Hi McTavish,
Happy to try help.
As we do not manufacture these ourselves we're only going from what we've been told from all air tent/swag manufactures that we partner with - Darche, Zempire, Outdoor Connection, OZtrail etc.
All of these manufacturers have experience making air pole products - swags, gazebos & tents.
They all tell the same story - air poles are plain expensive.
To add to the problem - Darche in their design have decided that a single inflation point is very important - and it is great!! Fantastic in this video!!
However, this does make the air pole system even more expensive as there are more welds and custom work that have to happen in these poles.
By comparison, tent poles for all dome tents (that most swags use) are very similar, and there are many manufacturers who've been doing it for years in big quantities.
So we're battling with a few issues. Age of technology, and efficiencies of scale.
Probably where we see these swags are most popular is with those who've owned a few regular swags in the past and have suffered from a few broken poles. It can happen all too easily, as to achieve the arch required for a swag - the pole is bending at angles close to its limit. Completely within specifications, but not much spare.
Where this becomes a problem, is if you're in a hurry and are a bit rough with the poles, or if you're setting it up after a long night of socialising
and perhaps your motor skills are a bit reduced.
This can sometimes result in bending the pole, beyond its limit and snapping it.
We always recommend to every camper, always set up your tent, and sleeping equipment before you begin socialising. However, despite me for years advising customers of this.... I have once found myself guilty of not practicing what I preech. A few years ago... I was pitching my swag in the very early morning at a bucks party. Only to break a pole.
After years or advising others to not do this I was very dissapointed in myself, let me tell you!!
So in summary -
Air poles, whilst they're expensive - are practically impossible to burst - unless you're using aftermarket pumps etc. So this problem is eliminated. Swags are great all in one convenient sleeping pads. Going with air poles in my opinion does add additional reliability to your setup.
You could of course buy a spare set of poles when you buy your new swag.... But that could be too sensible!?
There is obviously the appeal for some in having something different to the norm too.
Another swag to consider, if you're quick. Is the Zempire Ranger
https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/zempire-ranger-1200-air-canvas-swagIt's an airswag from Zempire (very experienced in canvas & air poles) - the design is a bit different to the Airvolution, a bit more like a regular dome pole swag.
It has a single air pole at the head, and then uses a different type of pole system for the foot end. It's not free standing however.
Nice price on them until we've cleared the stock out!
I hope my ramblings above make sense! Any questions please let me know.
Cheers,
Jon
