Few outdoor brands have done more to make us question why we’re still sleeping under aluminum poles than EXOD. The Paris-based outfit borrowed inflatable wing tech from kite-surfing, and made conventional tents look almost antique in the process. Now the French innovators are scaling that formula up considerably with the new Air Station BASE-01.
From Capsule to Compound
Where the POD-01 played the role of inflatable studio apartment, the BASE-01 is a full-blown basecamp. Deployed, it serves up 17 square meters (183 square feet) of interior real estate under a 240cm (nearly 8-foot) ceiling.
EXOD says the structure sleeps up to 10 people, while optional five- and ten-person inner tents let you carve out dedicated sleeping quarters for you and your crew. Whether you’re looking for an operational hub or gear garage, the 5.5 x 4.88-meter footprint handles whatever your crew throws at it.
Pump, Don’t Pitch
Holding all that up is a skeleton of high-strength Dacron polyester tubes reinforced with TPU (the same kite-wing-derived recipe that made the POD-01 so impressively rigid). There’s not a single pole in the bag, and a single person can reportedly handle the entire setup.
Wrapping that frame is 100D ripstop polyester with a 5,000mm waterproof rating. It’s joined by a removable 210D nylon groundsheet, transparent TPU windows, and YKK zippers throughout. A 210D nylon wall organizer keeps tools and gear off the floor, too.
Undercutting the Inflatable King
Those familiar with the space know all too well that Heimplanet’s 10-person Mavericks has long been the benchmark here for expedition-grade inflatable shelters. It packs roughly 13 square meters of interior space, weighs nearly 30 kilograms, and will set you back about €5,500.
The BASE-01 counters with more floor space at just 20kg (44 pounds, comfortably under the airline checked-bag limit), stuffs into an 80 x 55 x 40cm duffel, and costs nearly half as much (at least at pre-order).
Spec Sheet
Brand: EXOD
Model: Air Station BASE-01
Interior Area: 17 m² (183 sq ft)
Interior Height: 240 cm
Capacity: Up to 10 people
Footprint: 5.5 x 4.88 meters
Frame: Inflatable HT Dacron polyester with TPU reinforcement
Walls: 100D ripstop polyester (5,000mm waterproof)
Groundsheet: Removable 210D nylon (5,000mm waterproof)
Weight: 20 kg (44 lbs)
Packed Size: 80 x 55 x 40 cm
Colors: Stealth Grey, Polar White
Pricing & Availability
The Air Station BASE-01 is available for pre-order now in Stealth Grey or Polar White at €2,990 (~$3,350), a €500 savings off the planned €3,490 (~$3,910) retail price, with free worldwide shipping included. Just know you’ll be waiting a while, as deliveries aren’t expected until spring 2027. Head over to EXOD’s website to claim yours.
Recap
EXOD Air Station BASE-01
EXOD blows up its inflatable shelter formula into a 10-person, 183-square-foot expedition basecamp that packs into a single 44-pound duffel.
