Both the Vango Sherwood Air 400XL and the Savannah Air 400 are AirBeam® inflatable 4-person family tents — easy to pitch, great for South West camping, and packed with features. But they sit at different points in Vango's range, with meaningfully different fabric specifications and price points. Here's everything you need to choose the right one.
Both tents are available to view at our Newquay Camping Shop showroom — 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ.
At a Glance
| Sherwood Air 400XL | Savannah Air 400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Range | Excel (premium) | Standard |
| Fabric | Sentinel Excel 150D | Sentinel Active |
| Waterproofing | 5,000 mm HH | 4,000 mm HH |
| Frame | AirBeam® inflatable | AirBeam® inflatable |
| Setup time | ~12 minutes | ~10 minutes |
| Dimensions | 695 × 300 cm | 600 × 300 cm |
| Standing height | 205 cm | 205 cm |
| Weight | 34.3 kg | 24.4 kg |
| Pack size | L82 × H39 × W53 cm | L80 × H45 × W45 cm |
| Carry bag | Smart Pack roller bag | Standard carry bag |
| Includes | Pump + groundsheet protector | Pump + groundsheet protector |
| Price | £999 | £739 |
What They Have in Common
Both tents use Vango's AirBeam® inflatable framework and share the same core family tent DNA:
- AirBeam® inflatable structure — no poles, quick pitch
- AirSpeed® valve for fast inflation and deflation
- 205 cm full standing height
- Pre-attached front awning for covered outdoor space
- King Size Midnight blacked-out bedrooms — 70 cm per person
- Toggled inner divider for flexible bedroom configuration
- AirZone ventilation — high and low level panels
- Diamond Clear windows
- TBS®II Tension Band System for wind stability
- SkyTrack® II hanging system
- Fully sewn-in groundsheet with storm skirt
- Drop-down door step, cable entry, and bedroom pockets
- AirBeam® pump and groundsheet protector included
- Wind and rain tested to EN ISO 5912
- Fire retardant fabrics
The Key Difference: Fabric and Size
Sherwood Air 400XL — choose this for Excel-grade fabric and extra length
The Sherwood sits in Vango's Excel collection — the premium tier. The Sentinel Excel 150D embossed fabric with a 5,000 mm hydrostatic head is a significant step up from the Savannah's Sentinel Active (4,000 mm HH). It's a heavier, more durable fabric that's built to withstand many seasons of regular use in demanding conditions.
The Sherwood is also noticeably larger — 695 cm long vs 600 cm on the Savannah, giving you nearly a metre of extra living space. And the Smart Pack roller bag (unique to the Excel range) makes packing away considerably easier than a standard carry bag.
At £999 it's £260 more than the Savannah Air 400, but if you camp frequently in exposed South West coastal conditions — on clifftop sites in Cornwall or north Devon where Atlantic weather arrives hard and fast — the superior fabric and extra space are worth paying for.
Best for: Regular campers, families who want extra length, and those camping in exposed locations where the best waterproofing is a priority.
View the Vango Sherwood Air 400XL →
Savannah Air 400 — choose this for great value AirBeam® performance
The Savannah Air 400 uses Sentinel Active fabric with a 4,000 mm hydrostatic head — fully capable of handling British weather, including sustained South West rain. It's a genuinely impressive tent at a more accessible price point.
It's also lighter (24.4 kg vs 34.3 kg), pitches slightly faster (~10 minutes vs ~12), and at £739 it saves you £260 over the Sherwood. For families who camp a few times a year on mainstream campsites, the Savannah Air 400 does everything you need.
Best for: Families looking for great-value inflatable performance, occasional to regular campers, and those who prioritise a lighter, more compact package.
View the Vango Savannah Air 400 →
Which Is Better for South West Camping?
Both tents handle Cornish and Devon weather well. The 4,000 mm HH on the Savannah is more than adequate for the vast majority of South West camping trips.
Where the Sherwood's 5,000 mm Excel fabric starts to earn its premium is on extended stays (7+ nights), exposed clifftop pitches with driving rain, or if you camp throughout the year rather than just in summer. The heavier 150D construction also holds up better over multiple seasons of hard use.
For most families doing a week or two a year at a sheltered or mid-exposure South West campsite, the Savannah Air 400 is genuinely all you need.
Our Verdict
If you camp regularly or in demanding conditions, upgrade to the Sherwood Air 400XL — the 5,000 mm Excel fabric and extra 95 cm of length are meaningful improvements that you'll appreciate over many seasons.
If you camp a few times a year and want excellent AirBeam® convenience at a lower price, the Savannah Air 400 is outstanding value and will serve most families brilliantly.
See Both in Our Newquay Showroom
We stock both tents at our showroom at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ. The difference in fabric weight and quality is something you can feel immediately in person — come and see both before you decide.
