Tropical Breeze: The XXL air mattress tested
13/6/2018
Translation: machine translated
Video: Stephanie Tresch
The castle in the air for the water is called "Tropical Breeze". I grabbed the 4x3 metre raft, took it to the lake and sweated my heart out while inflating it.
The largest air mattress currently in our range is the Tropical Breeze from Bestway. This behemoth is four metres long and three metres wide, offers space for six people and has a maximum load weight of 540 kilograms. It also has an integrated cool bag and a roof to protect you from the sun. So much for the product description.
These oversized key data make me curious. The tropical breeze sounds like a lot of fun on paper. Reason enough for me to get this air mattress and take a closer look at it.
Inflating it is like a workout
I'm already sweating on the way to the lake, because the packaging itself weighs just over 25 kilograms. I recommend travelling with a few friends, because then you can split the lugging between you.
On arrival at the lake, it's time to get down to business. Open the packaging and off you go. I quickly realise that I will almost certainly never get this mattress back into its packaging. But never mind, I don't need to worry about that just yet. So I spread the limp thing out on the lawn and realise: This thing has little to do with a tropical breeze and more to do with a transatlantic container ship. My goodness, this thing is big. I immediately realise that inflating it is going to be a test of patience.
15:25
Full of euphoria, I grab my pump and get to work. I see an opening with the number "1" on the air mattress. Without ever having touched the operating instructions, I assume that I have to pump air in here. Connect and pump, it couldn't be simpler.
15:35
Disillusionment sets in. I've been pumping air into the thing for ten minutes now. But there's no sign of progress. The mattress has filled up slightly in a few places, but there's still no real air in it. I realise that this is going to be a long exercise.
15:45
The incessant pumping is slowly but surely making itself felt. My back is starting to ache, my arms are slowly going limp and my face is covered in sweat. The only motivation to keep going is the prospect of a refreshing dip in the cool water after the work is done.
15:50
I need a break. Urgently. I've earned it, because the first part is done. I can't get any more air into the opening. While searching for the air opening labelled "2", I make a frightening and extremely demotivating discovery. In addition to the "2", I also find the "7". So I still have a long way to go!
16:00
I'm still pumping
16:10
Pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping...
16:20
With my last ounce of strength and an alarming wheezing cough, I push down the last stroke of the pump. I've done it! Both I and the air mattress are ready. At last. It takes me another five minutes to fit the roof. Now the magnificent specimen is standing.
Including short breaks, the assembly takes a good hour. In my mind, I scold myself: I wish I'd spent a little more money on an electric pump or had a few more helping hands with me.
Let it drift, because manoeuvring is impossible
Now it's time to get into the water. After this pumping ordeal, I really deserve to cool off. Soaking alone is not as easy as I thought, but with two people it's no problem. Make sure you carry the mattress on the way to the water and don't drag it across the floor. Although the material is thick and makes a robust impression, sharp stones can damage the cover or even puncture a hole in the air mattress. After the nerve-wracking pumping up, this would be the worst-case scenario.
On the water, the best way to make progress is for you or a few of your friends to jump into the water, grab the raft with one hand and swim out onto the lake. However, you should check the local water regulations in advance. For Lake Zurich, the air mattress is considered bathing equipment and may only be used in the inner shore zone. This means that you are not allowed to stay more than 150 metres from the shore with the Tropical Breeze. To make it easier to pull the air mattress on the water, flippers are certainly a good idea. You can also take a few paddles with you on the raft. However, they will always be in the way and take up valuable deck space.
Once you're far enough out, you can have a good time. Kick back on the sun deck or enjoy the shade under the lounge roof. It also has a small indoor pool, at least in the most remote sense. The floor consists of a net that allows the water to penetrate into the foot area. A welcome way to cool off if you don't want to jump straight into the water. You also have your chilled drinks to hand at all times on your Tropical Breeze. If not in the integrated cooler bag, then in the matching drinks holder by the lounge.
Another little tip: take an anchor with you. It doesn't have to be big, one to two kilograms should be enough. Or you can tie your 10-pack of beer to a rope and let it sink to the bottom. And why an anchor? The Tropical Breeze has a huge surface area for an air mattress. Any current, however small, will take you completely off course. With an anchor, you don't have this problem and you can stay put all day long.
The air is out
Back on land, the raft has to be made portable again. The air is out much faster than in. The valves all have a larger opening, which allows the air to escape in no time at all. When I tested it, this took about 10 minutes.
Packing up, however, proves to be less easy. You can fold up your air castle effortlessly, but you'll never get it as compact as it is from the factory. There is always a little residual air inside, which means that you can no longer store the Tropical Breeze in its box. A large bag, such as the blue one from Ikea, should be big enough for transport.
Conclusion
When I first discovered the Tropical Breeze in our range, I was sceptical. Sceptical in the sense of its completely oversized size and the associated usability. When I physically saw it in the packaging, this scepticism was not dispelled. On the contrary. At this point, I seriously wondered who would buy this thing.
After testing it, I can answer this question: Everyone! Anyone who wants to have fun with their friends and is looking for something special. This thing is simply brilliant, is a lot of fun and the value for money is also good.
As a single person, however, the Tropical Breeze makes no sense. You're better off with a smaller bathing device. For a group that wants to spend a day on the water together, however, this item is ideal. Curious and envious looks are guaranteed. When I tested it, I felt like I was on display. The eyes of everyone at the lake were on me and the Tropical Breeze.
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Riding my motorbike makes me feel free, fishing brings out my inner hunter, using my camera gets me creative. I make my money messing around with toys all day.
