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Topic: Inflatable tent advice

rzg51

15/5/2016 at 10:32am
Location: None Entered
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hi all,

total noob in regards to camping, so in need of advice.

we are 2x adults and want to buy a tent to use on normal and long weekends in the UK.

we decided to buy an air tent as they seem so practical, compared to the conventional. We also noticed that Polycotton tents are better in terms of regulating the temperature inside (hence the premium price).

we saw two models that caught our eyes last weekend on a camping show:

Kampa Brean 4 Classic Air (65% polyester/35% cotton) - £581
Outwell Flagstaff 4ATC (65% cotton/35% polyester) - £913
We remember seeing Outwell concorde M last year but it seems discontinued now
Would you suggest any other models?

Why is the Outwell model almost twice the price? Is it because of the 65% cotton fabric? Has anyone got Kampa tents and experiences regarding quality, durability, warranty, customer service, etc?

We would appreciate your comments.

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paul.jolley

15/5/2016 at 11:14am
Location: Surrey
Outfit: De Waard V. Zilverme

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Have a read of the Karsten thread - Karsten have been producing inflatables longer than the mainstream (Vango et al) and are made of cotton.

I recently bought a secondhand Karsten from Netherlands and we tried it last weekend. Pitching time is around 20 mins with electric pumps.

Jim1977

15/5/2016 at 11:46am
Location: Leicestershire
Outfit: Karsten 380 Veranda

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I read on another thread that Kampa and Outwell do 1 year warranties and Vango 3 years, Vango spares are easy to buy, whereas Outwell will not deal directly with customers only dealers. Vango are the only ones who will sell spare air beams I have read on here somewhere too. So it seems for air tents Vango might the brand to go with out of the mainstream brands. Karsten are in a different league re quality and price (we had an Outwell inflatable and moved to Karsten).
Outwell are always priced higher like for like than Kampa, different brand images. Vango inbetween.

Francais

15/5/2016 at 11:56am
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Having looked at various inflatable Tent's I soon came to the conclusion that if I was buying it could only be a Karsten.

Post last edited on 15/05/2016 12:09:22

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rzg51

15/5/2016 at 2:36pm
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thank you all so far for the replies, much appreciated.

I believe that Karsten is well over-budget for us.

Just checked Vango website and warranty is 1-year for footwear and 2-years for the rest.

Just been to a camping shop, and had a chat with a staff who pointed me to the Vango Solace 400 It is something in between Kampa and Outwell. She mentioned that Outwell is kind of well-established brand, with a reputation amongst hard-core campers, etc. She also mentioned that the quality is better compared to Kampa.

She also mentioned the Vango Edoras 400, which has a thicker fabric than polyester but not as good as Polycotton. In theory this could be an alternative as we will only/mainly be using the tent in the UK. However I think it was a bit hot inside an Edoras 500.

It is difficult to decide and everywhere you look the prices are always the same. I suppose this is the wrong time of the year to purchase a camping tent.

Please share more of your opinions/experiences.

duffs54

15/5/2016 at 5:03pm
Location: Cambs
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We couldn't afforda Karsten either, we plumped for the croyde as it had the layout we wanted, yes not as good a quality as some other air tents, but ticked all the boxes for usand was a very good seller.

reviews

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Duffs54

geoffprinter

15/5/2016 at 6:27pm
Location: Kent
Outfit: 5m Bell Tent & Olpro Pop Tent.

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Putting Karsten to one side (we all know they are best, at a price) My fav looking one is duffs54 Kampa Croyde... So we brought a Vango Aibeam. Why? 2 reasons for us. Firstly it was never going to be our main tent and secondly, thier airbeam system seemed (to us) the most reliable. With Vango each beam is inflated seperatly, so less places for potential leak as there are no extra cross beams and valves like some other makes, plus from what I have read its easier to get a replacement tube from Vango should the worst happen. I have seen a Vango on site with the bedroom airbeam half deflated due to a leak or something, and as it had 2 other beams fully inflated allowed the owners to carry on with their holiday with a saggy bedroom ceiling, rather than having to pack up.

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chrisheathcote

15/5/2016 at 7:14pm
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Outfit: Vango Rhapsody 800XL

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Just a note on the Vango warranty, there tents have 2 years and if you register your tent on,one, Vango bolt on a further year FOC. Giving 3 years in total

bmtell

15/5/2016 at 10:54pm
Location: Northants
Outfit: Cabanon Pyramide 4000 Trout Lake 4

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I have a couple of Decathlon inflatable tents, and I think they are excellent value for money. Well worth a look if there is one not too far away.

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