Lara Dunn awarded the Robens Starlight EXP 1 her ‘greener choice’ and found it well-featured for the price despite the weight.
It feels counter-intuitive to be awarding my heaviest tent the Best in Test, but the Starlight EXP 1 is a budget tent that offers all the performance of a much pricier unit, only sacrificing a genuinely low weight in its pursuit of a keen price point.
Lara Dunn’s Best in Test
For the money, this is a superbly well-featured – if slightly hefty – three-season backpacking tent.- easy to pitch
- very stable
- spacious
- excellent porch
- weight
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: $289.60 / £149.99 Weight: 2302g Pitching: as unit or outer first Flysheet: HydroTex HD RS RECYCLED, 75D recycled polyester 190T ripstop, 5000mm HH Inner: 68D 190T polyester Groundsheet: 75D polyester Taffeta 210T PU coated, 10,000mm HH Poles: 8.5mm, 7001 aluminium anodised Pegs: 8 aluminium pegs Porches: 1 Inner dimensions: width 75cm, length 215cm, height 90cm robens.de |
It’s incredibly easy to pitch, thanks to a single insertable pole that works together with four short sections of permanent pole at the foot and head. Once the inner is attached via nifty little clips that stay secure, it pitches flysheet first or as one. Exterior clips snap onto the pole, with a short stretch of sleeve at the top.
Straps on the side guylines that wrap around the poles enable better wind resistance, distributing any force more evenly and protecting the poles. The front and rear guylines secure the feet and head sections, giving the whole a solid, well-tensioned pitch. This, together with a high hydrostatic head on both the fly sheet and groundsheet make for a protective and reliable three-season shelter.
A mesh panel in the door adds insect proof ventilation, while other vents in the head and foot of the tent allow air to pass through and minimise condensation.
Useable space inside is excellent. There’s room for kit above the head or below the feet, while the porch is genuinely large enough to stow a backpack in, or cook in bad weather. Head height is just about enough for me to be able to sit upright comfortably but I’m only 5’5”, but the overall feel to the inside of the tent is not cramped.
For the money, this is a superbly well-featured – if slightly hefty – three-season backpacking tent.
Testing conditions
Lara used the tents on backpacking adventures in early spring at lower-level locations in mid-Wales. Temperatures were variable but weather was largely favourable. Weights are for total pack including stuffsack, poles and pegs and measured on Lara’s scales.
This review was first published in the August 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors. To compare this tent to others in its price range, read our guide to the best budget tents.
