Joined: 17/9/2014 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 1013
Tent Reviews: 3
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If you're looking to replace a big barn like the Vermont XL with an inflatable, the mainstream manufacturers will probably be your best bet. Outwell's Wolf Lake 9E looks like a good fit, and I'd have a look at the Kampa and Vango offerings if you want polycotton. It’s important to check out the pack size before you buy - they are very big.
There are quite a few second hand inflatables coming up for auction at the mo. The exploding beam problem only affects pre-2016 models as far as I'm aware. The cause is the woven PE material of the sleeves which house the bladder. Where the stitching runs parallel to the weave of the sleeve material, it weakens it enough for the sleeve to fail. If you do get a pre-2016 or a budget inflatable, drop the beams and reinforce any weak points in the inner sleeves by wrapping a good quality cloth tape round the beam and you’ll be fine.
We’ve been really happy with our setup for 112 nights and counting, especially now that I’ve sussed how to manage the beams. It’s versatile, very comfortable and great in bad weather, particularly wind. Both the tent and the awning are single-point inflation so the whole shebang is up and dry very quickly even if you’re single handing, though there is a lot of pegging out if you’re doing a proper job. Polycotton dries reasonably quickly and is stronger weight for weight than pure cotton.
I may get shot for saying this, but I reckon I’d get away less in a £4k+ tent and would constantly worry about the slightest blemish, let alone the neighbour’s gazebo coming to visit in a stiff breeze. If I were given a Rolls Royce I’d probably sell it and buy a decent 4x4.
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Topic: Outwell Harrier or Karsten? Or something
