Choosing between an inflatable and a poled drive-away awning is the first and most important decision you’ll make when buying a campervan awning. Both types work well — but they suit different campers, different budgets, and different touring styles. This guide breaks down exactly what the differences are, who each type suits, and which brands and models to consider.

The Short Answer

• Choose a poled awning if you’re on a tighter budget, don’t mind a longer pitch time, or want maximum wind resistance for exposed coastal or upland sites.
• Choose an inflatable awning if pitch speed matters, you move sites frequently, or you want a more premium awning experience and can stretch the budget.

How Each Type Works

Poled Drive-Away Awnings

A poled awning uses a framework of rigid fibreglass or steel poles that slot together to create the awning structure. The poles are assembled by hand, the flysheet draped over and tensioned, and the whole structure pegged out and guyed. Pitch time is typically 20–40 minutes depending on experience and conditions.

Inflatable Drive-Away Awnings

An inflatable awning (also called an air awning) replaces rigid poles with hollow air tubes built into the awning’s structure. You attach the flysheet to your van, connect a pump, and inflate the beams in 5–10 minutes. Most modern inflatables use a single-point inflation valve, so the entire structure inflates in one action.

Key Differences Compared

Pitch Time

Inflatable wins. An inflatable awning can be pitched in 5–10 minutes once you’re familiar with it. A poled awning typically takes 20–40 minutes. For campers who move sites regularly — every night or every couple of nights — this difference adds up significantly over a touring holiday.

Price

Poled wins. Poled awnings are consistently cheaper than equivalent inflatable models from the same brand. Entry-level poled awnings start from around £130–200 (Easy Camp Shamrock, Vango Galli II, OR Cayman Handi). Entry-level inflatable awnings start from around £350–450. At the premium end, flagship inflatables (Vango Cove III Mid Air, Outwell Wolfburg) can reach £700–900+.

Weight

Poled is generally lighter. Poled awnings tend to be lighter than their inflatable equivalents — a typical poled awning weighs 10–15kg, while a comparable inflatable runs 14–20kg due to the air tube system. However, modern lightweight inflatable awnings (e.g. Outwell San Diego at 11.1kg poled vs Santa Monica Air at 15kg inflatable) vary significantly by model.

Wind Resistance

Both work well — premium poled awnings have the edge. Poled awnings with a tensioning system (Vango TBS®II on Cove III) can offer exceptional wind resistance. Standard inflatable awnings are less rigid in high wind than a well-guyed poled awning. However, many premium inflatables have good storm performance when correctly guyed. For exposed coastal and upland sites in Cornwall and the South West, a well-guyed poled awning or a premium inflatable (Vango Cove III Air, Kampa Cross Air) is recommended.

Repairability in the Field

Poled wins. A broken pole can be splinted with a repair sleeve in minutes. A punctured air tube requires a repair kit and patience — it’s doable but more involved than a pole repair. Most modern air awnings have multi-chamber tubes so a single puncture doesn’t collapse the whole structure, but field repairs are more complex than with poles.

Pack Size

Broadly similar, inflatables can be bulkier. Poles pack into a separate bag alongside the flysheet. Inflatable awnings pack the air tubes into the flysheet, which can result in a bulkier, heavier single bag. Some campers find inflatables harder to repack neatly. Vango, Kampa, and Outwell have improved pack sizes significantly on newer models.

Ease of Use

Inflatable wins. Inflatables are broadly easier to pitch solo — no poles to thread or slot together, just attach and inflate. Poled awnings can be tricky to pitch solo in wind. For solo tourers or those with limited mobility, an inflatable is often the better choice.

Which Type Suits You?

Choose a poled awning if:

• Budget is a priority — poled awnings offer more awning for your money
• You stay on site for multiple nights and pitch time isn’t a daily concern
• You camp on exposed coastal or upland sites and want maximum wind stability
• You’re comfortable with a longer, more involved pitch process
• You want the ability to make quick field repairs
• You’re new to drive-away awnings and want to try before committing to a premium inflatable

Choose an inflatable if:

• You move sites frequently and pitch/strike time matters
• You’re touring solo and want an easier one-person setup
• You have limited mobility or find assembling poles difficult
• You want a more premium awning experience and can stretch the budget
• You tour in all weathers and want a modern, well-finished awning
• Pitch aesthetics matter — inflatables tend to look cleaner when up

Poled Drive-Away Awnings by Brand

Every major brand offers a strong poled range:

• Kampa: Trip VW (VW-specific), Action (standard), Cross Air poled — see our Kampa brand guide.
• Easy Camp: Shamrock (from £195), Wimberly, Reine, Fairfields — see our Easy Camp brand guide.
• Outwell: San Diego, Fresno, Pine Hills (all £325) — see our Outwell brand guide.
• Vango: Galli II, Faros III, Cove III Poled (13.9kg, TBS®II) — see our Vango brand guide.
• Outdoor Revolution: Cayman Handi, Cayman Low/Mid/High D/T, Movelite T3E, XLS — see our OR brand guide.

Inflatable Drive-Away Awnings by Brand

Every major brand now offers a strong inflatable range:

• Kampa: Sprint Air, Cross Air, Action Air, Ace Air — see our Kampa brand guide.
• Easy Camp: Reine Air, Utne, Eidfjord — see our Easy Camp brand guide.
• Outwell: Santa Monica Air (£425), Daytona Air, Wolfburg 380/450, Talladega Air — see our Outwell brand guide.
• Vango: Galli Air, Faros Air, Cove III Air (Low/Mid), Kela Pro Air, HexAway Pro Air, Magra/Tolga VW Air — see our Vango brand guide.
• Outdoor Revolution: Cayman Air T2/T3/T4, Cayman Combo Air, Turismo XLS² — see our OR brand guide.

Our Top Picks — Poled

• Best budget entry: Easy Camp Shamrock — under £200, proven, practical.
• Best value mid-range: Outwell Fresno or Pine Hills — £325, Outtex 3000, quality Scandinavian construction.
• Best premium poled: Vango Cove III Poled — TBS®II wind stability, multiple attachment methods, 13.9kg.
• Best for frequent movers (poled): OR Movelite T3E Low — WonderTrack and EasyClick for fastest poled setup.

Our Top Picks — Inflatable

• Best entry inflatable: Outwell Santa Monica Air — £425, compact, single-point inflation, J-door canopy.
• Best mid-range inflatable: Vango Galli CC Air Low — Colour Connect inflation, practical low-profile, competitive price.
• Best premium inflatable: Vango Cove III Mid Air — TBS®II, Sentinel Active fabric, benchmark premium inflatable.
• Most innovative: Vango HexAway Pro Air Tall — hexagonal floor plan, unmatched usable space.
• Best VW-specific inflatable: Vango Magra Air VW — designed specifically for VW T4/T5/T6 proportions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you repair an inflatable awning if it gets a puncture on site?

Yes — most inflatable awnings come with a repair kit, and the process is similar to patching a puncture on a bicycle inner tube. Clean the area, apply the patch, and allow to cure. Most modern inflatables use multi-chamber air tubes, so a puncture in one tube won’t collapse the entire structure. Carry a repair kit and a pump and you can deal with minor punctures on site.

Are inflatable awnings better in wind?

Not inherently. Well-guyed poled awnings — especially those with a tensioning system like the Vango TBS®II — can be more stable in high wind than standard inflatables. However, premium inflatables guyed correctly perform well in most UK conditions. If you regularly camp on exposed coastal or upland sites, choose an awning (poled or inflatable) with a good guying system and storm pegs.

Is an inflatable awning worth the extra money?

It depends on how often you move sites. If you’re pitching and striking every day or every other day, the time saving of an inflatable adds up quickly — it’s absolutely worth the premium. If you stay in one place for a week at a time, the pitch time difference matters less and a poled awning at a lower price point is a rational choice.

Can I get a drive-away awning for a VW campervan?

Yes — several brands offer VW-specific awnings designed to match VW T4, T5, and T6 proportions. Vango offer the Magra Air VW and Tolga Air VW. Kampa offer the Twin Driveaway Kit. Most standard low-profile awnings also fit VW campervans — always check your vehicle’s kador rail height before ordering.

Can I buy a drive-away awning in Cornwall?

Yes — Newquay Camping Shop stocks both poled and inflatable drive-away awnings at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ (Monday to Friday) and online with UK-wide delivery.

Shop Drive-Away Awnings at Newquay Camping Shop

Browse our full range of poled and inflatable drive-away awnings online, or visit our Cornwall showroom:

Newquay Camping Shop
4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ
Open Monday to Friday

Browse all drive-away awnings online.

Related Brand Guides

• Drive-Away Awnings Buying Guide — How to Choose
• Kampa Drive-Away Awnings — Every Model Compared
• Vango Drive-Away Awnings — Every Model Compared
• Outwell Drive-Away Awnings — Every Model Compared
• Easy Camp Drive-Away Awnings — Every Model Compared
• Outdoor Revolution Drive-Away Awnings — Every Model Compared