[Closed] Inflatable tents, whats good?

Yes, they easy to put up. Bit heavier but in a tent that size it's not really a consideration.

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/blow-up-family-tents ]good previous thread[/url]

IainC did u get the decathlon one? Thanks for the link btw

A friend turned up with a Vango 500 air beam the other day to test in our garden. I was really impressed with it.
Says it sleeps 5 but more like 3 glamping style
Beams went up super easy and really rigid with 5/6psi in them.

Have a Decathlon one - not that heavy, goes up in minutes.
Their videos and actual user pics are worth looking at.
Plus no one else gets near their prices.

I was going to buy that Airgo one rd for a festival next weekend, but kicking myself as I'm sure it was reduced to £250 a couple of weeks back.

Makes you really resent paying £400 - especially as it'll probably get reduced again at some point

rOcKeTdOg - Member
IainC did u get the decathlon one? Thanks for the link btw

Yes, I got the 4.1XL and it's been ideal. Have used it twice now, me plus 2 boys, aged 14 and 11 and it's a great size. Decent sleeping space and large living section with loads of headroom. It literally does go up and down, from in bag, to fully up and pegged out, in under 10 mins on my own, less with kids helping.

Just bought the 4.1 XL ^ for me (Mrs was coming, but now isn't) for Y Not festival - seen it erected in Decathlon and seems ideal - will report back after the weekend, if I'm capable of typing...

Our Vango is brilliant. But unfortunately water pours in the door when you open it. So make sure whatever you buy has a sheltered door.

As above Vango Awning here and you have to use side doors and never forget to fully close the front!

I was very impressed with my Decathlon jobby at Y-Not - everyone camping with us, without exception were impressed too. Took 10 minutes to put up, has very usable living and sleeping areas - and survived torrential conditions impeccably

[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/36057758020_4331980100_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/36057758020_4331980100_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/WWire7 ]2017-08-09_03-17-52[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/36057775100_3aec9929cf_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/36057775100_3aec9929cf_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/WWiwiA ]P7270003[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4417/35646880823_f2109608d5_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4417/35646880823_f2109608d5_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/WiZzKv ]P7270004[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr

I'm looking at one of the Decathlon jobbies, My old Vango has seen better days and I like the large porch area of the Decathlon one with enough height to sit in.

I can stand in the porch - for £189 it's a bargain I reckon

Paid £110 for mine with pump on a deal they had.

TAFKAS, we were at Kendal Calling (also in an inflatable) the same weekend as you were at Y Not! Did you guys have to bail after the two days? We had bad mud but it looked horrendous where you were! 😡

That IS a bargain hammy!

dd - it was bad, but not THAT bad. A few bailed of their own accord - a family we know went on Friday night. The mud was nothing to what you typically see at Glasto. I was wearing my Shimano MT whatever biking/hiking boots and the mud didn't come over the top. We picked a decent spot at the top of a hill, away from the main walkways - tent was spotless when I took it down

We were gutted when it was called off - I think the main reason was that the poo tanker couldn't get to the loos. Bad organisation and thefts from last year was the main complaint from people

50% refund coming though

TAFKAS, thanks for posting the pics, I'm seriously thinking of getting one of those, great to see actual pics of one in situ; gutted I missed out on an offer like hammy', though.
Only problem is I have to drive down to Poole or Southampton to get one, it's not available online, and there's none nearer.
Tempted by the slightly more expensive blackout one, I'll have to see. I particularly like the fact you can stand in the porch, I can't stand anywhere in my Eurohike tent, so that would be luxury!
Am I right in thinking that you put it up first, install the tent inner, then you only need to do it the once?
That's what I did with mine, once it was al, clipped in place, it stays in for future use.

Only problem is I have to drive down to Poole or Southampton to get one,

Pain in the arse isn't it? Bristol/Bath could really do with a Decathlon.

Pain in the arse isn't it? Bristol/Bath could really do with a Decathlon.

Am I right in thinking that you put it up first, install the tent inner, then you only need to do it the once?
That's what I did with mine, once it was al, clipped in place, it stays in for future use.

Didn't see a blackout version of mine - although they might be available.

Easier than that - pegged 4 corners out, blew up the three 'poles' and pegged out the guys, job done - internal was already attached

I've actually just checked the F&B version, and it's not as tall, only 1.55m, instead of 1.90, so that's out for starters!
Good news re the inner being already attached, I'm always one for the easy life!
It's looking ever more attractive, not that there's anything inherently [i]wrong[/i] with my tent, it's served me well over the last five or so years, but it's only me setting it up, and it's such a phaff fannying around trying to get the poles through the pockets, going from one side to the other to work them through, I could be doing something much more worthwhile, like brewing tea, reading a book, going for a beer... 😀
Thanks so much, you've been a really great help, I really do appreciate it, and I can see the acquisition of one in the very near future - I'm off to Greenman Festival a week tomorrow...

[img] [/img]

The offer was online for instore pick up/home delivery

Black out version has only been available for last month or so.

Thanks so much, you've been a really great help, I really do appreciate it, and I can see the acquisition of one in the very near future - I'm off to Greenman Festival a week tomorrow...

No worries - I'm not exaggerating, when I say everyone to a T were jealous of it. Next time will be even easier. The key point for me though, beside smug points, was it's sturdiness in some foul weather - it really stood up to a battering in high winds and bad rain

The wind resistance does seem to be a feature of inflatable tents, last time I went away, there was a steady Easterly Force 5-6 for seven out of eight days, blowing more or less directly at my tent! Fortunately it was steady, and caused no problems other than the noise from the hedge/trees behind and to the side, and crashing sound of the waves on the single being carried up the valley I was at the top of, and which nothing but earplugs can help with, but it's good to know they can withstand some pretty foul weather.
I'm liking the ease of setup more and more...
And I'm not working tomorrow... 😀
Hmmm, TomTom says about an hour and a half to Poole, which isn't much more than getting to Bristol, and I've not been to Poole before... 😀

Well, contrary to when I looked the other day, it appears home delivery is available. My new tent arrives on Friday morning!
😀

I bought the decathlon one. It survived horrific 2412 24hr race weekend conditions superbly. Even my camping phobic OH suggested she might like to use it for camping holidays at proper campsites. Win!

Nice one!
[img] [/img]

As mine is going to be at a fairly urbane setting that is Greenman, then later on in October in South Devon, it should prove to be more than up for it. Even if the weather turns manky in Devon, at least I'll have that lovely big lounge area to sit around in and read, which'll make a huge difference.
I love this site, I'd never, ever have looked at the Decathlon tent without seeing them on the relevant threads.
Thanks all! 😀

One of the good things about Decathlon is that all their kit is genuinely tested in a wind tunnel with water and a turntable.
So when they say it'll be good for Xmm/ph it really is

CountZero - make sure you order the pump as it doesn't come with it. Only £15 - every man and his dog borrowed it for their airbeds too

I wonder if you could rig something up with CO2 cannisters so that you don't even need to pump it up?? Or use a battery operated pump??

It has to be a quite specific 7psi. Battery pump would work, but it only takes a couple of minutes with the hand pump

The Decathlon pump is a 2 way one, only takes about 10 strokes to blow up each of the air beams - literally takes seconds.

Yeah, stick with the pump and Pressure gauge. You're better off with not quite enough than too much air in there - especially if it gets sunny. We'll be in C France for a week at the end of August - if it's particularly hot, I'll be letting a few psi out before we leave for the day - have heard a few scary stories of people coming back to exploded tubes after a hot day - though I do realise a few manufacturers have release valves to mitigate against this. Ours doesn't.

I'd echo above comments re stability. Excellent in wind.

CountZero - make sure you order the pump as it doesn't come with it. Only £15 - every man and his dog borrowed it for their airbeds too

One thing I remember from the other thread was a reference to a 'footprint', using a sheet of something waterproof under the tent to keep the underside of the groundsheet free of mud, damp grass and various molluscs and invertebrates, is there anything specific that anyone recommends? Obviously it needs to be fairly robust, but not too bulky and heavy for folding up, I was thinking just thick clear plastic sheet, but I'm not sure where to source a sheet big enough for a tent the size of the Decathlon.

I just bought a generic groundsheet that was near enough the same size. Seemed to work well

What RD says.

CZ, not sure which one you bought, but the Decathlon website will have a drawing of the footprint of the tent. Just go to ebay, search for tarpaulins and find sellers that sell loads of different sizes. Ideally, you need something a bit smaller all round - or same size at most. Think you got the 4.1xl? Same one as TAFKAS? So footprint is 4.8 x 2.9 - but it narrows a bit at the front. So, something 4.5 x 2.5 would give you good protection for most of the tent. Best thing about having one is the underside of the tent not getting filthy. And having something clean and dry on which to fold up the tent when you're done. When it gets wrecked, you can chuck it and get another one. You should be able to find something for less than £20.

You don't really want anything bigger than the tent, as any rain that falls can wick and pool under the tent. I guess you could buy something bigger and with a bit of faff, fold it back - just makes it more faff to peg it down.

You might have to do a bit of hunting around ebay/online to find something the size you need and before Green Man. Don't forget the plastic round headed stakes to bang it in. They usually have eyelets every 1m.

After nearly 2 weeks of near gale force winds some days the neighbours decathlon inflatable was absolutely rock solid.

Very impressed.

Anyone want a massive 8 sleeper with enormous middle area.

DD, that's excellent info, thanks for that, makes it much easier than trying to figure out what I need having not done it before. You're right about having a clean, dry surface to fold the tent up on; it's such a pig to do when the tent's been up for some time and there's been a fair amount of rain or heavy dew every night.
I had considered the water collecting under the tent so realised the sheet needed to be kept inside the overall area covered by the tent.
Cheers all, a bit more Googling needed, I think. Looks like the tent will be here tomorrow, judging by the last communication from Decathlon - I thought their estimation of today was wildly optimistic!
Really looking forward to using it for an extended period in October, and having the space to move around standing up, not bent over, and having that big 'living room' to be able to lounge around in! 😀

Really pleased with ours (Berghaus Air 4). Camping in the Brecons last week. Raining when we got there and tent was out and up in minutes. First time with the air Porch too so took a bit more faffing but not too bad and a lot of extra space. Survived some pretty foul weather.

CountZero - I have the same tent, as per previous threads. I bought a tarp sheet for it in Decathlon and it fits perfectly - [url= https://www.decathlon.co.uk/ground-sheet-3-m-x-4-m-id_2855045.html ]this one[/url]

My Quecha Air Seconds 4.2XL has been out in some vile weather, and shrugged it all off without any problems. Worst it's been out in was a couple of months back in Dolgellau when I went to help out at the Pig Duathlon (which ended up cancelled due to the weather). Strong gusts kicked up during the Friday night that weren't forecast and trashed the event site. I woke up at 4am with the top of the tent pressing against my face, but as each gust died down the tent just sprang back into it's proper shape.

[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4365/35645014204_01003905cd_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4365/35645014204_01003905cd_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/WiQ1Sq ]Quecha Air Seconds 4.2XL in 50mph gusts...[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/cambrianbiker/ ]durhambiker[/url], on Flickr

To be fair durham - it doesn't look like you have enough PSI's in those poles mate

They were at 7psi. It was incredibly windy, bad enough to completely destroy 2 heavy duty gazebos.

Are there any bike portable air tents?

Are there any bike portable air tents?

I quite liked the look of this in Decathlon - they do it in 2, or 3 man and one air tube does the whole tent. They had it blowing up and deflating on show in the Sheffield branch. I'd say it's borderline bike portable, but the addition of the pump makes it less so. £80 for the blackout version

[img] [/img]

They were at 7psi

Nope, 7psi is the recommended inflation pressure.

Given the air bars are about 8 inch diameter, 7psi feels pretty solid. I have used ours in a pretty decent breeze when others with fibreglass poles were getting worried. The 4.1 just sat there, planted and swaying a little in the wind 😀

They were at 7psi. It was incredibly windy, bad enough to completely destroy 2 heavy duty gazebos.

I think the tubes in the 4.2XL are a smaller diameter than the 4.1, so maybe that's the explanation?

Like I say, they were inflated to the correct pressure. I wasn't bothered by the tent deforming, as I said the weather was horrendous, and it sprang back into shape as the gusts died down. It would also probably have stood up to it more turned 90 degrees. Either way, if that had been a traditional tent with poles, it would have completely collapsed with me inside it.

I've owned a total of 5 Quechua (decathlon) tents.

They have all been fantastically well made and excellent value.

I can confirm that in high winds both their large 4 berth popups and air beam models are designed to "go with the wind" in severe gusts. I've never had one fail on me even on sites where I've woke up the next day and about a 3rd of the tents have been wrecked/abandoned.

Sorry to sound evangelical. I'm a bit of a tent nerd and I really rate Quechua tents.

This is my favourite I have to say. Not an air beam, a pop up believe it or not. I call it the pagoda tent. Seen this blown totally flat to the airbeds in Cornwall and just shrug it off.

(Looks oddly small in pic as no reference of scale. I'm 6ft and can stand up in the living area. Not my actual tent though, can't get stw to display my pics! ...)

[img] [/img]

Happy camping! 😀

Iainc, that's brilliant, thank you so much for that! I'll get an order in tomorrow morning. It's not so much Greenman, the forecast from Friday looks pretty good, just Thursday that's looking a bit iffy, but I'll be camping for over a week, in October, actually nine days two years ago, so having something under the tent for an extended period will make such a difference when I pack it all up.
Thank you all for your help, I can't tell you how much it's appreciated! 😀

TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsSTR - Member
I quite liked the look of this in Decathlon - they do it in 2, or 3 man and one air tube does the whole tent...

Thanks. The idea of a tent you can just roll up and not have to worry about hard pieces like the rods has appeal.

I have the decathlon air seconds and am very happy with it. Will get a ground sheet on the advice above.

Just waiting for some decent weather!

Currently looking for a tent for my family of 4. Decathlon air tent look good value, but not sure about lack of porch and not sewn in groundsheet

Currently looking for a tent for my family of 4. Decathlon air tent look good value, but not sure about lack of porch and not sewn in groundsheet

If on a budget then Berghaus air 4 at Blacks for 429 and a deal for the air porch at 99 quid (usually 250.)

Currently looking for a tent for my family of 4. Decathlon air tent look good value, but not sure about lack of porch and not sewn in groundsheet

The groundsheet isn't sewn in to the front living area, but still forms part of the tent (i.e. isn't loose), it's just open at the sides - it's lipped up by 6" or so - didn't cause any problems in foul weather the other weekend

Millets have 15% off at the mo, The berghaus Air 6 comes out at £509. You cant get the discount on the porch (£99) when you use the discount, so Ok if you only want the tent.

Are there any bike portable air tents?

I quite liked the look of this in Decathlon - they do it in 2, or 3 man and one air tube does the whole tent.

My wife has the 2 man one of those. I wouldn’t even consider it for bike portability. It's cool, but not small or light. She bought it as a fun present for car camping when it's just her... Apparently the 5 other tents we have weren't enough 🙂

Looks like they had inflatable tents in 1933 🙂

[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4383/36132741970_6825c403c9_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4383/36132741970_6825c403c9_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

Liking that 30's inflatable tent! Their ideas about cycle camping are possibly a bit different to ours at a guess...

Oh, and groundsheet ordered, thanks Iain. 😀

urrently looking for a tent for my family of 4. Decathlon air tent look good value, but not sure about lack of porch and not sewn in groundsheet

Yay! Tent and pump arrived, seems I can carry it on my back by putting my arms through the carrying handles, so that makes life easier, only needing to shrink-wrap smaller items to my little folding trolley. Now I can smirk at everyone else struggling along with a weeks worth of booze and enough kit for a Boy Scout jamboree! 😉

Very timely thread this - am looking to get an inflatable tent for the 4 of us, the decathlon ones look quite good - from the feedback here anyway.

Has anyone used the Vango air tents ?

As I'm wondering what the differences are between the outwell , berghaus, vango inflatable tents and decathlon - as there is a helluva price difference?

20% off at millets right now.

Judging from tonight's forecast, and the fact it's raining here, I think the groundsheet is going to prove its worth.
Rest of the weekend looks spiffy. 😀

I've got a gelert Bala air 6 it's very good up in five mins then probably ten more to peg it Down and about 10/15 mins to pack up too. If anything it's a bit too big for my liking but that's my fault not the tents. Decently priced too they are in sale at 385 at the moment

Anyone got any recommendations for a decent pump for an inflatable tent that doesn't require you to stoop down when pumping? Just got a Sunncamp tent and the pump that comes with it is rubbish in a number of ways, and I'd really like to get one that's a bit more comfortable to use.

Anyone got any recommendations for a decent pump for an inflatable tent that doesn't require you to stoop down when pumping? Just got a Sunncamp tent and the pump that comes with it is rubbish in a number of ways, and I'd really like to get one that's a bit more comfortable to use.

This is the Decathlon one - inflates on the up and down stroke. Depends how much you don't want to stoop. Costs £15

[img] [/img]

the decathlon one is great. 0-7psi in about 10 strokes

I'd actually rather a single action one. I find pulling up whilst stooped over really uncomfortable on my back.

Kneel down then...

Unless you're seven foot tall, you won't be stooped over that much, the double stroke speeds up the process dramatically, which means you won't be pumping for very long, and I'm six foot, with a bit of a hinky back.
Believe me, the Decathlon one is as good as you'll get, it's about as tall as a track-pump, for reference.
I've got the same Decathlon tent as in the photos on the first page, and each tube took barely two-three minutes to pump up to full pressure, you'll spend more time stooped over putting the pegs in.

Just pumped my Air Seconds 4.1 up out on my patio, it takes up practically all the available space! Takes about 1½-2 minutes for each air tube to full 7psi.
It was still a bit damp, so a day of dry breezy weather will dry it nicely and it'll give the little spiders that were all over it chance to escape. 😀

I bought a Vango Edoras 400 a couple of months ago on eBay, unused. It's brilliant, although they're pricey when new (but often on sale).

It has two sleeping pods with "black out" liner, although they're still pretty light inside on summer evenings, and it's easily tall enough to stand up inside. It was actually really easy to put up - my 4 year old loved helping with pumping up the beams and, yes, 7psi is the recommended pressure. At that pressure they were stiff and solid and held the tent up very well - fortunately we had nothing worse than some light gusts of wind (although absolutely torrential rain) to challenge it, but it felt like it would withstand some mighty winds.

It was so much less faff than an equivalent solid-poled tent I'd definitely recommend it, for speed of pitching and convenience. It went up - honestly - in about ten minutes and was easy to take down, although completely removing the air from the beams (and the rest of the tent) and rolling it up took a few minutes longer than expected.

Interesting reading. I was away camping with the family at the weekend and suitably impressed by the speed/ease of putting these things up.

Currently in the market for a bigger tent so looking at the Vango Capri 600xl though Decathalons offering does look great value!

One little tip when putting away the Decathlon tent, involving those silly bits of string they supply to tie it in a roll; buy a pair of cheap webbing belts with plastic snap buckles. I found it a bit of a phaff trying to tie those bits of string tight enough to hold the roll secure, so I went into town and found Millets had some Peter Storm webbing belts with snap buckles like the ones on the bag, but a fair bit wider, only £7 each, and a piece of piss to just slide underneath, wrap around and snap closed, then just pull the end tight. Sorted. 😀
Might well work ok with other tents like it as well. Of course if there are extra pairs of hands available, then it's not a problem, but for one person it just makes it much easier.

I just sit on mine til it fits 😛