But are they making a comeback in 2026?

After years of inflatable air tents dominating the camping market, camping enthusiasts are rediscovering their love for the classic poled tent. In this guide, we explore why poled tents are back in the spotlight and whether they could be the right choice for your next camping trip.

 

What is a Poled Tent?

A poled tent is a tent with a pole structure. Considered a classic tent design, a poled tent is typically constructed with steel, aluminium, or fibreglass poles. These poles form the framework of the tent, slotting through fabric sleeves and, in some cases, arriving pre-bent to create the tent’s shape.

In your tent package, you’ll usually receive the tent canvas, a selection of poles, pegs and guy lines – everything you need to create your home away from home in the outdoors.

 

 

 

According to the ‘Camping and Caravanning Satisfaction Awards 2025’, campers are showing a notable shift in buyer behaviour. After years of inflatable tents being the preferred option, the latest survey found that more than half of respondents now own traditional poled tents, with 7% fewer campers choosing inflatable tents in 2025. Read more here

 

Pros of Poled Tents

Weight - One of the main advantages of a poled tent is its weight. Because the main body of this tent is made from lightweight fabric and poles, it is generally easier to carry and set up. Unlike air tents, there’s no need for a pump, which reduces overall pack size and makes transportation from car to campsite much simpler.

This is why most backpacking tents use pole systems. The weight can be more evenly distributed by packing the poles separately from the canvas. A lighter tent means less fatigue and more energy to enjoy the trail.

Easy to repair - Poled tents are often seen as a dependable choice because if a pole snaps, it’s usually cheaper and easier to replace than a punctured air beam. This reliability can give campers peace of mind during their outdoor adventures.

If a problem arises, pole tents can often be repaired quickly at the campsite. A broken pole can be temporarily taped or reinforced, helping campers feel better prepared and more confident in their gear.

Wild camping & Backpacking -  As highlighted above, if you need a tent for an active outdoor lifestyle, a poled tent should be high on your list. Poled tents are dependable, compact, and easy to use for backpackers, bikepackers, and anyone who values a small pack size and low weight.

More affordable option - Using straightforward materials such as fabric, poles, pegs and guy lines, poled tents don’t require complex construction. This generally makes them more affordable than air tents. Aluminium and fibreglass poles are less expensive to produce than heavy-duty air tubes, helping to keep costs down and making poled tents a budget-friendly choice for campers.

Cons of Poled Tents

Bad weather performance - Unless you’re an experienced camper, poled tents can sometimes perform less well than modern air tents in stormy weather. Incorrect pitching, poor tensioning or failing to re-adjust guy lines during bad weather can reduce stability and, in extreme cases, lead to poles bending or breaking.

We always recommend camping with a repair kit that includes spare poles, tape and extra pegs, just in case an issue arises.

Storage and transport - While poled tents are lighter, their rigid poles can make storage less compact than inflatable tents. Check the pack size to ensure it fits your vehicle and storage space, especially if you have limited room or need a portable solution.

Longer setup time - Another potential downside of poled tents is the time required for setup. As with most things, practice makes perfect, and understanding how the tent fits together will significantly reduce pitching time.

Unlike air tents, which only require inflation with a pump, poled tents require poles threaded through sleeves, sections bent into shape, and the tent fully pegged out. It doesn’t have to be difficult, but it’s not quite as quick or simple as an inflatable tent.

 

 

A final note from us

As we conclude this guide to poled tents, the bottom line is that inflatable tents are still the dominant trend in camping. However, poled tents are enjoying renewed interest in 2026, making you part of a classic and evolving outdoor tradition.

If you’d like more information on poled tents, be sure to explore this category on our website. From lightweight backpacking poled tents to family camping tents for larger groups, we offer a wide range of poled tents to suit every type of camper.

You can contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone on 01452 742233 for any questions or advice.