German inflatables specialist X Gloo is on a mission to bring inflatable technology to all types of RVs. Over the past decade, the company’s inflatable pop-top designs have been featured in some of the most eye-catching motorhomes and caravans, and its innovation shows no sign of stopping. Now, X Gloo is focusing on one of the most iconic camper van bases in the world: the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Using air-insulated walls, the company is creating one of the most stylish and inviting pop-up sleeping spaces the camping industry has ever seen.
At first glance, the digitally altered image of the Sprinter above might not instill much confidence in how X Gloo’s inflatable walls will look on top of the van—especially when compared to sleek alternatives like the trapdoor-style Super Pacific Cloud Cap or the carbon-walled Redtail Skyloft. However, the first glimpses of the interior completely change the narrative.
X Gloo is doing more than just designing a standard pop-up roof with inflatable walls; it’s crafting an elegant, four-season inflatable living pod that happens to sit atop a Sprinter. The inflatable walls are designed to enhance insulation by trapping still air within their baffles, inspiring the company to create a cozy retreat suitable for year-round wilderness adventures—whether in summer, spring, fall, or winter (or winter, spring, summer, and fall for those who appreciate a James Taylor reference).
Rather than the conventional wedge-shaped pop-up roof often seen on camper vans, X Gloo has opted for a more structured, four-walled living space. While the roof appears to slope slightly lower at the front than the rear, it still provides a spacious and airy penthouse-style retreat, reaching a peak height of 45 inches (115 cm).
A cozy, private space campers will love
Designed as a compact yet inviting bedroom, X Gloo’s Sprinter pop-top features a 53-inch-wide (135 cm) double bed, ambient ceiling lighting, and two skylight hatches. With the addition of plush pillows and carefully chosen accessories, the space transforms into a more comfortable and refined alternative to traditional fabric-walled pop-up sleeping areas.
The concept is built using X Gloo’s 3DTEX pneumatic fabric, a multi-layered textile engineered to form a robust and stable structure when inflated. According to the company, this material offers effective insulation against temperature and sound, resists strong winds, and provides long-term durability with UV-resistant properties. Notably, the fabric used for the Sprinter’s walls appears to have a smoother, more refined finish compared to the shinier, plastic-like look of earlier X Gloo designs—giving it a more upscale feel.
Last month, X Gloo showcased a standalone version of its Sprinter inflatable roof at the CMT Show and is now working on an integrated version for a full van conversion, set to be revealed later this year. While still officially described as a “study,” the company has hinted at a planned debut in September, with series production expected to begin in Q4 2025.
Since this air-powered design requires more system integration than conventional pop-tops—typically featuring a push-button deployment mechanism—it’s likely that X Gloo will collaborate with a camper van manufacturer to incorporate the roof into a Sprinter camper series. A potential candidate? Perhaps an inflatable-top edition of the Hymer Grand Canyon S.
X Gloo’s growing presence in the camper van industry
Hymer is a strong possibility, given its history with X Gloo’s inflatable pop-up technology. The German manufacturer first impressed audiences with the boundary-pushing Vision Venture concept at the 2019 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, later integrating the technology into the production Venture S B+ motorhome. Another Erwin Hymer brand, Bürstner, has also successfully implemented X Gloo’s inflatable roofs in both concept and production models.
Beyond Hymer, Slovenian RV manufacturer Adria has also partnered with X Gloo, incorporating its pop-up design into the Twin Sports 640 SGX camper van, which is based on the Fiat Ducato. At last year’s Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, Adria even previewed its first-ever camper van built on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis, which is expected to debut this year. Could the rugged, all-wheel-drive “SuperTwin” Sprinter serve as the launch platform for X Gloo’s inflatable pop-top? By the time this year’s Caravan Salon kicks off in August, we should have our answer.
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