If you’ve done any living in the outdoors in recent months or years, chances are you own a camping tent — perhaps even a quality camping tent. However, as great as your tent might be, you probably wouldn’t want to spend more than a few nights sleeping inside of it. On the other hand, tents can be a pain to set up, no matter how many times you’ve done it. A few years back, EXØD started making outdoor solutions featuring their inflatable frames inspired by the technology used in kite-surfing wings. Now, the brand has applied its expertise to make another inflatable capsule that you can take anywhere and live in for months if need be. Let’s explore the POD-01, the inaugural model of the new AIR STATION range.
The Benefits of Inflation
A slight departure from what the brand has already accomplished with its hanging Ark and Monolith tents, the AIR STATION POD-01 is a four-season ground shelter capsule that utilizes the same inflatable skeleton tech as EXØD’s previous models, although the website doesn’t claim to have the same 15-second inflation time this time around. The brand does say, however, that the entire unit can be set up and taken down in 5 minutes flat. Made from HT Dacron and TPU, the frame is incredibly durable, becoming rigid at just 0.5 bar of pressure, yet is also really easy to fold up for packing inside of its 9.8” x 13.8” x 25.2” carrying case.
A Remarkable Shelter, Inside and Out
Aiming to revolutionize deployable housing, the POD-01 is “when outdoor industry meets architecture” and sports a unique aesthetic that looks brutalist with its geometry but also sleekly belongs in the tactical overlanding space. Lightweight at just 18.7lbs, the capsule can also fit up to four people with a 4.2-square-meter area inside and over 60” of standing room. It includes a wall organizer for storing your gear and features a 360-degree panoramic view once you lift up the 70D polyester ripstop PU membrane. Meanwhile, its rugged floor features 3,000mm of 420D nylon PU.
Spec Sheet
Frame: Inflatable HT Dacron and TPU
Walls: 70D polyester ripstop PU
Floor: 420D nylon PU
Seasons: 4
People: 1 to 4
Standing Height: 60”
Inside Area: 4.2m²
Pricing & Availability
Available in either white or black, the AIR STATION POD-01 is currently on its first pre-order run of ten units, priced at $1,820. After that, 20 more will be available for the same price. And then once those are gone, you have until August 15 to order the last models at a $2,040 price tag. Head over to EXØD’s website to learn more.
Recap
EXØD AIR STATION POD-01
EXØD debuts its AIR STATION deployable housing range with the POD-01, an inflatable frame tent that sets up in minutes and is designed for months’ long tenures off the grid.
