​Inflatable tent brand idea

I’m exploring the idea of starting a small inflatable tent brand and wanted to get some advice from people who’ve been down a similar path or have manufacturing experience.

The concept is to focus on durable, easy-to-set-up inflatable tents for outdoor use, events, or even emergency and temporary shelter applications. Right now, I’m trying to decide between two main approaches: importing raw materials and producing locally, or working with manufacturers in China to produce fully customized inflatable tents under my own brand.

I’ve been browsing B2B platforms like Alibaba, and it seems like many suppliers offer customization options such as fabric thickness, air beam design, valves, colors, logos, and packaging. At the same time, I’m aware there can be risks around quality control, communication, minimum order quantities, and long lead times.

For those who’ve imported outdoor gear or inflatable products, what were the biggest challenges you faced early on? How did you vet suppliers and ensure consistent quality? Would you recommend starting with small customized orders from overseas, or sourcing materials and assembling locally to begin with?

Any insights on costs, certifications, branding, or mistakes to avoid would be really appreciated.