The comfy way to sleep outdoors in summer
24-6-2026
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Siri Schubert
Want an outdoor camping experience that’s as comfortable as sleeping in a bed? The Sobuy tent might be up your street.
When I set off on a multi-day trek, I tend to travel light. If I’m spending the night at a campsite, however, I’m happy to opt for more comfort – and slightly heavier gear – now and again. Especially if I’m going there by car, making weighty luggage less of a concern.
I’ve been fascinated by the Sobuy 4-in-1 tent for quite a while now. I like the idea of sleeping in a (nearly) real bed, out in the fresh air. With this in mind, I’ve planned a four-night stay at a campground on Lake Uri – and I’ll be taking the glamping tent with me. To make sure I’ve got plenty of room, I’ve gone for the two-person version.
Packaging and pitching
Weighing in at 21 kilos, the two-person tent is pretty hefty. That said, it does come packed in a wheeled bag. This means you can drag it along behind you for short distances, even on dirt roads.
Once I arrive at the campsite, I set about pitching the tent. In the end, I’m pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to unfold it all and slot it together. No tools or gadgets needed!
Admittedly, it took me a good 15 minutes to fully set up the tent. If I’d read the instructions or done a pre-trip test run at home, I definitely could’ve done it faster. The fact that it’s windy while I’m setting up doesn’t exactly help, because the canopy keeps slipping out of place. I’m bound to be speedier next time around.
Includes everything from a mattress to bedding
The tent comes with everything: a camp bed with aluminium supports, a tent canopy with poles and mosquito-proof windows, an inflatable double mattress, a fitted sheet, inflatable pillows with pillowcases, two summer sleeping bags and spare poles, cords and pegs for the awning.
There’s also a mini electric pump included in the bag. At night, it doubles as a camping light. I love it when a product comes with everything you need. Let’s face it, there’s nothing more annoying than realising halfway through pitching a tent that it doesn’t come with pegs.
A lot of thought has gone into the Sobuy tent. All of the elements are well suited and work nicely together. The fitted sheet even has buckles, allowing it to be secured to the camp bed. That way, the mattress doesn’t slide around at night.
The SoBuy also comes with extra pouches that you can attach to the outside of the tent to store shoes, a jacket or other items within easy reach.
«You’ve made your bed, now lie in it»
Now that I’ve pitched the tent, it’s time to try lying down in it. To perfect my setup, I pump a little more air into the mattress so that it’s just right. I also whip out my Sea-to-Summit Ember Quilt, which I’ve brought alongside the synthetic sleeping bag. I lay the sleeping bag down on the mattress to give me an extra layer to sleep on. Given the temperatures outside, I’m not exactly hankering for additional insulation. But if it’s comfort you’re going for, you’ve got to go all out, don’t you?
My first night on the campsite is windy, and I can feel the tent shaking. Not enough to concern me, but enough to wake me up multiple times. Naturally, the canopy has a lot of surface area for the wind to catch, and without any extra ground fastenings, the tent isn’t designed for stormy stays. It’s clearly built for mild, calm summer nights.
Over the next three nights, there’s virtually no wind and I sleep wonderfully. The bed, complete with its thick air mattress, is super comfortable. I can sleep on my back, my stomach and even on my side without feeling any lumps. The bed underneath is warm and dry too.
How the tent fares in light rain
Thankfully, it starts raining. Now that’s not a phrase I’d use often, but when you’re tasked with putting a tent through its paces, the pitter-patter of rain sure does get your pulse racing. Unfortunately, the shower doesn’t last long enough to truly put the tent through the wringer. For the short time it does rain, however, the tent manages to withstand it.
This tent isn’t designed for heavy downpours. Although raindrops roll quickly down the steep tent walls, the material is only water-repellent, with a water column of 1,500 millimetres. If you need a tent that can withstand heavy rain, it’s advisable you go for one with a water column of at least 3,000 millimetres (website in German). To be on the safe side, I take a large tarp to stretch over the tent if the weather takes a turn for the worst.
Awning and ventilation
The campsite I’m staying in is right on the lake, with few trees to speak of. So I’m all the more grateful for the shade provided by the tent’s awning. Once it’s draped over the poles, I can sit back and relax in my camping chair under the little fabric canopy. At the same time, it allows me to air out the tent without the sun blazing into the openings. I’d call that a win-win.
I can enjoy the view while the built-in mosquito screen keeps the whiny little bloodsuckers at bay.
Taking down and packing away the tent
On the morning of my departure, I take down the tent in no time and pack it back into the bag. This is crucial for me; all too often, I’ve had camping gear delivered to me in a lovely, compact bag, only to discover that it’s so tight that it’s practically impossible to squeeze the tent back inside it. Thankfully, that’s not the case with the Sobuy tent. The bag even has room for my down quilt, which isn’t part of the original set.
In a nutshell
Campground comfort
I’m officially sold on the combination of a tent, a camp bed and an air mattress. It’s comfortable, cosy and ensures you get a good night’s sleep on warm, windless, dry nights. The finer elements of the tent have been well thought through, and the whole thing is easy to put up and take down.
I’d definitely use this tent again on a car camping trip. Now that I’m used to camping in a bed, returning to sleeping on a thin sleeping pad on the ground is going to be tough.
Pro
- Complete bedding set included with the tent
- Easy to put up and take down
- Comfortable for any sleeping position
- Ventilation, shade and mosquito protection
- Thoughtful details, such as fitted sheets with clips
Contra
- Only suitable for dry nights, without much wind
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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