Discussion
The people I have spoken to with inflatable tents have been very pleased with them. Have you been camping before as a family? How old are the children etc?
If you are new to it I would suggest looking for a second hand tent on Ebay etc to check you like it. You can then buy a new decent quality tent. If first time campers I would recommend spending money on campbeds or insulated mats under the airbeds and a decent sleeping bag. Get a decent night sleep and everything will feel good!
If you are new to it I would suggest looking for a second hand tent on Ebay etc to check you like it. You can then buy a new decent quality tent. If first time campers I would recommend spending money on campbeds or insulated mats under the airbeds and a decent sleeping bag. Get a decent night sleep and everything will feel good!
We started on this route this year... 2 adults and 3 children (11, 14 & 15 years old).
We went for an inflatable as it was quick and easy to get up - we are generally planning on using it for short breaks with friends so didn't want to spend an hour putting it up. We also wanted something large and useable inside as we have a tendency to attract rain when on holiday in the uk!
Went for an outdoor revolution 6xtr v. Great tent, very large etc with vertical sides which really help. The only downside we have found is that, as with other inflatable tents, it is huge when collapsed! We had to go down in two cars, although I guess with 4 children you have an alternative solution anyway? Pretty much filled the boot of a 5 series estate, bit of space spare for beer, wine and seats to sit on while quaffing - just so long as you don't want to pack anything unimportant such as, say, clothes.
We went for an inflatable as it was quick and easy to get up - we are generally planning on using it for short breaks with friends so didn't want to spend an hour putting it up. We also wanted something large and useable inside as we have a tendency to attract rain when on holiday in the uk!
Went for an outdoor revolution 6xtr v. Great tent, very large etc with vertical sides which really help. The only downside we have found is that, as with other inflatable tents, it is huge when collapsed! We had to go down in two cars, although I guess with 4 children you have an alternative solution anyway? Pretty much filled the boot of a 5 series estate, bit of space spare for beer, wine and seats to sit on while quaffing - just so long as you don't want to pack anything unimportant such as, say, clothes.
wjwren said:
Do any of the inflatables have inflatable floors? I swear I saw a tent in Decathalon a while ago with an inflatable floor but cant find it now!
Never been camping before but the wife has and we both think it would be great to get away the odd weekend with the kids.
Kids are 5 8 10 12.
I cant imagine any tent having an inflatable floor, surely it would be guaranteed to puncture? You can get carpet to go in tents though so might have seen that. Important thing is to be warm when sleeping. Options are to put an insulated mat under the airbed, or use a camping bed.Never been camping before but the wife has and we both think it would be great to get away the odd weekend with the kids.
Kids are 5 8 10 12.
I've had one of the Go Outdors Nimbus 8 inflatable tents for three seasons now, it's been absolutely brilliant. The room for my family of four is great, the kids have a bedroom each with room to isolate themselves for a while if they want to and we have one large pod opposite with our queen size air bed.
We're moving onto a caravan for next year, but having had it all set up last weekend to check it over and make sure it was dry and clean, I was in two minds to have another summer with it.
Officially, mine is an 8 man, but it'd be cosy. Don't underestimate the luxury of space on those days that it's pissing it down outside.....
We're moving onto a caravan for next year, but having had it all set up last weekend to check it over and make sure it was dry and clean, I was in two minds to have another summer with it.
Officially, mine is an 8 man, but it'd be cosy. Don't underestimate the luxury of space on those days that it's pissing it down outside.....
Edited by Magictrousers on Tuesday 26th September 15:23
Magictrousers said:
Officially, mine is an 8 man, but it'd be cosy. Don't underestimate the luxury of space on those days that it's pissing it down outside.....
Especially in the UK this is key, being able to stand inside the tent, having a decent canopy and space to sit on chairs and eat is much overlooked but definitely needed in the UK.Edited by Magictrousers on Tuesday 26th September 15:23
Got a Vango Capri 400 airbeam tent in the spring, to replace old Outwell 6 man tunnel tent, with porch extension. My daughter now has her own pop up tent when we go camplng so I wanted to downsize to something a bit handier.
The Vango has a small built in porch and is a 4 man, the smallest of this particular model but full standing headroom and fine inside to sleep two at night have 3-4 people sitting around during the day. It is a total breeze to pitch - up in 15 mins, less than half the time it took to wrestle the old Outwell and it's extension up.
You do have to take care to fold it up just right when striking camp however - there is only one way to do it properly, and if you don't it will not deflate enough to fit back in the bag. Found this out the hard way the first time out, surrounded by smirking campers as we struggled to stuff it in to no avail.
It is sturdy and waterproof when up and has stood up to wet and windy weather fine during the 'summer'.
It's more of a long weekend tent than one for several weeks away, and the fabric is quite lightweight. Quick drying and easy to handle but it remains to be seen how durable it will be over several seasons of use.
But I am a convert to the airbeam system - arrive late on Friday evening and you can be reassured that you will be sat beer-in-hand, job done inside 20mins (inc blowing up airbeds etc - none of that bedding roll hardcore stuff thanks). Makes the prospect of a quick dash away for a couple of nights much more appealing.
The Vango has a small built in porch and is a 4 man, the smallest of this particular model but full standing headroom and fine inside to sleep two at night have 3-4 people sitting around during the day. It is a total breeze to pitch - up in 15 mins, less than half the time it took to wrestle the old Outwell and it's extension up.
You do have to take care to fold it up just right when striking camp however - there is only one way to do it properly, and if you don't it will not deflate enough to fit back in the bag. Found this out the hard way the first time out, surrounded by smirking campers as we struggled to stuff it in to no avail.
It is sturdy and waterproof when up and has stood up to wet and windy weather fine during the 'summer'.
It's more of a long weekend tent than one for several weeks away, and the fabric is quite lightweight. Quick drying and easy to handle but it remains to be seen how durable it will be over several seasons of use.
But I am a convert to the airbeam system - arrive late on Friday evening and you can be reassured that you will be sat beer-in-hand, job done inside 20mins (inc blowing up airbeds etc - none of that bedding roll hardcore stuff thanks). Makes the prospect of a quick dash away for a couple of nights much more appealing.
I can echo everything dontlookdown has said, we have exactly the same tent and it served us perfectly for 2 weeks in France during the summer.
There were only 3 of us (including a 6 y/old) and for that it was the perfect size, the speed of the set up is very impressive and the interior black out lining in the bedroom bought a few extra precious minutes of sleep before the daylight woke Junior from his slumber.
For a family of your size I would give the bigger 600xl a look to see if it was appropriate.
There were only 3 of us (including a 6 y/old) and for that it was the perfect size, the speed of the set up is very impressive and the interior black out lining in the bedroom bought a few extra precious minutes of sleep before the daylight woke Junior from his slumber.
For a family of your size I would give the bigger 600xl a look to see if it was appropriate.
Edited by shatter on Wednesday 27th September 13:36
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