Best Inflatable Tent for Family Camping
If you want to skip to our detailed inflatable tent reviews then click below:
So What Exactly IS an inflatable tent?
Imagine setting up your tent in just a few minutes without the hassle of traditional poles. That’s the magic of an inflatable tent, also known as an air tent or airbeam tent.
Instead of rigid poles, these innovative tents use inflatable airbeams that are seamlessly integrated into the fabric. With the help of a pump, you can quickly inflate the tent, transforming it into a sturdy shelter in no time. This not only makes the setup process incredibly fast and easy but also adds a touch of modern convenience to your camping adventures.
As we move through 2024, it’s clear that the world of family tents has moved firmly in an inflatable direction. The old ‘bendy pole technology’ is still used widely for smaller tents (e.g. solo adventure tents), but is being superseded for larger family-style tents.
In this article we outline the main considerations to look for when choosing the best inflatable tent to cater for your particular needs. We also highlight the top inflatable tents on the market we’ve tested, with individual reviews of each.
- Excellent Design
- Quality Materials
- 5 Year Warranty
- Blackout Bedrooms
- Sewn-in Groundsheet
- WeatherTec Weather Proofing
Advantages and Disadvantages of Inflatable Tents
When it comes to choosing the right tent for your outdoor adventures, the decision often comes down to convenience versus cost. Inflatable tents are very easy to setup, but are they worth the investment?
Let’s break down the advantages and disadvantages to help you decide.
Advantages of Inflatable Tents
1. Quick and Easy Setup: One of the biggest selling points of inflatable tents is their incredibly fast and simple setup. Traditional pole tents can be a hassle, requiring you to:
- Search through a bag for the correct poles.
- Unfold and connect the poles, which can be several meters long.
- Thread the poles through narrow sleeves and secure them in place, a task that can be physically demanding.
In contrast, inflatable tents eliminate these steps entirely. The airbeam structure is already integrated into the tent. All you need to do is attach a pump to the valve on each airbeam, and in minutes, your tent is up and ready for use. This simplicity is especially beneficial for campers who arrive at their site late in the day or in poor weather conditions.
2. Fewer Components to Lose: Another advantage is that inflatable tents come with fewer individual parts. Since the poles are built into the tent, there’s no risk of losing or damaging them during setup or packing. Additionally, many inflatable tents come with lifetime guarantees against leaks and punctures. Even if a puncture does occur, repairs are straightforward, similar to fixing a bicycle tire with a puncture repair kit.
3. Durability and Technology: While inflatable tents tend to be more expensive than traditional pole tents, the price gap is closing as the technology becomes more mainstream. The materials used in inflatable tents are often robust, and the integrated airbeams are designed to withstand significant pressure, providing a reliable shelter in various conditions.
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Disadvantages of Inflatable Tents
1. Higher Cost: The primary drawback of inflatable tents is their slightly higher cost, although this differential is dropping. However (as with most outdoor gear), you often get what you pay for. The ease of use and convenience may justify the additional expense, especially for those who prioritize a stress-free camping experience.
2. Heavier Packed Weight: Inflatable tents are generally heavier than their pole-based counterparts, which can be a consideration when packing for a trip. For example, the Vango Harris tent comes in both pole and airbeam versions:
| Tent Model | Packed Weight | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Vango Harris Pole | 16 kg | – |
| Vango Harris Airbeam | 19 kg | +3 kg (8.8 lbs) |
The airbeam version is 3 kg (approximately 8.8 lbs) heavier. This difference might seem huge if you’re backpacking, but for most car camping trips, where the tent is transported in a vehicle, the extra weight is a minor inconvenience.
3. Dependency on a Pump: One potential downside of inflatable tents is their reliance on a pump. If the pump fails or is lost, setting up the tent becomes a challenge. While this is an unlikely scenario, it’s worth considering bringing a backup.
4. Air Temp issues: If the airbeams are filled up when the temperature is hot and sunny, and then the temperature subsequently drops, the airbeams can shrink a bit and your tent can partially droop. This isn’t a major problem in the UK, but just means you may need to check if air needs to be added or removed each day.
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OK – it’s now time to take a detailed look at our top recommendations for inflatable tent camping in the UK!
Kampa Kielder Air
We’ve been fans of Kampa gear for many years, having owned and loved the lightweight Rally 390 Awning when we were caravan owners. It was therefore not a great surprise when the UK-based Kampa got bought out by Dometic in 2018, and they have gone from strength to strength ever since.
The range of Kampa Kielder tents carry on the theme of that awning we used to own but in a standalone inflatable version which is perfect for a family. There are a range of different sizes on offer. Our favourite is the Kielder 6 Air which is great for a family of four or five. If there’s fewer of you then you can drop down to the Kielder 5 Air or even the Kielder 4 Air which is the smallest on offer.
Subdued colour scheme is refreshingly laid-back
Using an understated colour scheme of greys, creams and blacks, the Kielder 6 Air is a quality inflatable tent which will see you through the worst UK weather conditions you might encounter. It is only available in Kampa’s high quality 150 denier Weathershield polyester fabric unlike some of the other tents in the range (such as the Croyde) which is also available in their technical cotton (TC) material
The Kielder 6 air consists of three large living areas, logically laid out in an ‘arched tunnel’ format as follows:
- Front porch area (380cm x 100cm) with decent ground sheet. Perfect for sitting on to remove muddy boots.
- Main lounge area (360cm x 2800cm) having large side and front doors, each with windows offering great visibility – Kampa use their ‘crystal clear’ tech for this and it works well.
- 2 x triple sleeping rooms at the back provided by a clipped-in inner tent. Doors to the sleeping pods are zippable and the material blocks out light really well for light sleepers.
Set up and features
Assembly of the tent is easily achieved in 15 minutes owing to the use of four arched airbeams (Kampa call it AirFrame technology). A track-style manual pump is provided for the pumping workout, but as the beams are not that large it doesn’t take much effort to fill them up to the correct pressure. One fibre glass extendable pole is used for the front porch.
The Kielder range comes with all the features we recommend for tents – they have an access flap for an electric hookup cable and exceedingly good waterprooofness – the hydrostatic head is 6000mm for the main tent and 10000mm for the groundsheet. You won’t be getting wet!
Weight of the Kielder 6 Air comes in at a reasonable 26.9kg and it can be packed down to a compact 76 x 45 x 44 cm. The other versions in the range are commensurately smaller, but still work well for their intended party size.
Decathlon Air Seconds 6.3 Fresh and Black Airbeam Tent
Decathlon are not typically known for their tents, but attention should certainly be pointed in their direction due to the incredible value for money on offer. With their huge buying power, the French giant can actually design, manufacture and sell tents with similar functionality to more familiar brands at almost half the price. The quality on offer is excellent and backed up by a two year guarantee.
The Air Seconds 6.3 is a product of Decathlon’s in-house Quechua range and is extremely good value for money for its size. It’s available to buy from their online website and so you don’t have to live close to a hyperstore if you don’t have one near your house. If you want a slightly smaller option then you can also get a 5-person Air Seconds 5.2 tent.
Layout and Inflation
The Air Seconds 6.3 is a 6-person tent and uses four air beams to supply support to the structure. Pumping up is simple but beware that this tent is the the only one in our list which does not come with its own pump. Instead, you are recommended to separately buy the 7PSI hand pump from Decathlon.
The colour of the tent is a pale peach with off-white airbeams and front porch entrance. It looks stylish with a definite Gallic élan, although I do wonder how the off-white will bear up after a muddy packing-up session.
There is a great amount of size on offer here, with over 7 square metres of living space and 2.1 metres of standing room.
In addition, there are two double bedrooms at the rear and a detachable double sleeping pod for the front area which comes out at night.
When this is not being used, the whole front of the tent can be opened up to create a fantastic air flow and viewing perch. The downside of having to clip in that sleeping pod when required is that you have to make sure there is room for it at the end of each day – forward planning is necessary by keeping furniture out of the way.
The tent is unusual in that the groundsheet can be unzipped from the perimeter of the walls and actually folded back from the door areas. This means that if there is torrential rain, you can stop it from running into the tent area. It will also fully unzip and can be removed if you wish to feel the grass underfoot. A definite nice design touch.
There is a door on one sideof the tent and this ahs a little rain vestibule which is kept in place by a fibre glass bendy pole. There are a couple of windows in the tent, but this is one criticism we have about it – it is designed to have the front open for viewing and the side windows are not the easiest to see out of.
Blackout sleeping area
Both the permanent rear 4-berth sleeping compartment and detachable pod use Quechua’s ‘Fresh and Black’ technology (F&B) to provide excellent light blocking. This really aids sleeping, and prolongs your sleep in the morning when the sun is piercing through.
As for the Coleman Weathermaster range, the F&B tech also provides protection against sunburn if you’re lucky enough to have searing sunlight during your camping trip.
Decathlon Air Seconds 6.3 – Key Specifications
Each of the three bedroom areas of the tent measure 140 x 210cm, and for the rear compartment there is a really useful access hatch to the outside world. This enables an electric hookup cable to be passed through into the tent. In hot climates, this hatch can also promote airflow through the tent which is essential for remaining cool. All the bedroom pods also have mosquito/insect netting.
Both bedroom pods offer some really useful storage pockets for hanging up and hiding away all those bits and pieces which seem to get in the way on every camping trip.
For a 6-berth tent, the Air Seconds weighs a respectable 25.9 kg and packs down into a 128 litre bag measuring 85 x 38 x 38cm. This can be carried reasonably easily by one person if required, although you may end up with larger biceps on one arm than the other!
Waterproof and windproof
Decathlon make a great marketing pitch about the resilience of the Air Seconds tent against rain and wind. They quote 4 hours of hammering with water at 200 litres per hour per square metre with no leakage. Similarly, they test each design in a wind tunnel on a turntable to ensure that the tent can survive wind battering from any direction, even at 60km/h. Sadly we did not have the opportunity to confirm these numbers.
In summary, the Decathlon Quechua 6.3 Air Seconds Tent is an excellent option for a great value 6-berth family airbeam tent. It will not break the bank but uses quality materials and has some lovely design touches like the blackout sleeping pods, decent storage and rear access hatch/ventilation. Definitely worth checking out at the very least if you’re in the market for a large family air tent.
Vango Joro 600XL Air Tent
The Vango Joro 600XL Air Tent was released in 2021 as an addition to Vango’s superb Earth Collection. This range of tents uses recycled single-use plastics which have been transformed into rugged 70 denier material for use in tent manufacture. The new fabric is called Sentinel Eco Fabric and it could really transform tent making.
The drive to recycle old plastic is an excellent initiative because it helps reduce the amount of plastic going to landfill and harming the environment for future generations. I’m not particularly “green”, but for me it’s a no-brainer to choose a product which can make a difference in this way – especially when you consider that the Joro 600XL is made with the equivalent of 261 plastic bottles!
Dimensions and Layout
Let’s talk specs for the Joro. It comes in a rather natty blue colour and is reasonably similar in design to the Coleman Weathermaster 6XL.
The Joro is longer (705cm vs 665cm) but slightly less wide (380cm vs 450cm) than the Coleman. Height is ample at 210cm.
The total ‘footprint area’ of the two competing tents are about the same, which makes choosing between them difficult. You need to ask yourself – do you prefer girth or length? Actually, it’s probably best not to answer that….
The Joro has a front porch which is almost semi-circular in shape and has a really useful vestibule area. There is ample room to sit and enjoy the sun whilst also offering protection if a shower starts hammering down. You could definitely bring a BBQ or camping stove into this area to cook and there is great visibility with a few large windows.
Actually we should give a shoutout to the windows on the Joro – they are excellent. The plastic ‘glass’ needs to be seen to be believed and the Diamond Clear name they have chosen is very apt. These are up there with the best windows on the tent scene at the moment.
Lounge and Sleeping Area
The lounge living space is a rather spacious 290 x 380cm (11 square metres) in area and is a lovely space for chilling out and relaxing.
As mentioned, head height in the Joro is substantial due to the pre-angled airbeams used to support the tent. They give an excellent arch and make walking around easy, even for tall folk like me.
The groundsheet is sewn in and provides a draught-free environment for relaxation. If you prefer the option to remove the groundsheet then checkout the Decathlon Air Seconds 6.3 we’ve reviewed.
Sleeping is where you need to take care to check if the Juro 600XL is the tent for you. Due to the fairly narrow 380cm width of the tent, each of the three double bedrooms in the rear of the tent only get 120cm each.
For my wife and I, this is a little too close for comfort, and we feel slightly more comfortable in the Coleman which has 140cm per bedroom. Definitely bear this in mind when choosing. Of course if there are only 4 of you to sleep then you can unzip one of the bedrooms to make a much bigger master bedroom.
The bedroom design in general is decent and uses Vango’s version of blackout material to provide a good level of light blocking for better sleeping conditions. There are useful pockets available too for storage.
Setting Up
The Vango comes with a decent pump as standard and there are five airbeams to pump up in total, taking around 15 minutes for full inflation if you’re being relaxed about it.
Packed size of the tent is a reasonably svelte 80 x 46 x 46cm and it weighs only 25.5kg – excellent for a 6 person tent. This can be handled by one reasonably strong person and can easily be transported in a car boot or roof box.
Other innovative features of the Joro 600XL Air include:
- a tension band System to ensure structural integrity in bad weather
- entry points for your electric hookup cable
- a flexible doorstep that can be dropped to ground level for ease of access. This helps stop water getting in
- lantern hanging points in the living area
We think the Vango Joro 600XL Air Tent is an excellent choice for a modern airbeam tent with some of the best windows in the business (now there’s an accolade!). Its direct competitor is the Coleman Weathermaster 6XL, and if we’re honest the extra width of the Coleman wins the day due to the extra bedroom comfort. That being said, the Vango is considerably cheaper and could be considered much better value in that respect. Definitely one to check out for your 2024 camping holidays!
Coleman Weathermaster
Several tent manufacturers are now offering tents using specialist blackout material for the bedrooms. This material is designed to stop the morning rays from disturbing your beauty sleep. Coleman are a US company with a great pedigree, and they were one of the first to introduce this innovation.
With their new Weathermaster 4XL, 6XL and 8XL series they have produced a range of family tunnel tents which offer exceptional living spaces. Each model includes a decent-sized enclosed porch area, a large main living space and yes… blackout bedrooms at the rear. This is our choice of the best inflatable tent on the market at the moment because it offers the best of everything – space vs price vs features.
We were lucky enough to get our hands on a 6XL to assess and were immediately impressed with the quality of fabric on offer and the overall layout. It is certaionly not a cheap option but offers a great camping experience and a rig which will last many years of use.
Please note that all the Weathermaster tents are a light pastel green in colour which may not to be everyone’s taste. Personally, we are fans of it as it is more subdued than the previous generation Coleman Valdes 6XL airbeam tent (which is still a great tent if you can get hold of one). However, it may have been nice to include an alternative colour in the Weathermaster lineup.
Sleep well in the Weathermaster
The Weathermaster tents use a blackout material which can block up to 99% of light – this certainly helps stack the odds of a good night’s sleep in your favour. What it doesn’t do is block out the sound of the roosters cock-a-doodling, so you may need some ear plugs added to your order too!
What is interesting is that the blackout material also keeps the tent warmer in cold weather and cooler in hot weather which can be really useful when you’re camping in either extreme.
The diagram opposite shows the layout of the 6XL. At 2.15m in height, the tent is tall enough for all but basketball players. Or Darth Vader, but I’m not sure if he’s a camper.
There are three double bedrooms at the back of the tent which can sleep up to six people lined up in a row. This is great if you’re a family, but might feel a bit odd if two or free couples are sharing the tent.
The larger 8XL is about £100 more to buy and is slightly longer in total length. It also includes a detachable 215 x 140cm sleeping chamber for the extra two berths, which clips into the lounge space opposite the six other berths. Personally I would be tempted to buy the 8XL whether you feel you need the space or not – it’ll soon shrink in your mind as you adapt!
In Use
Assembly is a breeze but there are five airbeams to cycle through to inflate. Luckily each individual airbeam is not particularly large volume and so you don’t need to exert yourself as much as pumping the big pipes on some other models.
The weight of the 6XL is 38.4kg which is heavy for a 6-person tent and really requires two people to shift. Pack size is also largeish at 78 x 58 x 53cm, but it will fit in the car boot easily enough. The reason for these high values is that the material and fabrics used are really top notch – exceedingly thick and warm – ideal for UK conditions.
The 6XL model we tested had fairly subdued lighting inside, even though the windows are large and clear. I think this is because of the blackout section of the rear giving the tent a mellow feel. The lounge area has a large door and window on each side with zippable flyscreens which allows more light in if required. There is also a little rain shelter/vestibule on one side which is handy for heading out in bad weather.
Fabric quality is definitely up there with the best, being both waterproof (4500 mm hydrostatic head) as well as good at blocking the sun. The entire range uses a UV Guard coating which essentially gives ‘factor 50’ protection against sunburn.
There is a handy storage rack for odds and ends at the rear of the tent near the bedroom area, as well as useful hooks on some of the airbeams – this enables lanterns or other dangly objects to be hung up – a nice touch and definitely useful.
Whilst researching the 6XL online prior to receiving it, I was struck by how the Coleman Weathermaster tents have already garnered excellent reviews all over the internet, even though they are relatively new. We have to agree with them. In their green and grey livery, they certainly look the part and have a two year warranty as well.
If you are after a quality tent for a large family of 4, 5 or even 6 then we feel that the Coleman Weathermaster 4XL, 6XL or 8XL should definitely be considered.
Berghaus Air 6XL
Berghaus have a reputation of making great, high quality outdoor gear. From clothes to climbing gear. They may not be the cheapest, but when you buy a Berghaus product, you know it will accomplish it’s purpose in life with aplomb (whatever a plomb might be!).
The Berghaus Air 6XL is a case in point and this award-winning tent is available in both a polyester version and a more expensive (but in our view superior) polycotten version. We would also definitely recommend prioritising the Air 6XL over the standard Air 6 – it’s wider and longer and generally feels more satisfying for multi-week holidays. If you’re unsure about the differences between polyester and polycotton tents then check out our article on it.
The Air 6XL is exceptionally well designed, irrespective of the material choice you make. It’s spacious and feels a quality choice – this is a tent to last a lifetime. The high price-tag therefore needs to be looked at as an investment in your family’s future and a potential creator of amazing memories. We believe it makes sense to spend a little extra to help facilitate this.
The Berghaus Air 6XL Polycotton actually won the “Best Luxury Tent” award in Camping magazine, and we have to agree with their verdict. It is superb in all departments, from the wheels on the storage bag to the three doors on offer and excellent ventilation.
This layout rocks!
As its name suggests, the 6XL is a 6 person tent, but there is substantial room inside – for once a tent has been designed to comfortably support the number of people it claims!
It is essentially a large tunnel tent with an excellent layout for camping life. The 6XL has three large windows on each side of the tunnel letting in oodles of light. The main front ‘wall’ also has a further two windows and a mesh-backed zipped door which leads into a massive covered front porch area. This is a mansion!
The front porch section with canopy is perfect for outdoors cooking or pulling up a chair to watch the campsite soap opera.
The lounge area is expansive – this is your main living space, with a head height of over 2.15m – perfect for taller folk. The lounge measure 270 x 450cm and has two side doors to the outside, one with a neat little shelter (or ‘brow’) above it to get your shoes on without getting soaked. This also stops water dripping in when the door is open – nice!
The sleeping area is well-ventilated and has darkened fabric in this section to reduce incoming light. It can split into one, two or three separate bedrooms and is comfortably-sized for a family of six.
Five Airbeams
There are five airbeams in total which take a fair bit of pumping because of the height of the overall structure. There’s a lot of air in them there beams!
The 6XL comes with an excellent stirrup pump though, which made pumping fairly simple.
Setup took us around 20 minutes in total, but that was at a fairly leisurely pace. Look at it as a bit of holiday exercise – you can always treat yourself to a glass of wine afterwards!
The feeling of space in the lounge is immense – check out the photograph above from inside the tent.
The windows are excellent and provide clear visibility. There are additional little design flourishes everywhere. From the electric hookup hatches (one on each side), to the handy pockets underneath the windows (see below) and the storage between bedrooms, this is pretty much as good as it gets in the tent world.
A word on Polycotton
You may not have heard of polycotton before – it is essentially a 65%/35% mixture of polyester (modern waterproof modern tent fabric) and cotton (traditional breathable canvas). By combining the two you get improved breathability but with similar waterproofing ability, as well as a natural feel.
This latter point – the feel – shouldn’t be underestimated. The Berghaus 6XL feels like a luxury ‘proper’ tent. The kind you used to go off camping in with the scouts. It is a quality item and really will not disappoint. Absolutely no condensation in the mornings either.
We were unfortunately not given the Hydrostatic Head information for the 6XL, but can report that our test model was definitely waterproof and will survive a biblical deluge.
The quality of the fabric and the size of the tent means that it’s a hefty weight though – 49.2kg. It is a two-person effort to shift it if you’re not built like Sylvester Stallone.
We highly recommend spending a little extra and also buying the carpet for the 6XL for a bit of added luxury underfoot.
All in all, this is a cracker of an inflatable tent which will make you smile each time you’ve got it set up. Yes it costs more than some of our other suggestions but we think it’s worth saving up for.
Eurohike Air 600 Inflatable Tent - Great Value Option
The Eurohike Air 600 inflatable tent is the lowest-price 6-person tent we’ve found and it is available from Go Outdoors, Blacks and Amazon. It weighs 18.7kg and uses three airbeams in total for a quick and simple erection (ooh matron!).
On getting the Air 600 out of the bag, I was immediately struck by the deep navy blue colour of the canvas. I was also struck by how poor the instructions are which come with the tent. Luckily I’ve put up a few airbeam tents before, and this is one is no different to the rest.
As with all the inflatable tents we’ve reviewed, the Air 600 comes with a fully sewn-in groundsheet and a 4000mm hydrostatic head waterproof flysheet. Dimensions are 465cm (L) x 385cm (width) x 210m (height) which is not the largest for a 6-person tent. However, the width at nearly 4m is substantial.
The interior layout is reasonably basic, with a very large rear bedroom area which can be divided into two rooms if required. The height of the tent means you can actually stand up straight in the bedrooms – this is a nice bonus for a tent in this price range. The bedrooms also use blackout material and so the sleeping conditions are great.
There is a a ladder of five pockets attached to the bedroom inner tent which provides useful storage.
Entry to the tent is achieved via a large door on one side, but there is no ‘porch roof’ to allow shelter when putting your boots on.
The front of the Eurohike contains a couple of large plastic windows which provide great visibility. There are also two large air vents for ventilation. In a nice design touch, the whole front section of the tent can also be rolled up for summer camping fresh air – we love this flexibility, but do miss having a covered porch area. There is also carpet available for this tent which really helps with interior comfort.
Overall, the Eurohike Air 600 inflatable tent is an excellent value 6-person tent, but in reality it would struggle to hold that many people in comfort. If you’re a family of 5 then it’s pretty much perfect for the money if you’re happy to not have a covered porch or outdoor area. Also, watch out for those terrible instructions!
Vango Keswick II 600DLX Polycotton Air Tent
In terms of buying a high quality 6 person airbeam tent you really cannot beat the Vango Keswick II 600DLX. Available in a more expensive but longer-lasting polycotton choice, the Keswick offers great functionality coupled with what we consider to be a nicely laid out interior and a superb exterior visual look. It’s a proper tent, that’s for sure!
Weighing in at a fairly hefty 50kg for this polycotton version makes it almost certainly a two person job to carry any great distance. If you’re just transferring from a car boot to the ground then you can probably manage it on your own.
The photograph opposite shows the pack size of the tent in comparison with the optional tarpaulin footprint (front right) and luxury carpet (front left). We would definitely recommend both of these for use with the Keswick – the footprint goes underneath the tent and is perfect for protecting it against rips and tears, especially on gravel pitches. The carpet just feels lovely underfoot too – perfect when stretching out on your blow-up sofa!
General Layout of the Vango Keswick 2 polycotton
The Keswick has a roughly rectangular footprint and measures a decent 7.05m in length and 3.8m in width. There are five air struts to blow up with the supplied pump, but they are not overly voluminous and only take 5 minutes of raised heartrate – consider it your daily exercise!
Sleeping for six is at the back, arranged in two 3-berth rooms which use ‘midnight’ blackout technology to stay dark for a good night’s sleep. We found that it worked well, but you might not want to squeeze 3 bodies into each 1.8m width room – it could be a tight fit at only 60cm per person, and makes us see the Keswick working better as a 4-5 person family tent. If you have a bigger brood to sleep then we’d say go with the Coleman Weathermaster 8XL.
The Keswick comes into it’s own though with the layout in front of the bedrooms. Facing the front of the tent there is a really sizeable lounge area with built in groundsheet and a superb side entrance to the left. The huge porch has a useful ‘eyebrow’ canopy for rain protection which we loved and the space was perfect for cooking outside the main tent area without getting wet.
To the right of the living space is a novel ‘sidepod’ storage area which comes as standard and functions as a great place to hide away rucksacks and boots. We’ve not seen this sort of ‘modular’ functionality very frequently on tents without paying out extra cash and hope it is a sign of a future industry trend. Really useful.
Something else which is useful on the Keswick are the integrated storage pockets you find dotted around, as well as a dedicated entry point for your electric hook up cable. There are multiple cable entry points to make it easy to power up those gadgets or lighting!
Across the ceiling there is a dedicated ‘Skytrack’ rail which allows you to hook up lights or a lantern – fairly simple idea but it’s definitely nice to have.
Moving forward again, there is a double zipped door which opens up into a non-ground sheet porch area which can be fully closed off at the front if required. On nice days this front area can be opened up by tying the front doors back and makes for an excellent observation deck or arena to show off your BBQ skills.
In Use – our thoughts on the Vango Keswick
Overall the Kewsick really fulfilled our hopes and actually exceeded them in many areas. With three of us using the space for a weekend it was like a palace, and we really appreciated the sidepod storage area as well as the big, clear windows and blackout bedrooms. If there are six of you, it might be a squeeze but that needs to be your judgement to make.
Putting the icing on the cake is the fact that Vango offer a 2 year warranty on the Keswick and will extend this for a further year if you simply register your purchase with them. It’s their flagship model, and they have pulled out all the stops here to make it a really great tent. We love it!
Kampa Dometic Hayling
We’ve been fans of Kampa gear for many years, having owned and loved the lightweight Rally 390 Awning when we were caravan owners. It was therefore not a great surprise when the UK-based Kampa got bought out by Dometic in 2018, and they have gone from strength to strength ever since.
The range of Kampa Hayling tents carry on the theme of that awning we used to own but in a standalone inflatable version which is perfect for a family. There are different sizes and materials for the tent on offer. Our favourites are the Hayling 4 Air in Polyester or the more luxurious ‘TC’ Technical Cotton Hayling 4 which we briefly review below. There is also a larger Hayling 6 Air which is better if you’re a family of 4 or 5.
Subdued colour scheme is refreshingly laid-back
Using an understated colour scheme of greys, creams and blacks, the Hayling 4 is a quality inflatable tent which will see you through the worst UK weather conditions you might encounter. It is available in two versions at different price points – a standard polyester version offers best value for money, but our preference is the uprated Technical Cotton ‘TC’ version which uses more breathable polycotton with a Weathershield protective layer added for improved waterproofing. The polycotton has better durability against UV damage as well as being cooler in hot sun and warmer in the cold.
The Hayling 4 air consists of three sections, logically laid out in an ‘arched tunnel’ format as follows:
- Front porch area with decent ground sheet. Perfect for sitting on to remove muddy boots.
- Main lounge area (320cm x 190cm) having large side and front doors, each with windows offering great visibility – Kampa use their ‘crystal clear’ tech for this and it works well.
- 2 x double sleeping rooms at the back provided by a clipped-in inner tent. Doors to the sleeping pods are zippable.
Set up and features
Assembly of the tent is easily achieved in 15 minutes owing to the use of four arched airbeams (Kampa call it AirFrame technology). A track-style manual pump is provided for the pumping workout, but as the beams are not that large it doesn’t take much effort to fill them up to the correct pressure. One fibre glass extendable pole is used for the front porch.
The Hayling 4 comes with all the features we recommend for tents. – it has an access flap for an electric hookup cable and exceedingly good waterprooofness – the hydrostatic head is 6000mm for the main tent and 10000mm for the groundsheet. You won’t be getting wet!
Weight comes in at a fairly chunky 31kg and the tent can be packed down to a compact 78 x 47 x 45 cm.
Dometic Ascension FTX
We were lucky enough to spend a few hours with the new Dometic Ascension FTX 601 TC Air Tent recently and can truly say that it is the Rolls Royce of air tents.
The Ascension FTX is available in both 4-person and 6-person sizes, and each of these can be fabricated using either polyester material or the more expensive ‘TC’ technical cotton.
It’s an expensive tent in all guises, but if you think about it for a minute this is not an unreasonable amount of money to spend on what is effectively your home away from home. The Ascension uses very quality materials and has an attention to detail in terms of features which is just not present on the cheaper choices we’ve looked at.
Dometic have created a fairly unique ‘Safari Tent’ appearance which offers great internal space and height. We feel it approaches the comfort of a caravan and yet costs a tenth of the price of one and does not sit on your drive taking up masses of space when you’re not using it!
The Ascension feels very well made, with quality zips, clips and pop-covers used for all adjustable items (curtains, storage etc). If you are lucky enough to be able to afford it then it will undoubtedly many, many years of safe, comfortable camping. We thoroughly loved it in all honesty.
We spent most time with the 601 TC version of the Ascension, and offer our thoughts on this below. It’s worth remembering that the sleeping space of the 401 is perfect for four adults and so we would recommend that size for a family of four or below. The 401 can also be used with five people by using an optional inner tent which can be purchased separately. For a family of six then the 601 is the better choice.
General Layout of the Dometic Ascension FTX 601 TC
The Ascension 601 TC is a proper 6-person tent with a 4.4m bedroom width split between the six people. This is a significant space of 73cm average width per person – much higher than the typical 60cm given to each person in cheaper tents. The 401 also has similar space per person.
The bedroom areas use Dometic’s ‘Sleep Tight’ tech in order to give very good blackout for decent sleeping.
As mentioned, the ‘safari tent’ structure offered by the five high pressure airbeams gives excellent internal space, with a large 3m x 4.6m lounge area and a 1.8m x 4.6m front porch area allowing you to spread out and relax. In addition, there is a large full-width storage area located behind the bedrooms where stacks of clothes and luggage can be stowed away.
The Ascension can also expand to offer additional space by allowing a side annexe to be optionally added in to create a ‘wardrobe’ area. There is also an internal 1-person sleeping pod if you need to sleep 5 (in the 401) or 7 (in the 601).
Packed Size and Weight
There’s no denying it – the Ascension 601 TC is large and heavy, even when packed away. The weight is 67.5kg and the packed size is 100 x 64 x 58 cm. This is definitely a 2-person job to shift from the car to the pitch, and will take a large proportion of your bootspace during transport.
The standard polyester 401 is smaller and lighter at 42kg, with the TC 401 weighing in at 54kg. A noticeable increase in weight from the polycotton fabric there.
Pitching time is around 20 minutes for all versions, and surprisingly it is fairly straightforward. As soon as the five airbeams are pumped up (hand pump included) then the main structure is automatically created and just requires pegging out and storm straps attached if required.
Windows and Doors
We love the windows and doors on the Ascension. The windows each have a mesh section at the top and bottom for full air-flow, with a large crystal-clear window panel in between. Outside visibility is excellent and there is none of the distortion seen on cheaper windows. Each window also has a curtain which can be tucked away underneath in a dedicated storage area which can pop close – very nice touch and feels quality.
In terms of doors, there is two sets of ‘tri-folding doors’ – one separating the lounge from the porch, and one separating the porch from the outside world. These can either be completely removed or partially opened at one of three partition points. Very well designed and offers so much flexibility for cooking or relaxing etc under different weather conditions. There are also standard sized doors on both sides of the tent, with an initial side canopy to keep the rain off when putting boots on etc.
That extra ‘Je ne sais quoi’ – Class Leading Features
As mentioned, there are numerous features in the Ascension which add to that reassuring feeling of supreme quality and value for money. Our eyes were immediately drawn to the three cable entry ports for mains hookup or other extension cables for portable generators. The polycotten ‘TC’ material feels thick and warm to the touch and definitely gave a cooler atmosphere inside on the scorching hot day we were looking around.
We loved the carabiners which have been included at strategic points in the living areas – these are great for hanging camping lanterns on, and is something often missing from other tents. Similarly, less obvious features like the fasten-down covers everywhere for neatness and useful lines drawn underneath the tent to show where to fold for simple packing – the attention to detail is impressive and most welcome.
The Dometic Ascension in use with the optional side annexe attached.
In Use – our thoughts on the Dometic Ascension FTX 601 TC
As mentioned above, we had access to the Ascension 601 TC for a day’s testing. This is the most luxurious and expensive tent we’ve reviewed to date and to be honest we were not expecting it to be able to justify the price tag. However, we cannot deny that Dometic have thought about nearly every detail which has bugged us about other tents on the market. The Safari tent design, attention to detail and polycotton fabric make it a truly lovely place to spend a large amount of time. If you can afford the Ascension then we don’t feel you could ever be disappointed, and it will definitely last a lifetime of use, and probably retain a decent second hand value too. A great tent!
Vango Antrim 600XL Air Tent
The Vango Antrim 600XL Air Tent is a new 2021 addition to Vango’s superb Earth Collection. This range of tents uses recycled single-use plastics which have been transformed into rugged 70 denier material for use in tent manufacture. The new fabric is called Sentinel Eco Fabric and it could really transform tent making.
The drive to recycle old plastic is an excellent initiative because it helps reduce the amount of plastic going to landfill and harming the environment for future generations. I’m not particularly “green”, but for me it’s a no-brainer to choose a product which can make a difference in this way – especially when you consider that the Antrim 600XL is made with the equivalent of 301 plastic bottles!
Dimensions and Layout
Let’s talk specs for the Antrim 600XL. It comes in a rather elegant Navy Blue colour and is reminiscent of the Coleman Weathermaster 6XL in terms of looks and design.
The great thing is that the Antrim is almost £300 cheaper than the Coleman which is about 26% – quite a substantial saving.
The Antrim is slightly shorter than the Coleman however (600cm vs 665cm) and less wide (380cm vs 450cm) which needs to be borne in mind – do you need the extra real estate? Height is ample at 210cm in both.
The Antrim has a sizeable covered front porch area which is a great place to sit. On a sunny day there is ample room to sit and enjoy the view whilst also offering protection if a shower starts hammering down. You could definitely bring a BBQ or camping stove into this area to cook and there is great visibility.
Actually we should give a shoutout to the windows on the Antrim – they are excellent. The ‘glass’ needs to be seen to be believed and the Diamond Clear name they have chosen is very apt. These are up there with the best windows on the tent scene at the moment.
Lounge and Sleeping Area
The lounge living space is a decent 275x 380cm (10.45 square metres) in area and is a lovely space for chilling out and relaxing.
As mentioned, head height in the Antrim is substantial due to the pre-angled airbeams used to support the tent. They give an excellent arch and make walking around easy, even for tall folk like me.
The groundsheet is sewn in and provides a draught-free environment for relaxation. If you prefer the option to remove the groundsheet then checkout the Decathlon Air Seconds 6.3 we’ve reviewed.
Sleeping is where you need to take care to check if the Antrim 600XL is the tent for you. Due to the 360cm real-world width of the sleeping area, each of the 3-berth bedrooms in the rear of the tent only get 180cm each. – that’s only 60cm width per person – not much! And three’s a crowd in any case!
It’s probably better to think of the Antrim as more of a 4 person tent with oodles of space, rather than a 6 person tent with cramped quarters.
The bedroom design in general is decent and uses Vango’s version of blackout material (“Nightfall”) to provide a good level of light blocking for better sleeping conditions. There are useful pockets available too for storage as well as a hanging rail.
Setting Up
The Vango comes with a decent pump as standard and there are four airbeams to pump up in total, taking around 15 minutes for full inflation if you’re being relaxed about it.
The porch is supported by one of the old fashioned fibre glass tent pole things. I thought those had died out years ago! 😉
Packed size of the tent is a reasonably svelte 70 x 39 x 43cm and it weighs only 24.3kg – excellent for a 6 person tent. This can be handled by one reasonably strong person and can easily be transported in a car boot or roof box.
Other innovative features of the Antrim 600XL Air include:
- a tension band System to ensure structural integrity in bad weather
- entry points for your electric hookup cable
- a flexible doorstep that can be dropped to ground level for ease of access. This helps stop water getting in
- lantern hanging points in the living area
We think the Vango Antrim 600XL Air Tent is an excellent choice for a modern airbeam tent with some of the best windows in the business (now there’s an accolade!). Its direct competitor is the Coleman Weathermaster 6XL, and if we’re honest the extra footprint of the Coleman wins the day due to the extra overall space and comfort. That being said, the Vango is considerably cheaper and could be considered much better value in that respect. Definitely one to check out for your 2021 camping holidays!
Portal Alfa 5 Person Air Tent
In terms of value for money, look no further than the Portal Alfa Inflatable Air Tent. For well under £500 you can buy a fully inflatable airbeam tent which is realistically usable for a family of four.
The Portal uses three inflatable arches to create two main rooms within – a front 300 x 260 cm lounge area having windows to the front and both sides, and a single large bedroom at the rear measuring 210 x 300cm. Blowing up the airbeams is a simple affair using the supplied hand pump and only takes a minute or two.
We like the layout of the Portal Alfa and the understated colour scheme. The polyester used for the main outer covering is waterproofed to 4000mm hydrostatic head and so should survive any thunderstorm. For a supposedly ‘5 person’ tent, it is remarkably light at 12kg and can be easily transported to your campsite.
Sleeping Quarters
The bedroom area is a suspended inner cotton tent and as mentioned above, is just a single room – you really are all in this together! Personally we prefer two separate bedrooms for adults and children, but that is very much a personal choice. We had no problems with light streaming in on a sunny morning and were able to sleep well.
There is an access hatch for the electric hookup cable to be passed through, which seems like an easy feature to include, but is missed by many manufacturers – we need our mod cons!
Maybe not for the tallest campers
There are a few design points that it’s worth being aware of before you buy the Portal Alfa. The height is limited to 190cm (about 6ft2) in the front and 180cm (about 5ft 11) in the bedroom. This means that if you’re taller than this then you will be stooping a little inside. Not necessarily a massive issue, but worth pointing out. Secondly, the side windows in the lounge area are quite high up and not that large. Consequently, it can feel a little dark inside if the sun isn’t shining outside. The front windows are fine, but can be a little creased. However, for the price you are paying this is definitely not a bad compromise.
Packing up is easy and the supplied bag is large enough to squeeze the tent into without giving yourself a hernia. This is a definite plus point.
Overall, the Portal Alfa is a lightweight family tent which won’t break the bank. Couple it with some bargain comfy chairs and a table, and you’ll have yourself an awesome setup for under £500. Just do it and get out there!
Berghaus Air 4XL Tunnel Tent
Berghaus have a reputation of making great, high quality outdoor gear. From clothes to climbing gear. They may not be the cheapest, but when you buy a Berghaus product, you know it will accomplish it’s purpose in life with aplomb (whatever a plomb might be!).
The Berghaus Air 4XL is a case in point. Exceptionally well designed, spacious and made from high quality fabric – this is a tent to last a lifetime. The £675 pricetag (£615 on Ebay at time of writing) therefore needs to be looked at as an investment in your family’s future and a potential creator of amazing memories. In that sense it could be considered a bargain!
This layout rocks!
As its name suggests, the 4XL is a 4 person tent, but there is so much room inside. It is truly an excellent layout with six large windows letting in oodles of light. A front porch section with canopy is perfect for outdoors cooking or pulling up a chair to watch the campsite soap opera.
Walking through the front door leads into an expansive lounge area – this is your main living space, with a head height of over 2m – perfect for taller folk. The lounge measure 270 x 300cm and has two side doors to the outside, one with a neat little shelter (or ‘brow’) above it to get your shoes on without getting soaked. It also stops water coming in when the door is open – nice!
The sleeping area is well-ventilated and has darkened fabric in this section to reduce incoming light. It can split into two separate bedrooms and is comfortably-sized for a family of four.
Four Airbeams
Four seems to be the theme of this inflatable tent – there are four airbeams in total which take a fair bit of pumping because of the height of the overall structure. There’s a lot of air in them there beams! Look at it as a bit of holiday exercise – you can always treat yourself to a glass of wine afterwards!
The feeling of space in the lounge is immense – check out the photograph from inside the tent. The windows are excellent and provide clear visibility. There are additional little design flourishes everywhere. From the electric hookup hatches (one on each side), to the handy pockets and storage between the bedrooms this is pretty much as good as it gets in the tent world.
The outer covering has a 6000mm hydrostatic head which means it’s extremely waterproof and will survive a biblical deluge. The quality of the fabric and the size of the tent means that it’s a hefty weight though – 28.3kg. Could be a two-person effort to shift it if you’re not built like Sylvester Stallone.
We highly recommend spending a little extra and buying the 4xl carpet for a bit of added luxury underfoot.
All in all, this is a cracker of an inflatable tent which will make you smile each time you’ve got it set up. Yes it costs more than some of our other value suggestions (which knocks a point off the score), but we think it’s worth saving up for.
Pavillo Sierra Ridge 4 Inflatable Tent
The Pavillo Sierra Ridge 4 is an excellent value budget 4-person inflatable air tent, costing only £311 at the time of writing. It weighs a mere 15kg in weight and has room for three people to camp in comfort.
For the money, you are getting some pretty good specifications too. The tent canvas has a hydrostatic head of 5000mm which makes it more waterproof than some of our more expensive recommendations. It is also quick to inflate as it only has 3 airbeams and they are not large volume pipes. The pump is of course included, and it has a decent pressure gauge which was very appreciated by us.
There is a decent set of storage pockets inside, adjacent to the rear bedroom section. These are easily accessible from the mid-tent lounge area. A fully zippable door on each side of the lounge provides excellent accessibility for getting in and out of the tent.
The front of the Sierra Ridge is interesting. It consists of a large windowed section which provides great views of the outside world. The window can be handily covered up with an in-built blind to stop light shining in (or to stop people ogling!). On nice days, the whole of the front can be rolled up, providing great views and airflow. One thing to note is that the front section is not fully zipped (it uses velcro at the bottom) and so you have to be careful how you peg it out to avoid rain water seeping in.
Overall, the Pavillo Sierra Ridge Air Pro 4 is an excellent tent for the money, and the front opening section is great on warm, sunny days. The downside is that water can get in if you’re not careful with the setup. However, for £300, we think this is a bargain purchase.
Several tent manufacturers are now offering blackout tents with specialist material for the bedrooms designed to keep the morning rays from disturbing your beauty sleep. Coleman are a US company with a great pedigree, and they were one of the first to introduce this innovation.
With the Valdes 6L and 6XL inflatable tents they have produced a range of high quality, large six-person family tunnel tents. Both tents in the range have a decent-sized covered porch, main living space and yes… blackout bedrooms! The Coleman blackout material can block up to 99% of light and so you are guaranteed a good night sleep. What it doesn’t do is block out the sound of the roosters cock-a-doodling, so you may need some ear plugs added to your order too!
The photo opposite shows the layout of the 6XL. At 2.15m in height, the Coleman is tall enough for all but basketball players.
There are two double bedrooms at the back of the tent which can sleep up to four people and then an optional third which can clip into the 300 x 360cm lounge area.
Differences between the 6L and 6XL Coleman Tents
The main difference between the 6L and 6XL is the dimensions. The 6L measures 820cm (L) x 300cm (W) x 200cm (H). The 6XL switches this around a bit by being 740cm (L) x 440cm (W) x 215cm (H). As a family, we found the 6XL to be the better layout for the way we like to live in a tent.
In Use
Assembly is a breeze as you would expect using the supplied manual pump. Weight of the 6L is 29kG which is actually pretty good for a 6-person tent. The XL increases this slightly to 30.5kg.
In keeping with it’s blackout credentials, the Valdes tents have fairly subdued lighting throughout which gives them a mellow feel. The lounge area has a large door and window on each side with zippable flyscreens which allows more light in if required.
Fabric quality is good, being both waterproof (4500 mm hydrostatic head) as well as good at blocking the sun. The Valdes has a UV Guard protection which essentially gives ‘factor 50’ protection against sunburn. Not always a concern in the great UK conditions….
The Coleman’s include a handy storage ‘rack’ close to the rear bedrooms as well as useful hooks under the lounge airbeam – this enables lanterns or other dangly objects to be hung up – a nice touch and definitely useful.
On looking at our review model, I was struck by how the Valdes range have garnered such excellent reviews all over the internet. We have to agree with them. In their green and grey colours, they certainly look the part.
If you are after a quality tent for a large family of 4, 5 or even 6 then we feel that the Coleman Valdes 6L or 6XL Inflatable Tents should definitely be considered.
Vango Ringstead Air 400
Vango quality comes at a premium, but the Vango Ringstead Air 100 is a 4 season warm tent with extra thick canvas. As a result, it weighs 17.3kg. It uses an aerodynamic design to allow high speed wind and buffeting gales to flow over the tent and not disturb the occupants inside – definitely an inflatable tent for the more adventurous of us. I love it.
The Ringstead Air has a slightly unusual layout in that the bedroom areas are completely separated, with room for two people at each end of the tent. Families with slightly older kids might appreciate this as the children feel like they’ve got their own little ‘room’ to enjoy on their own. The bedrooms use full blackout material and sleeping in the Vango was easy.
The central lounge area is fairly compact (1.5m by 2.5m) and has a large zippable door (with mesh layer for blocking bugs) on one side and a neat window on the other which is part mesh, part ‘diamond-clear’ plastic. It all feels extremely high quality, and during a stay in North Wales we were kept dry in some pelting rain.
I was slightly surprised to find out that the Vango Ringstead only has 3000mm of hydrostatic head waterproofing. As I say, there was no sign of any leaking, and so either Vango are underplaying it or other manufacturers are over-exaggerating their numbers (more likely). I counted 3 air vents in total in the tent which allowed great air flow, and there was no condensation build-up even when the weather was humid.
Overall, the Vango Ringstead Air 400 is an excellent ‘adventure’ tent, capable of surviving the worst of what the UK weather system can throw at it. The airbeams work well and the tent can be fully set-up in around 10-15 minutes. Perfect!
Buyer's Guide - How to Choose the Best Inflatable Tent for Your Needs
Key Features to Look for in Inflatable Tents: What Really Matters for Family Camping
Choosing the right inflatable tent for your family can feel overwhelming, given the sheer number of options on the market today. From one-person backpacking air tents to insulated inflatable inner tents, the variety can leave even seasoned campers scratching their heads. But if you’re in the market for a family-sized inflatable tent—specifically one that can comfortably accommodate four, five, or six people—there are certain features that can make or break your camping experience.
Size Matters: Get the Right Fit for Your Family
When considering tent size, it’s important to remember that manufacturers often overestimate the number of people a tent can comfortably hold. A tent marketed for three people, for instance, might feel cramped with three adults. To avoid discomfort, it’s wise to add an extra person to the size you’re considering. For a family of three, a four-person tent is ideal. In fact, opting for a six-person tent can provide valuable extra space, making your trip more comfortable, especially if you have a larger vehicle to transport it.
Must-Have Features in a Family Inflatable Tent
To ensure your camping experience is as enjoyable as possible, keep an eye out for these key features:
1. Lifetime Manufacturer’s Warranty: When investing in an inflatable tent, look for brands that offer a lifetime warranty on their airbeams. While these tents are durable, it’s reassuring to know that you’re covered in case of any issues with the inflatable structure.
2. Superior Waterproofing: A high level of waterproofing is crucial, especially for family camping trips where the weather can be unpredictable. Look for tents with a Hydrostatic Head (HH) rating of at least 4000mm. This rating indicates the tent’s ability to withstand heavy rain, ensuring you stay dry even in a downpour.
3. Electric Hookup Access: Convenience is key when camping with family. Tents with an access hatch for electric hookups—ideally one on each side—allow you to easily power up your devices, lights, and other essentials without running cables through the door.
4. Multiple Bedroom Compartments: Privacy and warmth are important considerations for family tents. Multiple bedroom compartments not only provide each family member with their own space but also help retain heat better than a single, large sleeping area. This feature is particularly beneficial during colder camping trips.
5. Blackout Bedrooms: For families with children or light-sensitive sleepers, tents with blackout material in the bedrooms can be a game-changer. This feature blocks out early morning sunlight, helping everyone get a good night’s sleep and wake up refreshed.
6. Smart Storage Solutions: A well-organized tent can make your camping experience much more enjoyable. Look for tents with plenty of pockets and storage areas to keep your belongings neatly arranged and easily accessible.
7. Manageable Weight: While larger inflatable tents offer more space, they can also be quite heavy—some exceeding 50kg. Canvas or polycotton tents, while durable, tend to be heavier than polyester ones. Ensure that the weight of the tent is manageable for your needs, especially if you plan to move the tent frequently during your trip.
8. Multiple Entrances and Exits: Having more than one entrance can be incredibly useful, especially in a family tent. It allows for easier movement in and out of the tent and can provide ventilation options on hot days.
9. Front Porch or Vestibule Area: A front porch area or vestibule adds valuable living space to your tent. It’s perfect for storing gear, relaxing out of the sun, or even setting up a small cooking area. This space can also serve as a buffer zone to keep dirt and wet gear out of the main tent.
10. Clear Windows with a View: One of the joys of camping is being able to enjoy the natural surroundings, even when you’re inside your tent. Surprisingly, some tent manufacturers skimp on the quality of the windows. Make sure your tent has clear, large windows that allow you to take in the view, enhancing the overall camping experience.
As an additional extra why not up your game with the inflatable Crua Culla insulated tent. This is a stand alone two person luxury cocoon to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer and it will fit into most family-sized tents.
Blowing up an Airbeam Tent
One obvious area of difference between pole and airbeam tents is the requirement of a pump to inflate an air tent. A slight problem we’ve found is that different manufacturers often design their own valve systems for their range of airbeam tents – this means that you often have to use their specific pump for their tents. Pumping of an individual airbeam should not take more than a minute or two, but it can get tiring if you have 4 or 5 pipes to inflate. We’ve had some success using a battery-powered pump in the past, but again you need to check that you can get a converter valve for your particular airbeam tent.
We’ve found that once the inflatable tent is pumped up and the air valves are correctly closed and capped off that the tent will happily stay up for a week’s holiday without further air being needed. However if there are large changes in temperature, there is a risk of slight deflation or over-inflation (and potential bursting). This is because the air pressure inside the airbeams can increase in hot weather and decrease in cold weather. It’s worth keeping an eye on your air tent under such conditions.
That concludes our family airbeam tent roundup – if you need any more inspiration then check out this alternative buyer’s guide on the best inflatable tents on the UK market right now.
Once you’ve got your tent then of course you need a table and chairs, so please check out our reviews for the best value options of those too.
Happy Camping!
