Airbeam tents - worth the money?

[RumAppleGinger]

I'm looking to buy a new tent and have been pouring over all the choices out there. I need at least a four man tent for when the whole family go but more often than not it is just me and DCS (5 and 1) so I need something I can get up quickly on my own. I like a sleeping area we can all for in and I have to be able to stand up in it. A bit of living space is essential as we do most of our camping in Scotland and the weather isn't always on our side.

I saw a few videos of the airbeam tents by Vango and they look great and super quick to get up and down. Does anyone have one? Would you recommend it? What happens if you get a puncture?

Any advice appreciated.

[TheSconeOfStone]

We've just returned from a weekend trying out our new Vango Airbeam Solaris 600. The inflation system is brilliant and we were really pleased with how easy it was to pitch. Deflating was a doddle too.

We are disappointed with the quality though. Our last tent was an Outwell but we couldn't afford an Outwell air tent. I don't think the Vango will last as long.

We actually had lovely weather for a change so I don't know how it would survive in wind and rain (we'll find out in August I expect). No idea about the puncture issue either, I just hope it won't happen.

well worth the money as DH has arthritis and suffers chronic pain. The airbeam will mean he can keep camping for longer as we were struggling to get a 6 man pole tent up.

[RumAppleGinger]

Thanks very much for your reply. Really good to know. I think the Outwell is probably outside my budget too.

I've now looked at so many tents I am paralysed by fear of buying the wrong one!

I think I will head to go outdoors tomorrow so I can get a proper feel for things as just looking at pictures has confused me!

[Yellowiceytek]

Hi, I just got the Edoras from Vango. For me it's worth every penny, there is no way I could put up a poled tent that size on my own.
Inflation is very easy, and good for the bingo wings! I had seen many comments about them being a hassle to take down, longer then a poled tent, not being able to get it back in the bag, and so on. But all I did was open the valves, awaited for the air to go out, then fold and roll along the fold to push the air out. It's even easier if you can get kids to do the rolling. Striking took half the time it took to put it up!
There's lots of videos on YouTube to help.

[Ineedmorelemonpledge]

I was looking at the Vango Capri 500xl.

It would mainly be me erecting it but needing space for guests and DS friends to join.

I've never had sleeping pods next to each other - we had an 8 man Outwell with 3 defined sleeping pods. Is there a huge difference in privacy can anyone say?

I fact this tent for the living space and the fixed full awning. Never tried airbeam before and it's a lot of money for me so I need to get it right.

Any thoughts or comments?

www.vango.co.uk/gb/vango-airbeam-tents/101-capri-500xl.html#/color-herbal

[Ineedmorelemonpledge]

Fancy not fact!

[RumAppleGinger]

Thanks yellow. I've watched lots of videos and really do think they look like a genius piece of kit.

That's the same one I keep going back to lemonpledge. Didnt make it to Go Outdoors today but definitely tomorrow. Hoping they have one set up and it helps me make my mind up rather than confuses me even further!

[meridithssister]

I was looking at these in Go Outdoors a few weeks ago. The guy there said they are really good, but he did point out a couple of cheaper tents that I would be able to erect on my own, so it is worth an ask.
I still fancy the inflatable one though, if I can find the money.

[Ineedmorelemonpledge]

That's the problem, so many choices, and only after the experience of camping do you have that "a-ha" moment.

By then you've invested in the tent and have to stick with your choice for a few years to come.

The normal Capri looks a bit short on inside living space for 5. I think it's an important factor in UK camping to at least fit a small table/kitchen indoors. And to do it safely. That's what keeps pulling me back to the XL.

If you do get to see in the flesh, some feedback would be great Rum.

[RumAppleGinger]

I went to Go Outdoors today and have a new tent!

I went with this in the end as the price was just too good to pass up. Spoke to the ridiculously helpful sales assistant for ages about it and he sung the praises of inflatable tents.

It's not the biggest of tents but we really are just weekend campers and as more often than not its just me and the kids I think it will be perfect for us. The other thing that swung it towards this smaller tent was that our favourite campsite has woodland pitches that we adore and they only accommodate 4 man tents.

We're booked to camp next weekend so can report back on its first outing but I'm going to pitch it in the garden tonight to see how easily it really does go up and down.

[Yellowiceytek]

ineedmore the Capri is very similar in layout to the Edoras, although I don't have the XL, so have less living space. But the Edoras 500 is wider. I looked at both.
It's the full porch that sold me the tent. It's nice to have that sheltered outside area.
I would say there's not much privacy with all the bedrooms together at one end, there is after all only a piece of fabric between you and next door.
But it's a great tent in the flesh!!

[VelvetGreen]

I've got my heart set on an airbeam. I haven't seen the Airgo before - that's about the same size as our current tent so might be an option, but i really like the integrated covered porch on some of the airbeams, as cooking outside in the wet is a pita.

Can you get a separate ground sheet for the airbeam? My one criticism of our current vango tent is that the intergrated groundsheet was a bit thin, so we have an extra one that fits the footprint and goes underneath - also makes it so much warmer.

[Ineedmorelemonpledge]

Love it Rum and what a bargain!

How did it go?