How many times have you arrived at a campsite and wished you had a magic wand to put up the tent instantly so you could relax? Austrian company, Gentle Tent, provides probably the nearest thing to a magic wand available. All you need is five seconds to get the tent ready for use.
These are tents that just have to be inflated. All you have to do is undo the package, spread it on the ground, inflate, tie down the attached ropes and it’s ready for use. There are no tent poles or extra parts necessary. Everything is contained in one package. Putting it away is just as quick – just strike the ropes, release the valves for automatic deflation and roll into the bag. The whole process can be done in just five seconds!
As with every good idea, the whole concept of an inflatable tent came about by accident. Gentle Tent was born in a small garage at the Linzer Tabakfabrik where a small group of inventors led by Germot Rammer (now CEO of Gentle Tent) were experimenting with inflatable fabrics and bike trailers. Gentle Tent’s Theresa Steinkellner explains. “Our big dream was the development of a bike trailer for e-bikes. An integral part of the B-Turtle concept was an inflatable tent.”
They quickly realized that they had something very special and focused all their attention on the inflatable tent concept. Those first few months were not easy for a start up business, as the inventors were paying for all investment funding. The start up was officially founded in 2014, and the first tent came onto the market one year later. As the concept became known, it led many industry commentors to say that this was the future of camping. Sales grew steadily. Manufacturing is split between sites in Austria, Germany, Hungary and China, depending on the products involved.
Three tent styles are now available, so as to provide models suitable for every purpose. Size varies from tent to tent. The weight includes an electric air pump.
The Allrounder Gentle tent S is suitable for 3 person use. It measures 100 x 66 inches for the exterior, while inside it offers 89 x 55 inches of useable space. The height of the tent varies between 32 and 61 inches, and the whole package weighs just over 18 lbs.
The Travel Companion Gentle tent XS is a smart two person tent ideal for spontaneous camping trips. Exterior sizing measures 91 inches x 50 inches, with an 80 inch x 39 inch interior, and a height ranging between 29 and 49 inches. Once deflated and packed up it weighs about 12 lbs. Their Travel Companion has already sold out, but check back soon for restock.
The GT Roof, the world’s first inflatable roof top tent, floating in lake. [Photo/Gentle Tent]
The largest tent in the range is the Gentle tent Classic, which is described as a multipurpose tent. It can be used as an awning, a community tent or sleeping accommodation for 6 people as a variety of additional units can be added. Unusually one version of the Classic can even be used to provide temporary shelter beside the car, ideal for when you stop for lunch as the seamless version comes without any front or back walls. A Gentle Tent classic offers 151 x 106 inches of floor space, while the height reaches between 72 and 92 inches.
Once inside, forget any ideas of experiencing problems from humidity or over heating from intense sunlight. The technological fabrics used in the manufacture of the tent are designed to reduce the impact of extreme temperatures. The weatherproof, breathable fabrics prevent the formation of water condensation inside the tent, while integral air vents ensure a continuous air flow. Alternatively, take it canoeing – it is fully waterproof although perhaps this should only be attempted on calm waters.
What makes these tents even more useful, is that they can be inflated from inside as well as outside – thus avoiding the need to stay out in the rain putting it up. The valves are protected by a special closure against accidental deflation, making it harder for mischievous kids to cause problems. The only potential problem would arise if someone wanted to harm the tent using a knife or sharp needle. As yet, no alarm system has been invented to alert campers to such a problem.
Considerable attention has been paid to the need for strength when it comes to the fabrics and inner tubes. The latest technological fabrics have been incorporated into the design to ensure longevity and strength. These materials include Tencate, Polycotton, Cordura and Double Ripstop ensuring protection from the weather as well as being durable and abrasion proofed, thus minimizing any risk of accidental cuts from sharp stones. The air tubes are constructed using two layers. The outer layer made from Cordura and Double Ripstop provides protection, while the inner TPU tube can be mended, if necessary, with glue or simply replaced with new parts.
The other key concern for potential users is stability. The mere idea of an inflatable tent arouses images of sudden gusts of wind sending the tent speeding along the ground or being lifted up into the air. Gentle Tent claims that this is actually no problem at all, stating that even without the use of the integral guy lines and ground pegs, the tent is stable. In low wind conditions, the stability of the tent is maintained by the use of two ground pegs anchoring the guy ropes. As Theresa explains, “There is no special risk involved in our inflatable tents compared to other tents with struts. You have to fix it appropriate to the ground and make sure that wind cannot go into or under the tent (close doors, fix it to the vehicle etc) during a storm. It is the same for every awning. The air tent has even some advantages. As there are no struts nothing can be harmed – for example windows cannot be damaged because of broken struts. The construction is flexible and allows movement so nothing can break.”
Buoyed by the success of their initial ground tents, Gentle Tents are now taking the concept further. Recent innovations have included the creation of the world’s first inflatable roof top tent designed to jut out over the rear or side of a vehicle. The integral inflatable platform serves as a surface on which to sleep. Entry to the roof top tent is via a ladder, and like the standard ground tents, it only takes seconds to have the tent in place and ready for use. Slightly longer to put up is an inflatable Tipi – it takes four minutes in total. These innovative ideas are now attracting considerable attention. The rooftop tent was the German Outdoor Industry Award winner of 2018.
A range of awnings have been developed suitable for varying sizes of vehicle and can be used in conjunction with a standard Gentle Tent, with a caravan or camper van. The most popular size for vans is the GT Home Van while for caravans, the GT Home 410 is the most popular. By far the most versatile and the most commonly sought after awning is the GT Box, as this attached to any type of vehicle.
Fancy a seat? Try one of Gentle Tent’s air sofas. Or add some extra wind protection under your vehicle. Inflatable seal tubes protect the bottom of the vehicle and the awning – it can also double as an escape barrier for small dogs.
Prices for Gentle Tent products start at $2,536 (Euro 2219) for a rooftop tent, $3,987 (Euro3489) for a basic tent, while a tipi costs $844 (Euro739).
Keen to try these innovative products for yourself? Gentle Tents are now widely available throughout Europe and are about to be introduced into Australia. According to Theresa Steinkellner, “We are still in discussion with dealers in the US, Africa and Asia.”