About

The World’s Strongest Dome Tents Since 1976!

The World’s Strongest Dome Tents Since 1976!

Shelter System’s tents have been sheltering families for extended periods in all climates for over 30 years. In response to the growing need for emergency relief tents globally we expanded our line to include 14’, 18’ and 30’ diameter relief tents in 1997. Shelter Systems’ Relief Tents offer the best value because they are durable, watertight, wind-resistant, pleasant to live in, easily to set up, and affordable. Our Relief Tents are manufactured in the United States and are sold exclusively to emergency relief agencies and non-profit organizations worldwide.

Shelter Systems’ Relief Tents are dome shaped patented Geotensic™ structures that are stronger than any other structure made of the same materials. Made of a strong, tear-resistant fabric and non-puncturing tarp fasteners in a curved shape with no corners, our Relief Tents have no weak points and are guaranteed leakproof.  They are drum-tight, waterproof and wind-resistant, performing very well in strong wind and rain.

Lightweight and Freestanding with Easy Setup

Shelter Systems’ Emergency Disaster Relief Yurt and Dome Tents are freestanding, require no guylines, and can be moved into the desired position or location without disassembly. Our tents can be set up by most people in 30 minutes without tools. Simply 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 YurtDome can be taken down in 5 minutes: just remove the poles and roll up the covering. (Instruction Manual) (Full Manual)

Complete and Adaptable

Shelter Systems’ Emergency and Disaster Relief Yurt Dome Tents come complete with poles, high quality 12″ Durapeg stakes, guylines for extreme wind settings, ventilation tubes, spare parts, Grips Clips and pole connectors, a Instruction Manual, and a Full Manual that details floors, site selection, anchoring, cooling, winterizing, and stove installation.

Shelter Systems’ Emergency and Disaster Relief Yurt Dome Tents are ideally suited for most climates; however, they can be further adapted for use in extreme climates. For the extreme cold, where fuel is in short supply, we offer a full liner. For extreme heat, we offer net doors and a sunshade which blocks 70% of the sunlight. Other accessories available include rain porches and floors.

Sturdy Design

Reliable and affordable, Shelter Systems’ patented Emergency Disaster Relief Yurt Domes are very strong and well supported in multiple locations for balanced freestanding strength. Their drum-tight domed shape sheds wind well and offers minimal surface area for the wind to push against. They are the strongest structure available for the materials used. We strive to make a durable, highly portable shelter at an affordable price that will out perform all tents except those made of much heavier and/or expensive materials.

Relief Domes 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, poles cannot rub against the covering and thus eventually wear holes in it, and water and leaf debris cannot get caught in dips between poles.

The shingled panels of our Relief Domes overlap each other by 6″, making the structure very strong and completely leak proof, guaranteed. The shingling design allows the structure to breathe for excellent 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 grommets that puncture the cover and thus allow rain to enter.

Our waterproof design does not require a rain fly and the particular geometric shape utilizes material efficiently. The high performance covering is affordable and the design and tarp fasteners used mean our tents are labor efficient to build.

Durable Materials

Comfortable Living Space

Shelter Systems’ Disaster Relief Yurt and Dome Tents are light filled and well ventilated. Over each door is a translucent skylight window which allows 90% of the sunlight to pass through it while preserving the privacy of the people within.The white covering creates a pleasingly bright interior.

Shelter Systems’ 5.4 meter Emergency Disaster Relief Tent has four flap doors evenly spaced around the dome for good cross ventilation and light. The door coverings close automatically so you can go in or out quickly. There are no zippers to fumble with or break. Overhead ventilation is easily attained by inserting a lightweight object (e.g., an empty can) between panels. This ventilation is shingled and sheds rain. When the can is removed, the panels snap shut. For maximum ventilation the walls themselves can be rolled up.

The dome shape has other comfort features as well. For example, the tent has more volume than a flat-sided one and therefore feels and is more spacious. Plus, the interior can be divided into “rooms.”Air circulates more evenly in the dome shape than any other shape. Because the shape is more heat efficient, it requires less fuel to heat it. The cover of the dome is easily cleaned with a damp cloth.

Winter-Ready

Our Relief Tents are completely water tight and will not leak. They do not require a fly or liner, though we do offer a liner for environments of extreme cold.. The shingled construction allows moist air to be driven out through the by vapor pressure. Shelter Systems’ Relief Shelters have a minimal surface area for their volume and are thus easy to keep warm with a stove. (A full instruction manual is included with each tent detailing this process.)

We do not rate our domes for wind as the wind comes in gusts. Shelter Systems’ domes have withstood storms that gusted in excess of 60 mph for 2 hours. We do not recommend our domes for constant or extreme wind or areas known for extreme wind such as certain hill tops or valleys. Wet snow can be very heavy, thus snow build up must be brushed or melted off. Our domes most often recover from failure in high wind or heavy snow. If a well anchored dome fails from extreme wind what usually happens is that a small number of poles fail and the cover collapses. After the storm passes the broken PVC poles can be easily field repaired or replaced and the dome put up again with little harm to the covering.