Part of a collaboration between the National Trust and Vango, this mightily impressive five-person inflatable tent is made using 301 recycled plastic bottles, making it one of the most eco-friendly designs we’ve seen. Vango Osiris Air 500: Best inflatable tent for most people

READ NEXT: The best air bed to buy The best inflatable tents to buy in 2023 1. Check your chosen tent comes with a pump included, because not all brands do. You can pay anywhere between £200 and £3,000 for an inflatable design, but a good four-person design will typically cost around £400 to £600. How much should I spend?Īs a relatively new camping technology, inflatable designs cost more than traditional designs, but as their popularity grows prices will fall. But accidents do happen and valves can develop faults, so thankfully most models come with a puncture repair kit for on-site emergencies, and brands are now starting to offer replacement parts, which should help with longevity. You’ll be amazed by how robust inflatable poles can be, and super-durable materials will protect them from all but the sharpest objects. What happens if my inflatable tent bursts? A four-person tent will give two adults plenty of extra space for bags and not being squashed, but if you’re camping with kids a six-person tent (with separate bedrooms) is ideal. Tents are sized by the number of adults they can feasibly sleep (two-, four-, six-person, etc), but unless you’re looking for an ultralight adventure tent for one person, the rule of thumb is that if you halve the stated person number, you’ll get the number of adults the tent will actually sleep comfortably. READ NEXT: The best tents on the market right now What size inflatable tent do I need?

And the more loops, hooks and pockets in the tent’s interior, the better, for hanging up lanterns or stashing belongings. Look for a sturdy, sewn-in groundsheet with a coated nylon floor to keep you warm and dry, a waterproof rain fly (this is the outer layer of the tent) and plenty of guy ropes for stability. If you want a lie-in, you need a blackout bedroom. It’s also worth remembering that inflatable tents don’t tend to pack down as small as traditional designs, so double-check the dimensions if you’re short on car space.Īs with our other tent guides, we strongly recommend designs that use blackout material to line bedrooms, keeping them cooler and darker for longer. As with all tents, a generously oversized bag is a must. Like anything, it takes practice, but in our tests we’ve had infinitely more issues deflating and packing than we have pitching. While pumping air into a tube is incredibly easy, getting all that air out again is anything but, which means folding and rolling the tubes and canvas can be hard work. One of the most overlooked elements of any inflatable tent is how easy it is to pack away again. Best sleeping bag 2022: Stay cosy and sleep tight whatever the weather, from £5

Vango airbeam tent