PlayaDomes™ Shelters At Burning Man

Shelter Systems’ PlayaDome Shelters are our most popular portable Geotensic™ shelters. They have been used on the playa at Burning Man for many years. PlayaDomes are truly portable, durable, lightweight, and are strong enough to hold up well in the high wind and dust conditions of the playa. PlayaDomes are made of a strong, tear-resistant fabric and non-puncturing fasteners. With proper care, your PlayaDome will last you many years at Burning Man.

In addition to being used as burning man shelters, PlayaDome shelters have served as family living spaces, camping tents, emergency shelters, art studios, playrooms, retreats, fair pavilions, expedition tents, research tents, and more.

Easy Set Up

14′, 18′ and 20′ PlayaDomes can be set up by most people in 30 minutes without tools. Insert the interchangeable poles into factory-attached connectors spaced evenly over the cover. The poles bend slightly when inserted, tightening the cover into a wind- and waterproof shelter. The cover is freestanding requiring no guy lines and can be moved into the desired position or location without disassembly. The PlayaDome can be taken down in 5 minutes: simply remove the poles and roll up the covering. (Photo to the right shows 31′, two 30′, 20′)

Sturdy Design

PlayaDomes™ are stronger than any other structure made of the same materials. Because of its curved shape with no corners, there are no weak points. Our patented structure is drum tight, waterproof and wind-resistant.

Shelter Systems’ PlayaDomes have the poles on the outside with the covering suspended under the frame via Shelter Systems’ own Grip Clip tarp fasteners, such that the frame and the covering are not in direct contact. Because the covering is under constant and even, tension, the tent will not flap or shred in high wind, the poles cannot rub against the covering, which would eventually wear holes in it, and water and leaf debris can’t get caught in dips between the poles.

The shingled panels of our PlayaDomes overlap each other by 6″, making the structure very strong and completely leak proof (we have a leak-proof guarantee for all of our domes). The shingling design allows the structure to breathe for air circulation and so moisture is driven out by vapor pressure, preventing condensation.

Shelter Systems’ patented Grip Clips™ tarp fasteners are used to join the dome’s cover to the pole frame and to fasten the shingled panels together. Grip Clips remove the need for sewn seams or other types of grommet that puncture the cover, which would allow rain to enter. The Grip Clip grips a large surface area of the material, adding to the dome’s strength in high wind conditions.

Durable Materials

The cover of Shelter Systems’ PlayaDomes is made out of Shelter Systems’ super strong, waterproof, tear proof, woven rip stop film . The material is manufactured in three layers that are heat bonded together, adding even more strength. It is UV-stabilized to withstand up to 3 years of full sun exposure. This material will not rot or mildew, and effectively excludes rain, dampness, wind, cold, leaves and other debris. The white color of the covering diffuses sunlight and provides 40% shade.

The cover is totally waterproof and shingled design is breathable, making a rain fly unnecessary. The frame of the PlayaDome is constructed of strong, long lasting, resilient, UV-stabilized, Class 200, 1 1/4″-diameter (3.5 cm.) PVC tubing.

Light and Fresh Air

Shelter Systems’ PlayaDome shelters are light filled and well ventilated. The translucent covering creates a bright interior, transmitting 60% of the light. Our PlayaDomes come standard with four translucent windows above the doors, which allow more light through than glass, but create privacy as you cannot see clearly through them.

PlayaDomes have several features that contribute to comfort on the playa. These domes have four evenly- spaced flap doors for good cross-ventilation and light. The door coverings close automatically so you can enter and exit quickly and don’t have to fumble with zippers. Because the panels of our domes are shingled, overhead ventilation is can easily be attained by inserting “ventilation tubes” between several panels (two vent tubes are included with each dome). When the vent tube is removed, the panels snap shut and are watertight. For maximum ventilation, the walls themselves can be rolled up, transforming the domes into an opened-arch form (see 30 PlayaDome at right in its open-arch form).

Shelter Systems’ PlayaDomes are winter ready, in case you get cold or wet weather on the playa. They do not require a fly or liner and are completely watertight and will not leak. They resist condensation build up because the shingled construction drives out moist air by vapor pressure. The dome shape has minimal surface area for its volume, so it is easy to keep warm with a wood stove (installation instructions are included with each dome). The The PlayaDome shape has other comfort features. The interior can be divided into “rooms”. The dome has more volume than a flat-sided tent meaning it feels, and is, more spacious. The shape is more heat efficient, using less fuel to heat it, and the heat circulates more easily, increasing comfort in cold weather. The cover of the dome is easily cleaned with a damp cloth.

A Shelter System

Shelter Systems’ Geodesic PlayaDomes come complete with poles, 12″ long high-quality Durapeg stakes, guy lines for strong wind settings, ventilation tubes, spare parts (extra Grips Clips and pole connectors) and a complete Shelter Systems’ Instruction Manual. Our manual gives details on sunshades, floors, site selection, anchoring, cooling, winterizing, stove installation, and how to best adapt your dome for extreme climates. Shelter Systems offersAccessories for your PlayaDome including sunshades to keep cool, sticky back Velcro to help seal out dust, extra strong stakes, and more (see PlayaDome Kits).

Shipping and Storage

All Shelter Systems’ Geodesic Yurt Dome Shelters are shipped by DHL and pack up into compact packages that one person can handle take as baggage on a plane, transport in a car or store in a small space.