Pole Tents vs Airbeam Tents

Here you have some of my thoughts about pole tents vs airbeam tents, with discussed advantages and disadvantages of each of the two types.

If you are familiar with the camping tents industry, then you probably know about the role that DAC has played in the development of poles for larger family camping tents.

This is because of their DA17 poles and PL poles. The former was designed for large modern tent structures, with enough flexibility and strength to bend into arched shapes to erect the tent and then return to straight when taken back out.

The latter, i.e., the PL poles are designed with larger diameters but with 40% thinner walls than any other on the market. Both of these types have revolutionized tents industry.

From what is mentioned above, you might guess that this is mainly about the need to support large canopies. At the same time, the support system is supposed to remain flexible in windy places and to restore the shape after wind pressure drops.

With air beams, such problems are reduced. If you check around, you will realize that the so-called inflatable tents (or airbeam tents) include some that are among the largest on the market.

As of the moment of writing this text, it is not clear to me if there is any upper limit for the span of air beam loops. My guess is that they just become wider and with more pressure if it is about larger spans.

So what is an airbeam tent?

I guess everybody knows what a pole tent is, this type has been around forever. This is not so with inflatable tents, they are relatively new on the market.

In short, an airbeam tent or inflatable tent is supported by thick air tubes instead of classic poles. Some of them are without any solid pole, see this Berghaus Air 6XL Polycotton Tent as a great example. But some may have one or two shorter solid poles, this is usually used for small awnings above doors, you can see it in this Coleman Unisex Adult Weathermaster 4 Air Tent.

This industry has started a bit more than a decade ago. From what I remember it was Kelty among the first brands who started it, and Vango of course. But Vango has continued to build such tents and they have them many on the market, while Kelty seems to have abandoned this concept. 

Regarding the shape, most airbeam tents on the market are tunnel type. This is because it is the easiest way to make several long loops for support. Such tents are usually not freestanding.

Though some of these tunnel shaped inflatable tents may have also longitudinal beams for extra support. One great example of this type you can see in this Wildcat Outdoor Gear Lynx 640 Air Inflatable Camping Tent.

But there are some other shapes here, you can see this in the Robens Aero Yurt 8 Man Airventure Air Tent which is a remarkable freestanding inflatable tent.

Which is more stable, an air beam tent or a pole tent?

This depends on a number of factors. Tents with solid poles are usually more rigid and less flexible. But such tents may break and be destroyed in strong winds.

On the other hand, inflatable tents are flexible, and they restore their shape when the wind pressure drops. In the case of Vango tents, you have their TBS II system that stabilizes their tents against lateral movements.

So are air tents better in the wind?

I am pretty sure here, the answer is yes. Such tents can withstand lots of pressure and they will remain functional. With pole tents this is only up to a certain point, after that they are destroyed.

Which is easier to use, a pole tent or an inflatable tent?

This is not so easy to answer. There are the so called instant tents among pole tents, and even the largest among them can be pitched in a couple of minutes.

But not all pole tents are instant, and some have so many poles, see this Mountain Hardwear Space Station Tent 15-Person 4-Season to see what I mean.

On the other hand, all inflatable tents are very easy to pitch. They usually come with a manual pump included and one person can do this easily, regardless of the size of the tent.

However, those tubes add lots of weight and bulk. So the packed size of these tents is not so great, and they are also heavy. This does not make them so easy to use. 

Do air tents deflate or leak?

I would say that technology of air beams is quite advanced, and it is rare to hear about leaks. Even if this happens, they come with a repair kit, and those beams are removable for repair.

Don’t air tents explode?

The answer is no. The air pressure inside of those air beams is typically around 6-8 PSI. This is 0.41-0.66 bars. You can compare this with a typical bicycle tyre. For example a tyre that is 4 cm wide is with around 4 bars pressure.

So the pressure inside of those air beams is quite low. On the other hand, these beams are tested to much higher PSI values. 

But what if a solid pole breaks?

Good question. For most of the solid pole tents on the market it is very difficult to find replacement poles. Though there are some good brands, like Coleman, that offer replacements.

Read more about fiberglass tent poles replacement in my separate text. But all in all, I am convinced that generally it is easier to deal with a leaking air beam than with a damaged solid pole.

Which tents are the most expensive inflatable or pole tents?

Here again, there are many factors. But if we take the simplest synthetic tents on both sides, and if you go for fiberglass or steel solid poles, then classic tents with solid poles are normally by far more affordable.

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Summary

Here is how I would summarize this pole tents vs airbeam tents comparison:

 

*This is for non-instant pole tents. Instant pole tents are also bulky, i.e., long but thin bundles, and in this case there is no advantage for any of the two groups.

**This is again for non-instant pole tents. Otherwise, instant pole tents are definitely easier to use than inflatable tents.

So when you take everything into account, you realize that nothing is really conclusive. It is best to take two specific tents from each of the two types, check your own preferences, and then you will know which is better for you. 

Let me know if you think I missed to mention something important here, there is a comment box below. Check also my texts about best material for tent poles. Thank you for reading.