This means they’re not necessarily a great option for campers on a budget.Īir tents are fantastic pieces of gear when used in the right context. Plus, air tents are naturally quite bulky when packed, so they’re not ideal for the backpackers among us.įinally, because air tents are still fairly niche as compared to more readily available pole tents, they can be quite pricey. It’s also worth pointing out that you’ll need to carry a pump to inflate your air tent, which adds weight and bulk to your camping gear. A lot of this extra weight comes from the fact that manufacturers must make these tents with extra-burly materials so they don’t puncture and fail in foul weather. Your options are also fairly limited if you’re looking for a large tent, as most models can accommodate only 4 to 8 people.įurthermore, though they don’t have poles, air tents tend to be quite heavy.
This could mean that you don’t quite get the tent you need, especially if you like winter camping.
Thus, your choices are generally limited to a few dozen models. Unlike pole tents, which dominate the outdoor market, inflatable shelters are a relatively new phenomenon. One of the main drawbacks of purchasing an air tent is the fact that your options are limited. While there’s a lot to love about an inflatable tent, there are a few key areas where they don’t quite impress as compared to traditional pole models.
Like any piece of gear, air tents have drawbacks. This makes inflatable tents a nice choice for car camping adventures in which convenience and ease of use are key. Oh … and when you camp with an air tent, because they lack poles, it’s more or less impossible to accidentally leave part of your tent at home. Because they don’t have any poles (which are normally the weakest link in a traditional tent), inflatable camping shelters can withstand a surprising amount of pressure and wind. The other major benefit of an inflatable tent is the fact that they’re pretty darn difficult to break. That means you can wave bye-bye to the frustrating days of trying to figure out which pole goes where when pitching your tent. As we’ve discussed, air tents can be pitched in just a few minutes, as you simply need to pump them full of air. The single greatest benefit of an inflatable tent is its ease of use. Why You Should Choose an Inflatable TentĪlthough they’re relatively new in the world of camping, inflatable tents offer some great advantages over traditional pole models. Then, when it’s time to pack up at the end of your trip, you just deflate your tent, roll it up, and hit the road. To set up your shelter for the night, you simply unpack your inflatable tent, unfold it, and pump it full of air. When it comes to pitching an air tent, the process is straightforward. However, instead of using poles, they have large pillar-shaped air storage chambers that are sewn to the outside of their rainflies. In fact, they’re constructed from the same rugged materials that you’d find in a pole tent. While many people instantly equate air tents with bouncy castle-like structures, contemporary models are decidedly durable. While early inflatable tents were a bit temperamental and unreliable, modern models are designed to hold up in a wide range of summertime weather conditions.
These shelters look and act much like any other tent you might buy, but they use inflatable beams-rather than poles-to stay upright.Īir tents were introduced back in the 1980s, but, since then, companies like Vango have taken them to a whole new level. Air Tent vs Pole Tent What Is an Inflatable Tent?Īn inflatable tent, or an air tent, is any type of camping shelter that can be pitched without traditional aluminum poles.
0 kommentar(er)
