Most people assume bigger means better when it comes to campervan awnings. But take it from someone who’s wrestled soaked canvas in sideways rain – bulk doesn't equal bliss. I found that out the hard way on a stormy weekend in Snowdonia, where setup turned into a two-hour endurance test and my pitch looked like a gear explosion.
The Kampa Cross Air Driveaway Awning changes the game. It’s built for campervan owners who want more space, less stress, and a setup that won’t leave you cursing your holiday before it starts. Quick to pitch, solid in bad weather, and refreshingly pole-free, this awning adds comfort and practicality to your van life, without turning your setup into a circus tent.
Kampa Cross Air: What’s in the Box
Open the bag and everything’s where you’d hope; no nasty surprises – just the essentials packed smartly and ready to go. You get the main awning, a clip-in groundsheet, a decent double-action pump with a built-in pressure gauge, steel pegs, repair kit, and a no-frills instruction sheet. The instructions? Let’s just say they do the job, but don’t expect IKEA-level clarity. Still, once you’ve pitched it once, it’s all pretty intuitive.
The carry bag deserves a proper shout. It’s generously sized, so getting everything back in after a trip doesn’t turn into a wrestling match. If you’ve ever tried stuffing a damp air awning into a bag that’s tighter than a drysuit, you’ll love the extra breathing space.
Design-wise, it’s modern and understated – grey with blue trim – easy on the eye and a good fit for most van setups.
Size, Weight, and Packability
This is where the Cross Air quietly wins. At just 76 x 35 x 35 cm when packed, it doesn’t eat up precious boot space. Weighing 16kg, it’s manageable for one person – no grunting, no dragging, just grab and go. After a long day on the road, that’s a gift.
Pitched, the awning gives you a solid 3×3 metre living space plus a tunnel to link up with your van (around 1m extra). You get 2m of headroom, unless you’re built like a basketball player, you’ll stand up straight without grazing your scalp.
For van lifers tight on space but big on comfort, this hits a sweet spot. It’s compact enough to stay tucked under your bedding but roomy enough to feel like a proper extension of your camper.
Set Up and Take Down
Here’s the truth: pitching an air awning still takes a bit of elbow grease – but the Kampa Cross Air makes the job a whole lot easier. Setup took about eight minutes solo, maybe a bit longer if you’re distracted or the kids are “helping.” The AirFrame system has just two main beams to inflate. The first time, connecting the pump feels fiddly, especially with those vague instructions, but once you figure out the right nozzle, inflation is quick and painless.
No messing with a spaghetti mess of poles or crawling about in soggy grass. Just peg out the corners, clip in the groundsheet, pump up the beams, and you’re ready for a cuppa. Takedown is just as slick. I’ve packed it away in under ten minutes during a Lakes downpour, which is gold when you’re racing the weather or need to check out sharpish.
Build Quality and Materials
This is where the Cross Air punches above its weight. The 68D Weathershield polyester feels strong and well-finished – more robust than budget awnings, but without the bulk of heavyweight options aimed at hardcore year-rounders. It holds up well to the wind, rain, and midges that define most UK weekends away.
The groundsheet? A thick PE layer with a 10,000mm hydrostatic head – translation: no soggy socks, even after a night of rain. Zips are chunky and smooth, even when the fabric’s under tension. The windows are big and bright, but do come creased out the bag. Mine looked crumpled for a day or two but flattened out with time. The toggle blinds are simple and effective, blocking early sun and nosy neighbours with ease.
For regular use, it’s solid. Just don’t expect it to survive being dragged across gravel or hammered by winter storms – it’s built for weekenders, not expeditions.
Practical Features that Actually Matter
What does the Kampa Cross Air get right for daily campsite life? Doors: you’ve got a big ‘D' panel up front, all panels removable or half-openable as you need. The front has a proper rain canopy – essential for ditching muddy boots or waiting out the next squall.
Windows are big. Each comes with mesh for bug-busting (midges, I’m looking at you). That mesh means you can leave panels unzipped for ventilation, keeping critters out and the tent cool on those three or four rare hot UK nights. Having toggled curtains is a detail I learned to love, especially for privacy on busy sites.
You can fully remove panels to turn the awning into a super-sized gazebo for garden camping or festival days. The oversized bag for pack-down is another small but mighty win: you’ll never stress trying to repack after a long trip.
Modularity and Optional Extras
This is another area the Cross Air outshines bargain options – modular choices. The standout is the side sleeping pod annexe, which zips on to transform your awning into a two-room zone. If you’ve got kids, it’s a game-changer – mine used it as an “adventure den,” complete with headtorches and giggles well past bedtime.
For couples or friends, the annex lets you escape from snorers or stash extra kit. It can be fitted on either side, and with manageable extra weight (just 4.6kg), it won’t ruin your pack plan.
If you’re camping as a group, two pods plus the main room should be enough unless you’re running a youth club. Add-ons like lighting (Sabrelink Flex compatible) help for short winter days, but aren’t strictly essential.
Day-to-Day Use: The Honest Truth
At the pitch, connecting the tunnel to the van is straightforward. You can use throw-over straps (if you’ve no rail), velcro tabs for roofracks, or a driveaway kit (worth buying for proper weather protection). With a Mercedes Marco Polo and standard rails, I found it sealed up tightly against rain and draughts.
Living inside feels more like a room than a tent. The high roof means no crawling, and the layout is easy to navigate even with muddy boots and excitable dogs. In wind and rain, the awning stands firm – the AirFrame system flexes, but I’ve never seen it collapse or let water in, even with howling gusts across the Yorkshire Dales.
Ventilation is a real strong suit. On stuffy afternoons, unzipped windows and mesh keep things bearable and bug-free, perfect when the midges are out in Scotland. The included groundsheet never let moisture creep in, even after an all-night downpour.
The only quibble? Cleaning the creased plastic windows isn’t easy – they seem to attract condensation and dust, but nothing a quick wipe won’t fix.
Pros and Cons
Final Thoughts: Is the Kampa Cross Air for You?
I’ve camped in everything from 1970s canvas dinosaurs to the newest inflatable wonders. The Kampa Cross Air Driveaway Awning nails the middle ground: big enough for proper living, small enough to carry anywhere, quick enough to pitch alone while others are still untangling poles.
If you’re a UK or European camper with a small van who wants an easy life, this awning is bang on. It turns a tight van into a basecamp you’ll actually enjoy sitting out wet days in, especially when you add the sleeping pod. For bigger families or those camping long-term in wild winds, you might want more size or thicker canvas.
For most UK tourers, though, it fits the bill – solid balance of space, speed, and real-world practicality. Don’t waste another trip battling tent poles in a gale. Go for something that just works, whatever weather blows in.
If you want the best driveaway awnings for specific needs (bigger groups, four-season adventures), check our round-up at Best Driveaway Awnings UK – otherwise, the Kampa Cross Air should be on your shortlist.
