one of the most spacious and livable car camping tents out there. It’s big, burly, and built to last, though its tall profile and heft weight make setup best with two people.
Space & Livability
Storage
Weather Protection
Durability & Quality
Ease of Use
Sustainability
A functional standout among camping tents, the Base Camp offers top-tier weather protection and durability. A tedious setup and a tricky front door zipper take it down a notch, but the Base Camp’s feature-rich build excels for most three-season adventures.
Space & Livability
Storage
Weather Protection
Durability & Quality
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Is the Aerospeed 6 Air for You?
If you’re looking for a roomy, well-built car camping tent with plenty of headroom and a unique design, the Zempire Aerospeed 6 Air is worth considering. It excels in terms of livability and durability, and it's protective enough when you pitch it correctly on firm ground. While the setup process is a bit different than that of traditional tents, it’s intuitive after a time or two. However, if you often camp on rocky terrain or loose sand, the need for the tent to be fully staked out could prove frustrating. For campers who want a break from juggling tent poles, or those intrigued by the novelty, this tent offers a sturdy, feature-rich shelter. Just be prepared for a more involved packing process and a bit of extra manual reading before your first trip.
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