Coleman have been one of the biggest names in the family camping and leisure market for years - 116 of them to be precise. All of their products, not just their tents, have been examples of brilliant, useful innovation and quality. That's why many in the industry have been surprised by how long it has taken for Coleman to join the 'air' revolution that is inflatable tents. It's unlikely that they were unaware of the innovation, after all Vango's AirBeams and Outwell's SmartAir tents and awnings have been around for a number of years now. It's not as if development of an air range would be an issue for Coleman either as Sevylor, who specialise in manufacturing inflatable kayaks, are a sister company of Coleman's. Well, the wait is finally over! This summer will see Coleman join the air tent movement with the launch of FastPitch Air versions, of their already popular, Valdes Tent range. No doubt all the tents in their range will be developed with excellent quality in mind, especially when they can call on Sevylor's expansive expertise in inflatable products.
The Valdes range comes in 4 different models. The Valdes 4, 6, 6L and 6XL, that offer different layouts, that includes one vis-a-vis style, and sizes for 4 to 6+ people. All of them come with double XL bedrooms, allowing you to fit a full size double mattress in all of the bedroom compartments. This space, combined with Coleman's Blackout Bedrooms (which are totally pitch black - day or night!) make sure both you and the kids get a good nights sleep, allowing you to make the most of your camping trip away.
Black Out Bedrooms
FastPitch Air valdes 4
On the topic of children, the tent also features a simply but rather ingenious zips on all their doors. When fully closed the bedroom door zips meet at the halfway point of the door. Well within a child's reach and prevents them from being trapped within the bedroom. This is a brilliant safety feature ensuring that if the kids need to get out (whether for the toilet or something more serious), then they will be able to do so.
These small features really do demonstrate Coleman's attention to detail in this advanced family tent, further enhanced with the bright green guy lines, extra strong pitch points, and the tried and tested rigid D hinge door. This door was used in their Cortes + and Octagon tents last year, and proved to be a huge hit, so has been brought forward to a few more of their tents this year. The pros of this door are, perhaps most importantly, that you don't have to struggle with rolling up the door small enough to tie it up every time you need to go in and out of the tent. The main exit is a rigid structure, made so with a fibre-glass pole (which is easily removed), and opens like a normal door, able to swing open and closed. It can also be pinned back, leaving an open entrance as a roll up door would do, allowing people to run in and out easily. All the doors have the standard double layer system - one with just mesh and one totally covered, giving you flexibility with the often unpredictable British weather!
Of course the main attraction with this tent is the ease of pitching, given by the FastPitch technology, beams filled with air, replacing standard fibre-glass poles which can snap in severe weather. This allows the tent to be pitched by just 1 person in minutes. All of the beams are encased in an tough nylon fabric which will be safe against an awful amount of wear and tear, and are then encased in the tents main fabric to give structure and further protection. This outer fabric tunnel is also zipped all the way along, meaning that in the unlikely event you develop a puncture, the beam can be removed and repaired or replaced with ease. The valves for inflating and deflating the tent are taken from Sevylor's kayaks so will definitely be more than able to withstand a lot of use without failing.
The Valdes range is perfect for any getaway, whether its to a festival with friends, or on a family camping trip away. Although the 4 doesn't give a huge amount of living space, the 6L and 6XL certainly remedy this.
To see a full video review of the Valdes 4, head to our YouTube channel, and to see our range of Coleman (and other air) tents, click here!
It may not have been a surprise to some, but we were
definitely taken aback when our Arc'teryx representative dropped by with a pair of their new Procline.
After all, until now they haven't seemed to be interested in producing hardware
for any of the outdoor activities they provide technical clothing for. Let's not
forget, it's not run of the mill clothing they produce either. All their gear
is massively technical, incorporating laminated fabrics developed alongside
industry giants such as GoreTex and pioneering ergonomic fitting garments
unlike any before them.
Enter the Procline ski boot. The overriding first impression
is just how slight they are compared to regular ski boots, looking no bulkier
than a typical mountaineering boot. It's true purpose is given away by the hard
shell encasing the lower half of the boot and of course, two buckles. The
buckles are the only remotely typical parts of these boots, everything else is,
well, anything but typical. A "revolutionary" two piece carbon
fibre upper cuff system offers movement both vertically (75°) and laterally (23°) when in
touring mode. This is quite unusual in a touring boot, normally only allowing
movement in a vertical, forward lean motion. To be able rotate on these two
axis will make not only touring more comfortable but full on mountaineering
possible in ski boots. So where there may have been a need for two pairs of
heavy boots, mountaineering boots to climb and ski boots to descend, the
Procline's can perform as both. When it comes to locking into your skis and
charging back down the mountain a carbon fibre rear plate supplies all the
support and rigidity needed for a demanding run. To top it all off the Procline
houses a GoreTex, fully waterproof liner that breathes whilst offering maximum
protection from snow and water ingress. Needless to say with all the carbon
fibre in these boots they are incredibly light, like crazy light weighing as
little as 1.19kgs.
As Arc'teryx themselves state these boots are "built for
technical ascents and big mountain descents"and as long as
you can afford them they are undoubtedly going to be the touring boot of choice
for many backcountry skiers. You can find Arc'teryx clothing here:- Arc'teryx& our ski boots here:- Ski Boots
This brilliant new design of child carrier is every parent's dream. Gone are the days of wrestling with a push chair in the airport (not to mention paying a fortune to have it put in the hold of the airplane!), with the LittleLife Premium Traveller, you will be able to breeze right through security and on to the plane - wearing it either as a rucksack or child carrier. LittleLife have designed this particular carrier to fit the carry-on luggage requirements of most airlines. This means that whatever the time of your flight, your child will have somewhere to sleep (even if you don't!), and by popping them into the rucksack when you get through security, there will be no worries about them running off and getting lost. Suitable for children between six and thirty-six months, the Premium Traveller holds a lot more weight than you would think, allowing it to last you through many holidays with your young child.
This carrier's benefits aren't just restricted to within the airport. Once you get to your destination (or even just at home), your kid can run about until they crash, where you can then just open the backpack up and pop them in - rather than lumping around a massive metal framed baby carrier all day in case they get tired out.
The Traveller Premium does also function as a backpack when the child isn't in it. It comes with a large front pocket, with a laptop/document pocket within it and plenty of space for extra clothing, water bottles and food. The small front pocket comes in handy for easy access change, passports or boarding passes, and towards the top of the bag there is a handy D-ring to hang toys off. Weighing just two kilos, this carrier really isn't much heavier than a standard backpack.
With regards to the actual usefulness of the carrier itself, the Traveller Premium comes with a hidden sturdy frame, giving it structure when the child is in it but not making it cumbersome and uncomfortable when the carrier is not in use. With many adjustable straps, top grab handles and LittleLife's patented X-buckle harness, this carrier is just as stable and comfortable as you need it to be. They have also added on another toy hook inside the carrier, for ease of access by your precious cargo, and a Gruffalo head rest pillow, making sure that when they do insist on running off in busy airports, there is something to distract them when you put them in the carrier.
This winter it would seem that Rab have really got the recognition they deserve, becoming a household name known for not just the look of their outdoor clothing but the tech that is involved in each garment, The hugely popular Microlight Jackets have been selling like hotcakes, and people are beginning to realize that Rab's waterproofing is a force to be reckoned with. The Inferno Shield is no exception to this brilliant line of clothing.
The Inferno Shield combines these two factors, with a synthetic Pyrotec down filling, and a fully waterproof Pertex Shield+ outer.
The Pyrotec filling features a man made, synthetic down, boasting a low water retention and a high water repellency, meaning your down inner is highly unlikely to clump and be ruined (such as natural down jackets can be) if by some miracle water does manage to get through the Pertex outer. This also means looking after the jacket is so much easier than a natural down, giving you the ability to just was it as normal, first with NikWax Tech Wash and then again with NikWax TX Direct. For the tecchies out there, the whole body of the jacket has 80g of filling, while the arms and hood has 60g, keeping the jacket lightweight and breathable. The insulated hood is also helmet compatible, making the Inferno Shield not only a brilliant choice for walkers and climbers, but also horse riders, cyclists and mountaineering.
For anyone in England looking at this jacket, it is perfect for our climate. The synthetic down with a thin but lofty filling means the jacket isn't too hot for our relatively mild weather, but will keep you really warm without having to pile a hundred fleeces underneath.
The Pertex Shield+ is a totally waterproof and fully breathable membrane (rather than a coating), which gives the jacket long lasting water repellency, even with rucksack straps rubbing on the shoulders. Of course, the jacket still needs to be treated fairly regularly (with daily use once or twice every 2 months), but again, due to the synthetic down you can just treat it as you would a normal waterproof. Pertex Shield+ is made out of 2.5 and 3 layer configurations of hydrophilic membrane, keeping it robust but breathable and therefore making it a versatile and flexible jacket.
This high spec waterproofing system is reinforced with AquaGuard zips both down the front of the jacket and in the pockets, allowing you to leave your phone, keys or money in the jacket without worrying about them getting damaged.
This jacket is even further backed up by Rab's brilliant customer support - all of their products feature a guarantee for the usable life of the product, covering you for anything that fails with regards to workmanship or materials (just make sure you keep your receipt!!).
At Penrose Outdoors, we have the full men's Inferno Shield Hoodie size range and also stock the women's version, however we only have one left due to high demand, so grab them while you can! With prices cheaper than many other outdoor retailers, supporting an independent store has never been easier.
2016 Vango AirBeam Tent Ranges have been released!
Vango's AirBeam range has been increasing in popularity year on year due to the ease and new improvements that are rolled out every season.
Similarly to last year, Vango have developed three different collections, and
at Penrose Outdoors we are stocking tents from every collection and will have some up on display in our tent showroom.
These clearly tiered ranges give you clarity and helps out in your decision making - something that can be quite tricky when faced with so many different options!
The AirBeam tents are totally inflatable - this means no messing around with poles, and if need be, they can quite easily be put up by just one person. All the tents have pre-attached beams encased in a highly robust, double skinned sleeve system that creates a stable structure when blown up.
Vango AirBeam Excel
This range offers great quality inflatable tents at affordable prices - perfect for camping on a budget! All tents in this range utilise 70 denier polyester flysheets, making them strong but very light, and increasing their attractiveness to the travelling camper! All the bedrooms have a decent amount of storage, and are standard sizes, giving each person 60cm of room. Every tent has a mesh door - allowing you to let your tent breathe without having your bedroom full of bugs! Each beam also has a lantern loop fixed onto it, giving you more usable space and further increasing these tents' versatility.
Vango AirBeam Exclusive
The next step up from the Excel range, all the Exclusive tents have the features of the Excel, and loads more. These tents are designed in an eye-catching sky-blue, and have been bumped up to a 150 denier flysheet, making them much stronger than the Excel range. Everything in the Exclusive range has a front extension, and every entrance has a mesh door rather than just one, giving you much more flexibility. The bedrooms are king-sized (70cm pp) with zipped dividers. The storage is also stepped up a notch in this range, with Vango's registered pelmet system giving you a finished look and practical storage, and all curtains zip up to make your life easier.
The Exclusive range also gives you the option to purchase add-ons for your tent to make it your own. These include zip-on awnings, roof covers to protect the tents from UV damage, and fitted carpets which will really enhance both the feel of your tent and your comfort when living in it.
Vango AirBeam Elite
These tents truly are the pinnacle in camping comfort, utilizing luxury materials and design processes. With the polyester models using a 420 denier double ripstop and the polycotton using a 65% cotton/35% polyester mix, quality, strength and solidity is at the heart of these of tents. You can feel this sense of quality with the tents, and this is why they are so much more durable than other tents. In order to increase their stability even further, this year Vango have introduced the new Super Beams, which have a 30% larger diameter and help to support the weight of the solid fabric as well as giving extra strength when the winds pick up!
These top of the range tents are absolutely packed with small features that give them its luxury, and really shows off Vango's attention to detail.
The Solaris is a three beam tunnel tent, with a combination of inflation and poles. The three main beams are inflatable, but there is a large sun canopy which doubles the living space that is put up using a pole - however having this up is only an option. The Solaris has dual entry, both front and side, and with the sewn in groundsheet and pitching time of just 8 minutes, this tent is ideal for families and friends looking for comfort and ease.
At just £500, this is a tent that will last fair weather campers years, and provide endless holidays!
Solaris 500 Floor Plan
Solaris 500
Capri 400/500 (Last Seasons)
The Capri 400 and 500 are last years models - however the only things they are missing from this years is the lantern hanging points and the slightly different colour. This tent is perfect for long weekends, and with 3 beams it is deceptively large. The huge windows increase this sense of space by flooding the living area with light. This is a brilliant tent for family campers, with the outside and inside living areas being big enough not to feel cramped. The Capri also has the dual entrance, and like the Solaris, has an unbelievably quick pitching time of 8 minutes - perfect for when the rain is threatening!!
With the 400 at £320 and the 500 just £80 more, the Capri is suitable for any family size holiday!
The Centara is perfect for families with older children. The separate sleeping pods are placed at opposite ends of the tent, giving parents a rest and kids that bit more independence. The design is really effective, with a large living area giving you plenty of space. The Centara boasts king sized bedrooms, dual entry and a sewn in groundsheet for £800 - a great deal for so much tent with so many beneficial features!
To bring this tent up to the next level, you also have the option to purchase extras, such as a standard side awning, and a carpet and footprint to make your tent feel more like home!
The Taiga sits at the higher end of the Excel range, enabling you to get loads more tent for your money! This tent is perfect for families on longer holidays, with the option to create a single or double living space, depending on which suits you best. The Taiga features an amazing multi-purpose outdoor space, with an awning with two doors so it can be either fully open, part open or even totally rolled back to make your tent open plan! With king-sized bedrooms and the sewn-in groundsheet, £750 really doesn't sound like much for the amount you get - and all this with a pitching time of 10 minutes!
New for 2016, the Palermo 800 features ingenious design which gives you all the felxibility you could want, Like the Centara, this one is brilliant for the older children - there are 3 different sleeping pods giving them space away from you and vice versa! These pods surround a large, bright central living area, giving you plenty of space for eating, relaxing and storage, The dual entry also adds to the flexibility of the tent, and with a sewn in ground sheet and multiple lantern hanging points, this tent is perfect for the larger group, either couples or families (or both!) to spend a longer holiday in without feeling cramped! The pitch time is 10 minutes on average, and for £950, you have your trips away sorted for a long time!
This big, bright and structurally sound tunnel tent consists of 5 beams, giving you piece of mind in higher winds, and the built in extension allows you more living room than some of the other tents. The massive windows help to lighten this area, and the awning itself gives you extra use of your campsite pitch. The high quality fabric is matched with noticeable attention to detail throughout the Rivendale, such as the pelmets over the bedroom entrances, proving the tent with an all round neater look and extra storage space. This tent boasts the King size bedrooms we don't see with the Excel range, and the extra step up in quality really shows for not much bigger a price tag at £1,000.
The Inspire won Camping Magazine's Best Inflatable Tent Award last year - and rightly so. The Inspire is one of, if not the most popular AirBeam tent, and with its thicker fabric, new clolourway and larger beams for greater stability, it is looking set to rise in popularity even further this year! A handy tent tidy is included, and with huge living space, a covered front and a roller bag, the Inspire is all you need for the perfect trip away. The price for the Inspire is to be confirmed, but it's looking at around £1,150, just £50 more than last year with a whole lot more features!
The Illusion was hugely popular last season, and will be even more so this year with its updated standard! It's attractive design and huge amounts of space give you multiple options with sleeping arrangements. There is space for 6 people at the rear of the tent, with an extra 2 person inner tent for guests, larger families or simply that bit more privacy. The side entrance has a slight overhang, so that if the door is left open and the weather comes in, it wont run down directly into the tent. The Illusion has been updated to the 420 denier ripstop fabric, making it much stronger and long lasting than last years, and with triple entry, a Riser Groundsheet in the front porch area, pelmets and a roller bag, you are getting a great tent for great value at £1,200.
Illusion 800
Illusion 800
Rhapsody 800XL
Make way for the mother of all AirBeams! The brand new Rhapsody is the absolute top of the range in luxury inflatable tents, with a canvas rather than polyester flysheet giving it ultimate durability, breathability. and strength. The lightweight new polycotton has a very intricately designed weave, giving a stronger feel to the tent, reinforced with the new SuperBeams, and the polyester ripstop groundsheet. The Vango Vista windows enable panoramic viewing, great for camping by the coast or on the moors, and that's the great thing about this tent - you can take it anywhere, at anytime and have full faith that it's going to stay standing. Its structural integrity is simply amazing, and it's all topped off with its large, pre-attached awning. If you want a luxury, robust stay that takes minutes to put up and down, the Rhapsody is the way forward, at £1,500.
Vango have released their range of 2016 AirAway AirBeam awnings for both caravans and campers, earlier than usual due to the high demand of last season!
Vango is a British company with 50 years experience in the outdoor world. They have been the market leaders for ages, and after 12 years of development, in 2011 the AirBeam was introduced.
The AirBeam's attraction is that all awnings and tents in the range have inbuilt beams encased in a highly robust, double-skinned sleeve system that creates a stable structure when inflated. The beams inflate in a matter of minutes, and every model is weather tested, ensuring that they are of exceptional quality, highly durable and most importantly, waterproof. The awnings all come with a kador strip, meaning they can attach to many different fittings, including J-rails, wind out rails and awning channels.
So what's new about the 2016 range?
With Vango's new Sentinel fabrics, the range of denier within the awning models is much larger, spanning from 70 denier to 420, making the 70 super lightweight, and the 420 super durable!
Vango have also introduced the Galli, which is a larger, more usable space for an awning than ever before. They have also discarded the Sapera, developing it into the Kela Deluxe, which is of a higher quality and features a new removable, zipped sun canopy.
Watch our reviews of all the models written about on our YouTube video here.
Sizes
Tall
Low
Standard
Previously, there were two models of the awnings, the Standard (205cm to 235cm) and the Tall (235cm to 290cm), however due to popular demand, this year they have introduced the Low model (180cm to 210cm) across the range - a height which is better suited to vans such as VW Transporters and Mazda Bongos, which the AirBeam drive away awnings are most attractive to. Some awnings have also got different widths, accommodating the larger family and vehicle.
The Idris is the lightest in the range, with a lightweight, 70 denier fabric, perfect for people who are on the move. It comes with a convenient carry bag, and the choice of attaching additional bedrooms. The Idris is small enough to be convenient, yet big enough to give a usable living space. It has a linked-in groundsheet, increasing air circulation within the awning and reducing condensation.
The prices start from around £380 for the Idris, and it is best suited for camper vans, motor homes and smaller caravans, making it ideal for fairweather campers who will only be using it now and then, or serious campers on a budget!
The Kela comes in all size ranges possible, making it easier to tailor to your needs. Starting with the Low and ranging to the Tall, the Kela also comes in an XL Standard version - nearly 1.5 meters wider than the others. This provides any family with the space they need, while being made of 420 denier double ripstop fabric giving it the robustness it needs, not just from the elements but from those destructive humans otherwise known as children!
The awning also features Vango's patented TBS II (Tension Band System) to keep the awning stable in bad conditions, and for when the weather is looking better they have their own pockets into which they can be tucked away neatly. These protective measures are reinforced with a set of storm straps and a bracer beam (connecting the two main beams), ensuring maximum comfort and peace of mind when the wind picks up. The sewn in groundsheet makes sure that when the ground is wet, your feet are not!
Inside, the awning has zipped privacy curtains, with a door on each side of the connection tunnel, making a perfect area for storage and it will help keep the awning and your vehicle clean and dry.
Starting prices are expected to be around the £500 mark, which is a steal for such a robust and versatile awning!
With all the same basic features as the Kela, the Deluxe boasts a longer living area with a detachable sun canopy adding another meter onto the awning. It also has huge windows at the front, so even when the sun canopy is not in use you can still benefit from both the views and the daylight.
The Kela Deluxe comes in two different widths - the 310cm Low and Standard, and the 380cm Standard and Tall, like the Kela allowing you to tailor your awning to your needs.
The Deluxe 380 models have the option to convert into not 1 but 2 bedrooms side by side, perfect for the bigger family.
From £730, the Kela Deluxe makes camping an easy, practical luxury, with the size of a bigger awning minus the hassle of putting it up!
Watch our video review of this years Kela and the Kela Deluxe here.
The Galli Awning is new to the AirBeam awning range this year, boasting nearly a 5 meter length that runs down the side of the vehicle, giving a huge living area while utilizing the space on the campsite pitch. This awning is a perfect example of Vango's design skills, with it being contemporary and innovative while still being effective and versatile.
Made from the 420 Denier, this awning is just as strong as the Kela models, while having the option for 1 or 2 bedrooms at the rear of the awning, still leaving room for living space at the front.
Flexibility is one of the most important factors in a drive-away awning, and with a side door in the connection between the awning and vehicle, that is what the Galli gives. As with the Kela, this separation also helps to keep both awning and vehicle clean and dry, and gives extra space for muddy wellies!!
The Galli is available in the three main heights, ranging from £800 to £850. This awning gives you a lot of stability and space for your money, and it is sure to be a quick seller this season!
All of last seasons van awnings are available to view on our website, Vango and otherwise! Check them all out to get an idea of what this years stock will be like...but bigger and better!
The modest Rapide focuses on quick inflation, low weight, convenience and an innovative design. It features just one Single Superbeam, paired with the strong Comfort 150 fabric and a bracer beam in order to give sufficient stability with an amazingly fast pitching time.
The single beam has a much larger diameter than the regular ones, so don't be put off by this. It is a quality that is particularly attractive to people who are frequently on the move, as it only weighs 17.9kg in a small pack size.
Although small, there is an option to upgrade from the 250cm length to the 350cm - so people who require just that bit more space can benefit from its low weight as well. For a small awning, it also has 2 large diamond windows at the front, flooding the living space with light, but with zipped up curtains for when the weather isn't quite so pleasant to look at!
The Rapide comes in at £375 for the 250 and £430 for the 350 - considering the fabric and the speed of inflation, a brilliant price for a lot of quality!!
To see more pictures and information on all of last years caravan awnings (and this years when we get them!), visit our website here.
Rapide 350
Rapide 250
VARKALA
The most renowned of Vango's awnings, the Varkala has been enhanced this year with the 420 denier ripstop fabric, making it more robust than ever before. It's pre-bent beams mean that this seasons' model has a more practical and usable living space. It has also been given massive windows and as with the Rapide, the zipped curtains - useful if you choose to add in the optional bedroom space. All side windows have a full mesh option, meaning you can get the fresh air without the bugs!
2016 also sees the Varkala with new front doors, giving you total flexibility with the doors able to be unzipped from the top, rolled to the side or even fully removed.
As well as the optional bedrooms, there is the choice to add hanging storage and a hanging coat rail in order to maximize the space.
The Varkala does come in 4 different sizes this year - the 280, 360, 420 and 520, however at Penrose Outdoors we aren't stocking the 520, but if you think the 520 is the one for you then simply let us know and we can get one for you with no issues. The awning starts at £650 up to £750, giving you a brilliant all-rounder that caters for any family size.
If you are interested in ordering the Varkala 520 from us, please click here for our contact details!
Varkala 420
Varkala 280
KALARI
Introducing the Kalari! The most luxury of all Vango awnings this year, the Kalari is made of the incredible Sentinel Luxe 600 denier fabric, providing protection from the most extreme of conditions and a sensational level of quality. Similarly to the Varkala, the Kalari utilizes the pre-bent technology - except it is paired with the extra stable Superbeam. This gives this exceptional awning more usable space and makes it the most secure of Vango's range of awnings. It features huge vista front windows with a curved shape, giving both excellent views and great living space. Like the Varkala, the multiple openings of the doors give great flexibility and also include the zipped privacy curtains. With lantern hanging points, diamond clear windows and mesh side windows with PVC covers, the Kalari is all of Vango's best features rolled into one amazing, premium package.
For an extra £200, you can elevate the Kalari even further by adding a blackout annex on the side - meaning you don't have to compromise on space if you have more people than usual staying with you.
At £900, the Kalari isn't cheap but that doesn't mean it's not great value. The fabric alone is worthy of a price like that, never mind all the small extras that turn camping into glamping! That price is for the 420 model, however Vango are producing a 520 model as well, and as with the Varkala 520, if you want it, we will do our utmost to get it for you!
View last years model of the similar Varkala on our website!
Kalari 420 with Annex
Kalari 420
We will be getting all awnings featured here in store in February 2016 - so keep your eyes peeled, or if you're super keen to get one before they sell out (which they did surprisingly quickly last year!), give us a ring (01872 270213) or drop us an email (sales@penroseoutdoors.co.uk) and we'll stick your name on one as soon we get them in! If you have any questions about any of our products, please don't hesitate to get in touch and ask - there will always be someone around to give you quality, knowledgeable advice!
