Roomy, light and up in two minutes – this inflatable tent could be the essential festival companion
This clever inflatable tent ditches poles, pitches in around two minutes and even has a built-in air mattress
Quick Summary
Puffer's debut inflatable A-frame tent combines fast two-minute setup with an integrated air bed in one compact package.
Its striking design, lightweight 22lb packed weight and all-in-one approach could make it one of this festival season's smartest camping upgrades.
The Puffer Outdoors debut tent throws out the traditional pole system entirely in favour of inflatable air beams that rise into shape in around two minutes using the included electric pump. Better still, it also builds the air mattress directly into the floor, meaning there's one less bit of camping kit to remember.
Called simply the Puffer, the tent mixes the silhouette of a classic A-frame with the curved structure of a tunnel tent. Three inflatable arches create steep walls for a roomy interior, while the integrated air base is inflated separately so you can adjust the mattress firmness without affecting the structure above.
Designed for two people, it offers an interior sleeping area measuring 216 x 107cm (85 x 42 inches), while packing down into a duffel measuring just 64 x 25cm (25.2 x 9.84 inches). The tent itself weighs 8.3kg (18.2lb), or 10kg (22lb) once you add the electric pump, bag and accessories, making it portable enough for festivals, beach camping or short hikes from the car.
Packing away is almost as simple as setting up. The supplied pump can reverse its airflow to suck the air back out of both the frame and mattress before everything rolls neatly back into its carry bag. Puffer also includes a repair kit, stakes and guy lines in the box should you encounter less-than-perfect camping conditions.
At $649.99 (around £480 / AU$980), it certainly isn't a budget buy, but it's also more than just a tent. The integrated sleeping system and rapid setup make it feel like a complete camping solution rather than another shelter to throw in the boot.
For seasoned campers, the price may be difficult to justify. But for festival-goers and weekend adventurers who value convenience almost as much as comfort, the Puffer could take much of the hassle out of sleeping outdoors. That's worth a lot when everyone else is still untangling tent poles.
