Hi, can anyone recommend an air tent for an active(up to now) OAP. Obviously being easy to put up is my main consideration I am not too bothered about price its mainly about ease and sturdiness. I have camped before, with frame tents, ridge tents and a Dandy T/T, but I am on my own now apart from my dog so everything will be single handed. Many thanks in advance.
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The main problem with air tents is the weight, because you can’t separate the canopy from the ‘poles’. Also the reliability. If price isn’t a big issue I’d suggest a Karsten. They are extremely reliable and because you can zip on the extra bits they’re quite liftable. I see there’s a Karsten 300 up on the free ads here at the moment which might suit.
If money is not an issue, I too would recommend a Karsten.
However, when packed it is quite heavy to lift in and out of the boot of a vehicle; however, it can be done one end at a time if you know what I mean.
The extras like various the comfort and rain awnings etc. can be added onto the main tent to increase the living space.
Camping Travel Store (CTS) is Karsten's UK stockist, and they have their tents on display, worth a trip to view the tents to see if they suit.
Susie and James at CTS are very helpful - I bought my last tent which was an ESVO from them.
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Can't really find much fault with the ease of erection/breakdown with an Air Beam Tent, BUT you pay for that in the as already mentioned relative all in weight and holdall bulk!
Airbeam tents can be more robust than poled tents in bad weather, as the air beams have a lot more scope for deflection in strong winds than poles which can bend in the case of metal ones or snap if fibreglass. BUT, air beams can puncture, more often than not, it's not a true puncture in the sense of something external putting a hole in a tube, it's a joint failure which becomes unsealed. Worst case is the enclosing reinforced fabric tube splits and allows the inner bladder to bulge out and pop! .... replacement bladders are often not easy or impossible to find once the tent is no longer a current model! Either multiple inflation points on isolated/individual tubes, or single inflation point with tube isolation valves between them stops a tube puncture rendering the whole tent unusable, otherwise with linked un-valved tubes, a single puncture collapses the WHOLE tent!
You REALLY need to check the packed weight and dimensions firstly, as you may not comfortably be able to handle either - AND check fit in car boot! Then there is the dragging it into general lay flat shape to peg the groundsheet, that is also heavier than a poled tent and requires a little more effort! And let's not forget, you need to pump it up! - with a manual pump that'll likely make you break into a bit of a sweat! Electric pumps available, but make sure you have either the 12v or 240v external power available on pitch, very few self powered ones to be found! .... and the hose couplings/inflation valve are not universal, typically unique to a tent brand, so pump needs to be compatible! Car tyre type pumps are NOT generally suitable, you need high volume and only very modest pressure, likewise airbed type pumps don't have sufficient pressure, dedicated Air Beam pumps are really what you need.
It's all doable if reasonably fit and strong, I'm well into OAP territory, yet can still hump my 20kg (44 Lb) caravan air awning around OK on my own, but you do get a bit of a workout! ... and I do use an electric pump powered from caravan battery as hand pump is just too big an ask! Perhaps wise to look to the future and ponder just how much longer can I do all this when splashing the cash afresh!
Some poled tents are not beyond erecting on your own, I've got a fairly cheap and cheerful Eurohike Rydal 500 5 berth, 3 hooped poles tunnel tent that I did a test erect in the garden (camping trip it was bought for has been cancelled twice so far!), and had little trouble erecting that solo, even though not at all familiar with it.
Have to say, I quite like air beam tents (and caravan awnings), but it's not all pros and no cons! Careful choice of a poled version IMHO can be just as useable.
As to recommending any particular tent, I think that's a VERY personal choice, and best for the individual to make up their own mind on, based on their own needs and preferences, I'll limit input to Pros and Cons of various options.
Good luck.
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I would like to thank you all for your valuable and prompt info. Thinking about it weight is going to also to be a consideration at my age .I had a walk round Decathlon and Go Outdoors today in Warrington but its too early in the season for tent displays. Also I've been watching pitch up demos. on Y/T for instant tents and the Coleman Instant Dome looks easy enough to pitch up and I may well decide on that. It's early yet and much of my camping tackle went when I sold my T/Tent so I will have to go digging around for new. Thanks again for your advice it's much appreciated!.
Quote: Originally posted by knockaloe on 10/3/2025
I would like to thank you all for your valuable and prompt info. Thinking about it weight is going to also to be a consideration at my age .I had a walk round Decathlon and Go Outdoors today in Warrington but its too early in the season for tent displays. Also I've been watching pitch up demos. on Y/T for instant tents and the Coleman Instant Dome looks easy enough to pitch up and I may well decide on that. It's early yet and much of my camping tackle went when I sold my T/Tent so I will have to go digging around for new. Thanks again for your advice it's much appreciated!.
Did you pull the trigger? What did you end up going with OP?
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Topic: AIR TENTS
via mobile 09/3/2025 at 3:44am
