It seems to be human nature that if you’re camping near a lake or pond, you pitch your tent right at the water’s edge. Well, SmithFly’s new Shoal Tent lets you take things a step further. Described as a floating raft with a tent topper, it allows you to actually sleep out on the water.
The Shoal Tent incorporates three main air chambers – the tent’s structural support system is also inflatable. No poles are necessary, and the whole thing is claimed to be able to stand up to high winds.
The drop-stitched floor is 6 inches thick (15 cm) when inflated, and doubles as an air mattress. If you just want to use the tent part on its own, on the land, it can be detached from the raft via a series of hook-and-loop fasteners.
Tall campers will be glad to know that the Shoal Tent has a footprint of 8 x 8 ft (2.4 x 2.4 m) and can accommodate people up to 6’3″ tall (191 cm), both lying down and standing up inside. It all packs down into an included storage bag, and weighs a total of 75 lb (34 kg).
According to SmithFly, the Shoal Tent should be in stock by late December or early January. You can preorder one now, for a price of US$1,499.
For another take on a tent/raft combo, in which the raft takes on rapids during the day and spends the nights on land, check out the Traft.