The AERIAL A1 is a fusion of the best aspects of three separate products. It combines the safety and sheltering of a tent, with the comfort and carefree nature of a hammock and the tautness/springy-ness of slacklines. Designed by industrial designers with a true passion for the outdoors, the AERIAL A1 quite literally elevates the idea of camping. Rather than pitching tents in the ground, this one straps itself to trees (or even cars), taking your camping experience up a notch. Climb into the AERIAL A1 and you literally feel like you’re sleeping on clouds. The tent’s slackline structure requires you to stretch the base out so it’s virtually flat (unlike a hammock, which naturally takes a curve)… this effectively gives the AERIAL A1’s tent-bed its ‘spring’, making it feel like a cross between a hammock and a waterbed. The AERIAL A1 can easily be mounted over rocks, roots, or even a river. If the ground isn’t suited for tent-pitching, or if you just want to ‘upgrade’ your camping experience, the AERIAL A1 can quite easily be suspended above the ground. Conversely, if you’re in an open meadow with nothing to tie your shelter to, you can just pitch it onto land like any other tent. The tent comes with enough space for one person to fit in comfortably. Its taut design allows it to have a long base, so you can stretch out without worrying about feeling cramped for space. The tent comes with a simple design that’s incredibly easy to set up, thanks to a single pole that helps define its shape, and a secondary smaller pole that gives it its width. Suspending the tent between trees is arguably as easy as mounting it on dry land, thanks to the suspension system that uses climbing-grade components and webbing straps that can easily be set up by a single person, can take as much as 440lbs of weight once suspended, and uses a 2-point connection on either side, keeping your tent from ever rotating or flipping over. The tent comes with two access points on opposite sides, that can be unzipped completely to give you an exhilarating view and complete ventilation. If the weather gets undesirable, the tent comes with a weatherproof fly-sheet that covers it completely, giving you and your belongings enhanced protection from wind and water. The AERIAL A1 comes with pockets on the inside to store your stash, and a gear hammock that hangs beneath the tent, acting as a shelf of sorts you can store your bags, bottles, and bulk in. All these details culminate to make what designers Andrew Gardner and Jacob Campbell believe is the most versatile outdoor tent ever made. When packed up, the tent fits into a cylindrical casing that’s no larger than a tripod bag, and when opened, it provides you with just the right experiences, from its ease-of-assembly to its comfortable design and ability to store all your belongings, all while braving any sort of weather you may experience. The tent’s hammock-inspired format is a refreshing take on camping, giving you the benefit of a comfortable base/bed to sleep on, along with a view that’s most certainly going to ruin floor-camping for you! Designers: Andrew Gardner & Jacob Campbell ($84 off). Hurry, only 5/240 left! Over $260,000 raised. The AERIAL captures all the features you find in a traditional tent along with the off ground benefits you get from a hammock. It is a lightweight portable shelter with a stable, horizontal sleeping surface that can be suspended between two trees. The main feature that allows the AERIAL to achieve its exceptional comfort and stability is their unique, slackline inspired, suspension system. By wrapping high tensile webbing straps around the tree and pulling them back from both sides of the trunk the AERIAL is able to achieve a four point connection system. Using this four point system, along with tension and two spreader bars they were able to create a sturdy, flat platform that feels most similar to a high quality cot. The webbing also provides spring like a mattress that helps absorb movement without being tippy. This flat sleeping surface allows you the ability to sleep in any position, back, side or even on your front. The sensation you get sleeping in an AERIAL is like nothing else, the fresh air paired with its comfort is a new experience that you are going to want to repeat at every opportunity. With AERIAL, no need for a chair, the stable platform works like a floating bench. The doors open wide, giving more than enough room for two people to chill out together. Everything becomes more comfortable with the AERIAL. Even simple tasks like making your bed or packing your gear can now all be done at a pleasant working height. No more crawling around and backing out of a low cramped tent. The convenience of everything being up and off the ground is an underrated convenience that will save your back and knees and provide you a simple satisfaction you wouldn’t expect. The AERIAL A1 is capable of adapting to any environment and can be used over any terrain. No level ground no worries, pitch your tent between the trees and sleep. You can now camp over rocks, roots and even rivers. The benefits of being off the ground are endless. When trees aren’t available, the AERIAL can also be set up on the ground like a traditional tent. When on the ground this free standing tent features a 5” high tub floor design that is fully seam sealed along with two 17” vestibules that can be accessed from either side. Stable enough that a little kid can easily climb in!   Basically this setup is like a suspension bridge between two trees. The AERIAL’s stability is gained by connecting to either side of the trees as opposed to a single point like you would find in a standard hammock. The AERIAL’s connection makes two trees into a four-point connection setup, once one applies tension the AERIAL becomes steady and unflippable even while using trees as small as 5” in diameter. The AERIAL has no set rotation points like you would see in a standard hammock and this creates a stable platform. elevated the game by getting campers off the ground but hammocks are not always great for a proper night’s sleep. They provide a cramped interior space that puts pressure onto your shoulders and elbows. Even the flattest laying hammocks force you to sleep on your back and then often curve your spine in unnatural ways. Spreader bar hammocks can help open things up, but become increasingly less stable and prone to tipping. The AERIAL A1 has been designed to tackle these issues while keeping the main benefit of the hammock: being off the ground. Inside the tent there are three well placed pockets to hold all your essentials. Two medium size pockets on either end and one “SKY” pocket that is the perfect place for putting your head lamp to light up your tent at night. This premium 40 denier nylon fly is lightweight, durable and has a 1500mm hydrostatic head waterproof rating. It is completely separated from the internal mesh body which allows for great airflow and prevents condensation build up. The AERIAL tent uses a single aluminum pole to support the canopy. This main pole, paired with a small ridge pole creates vertical walls that maximize internal space. AustriAlpine® – These Austrian made buckles have a minimum break strength of 15kn / 3370lbs and are made from ultra lightweight alloy. This is not your standard cam buckle. Using a brass roller this cam eliminates friction allowing for much higher force to be applied. Keep your gear out of the elements, off the ground and easily accessible from inside or outside. It can be adjusted to fit small or large packs. The Gear Hammock also doubles as a groundsheet for ground setup, adding a waterproof footprint to the vestibule. This underquilt provides significant warmth and wind protection from below. Having a cool breeze beneath you is a nice sensation in hot weather but not ideal when it cools down. It is not by coincidence that a large Therm-a-Rest® fits perfectly into the bottom of the AERIAL A1. Though the elevated sleeping surface is very comfortable on its own, a sleeping pad will improve warmth from below. – Tent body – Fly Sheet – Main Pole and Ridge Pole – Webbing Straps – 8m and 6m – 2x Rollercams and 2x Slot Buckles – 2x Guylines – 2x Y-Stakes (for vestibule) – 4x Shepherd Hook Stakes (used for on ground setup) – Gear hammock This shelter is easy to set up and takes about 6 minutes. ($84 off). Hurry, only 63/195 left! Over $195,000 raised.