In this Berghaus Air 400 Tent review, we will be seeing how this performs compared to air tents from other brands, looking at everything from build quality to ease of putting up.
I recently had the opportunity to test out the Berghaus Air 400 Nightfall Tent, which to be honest with you, I was quite excited about. Designed for four people, this is one of those air tents that have been labelled as a game-changer for family camping and festival-goers alike. So I had the pleasure of taking it out for a test drive the other week – and you can find out all about it in the Berghaus tent review.
As with our reviews of other tents, we are going to take a look at the specifications of the tent, before detailing exactly how it performed on a weekend away with my family, to help you decide if the Berghaus Air 400 Nightfall is the tent for you.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Weather Resistant
- Darkened Bedrooms
- Spacious
- Excellent Ventilation System
Cons
- Cheaper tents are available (but not as good!)
- Quite heavy
About The Brand
In my experience with outdoor equipment, Berghaus has always stood out as a trustworthy brand – ever since the first waterproof jacket I bought years ago!
Since their establishment in the North East in 1966, they have proven themselves again and again as one of the most innovative companies in the outdoor gear industry. The brand’s roots in providing quality products for hikers and adventurers shine through in the detailed design of the Air 400 Nightfall Tent.
The thing I’ve always liked about Berghaus is that the seem committed to every aspect of a campers’ experience – it’s not just about ‘enduring’ the outdoors, it’s about having a great time while you’re there! Whether it is making durable, hard-wearing, yet lightweight and stylish coats, trousers and jackets, or comfortable shoes, or sturdy backpacks – you name it, Berghaus have got you covered. It’s why you can’t go on to any campsite in the country without bumping into a Berghaus customer!
Specifications
It’s clear that the Berghaus Air 400 is designed with durability and flexibility in mind. The build material is high-grade polyester, and that contributes to its tough feel, as well as boasting a waterproof rating of 6000mm Hydrostatic Head (HH), ensuring a dry experience during wet and windy weather – even in winter.
The size is quite generous; when it’s fully pitched, it spans nearly 5 metres in length and 2.8 metres in width, with an excellent standing height of 2 metres, making it spacious enough to accommodate a family of four people comfortably.
Now, here is one of the more unique features – the darkened bedroom area which is designed to give you better sleep quality, away from the separate living space where you can relax or store gear. This is particularly useful if you have young children who might need to go to sleep before it gets dark in the summer months.
The tent maintains its shape thanks to the tunnel design and inflatable beams, which negate the need for traditional poles – this also makes it easier to pitch. Like all air tents, this is designed to be very quick to pitch.
Weighing in at 20.5kg, it’s not the lightest on the market so maybe not suited to a hiking trip, but considering the space and features, the weight is justifiable. Additionally, it comes packed in a robust wheeled carry bag for easier transportation. When it’s time to head home, the two-way stirrup pump with a gauge, valve tightener, and repair kit (all included) should come in handy for dismantling and maintenance.
There are two large windows on each side of the tent, with adjustable curtains. These only let light into the living space – the sleeping area, as you can probably guess, doesn’t have windows. There are large organisers below each window, where you can protect you valuables from young children.
Using The Product
Last weekend’s camping trip gave me an excellent opportunity to really get to grips with the Berghaus Air 400. Erecting the tent was a breeze; the air beams inflated swiftly with the provided pump, and before I knew it, the tent stood firm against the evening breeze. I’ve used air tents before, so I was expecting a quick setup, but this exceeded my expectations. It was up before my family had unpacked the car! The adjustable pegging points mean that you can always get your pegs in the right place.
True to its claims, the darkened bedroom technology of the Nightfall feature allowed for a prolonged and undisturbed sleep, even with the early sunrise that would typically have me up at the crack of dawn.
The spacious interior was a godsend, especially with an young family. It easily accommodated the four of us when we ate in there (we ordered a pizza delivery to our tent!) without feeling cramped – although as we had nice weather we did spend a lot of our time outside. When our youngest went to sleep, we were able to continue some (slightly quieter) games while they slept.
Not only did we have ample headroom in the living area, but storing our camping gear was hassle-free with the additional pockets and organisers. We barely noticed the overnight rain, thanks to the robust flysheet – it was only when we found my son’s wet shoes outside that we found out it had rained at all!
Ventilation was decent too, with the multiple vents that keep a steady airflow and minimise condensation. It all felt very fresh in there. The extra features like the rain-hood over the side door added that touch of convenience that goes unnoticed until you really need it.
I expected good things from the Berghaus Air 400, and it didn’t disappoint. It significantly added to the comfort and ease of our camping trip. It may have been different if we’d have been moving from site to site, as it is a bit heavier than some others we’ve tried, but overall, this is a very impressive tent for a small family.
Verdict
After spending some time with the Berghaus Air 400, it’s quite clear that this tent is an asset for any family camping trip or festival goer. As a 4-person tent, its spacious, darkened sleeping area has been a blessing for a good night’s sleep, while the separate living area is ample for social activities or storing gear.
The tent’s robust, waterproof build with a 6000mm HH rating ensured you would stay dry even during a downpour, it claims to even be able to withstand high winds. Pitching the inflatable structure was a breeze – surprisingly easy and saved considerable time. The Air 400 stands out as a reliable, user-friendly tent that might just be the perfect match for your outdoor adventures, despite the need for a wider pool of reviews to confirm its promising features.