The evolution of the tent has been a wild ride. Simple lean-to tents have been discovered dating back to 40,000 BCE. Theyve been used by nomadic tribes, armies, and traveling circuses in the millennia since. Then, in the mid-20th century, the classic survival tent, most often used for recreational camping and backpacking today, came into being.
Tent tech has been on a bell-curve trajectory since then. And Ive got to be honest, things are getting weird. We have multiperson tent hammocks like TentSile that allow you and your family to sleep suspended off the ground. There are inflatable four-season basecamp tents, tents that float, and now, theres the EXØD Air Station Pod-01.

(Photo/EXOD) Setup Layout According to EXØD, this tent could be set up in 5 minutes. It includes a hand pump with the purchase, but its questionable whether youll reach full inflation in that time without an electric pump. The tent requires no poles or rainflies. All of the structure is created by air pumped into HT Dacron tubes and guylines that tension the walls.
Two walls roll down completely, and the other two feature round windows. That creates a real connection with the outside world, according to EXØD. In tandem with roof vents, that feature also aids with ventilation.
EXØD claims that much of the design of the Air Station Pod-01 was adopted from windsurfing technology. It purports to provide stability in intense winds and durability against saltwater exposure and sand abrasion.
And when youre done with it, it can be broken down in the same amount of time as setup, and it packs into a duffle carry-case.
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