So last week I thought, hey, it’s pool season, why not actually figure out which inflatable tubes are worth the cash? I’ve grabbed random ones for years, ended up with leaks halfway through July more times than I can count. Annoying. This time, I decided to get serious about it.
The Plan & Getting The Tubes
First step: figure out what matters most. To me, that’s comfort (gotta lounge for hours!), how tough they are (nobody likes patching holes), and how easy they are to blow up and toss in the car. Price matters too, obviously. Aimed for the popular sizes – the big double doughnuts and those giant unicorns everyone likes.
Went shopping online and hit a couple big box stores too. Ended up grabbing five different ones folks seem to buy a lot:
- The Walmart Cheap One: You know the type, shiny bright colors, super cheap price tag.
- The Brand Name Donut: That classic pool float company everyone recognizes. Cost a bit more.
- The “Heavy Duty” Giant Unicorn: Advertised as extra thick vinyl. Pretty bulky even folded.
- The Comfy Looking Lounge Chair Style: Had a backrest, looked great for reading.
- The Double Rider Thing: Big doughnut for two people, some mesh in the middle.
Putting Them To The Test (Literally)
Got them home and started blowing. Man, some of these valves are a pain! Used my basic electric pump for most, but had to huff and puff on the Walmart one – weak valve.
Comfort Check: Sat my butt on each one in the living room first. The cheap one? Thin vinyl, felt the floor right away. Bad sign. The brand name donut? Super comfy, thick cushion. The giant unicorn wasn’t bad, kinda firm. The lounge chair felt good… until it tipped sideways. Weird balance. The double rider? Surprisingly comfy for both seats, the mesh felt solid.
Toughness Test: This was the biggie. Left each one fully inflated on the sunny patio for a week. Also let the kids have at ’em for an afternoon (they’re brutal on pool stuff!). Results:
- Cheap One: Lost air slowly but steadily. Sun faded the colors fast. Kid play? Got a puncture near the valve seam day two. Trashed.
- Brand Name Donut: Held air like a champ. Colors still bright. Kids bounced all over it – no leaks. Solid.
- Giant Unicorn: Vinyl was thick, but seams started leaking slightly after 4 days in the sun. Kid play? Made the leak worse. Patch needed. Disappointing.
- Lounge Chair: The backrest part started sagging after a few days. The vinyl felt thin where you sit. Meh.
- Double Rider: This one surprised me. Held air perfectly all week. The mesh didn’t stretch out. Kids piled on it – still fine. Durable!
Ease Of Use & Final Thoughts
Deflating and packing mattered. That giant unicorn was a beast to roll up and stuff in the bag. The cheap one packed tiny, but… you know… it failed. The brand name donut and double rider packed down pretty easy. The lounge chair was awkward.
So, after a week of sun, kids, and sitting:
- #1: Brand Name Donut. Pricey but the comfiest and toughest solo float. Just works.
- #2: Double Rider. Great for two, super tough mesh, comfy seats. Held up best overall.
- #3: Giant Unicorn. Looks fun, thick but seams failed. Maybe okay if you’re gentle?
- #4: Lounge Chair. Comfortable design let down by material and instability.
- #5: Cheap One. Yeah, it’s cheap. You’ll pay later in frustration and replacements.
Lesson learned? Spending a few extra bucks on the well-known brands or designs with good mesh areas actually saves money and hassle down the line. The cheap stuff is basically pool season rent. Felt good to actually test this stuff instead of just guessing!