Written by Daniel Walton on 11th Sep 2026
Managing Director & Founder, OLPRO
Daniel founded OLPRO in 2011 and still leads its product design. He created the OLPRO Breeze inflatable system after watching too many campers wrestle with pole sleeves in the wind, and that fix-the-real-problem approach shapes everything the team builds and tests in-house.
Choose an inflatable awning for faster, simpler pitching. Choose a poled awning for a lower regular price, lighter comparable models and easier frame repairs.
Neither frame is best for everyone. The right choice depends on how often you move, whether you pitch alone, what you can lift and the ground and weather you normally camp on.
We make both frame types. Our Cubo Breeze® V2 pitches in around 10 minutes and weighs 18kg. Our Cubo V2 Poled takes around 20 minutes and weighs 12kg. Choose Breeze for a quicker setup, or save 6kg of carrying weight with Cubo Poled.
- Tour most weekends: inflatable pitching saves time at every stop.
- Stay for a week: the extra setup time for poles matters much less.
- Need the easiest lift: compare the packed weight and bag layout of the exact models.
- Expect severe weather: take either type down if conditions could damage it.
We make both inflatable and poled awnings because each has a place on the campsite. Our OLPRO Breeze® air beams make setup simpler when you move often or pitch alone. Our poled models give you a straightforward frame, easy-to-replace pole sections and, in the Cubo range, less weight to lift into the van.
The right choice comes down to how you camp. A quicker pitch is useful at every stop on a touring holiday. For a week on one site, you may prefer to save on weight and cost.
Here is how the two systems compare, using our Cubo V2 models to show what the differences mean in practice. If you want a broader overview first, our complete guide to campervan awnings covers the full range of styles and sizes before you get to frame choice. These two campervan awnings show the trade-off in our range. They are related models, not identical awnings with different frames: Cubo Breeze has a 310 × 310cm floor, while Cubo Poled has a 300 × 300cm floor, and their fabrics differ too.
The Quick Comparison
| What you are comparing | Inflatable awning | Poled awning |
|---|---|---|
| Raising the frame | Inflate the beams with a compatible pump | Assemble the poles and fit them in the instructed sequence |
| Handling the packed awning | Check the complete bag weight, including the attached beams | Check the complete bag weight; a poled model is not always lighter |
| Checks during use | Monitor beam pressure as well as fabric tension, anchors and guy lines | Inspect the poles as well as fabric tension, anchors and guy lines |
| A frame problem | Find the cause of a soft or leaking beam and use the model's repair instructions | Identify the damaged pole and use the correct replacement part |
Price, weight and pitching time vary by model. Frame type alone does not tell you which awning will suit your trips.
On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways.
Setup Speed
The OLPRO Cubo Breeze V2 pitches in around 10 minutes, compared with around 20 minutes for our Cubo V2 Poled. With Breeze, you inflate the beams instead of assembling and threading poles. Allow extra time on your first outing to get familiar with the attachment, anchor points and guy lines.
The difference matters most on a Friday evening after a long drive, or when you're camping alone. If you're pitching once for a fortnight, it matters less.
One thing worth knowing: a larger air awning still takes physical effort to pump. Use the supplied pump, check the product's pressure limit and stop at the stated pressure. An electric pump can reduce the effort, but it must be compatible with the awning and set to the correct pressure.
Both systems still need securing properly. Inflating the beams or raising the poles is only part of the job: finish by securing every required anchor point and tensioning the guy lines.
We designed the Breeze system because we kept watching people on campsites spending forty-five minutes wrestling with pole sleeves while their partner held the fabric in the wind. It shouldn't be that hard.
Daniel Walton
Managing Director, OLPRO
That said, experienced pole awning users can pitch surprisingly fast. If you've owned the same awning for a few seasons and know where every pole goes, the speed gap narrows significantly.
The OLPRO Cubo V2: faster pitching or less weight to carry?
Prices as at 10 September 2026
| Awning | Approx. pitch time | Packed weight | Sale price | Regular price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cubo Breeze V2 Inflatable |
10 minutes | 18kg | £389 | £609 |
| Cubo V2 Poled |
20 minutes | 12kg | £299 | £405 |
Allow extra time for your first pitch while you learn the setup. Offers may change. Scroll sideways on mobile.
Wind and Weather
Inflatable beams flex with the wind rather than fighting it. In a gust, an air beam can bend and recover its shape, while a rigid fibreglass or steel pole holds firm but may bend or snap if overloaded.
Frame type does not replace correct pitching. Use every required guy line and attachment point, keep the fabric properly tensioned and follow the product instructions. If severe weather could damage the awning, take it down. No touring awning should be treated as a permanent structure.
Something to watch out for when camping in cold weather. Air pressure changes with temperature. A beam inflated on a warm evening may feel softer after a cold night, so check it again in the morning and top it up only within the pressure limit in the instructions. It is a small maintenance point, but worth knowing for spring and autumn trips.
With a poled frame, there is no air pressure to monitor. You still need to check the fabric tension, guy lines and pegs as conditions change.
Weight and Storage
Inflatable versions are not automatically lighter. Because the beams remain part of the awning, the packed unit can weigh more than a comparable poled model.
Our OLPRO Cubo Breeze V2 weighs 18kg, while the OLPRO Cubo V2 Poled weighs 12kg. That makes the poled version 6kg lighter to lift into your van. If lifting is a deciding factor, compare the packed weight and bag dimensions as well as pitching speed. Larger awnings need more carrying and storage space, whichever frame you choose. Bag size matters as well: Cubo Breeze's bag is 82cm long, compared with 60cm for Cubo Poled. Check the full packed dimensions against your storage space and the opening you need to lift the bag through.
A manageable bag is worth more than a pitching-time saving if you struggle to get the awning out of the vehicle. Check the actual models you are considering rather than assuming all inflatable or poled awnings weigh the same.
Cost
At the prices below, Cubo Breeze costs £90 more than Cubo Poled. If you tour frequently, quicker frame assembly may justify that difference. If you camp occasionally or pitch once per trip, the lower-priced Cubo Poled may leave more of your budget for the rest of your kit.
Compare the configuration you will buy, including any accessories you need. Offers can change the gap between two models, so use the current prices rather than a fixed rule about what inflatable awnings cost.
| Specification | Cubo Breeze V2 | Cubo V2 Poled |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Inflatable beams | Fibreglass poles |
| Approximate pitch time | 10 minutes | 20 minutes |
| Packed weight | 18kg | 12kg |
| Packed dimensions | 82 × 37 × 37cm | 60 × 35 × 35cm |
| Price on 17 September 2026 | £389 | £299 |
Allow extra time for your first pitch. Prices are for the awnings shown; check your chosen colour, add-ons and current offer before buying.
On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways.
Repairs and Longevity
Pole repairs are usually straightforward to diagnose: you can see a bent, split or snapped section. Replace it with the correct part for the frame. We include a spare pole and repair kit with our Cubo V2 Poled.
Air beam start with finding where air is escaping. Check the valve first, then isolate the affected beam and follow the repair instructions. We include a manual pump and repair kit with our Cubo Breeze V2. If you need a replacement beam, we can help you identify the right part for your model. A slow leak can take longer to find than a damaged pole.
Clean, dry storage is one of the most useful things you can do for either frame. Brush off dirt, dry the fabric fully and inspect the poles or beams before your next trip. How often you camp and how much sun and weather the awning faces also affect its working life.
| Frame | What you may notice | First response | Repair route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable | A beam softens again after topping up | Check the valve, then isolate the affected beam | Patch the leak or fit a matching replacement beam by following the instructions |
| Poled | A section is visibly bent, split or snapped | Take the load off the frame and identify the damaged section | Fit the correct replacement pole or pole section |
Use the correct repair method and replacement part for your model. Scroll sideways on mobile.
How long will it last? Give either awning the best chance of a long working life: brush off dirt, dry it completely before storage and check the frame before each trip. How often you camp and how much sun and weather it faces also matter.
Which Should You Choose?
Forget the specs for a moment. Here's what actually matters:
Weekend touring
Choose inflatable. The quicker setup makes a difference each time you arrive at a new pitch.
Pitching alone
Choose inflatable. Compact and medium air awnings are usually easier for one person to raise.
One long stay
Consider poled. The slower setup happens once, so price and packed weight may matter more.
Less weight to carry
Consider poled. Our Cubo V2 Poled weighs 12kg, saving 6kg compared with Cubo Breeze V2.
Still undecided
Compare the actual models. Check fit, packed weight, bag size, pitch time, current price and included repair parts.
One thing worth noting: the pole vs inflatable decision is separate from whether you need a driveaway awning, which stays standing when you drive away, or a fixed setup. If you have not settled that yet, our complete guide to driveaway awnings covers how they attach and why most campervanning trips benefit from the driveaway style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare the frame you want with the awning you can actually lift, fit and pitch.
Explore our inflatable and poled awnings to find the right fit for your vehicle, your storage space and the way you camp.