Wild CampingRobensBackpacking Tent

Robens Starlight 1 tent review: bombproof on a budget

A solid four-season shelter that can put it with practically everything the UK can throw at it.

✓  RecommendedRobens Starlight 1 Weight2 kgWind tested160 km/hPrice~£130 The good✓  Reliable and durable in all weather
✓  Easy and quick to pitch
✓  Outstanding wet and windy performance
✓  Fly 5,000 mm HH / floor 10,000 mm HH
✓  Excellent ventilation options
✓  Beautiful, stealthy aesthetic
✓  True 4-season UK shelter
The not-so-good✗  Very small inside — a coffin with a vestibule
✗  Not the lightest at 2 kg
✗  Needs deep ground for a stable pitch
Check price at Outdoor Action →

At a glance

Overview

The Robens Starlight 1 is a 1-person tunnel tent designed by one of Europe’s most renowned outdoor kit manufacturers. Part of Robens’ Trail range, it is designed to be light, practical and full-featured — and Robens nailed it when they designed it. The first thing to understand is that this tent does not excel at any one thing in particular. At 2 kg, it is not particularly lightweight for a one-person shelter. And it is not particularly roomy either — in fact, the Starlight 1 is so compact that you can only squeeze in one person and kit, which you need to share between the inside and the small vestibule. For want of a better analogy, it is a coffin with a vestibule. A true one-person shelter.

That being said, the performance it delivers in poor weather is unbeatable at this price point. It can cope with winds of up to 160 km/h and comes with a flysheet and bathtub floor that boast hydrostatic head ratings of 5,000 mm and 10,000 mm respectively. At around £130 from Outdoor Action, you would be hard-pressed to find a more robust shelter at this price point. The flysheet and outer can be clipped together for simultaneous pitching, and the solid nylon inner does an exceptional job of maintaining warmth on winter camps while numerous ventilation options — including two large ports at the head and foot end — allow for ample airflow on warm evenings.

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How we tested

The Robens Starlight 1 has been one of the longest-standing tents in the GBAC collection. We have been using this thing for years, testing it in every condition the UK can reasonably throw at it. We have had it pitched at the foot of Tryfan on a balmy summer’s evening, used it numerous times in Bannau Brycheiniog during wet and windy winter weather, pitted it against a deluge of snowfall in the Shropshire Hills, and had it up against some of the fiercest winds we have ever camped in atop Dartmoor’s Yes Tor. And you know what? It has never let us down. Even after all that, it still looks and feels as good as new.

Features and performance

Pitching

One of our favourite things about the Starlight 1 is the ease of pitching. In standard single-pole tunnel style, it is simply a matter of sliding in the centre pole and pegging out the four corners. The strong drawcords can then be pulled tight to get it standing strong. The only downside: you need to be able to drive the pegs quite deep into the ground to maintain structural integrity. On a few occasions on Dartmoor, finding deep ground (unobstructed by plates of rock) has been tricky. On good ground, erecting the Robens Starlight 1 takes little more than a couple of minutes.

Interior, pack size and aesthetics

The inside is tight. The inner is only 60 cm wide — only a tiny bit wider than a standard hard foam pad — though it splays out to 75 cm in the middle to give extra reach for night-time essentials. At 215 cm long, it accommodates tall people and allows for additional storage at the head or foot. The vestibule is ample for boots and an empty pack, though larger packs can lean against the inner and eat into usable space. Pack size is pretty good given the robust materials; using the compression sack, you can get it into the bottom of a 40-litre pack for a one-nighter, though a 60–65 litre pack is more comfortable for multi-night trips.

Finally, the aesthetics. The colours blend beautifully with British outdoor landscapes — this tent looks great in photographs and makes an ideal stealth camping shelter if you would rather not be seen.

“It doesn’t excel at any one thing in particular — but the compromises make this an excellent choice for a tent that can do it all.”

Our verdictPrice-point-leading UK four-season performance — and it looks absolutely stunning while doing so.The Robens Starlight 1 is a very good all-round shelter. It excels in wet and windy conditions, and it looks absolutely stunning while doing so. Even though it does not excel at any one thing in particular, the compromises made in the design make it an excellent choice when you are looking for a tent that can do it all. We love it and think it delivers price-point-leading performance in UK four-season weather — and all at an amazing price. Just go in knowing it is a true one-person shelter: cosy rather than spacious, and best paired with deep, peg-friendly ground.Buy the Robens Starlight 1 at Outdoor Action →

FAQs

How does the Robens Starlight 1 perform in the summer?Very well. The numerous ventilation options — including large ports at the head and foot end — make it great for summer use, despite being such a robust shelter.

How does the Robens Starlight 1 perform in the winter?Very well. The flysheet comes close to the ground, the solid nylon inner blocks draughts and traps warmth, and the 5,000 / 10,000 mm hydrostatic head ratings inspire real confidence. Wind-tested to 160 km/h.

How easy is it to pitch the Robens Starlight 1?Very easy on good ground — peg a corner, insert the pole, peg the rest. Key caveat: the tunnel design requires deep pegging at each corner for good tension. Rocky or boggy ground can make a stable pitch tricky.

Is the Robens Starlight 1 worth the money?Yes. At around £130 from Outdoor Action, you would be hard-pressed to find a shelter that performs this well in UK four-season conditions without spending substantially more.