What is an Inflatable Tent?
Are you new to camping or looking to upgrade your existing Tent? Inflatable tents are manufactured with inflatable beams, unlike traditional tents with poles.
Air or Inflatable tents truly changed the game for camping enthusiasts; simple and quick pitching for hassle-free camping - what's not to love?
But are Inflatable tents all they're cracked up to be? Read on to discover the advantages of inflatable tents and how reliable they can be on the campsite. We've also added some of our favourite inflatable tents at the bottom of this blog.
What are inflatable Tents?
Inflatable tents, also known as Air tents, have become increasingly popular in recent years, rivalling the traditional fibreglass or aluminium polled tents we all know and love. When you think of an inflatable tent, a bouncy castle springs to mind, but we can assure you this differs from what air tents look like. In 2010, Vango Pioneered the first Airbeam technology, introducing inflatable tents to the camping world.
At first, doubts were raised about inflatable tents. But it soon became a hit because they are considerably lighter, quicker to pitch and easier to use than their poled counterparts. Think of the Air beam as a bike tyre.
The inner bladder expands when pumped up, and the surrounding case holds the air tube shape. This is then covered with a zipped fabric cover to protect and maintain the structure of the beam. Unlike bike tyres, there is much less pressure applied to the airbeam, so your Tent remains intact and in perfect shape for your camping trip.
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What are the advantages of Inflatable Tents?
Unlike pole tents, a pump is the only accessory you need in your tent bag. Say goodbye to lugging around heavy poles from the car park to your pitch. Inflatable tents are much lighter and easy to carry. It is also likely that you forgot your pump. Someone on your campsite can lend you one, or you can purchase one from a store, but if you need to remember your poles - then that's a different story!
Inflatable tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes, no matter what type of camper you are! Whether you're looking for a two-man weekend away Tent or a large family of 8, Air tents can cater to everyone and increase the usable space. With increased headroom and wider living and bedroom areas, air tents provide more comfort on camping trips. Live, sleep, eat, and store excess camping supplies all under one inflatable roof!
Inflatable tents are made to last; unlike a bike tyre, their beams can't be popped from sharp objects as efficiently. They are sometimes made to withstand intense weather such as rain, wind, hail and even snow! Top brands such as Vango and Zempire put the inflatable tents through rigorous testing in countries such as New Zealand and Germany, where the ground is rocky and uneven, and the weather is even more temperamental. Set up your Tent on any terrain, unlike pole tents, which can break and snap in wind and rain.
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Are Inflatable Tents Reliable?
Ideal for windy conditions, Inflatable air beams will never snap as fibreglass poles do. We recommend always having a replacement air beam for your model of Tent packed for every camping trip. Although not common, air beams can burst in hot temperatures, so try to pitch your inflatable Tent in shady areas of the campsite, and if not possible, check your air beams daily for pressure.
Different makes and models of tents will have varying recommended pressures for beams; check this before you purchase an inflatable tent, as an over-inflated air beam will cause more damage than good!
Ensuring you have correctly pitched your Tent will increase the reliability. Like a poled tent, using a groundsheet will help protect the bottom of your Tent and increase the lifespan.
Pegging the guy robes correctly and keeping them safely secured in the ground are also musts when camping.
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Top 5 Inflatable Tents
Ventanas II Air TC 650XL Tent 2024
One of the best-value polycotton tents on the market, the Vango Ventanas II Air TC 650XL is a popular tent for families with all the top features expected from Vango. Pioneering the first inflatable Tent, you can see why Air tents are so popular in 2024!
This 6-man Tent has been made from high-quality polycotton fabric, meaning you will stay cool in hotter weather and warm on colder days at the campsite. The new upright Villa-construction air beams provide ample height and width around the Tent, giving it an overall spacious feel. With the additional storage area, you can keep your living space free of clutter.
The Ventanas II Air TC Tent also has multiple mesh doors to increase airflow and multiple cable entry points for all your electronics. The wider-opening bedrooms allow more space for sleeping, and the midnight bedrooms are darkened to ensure a fantastic night's sleep.
Overall, this Tent is a fantastic inflatable tent for families with a whole host of great features. The large front canopy and living and sleeping areas mean this Tent can be a home away from home and enjoyed for many camping trips to come.
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Kampa Croyde 6 Air Tent
If you're looking for an affordable air tent that doesn't break the bank but still offers a family of top features, then this Tent is for you! The Kampa Croyde 6 is strong and durable, made using the 68D weathershield fabric.
With a 2+2+2 formation, this Tent has ample living space, bedroom pods, and a feasible front space that can be incorporated into the living area or divided off as a separate room. Rolling back the front panel makes a lovely sun canopy and a place to store shoes and bags.
The sewn-in groundsheet allows for quick and seamless pitching, creating a watertight base. Pump and deflate this Tent in minutes, then roll it away into your handy oversized carry bag. The high-pressure airframe provides a sturdy structure that will cope even in the worst weather, especially when combined with the storm tie-downs included in each corner.
Find out more about this model in our showroom on display in the front marquee, or call the showroom to chat with our tent experts! You can view the Tent on our website here.
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Outwell Birchdale 6PA Tent 2022
The Outwell Birchdale 6PA tent has the makings of a fantastic family inflatable tent. All three areas are spacious, and it is one of the deepest open canopies today, perfect for cooking and entertaining. The divisional door can also be opened fully, making one ample space.
The Outwells Rigid Air system allows for ease of pitching and stability. You can happily erect this Tent in less than 10 minutes, allowing more time to spend with friends and family. Two main bedrooms at the back can accommodate six people but comfortable sleep 4.
There are plenty of great features in this Tent, including a HookTrack system, Zip dividers between bedroom compartments, dark panels over bedroom sections, and a rear ventilation system to increase airflow and reduce condensation.
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Joro Air 400XL & 600XL Airbeam Tent
The Joro Air is a classic family inflatable Tent with the perfect size, specs, and feature ratio. Constructed with Vangos Eco Fabric, it's ideal for eco-conscious campers. Two hundred sixty-one plastic bottles were recycled to make each Tent. How cool is that?
With three main zones, this inflatable Tent comes in two sizes, four men's and 6 men's, and is a bestseller in our showroom for families. It pitches in 10 minutes, making it ideal for impromptu weekends away. At 25kg in weight, it's a breeze to carry, unlike its poled counterpart!
We also love the dark 'nightfall' bedrooms, which ensure a great night's sleep every time and prevent waking up when the sun rises. The two mesh doors leading from the lying space keep insects out, and the crystal-clear windows allow plenty of light even on darker days.
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Zempire Aerodome II Pro Tent
One of Zempire's most iconic tents, the Aerodome II Pro tent, has been our favourite for a while. Spacious, durable, and built to last, this inflatable Tent has three main sections, and the sleeping pods give the ultimate privacy at night. Everyone gets their own room in this large Tent, and with plenty of space, it will quickly become a home from home!
Made from UN 210D ripstop fabric, it is very robust and built to handle the toughest weather. The New Zealand-based brand has ensured that its tents are hard-wearing and perfect for an array of weather, even snow!
With many mesh panels throughout, the Tent is comfortable in warmer weather and perfect for British summertime camping trips. The divisional 360-degree doors between the living and front awning can be opened to maximise internal space.
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A final note from us
That completes our latest blog entry on inflatable tents. Whether you're new to camping, looking to upgrade your Tent, or just want some more information on inflatable tents, we hope this blog has answered some of your questions.
Remember that this is just a small proportion of the inflatable tents we sell and have on display in our showroom and on the website. Feel free to call us on 01452742233 for any more information on Inflatable tents.
