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Experiences of inflatable tents?

16 replies

Northerngrump · 27/08/2016 07:48

looking for a new tent and these inflatable tents seem a relatively new concept. Like the idea they can be put up in 5mins and may well save on the usual arguments each time we go camping.
Anyone got any experiences of them? They are more expensive, so are they worth it? We've been looking at the Berghaus 6 man

OP posts:
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SallyontheUB40 · 27/08/2016 07:49

Thought about buying one. They are extremely heavy and take up a lot of space. Salesman in go outdoors admitted about half of them are returned!

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Randytortoise · 27/08/2016 07:51

Absolutely love ours. From pulling up on site to having a completely set up and moved in tent (beds made kettle on and everything organised ) is 30min with a a 2 and 3 yr old helping no arguments about poles etc and quick and easy to take down.

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Randytortoise · 27/08/2016 07:52

Ours fits back in the bag every time and I am just about able to carry it on my own. Ours is 6 birth.

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shouldwestayorshouldwego · 27/08/2016 07:59

Only through seeing a neighbouring tent half collapsed in the morning and the occupants rushing around trying to find the leak. Put us off a bit, but then I hate punctures in bikes too - such a faff, would rather deal with split poles. I guess that you pay your money and take your chances whichever way you go.

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smugmumofboys · 27/08/2016 08:02

Love ours. It's so easy and quick to put up.

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eviloops · 27/08/2016 08:04

We bought the same one - godsend when erecting in minutes, easy to replace tubing if ever needed as zips off but extremely heavy and bulky. We love ours though and worth the money.

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SummerSazz · 27/08/2016 08:06

We have a vango one and have for 4 years. Fab tent, so easy to put up and down and no heavier than previous ones. Plus goes back in the bag easily which our old pole one didn't!

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donajimena · 27/08/2016 08:06

I'd love one but you do need a big boot as it pretty much filled up my friends Focus boot.

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Dandelion6565 · 27/08/2016 08:12

Three friends have them, two have punctured and been returned.
They are a real faff to put down, pushing all of the air out.

Just buy a good canvas tent or a bell tent. It's the same sort of money but you will get quality.

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reallyneedmoresleep · 31/08/2016 10:23

If you are feeling rich, Karsten tents are amazing.
I think with inflatable tents it's a real case of you get what you pay for. Vango & Outwell are far superior to cheaper brands

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icingonthewall · 02/09/2016 20:22

We have a Vango one - used 6 time so far, and has been GREAT. Very quick to put up. Not so speedy to put away - no quicker than a poled tent. We think it's great. Cost £400 for a 6-man, and weighs about 20kg, so not outrageous.

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TheSconeOfStone · 03/09/2016 13:08

We bought a Vango 6 man and we are really disappointed with it. Quality is poor compared to our old Outwell and it bends too much in the wind to be comfortable to sit in. I had thought about complaining to Vango but after researching it seems this is common and allows the beams to 'give' in the in the wind. We came home early from our camping holiday in August due to the wind in Cornwall. Would have stuck it out for longer in our Outwell pole tent.

We're planning on selling our tent but feel guilty as we're not sure if there is a fault or it's just a rubbish tent in wind. Never making a major tent purchase off the internet again. Next time will buy from somewhere we can go back to in person if we have a problem.

Putting up the tent was easier than a pole tent but rolling and packing just as, if not more difficult.

We are considering another year with our old Outwell then maybe investing in an Outwell air tent. DH has joint problems so we need to do something if we are to carry on camping.

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Lemonsole · 03/09/2016 13:11

We have a Kampa Studland 8 in polycotton, and love it. It's huge, heavy, and hogs the boot, but went up and down easily and stood firm for three weeks in France this summer. No really bad weather, but it was easier to manage than an equivalent size and material tent with poles.

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outnumberedismylife · 06/09/2016 21:50

We got a new vango rivendale this year and love it. It is very big though so you need a big boot.

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icingonthewall · 06/09/2016 21:57

Sconeofstone - which Vango did you get? We've got the Centara and it's been fine (so far - it wasn't that windy though...)

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TheSconeOfStone · 07/09/2016 16:29

We've got the Solaris 600. In 20 ish mph gusty wind it bent and squished all over the place.

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