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Without cover, archery tag is two lines of people shooting at each other. With cover, it becomes a game of flanking, timing and nerve. Bunkers are what turn the first into the second.
They come in two very different classes. Party inflatables are thin vinyl barrels and walls two or three feet tall, which make good kneeling cover for kids in a backyard. Air bunkers are the commercial PVC shapes you see at paintball and archery tag fields, five or six feet tall, built to take a season of hits. Pick the class that fits your players and your space, then the set.
Our top picks at a glance
Best starter setArrowSoft Inflatable Bunkers with Pump (2-pack)Check price
Best for kids' partiesSkywin Inflatable Battle Bunkers (4 pieces)Check price
Most pieces for the moneyNINOSTAR Combat Battlefield Inflatables (8 pieces)Check price
Best pro-grade fieldInflatable Air Bunker Set with Pumps (9 pieces)Check price
Pro-grade alternativeVioraWhite Inflatable Air Bunker Set (8 pieces)Check price
ArrowSoft Inflatable Bunkers with Pump (2-pack)
Best for: backyard games and youth programs starting small
rating
- Pieces2
- MaterialHeavy-duty PVC
- PumpElectric, included
- SetupUnder 60 s each
Two well-built bunkers will transform a backyard game, and this pair comes from a brand that makes foam archery gear rather than party decorations. They are thick, waterproof PVC designed to stand upright during rough play, and the included electric pump inflates each in under a minute.
Start here, then add pieces as your games grow.
What we like
- Made for archery games, not party decor
- Freestanding and stable
- Pump included
- Packs flat
Watch out for
- Only two pieces
- Few reviews yet
Skywin Inflatable Battle Bunkers (4 pieces)
Best for: under-12s and indoor games
rating
- PiecesWall, tire, 2 barrels
- TallestAbout 34 in
- UseIndoor & outdoor
- Reviews900+
Skywin's four-piece set is the most popular party inflatable for a reason: a wall, a tire and two barrels give a mix of shapes for children to crouch behind, and the bright colors keep them visible to players and supervisors.
At roughly knee to waist height, these are kneeling cover. That is perfect for kids and too short for adults.
What we like
- Varied shapes for real tactics
- Strong owner track record
- Inexpensive
Watch out for
- Too short to hide an adult
- Party-grade vinyl: keep off rough ground
NINOSTAR Combat Battlefield Inflatables (8 pieces)
Best for: birthday battles that need lots of cover fast
rating
- Pieces6 barrels, sandbag wall, army box
- StabilityWater pouches
- UseIndoor & outdoor
- StyleThemed decor
Eight pieces at this price let you build two full sides of a field for a party. The barrels have built-in water pouches, so they stay put in a breeze and when kids bump into them, which is a common weakness of cheap inflatables.
These are themed party pieces, not field bunkers, and work best for children's games.
What we like
- Lots of cover for a full party field
- Water-pouch bases resist tipping
- Doubles as party decoration
Watch out for
- Thinner than field-grade bunkers
- Mostly small barrels
Inflatable Air Bunker Set with Pumps (9 pieces)
Best for: camps, schools, clubs and anyone running regular events
rating
- PiecesX, 2 wedges, 4 cylinders, 2 pyramids
- Tallest6 ft
- MaterialCommercial PVC tarpaulin
- Includes2 pumps, stakes, repair kit
This is a real field. The nine pieces copy a tournament layout — a central X, wedges, cylinders and pyramids — in commercial-grade PVC tarpaulin up to six feet tall, so adults can stand behind them. Two pumps, ground stakes, ropes, sandbags and a repair kit are included.
It is a significant purchase, and it pays for itself for any group that plays more than a few times a year or hires out games.
What we like
- Full symmetrical tournament layout
- Commercial-grade PVC
- Everything needed to anchor and repair
Watch out for
- Significant cost
- Needs a large space and two people to set up
VioraWhite Inflatable Air Bunker Set (8 pieces)
Best for: groups wanting more tall cylinders in the layout
rating
- Pieces7 cylinders + X
- Material0.65 mm PVC mesh
- Pump600 W included
- ColorsRed & black
A slightly simpler pro set built around seven five-foot cylinders and an X, made from 0.65 mm PVC mesh and inflated with an included 600 W pump. Lots of cylinders make for fast, mobile games with plenty of lanes.
It is newer to the market than our top pick, so expect fewer owner reviews.
What we like
- Lots of tall cover
- Thick PVC mesh
- Powerful pump included
Watch out for
- Less variety of shapes
- Very few owner reviews
How much cover do you need?
| Game | Players | Cover | What to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard skirmish | 2-6 | 2-4 pieces | ArrowSoft 2-pack or Skywin |
| Birthday battle | 8-16 | 6-10 pieces | Skywin plus NINOSTAR, or a pro set |
| Full-field event | 20+ | 9+ tall pieces | A pro air bunker set |
A good rule of thumb is one piece of cover for every two players, arranged so every player can reach cover in three or four steps.
Laying out a fair field
- Mirror it. Whatever is on one side goes in the same place on the other. Symmetry is what makes a game feel fair.
- Keep a no-cover centre line. A strip down the middle with no bunkers forces players to commit when they cross it.
- Leave gaps. Bunkers that touch create walls. Lanes between pieces create shots, angles and decisions.
- Mind the minimum distance. Place the front bunkers far enough apart that players are not shooting each other point-blank across them.
- Anchor everything outdoors. Use the stakes, ropes, sandbags or water pouches. A bunker blowing across a field mid-game is a hazard.
Care and storage
Inflate on grass or mats, never gravel. Dry bunkers completely before packing them, because mildew destroys vinyl faster than any arrow. Store them flat or loosely rolled, and keep the repair kit with the bunkers, not in the garage.
How we rate gear
Every product here is scored out of 10 on four things, weighted for how foam archery is actually played: safety in play (40%) — tip size and softness, draw weight, face coverage, sharp edges; fit for the game (25%) — does it do the job in a real skirmish rather than at a target range; durability (20%) — what owners report after a season of use; and value (15%).
We read the manufacturer's specifications, the listing details and the pattern in verified owner reviews, and we compare everything against the safety practices commercial archery tag fields use. We do not accept payment for placement, and a product cannot buy a higher rating. Our hands-on test kit is in the field now; when a pick changes, we will say so on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Do inflatable bunkers need to stay connected to a pump?
No. The sets here are sealed with valves. You inflate them once with the pump and they hold their shape for the session.
Can we play without bunkers?
Yes, using trees, hay bales or upturned tables, but check anything you use for sharp edges and stability. Inflatables are popular because they are soft to bump into.
How tall should bunkers be for adults?
Five to six feet for standing cover. The party inflatables in this guide are kneeling cover for children.
Do I need a separate pump?
Most sets include one, but a spare is cheap insurance. See our field gear guide for pumps.
