We consider how easy it is to get into and out of the main entrances and sleeping compartments, how bright and roomy the living spaces are, and if we consider there to be enough room for the number of people intended to sleep in the tent. An optional awning or canopy can provide protection from the sun and rain, creating a shaded area from which to enjoy the outdoors without having to stay inside your tent. 10) Extra features You'll want to ensure your tent footprint is the same size as the tent you're pitching – several manufacturers sell footprints specifically to fit certain tent models.

There are also tents with inflatable poles. You'll need to pump up each pole individually, so it can take a bit of effort, but you can avoid trying to feed the poles through the tent canvas. Like the main living area, there is a single hanging point for a lantern. Putting it up and taking it down We pitch every tent, taking into account how long it takes, how clear the instructions are, how much physical effort is required, and how convenient the process is. To give you an idea of the size of the two bags together, they both fitted nicely in the boot of a Polo, and not as heavy to carry/wheel along as we expected it to be. There are 2 doors – one on the side that has a generous rain porch, and one on the end. Both feature generous flaps over the zips to keep the rain out.There is also a carpet for the main living area. A good addition that protects the floor and makes it warmer in the winter. The down-sides Weight – 19Kg The only reason that I didn't give this tent 10/10 was because of Millets inability to give me the folding diagram that exists. They have it in the factory - their workers don't fold tents at random and hope that they will go in the bags. I've been visiting Chinese factories for the last 20 years, so I know how things are done out there. They give the workers diagrams. Not all tents have indoor communal spaces that can house all the campers if the weather turns, and even those that do aren't always large enough for everyone to be comfortable.

The Air4 is a brilliant tent. Like one other correspondent, I am a solo camper, no longer in my prime. I'm nearly 70, but not dead yet. I wanted a tent that I could stand up in, and put up by myself. OK, anti-Millets rant over. Except to say that I'll think twice before buying another tent from them. The breathable inner tent is made of 185T dark polyester which only lets in a small amount of light and lots of air. This makes it easy to get a good nights sleep.We inspect the interiors of the tents during and after testing to see how each fares against the elements. Some tents manage to stay firm, but others blow over and even have puddles in the sleeping compartments. There was a delay in delivery by the courier, Millets were quite helpful, and after 2or 3 days of complaining by me, I was offered a further 15% off the price of the tent for my inconvenience, so I was happy with that. A tent with more than one door can help with airflow, assisting with ventilation and also gives you more flexibility to enter and leave the tent through the most convenient doorway. 8) Number and size of windows This is where an air tent shines. A peg in each corner and out with the pump. A few pumps and not much effort later all the “beams” are inflated. It’s then just a matter of pegging out the guylines. Easily less than 10 minutes. Dropping your tent is a simple matter of releasing the air valves and it just collapses. No poles to unthread from their sleeves. Wind resistance and stability If you are looking to reduce the hassle of long and complicated putting up and taking down of your tent then inflatable air beams are the way to go. Strong and stable. It is an excellent construction method that erects really fast. And why not?

Tent footprints are available to buy separately from tents at outdoor retailers. They're essentially an extra groundsheet that you can pitch before your tent, with the aim of pitching your tent on top of it.There are luminous guy-lines which saves the embarrassing trips in the night. Dimensions Standard version – 3 air beams You can buy a footprint that goes under the tent to protect it. This is a groundsheet that is cut to be exactly the right size and shape for this tent. It comes with its own pegs and a bag. A great way to protect your investment.

For me, as a solo camper, it is just fine. My bed goes in one bedroom, all my gear in the other - which leaves the living area free. There is an extension porch which adds a huge 8.5 m2 extra space outside the side door. It comes with its own groundsheet and pegs. Expensive but worth considering if extra space is important. Bear in mind that you could buy a small tent for the same money.I said that this is my second Air4. The first one developed an 8 inch rip the first night out. Millets were good as gold in replacing it. I don't think that the rip was due in any way to the design of the tent, or the quality of materials. I suspect that there was a flaw in the weave, nothing more. We also bought the porch and put this up next morning. There was a bit of head-scratching and playing with the positioning but we got it up and it is huge, but as easy to erect as the tent. It came with a groundsheet but this only has corner eyelets and I will put in an extra two per side. Both doors have fine mesh screens. This will keep the bugs out while stillngiving heaps of ventilation. The porch on the side door keeps the rain out so keeping it open and using the mesh screen will work well on a wet day.