Travel folding beds: features and tips for choosing

Hunting, fishing and just relaxing with friends outside the city always leave unforgettable impressions, but in order to spend time comfortably in nature, you need to think about organizing an overnight stay in advance. In this case, an indispensable item in the travel set is a folding bed. This accessory can be easily picked up in any store, as it is presented in a wide range.

Travel cots are a unique folding design that looks like a bed, but unlike it, they are portable and light in weight. These folding beds are equipped with a special frame, thanks to which they are quickly folded and transported. To date, these tourist devices are produced with various design features and differ in weight, design and price.

Tourist folding beds can literally replace a standard bed, so they are often used in field conditions for a comfortable overnight stay. Most models are equipped with a sleeping bag or mattress, while the frame of the tourist accessory is made of aluminum pipes, which makes the structure light and durable.Such clamshells can be purchased ready-made or made independently at home from steel and fabric, but in this case their weight will be much higher.

If you spend the night just on the ground, you can get severe hypothermia and get sick. Camping beds help to get rid of this problem, as they are excellent protection from the cold. The main advantage of these products is the compact size when assembled. They resemble a portable version of a tent, they have zippers, pockets and a handle for easy carrying.

Almost all models of folding beds are made of raincoat fabric - this fabric is resistant to dirt and dries quickly when washed, it does not leave stains and stains.

Camping clamshell for hiking, hunting and fishing is on sale in several versions, each of which differs in appearance, additional equipment and price.

The most popular option is aluminum clamshell, as it is characterized by the smallest weight (no more than 6 kg) and is able to withstand a human weight of 125 kg. As a rule, such a model is purchased by those tourists who plan to go on a multi-day hike. At the same time, the aluminum folding “bed” can also be used in everyday life when sudden guests arrive.

Models equipped with mattresses are very popular., they are great for those cases when the tourist does not want to sleep in a tent on the ground. They are comfortable, small in size, and in the morning after sleep they do not cause any pain in the body. The only disadvantage of such options is that the designs are of decent size and are recommended for purchase by those tourists who plan to travel by car with a large group of friends.

Worthy of special attention are army options for folding beds. These are transformers that do not differ in comfort from previous types, but in comparison with them they have high strength. Such models are made of a metal frame, which is covered with a metal mesh. The design of this type is quite stable, but it is recommended to additionally combine it with a foam sleeping mattress.

To date, it will not be difficult to choose and buy the appropriate model of a tourist folding bed, since this product is presented on the market in a huge assortment. The top list of the best clamshells is headed by the following models.

• Teton Sports Outfitter-XXL. This type of product can withstand weight up to 270 kg. The folding bed is convenient to use, its height is 0.5 m, which makes it convenient to lie down and get up. The frame is made of aluminum and the legs are made of steel. This makes the product durable. As for the shortcomings, they include the weight of the clamshell and the complexity of the first installation.

• Texport Deluxe. Compared with the previous version of the model, the product is characterized by ease of unfolding and assembly. In addition, the advantages include high strength, comfortable height and affordable cost.

• Earth Jamboree Military Style. It is considered the most comfortable model, since it is additionally equipped with a pillow for sleeping. The frame of the product is made of durable aluminum, it is covered with polyester fabric, thanks to which the clamshell bed can be used reliably for a long time. The product is able to withstand weight up to 200 kg, its dimensions allow even tall tourists to be accommodated.

• Roll-A-Cot by Camp Time. This travel device is made on the basis of a mesh breathable material, the frame is mounted on two stable legs. The folding bed is easy to transport and folds quickly. The main advantages of this model include compact dimensions.

• Therm-A-Rest LuxuryLite UltraLite. This is the smallest in size and weight version of the tourist "bed", which is great for outdoor recreation, as well as hunting and fishing. The design can withstand a weight of +190 kg, while it itself weighs no more than 1.25 kg. When assembled, its size does not exceed 6 * 15 inches, which allows you to take it with you on cycling trips.

• UltraLite Cat. This product weighs 1.36 kg, its dimensions are 1.6 * 0.66 m. Manufacturers guarantee that the design can withstand a weight of 147 kg. The advantages of this design also include the presence of a fabric base, which is represented by polyester, capable of retaining the thermal radiation of the body. As for the frame of the product, it is made of aluminum arches, to which nylon legs are attached.Such a folding bed is completed with a travel bag measuring 43*13 cm, it is designed for intensive use at a height of 10 cm from the ground.

• bowframe. It is characterized by quick assembly, which takes no more than 3 minutes and does not require special tools at hand. This option is mainly chosen in cases where you need to organize a camping on rocks or on the surface of the earth with thorns and knots, where inflatable mats are not suitable for use. The folding bed provides its owner with a smooth and soft surface for sleeping due to the elastic base. The disadvantage of the product is the high price, but it justifies itself with excellent quality.

• Outwell Laguna Hills. This product is presented by the British company Outwell, which has been specializing in the production of camping products for over 20 years and has received many positive reviews. The folding bed has a simple and at the same time reliable design, which is easy to assemble. The frame of the tourist bed is made of steel alloys; in addition, the manufacturer applies a protective coating to all structural details, which makes the metal resistant to corrosion.

• best way. All the constituent structural elements in this model are combined into one with the help of special hinges. Travel bed without any effort quickly unfolds and folds. Additionally, at the head of the product there is a small pillow sewn in, it is sewn from a well-ventilated material.The frame is durable and reliable in use, it is made of aluminum and steel tubes.

• "Bear". This folding bed has several options. Most often, tourists choose a model in which the dimensions of the bed are 66 * 192/77 * 212 cm, the bed height is 45 cm and the size in the package is 12 * 15 * 96 / 16 * 15 * 106 cm. As for the weight of the structure, then it can be from 7.9 to 9.6 kg.

• "Cedar". It is considered the most popular model among fishermen and hunters, as it is characterized by compact size and light weight. Such a folding bed can be transported even in cars with a limited trunk. The folding frame of the clamshell is made of steel tubes, which allow you to assemble a structure up to 16 cm high. Unlike classic camping models, it is uncomfortable to sit on such devices, but they are highly durable, which prolongs their service life.

• "Mitek". It is a fairly reliable and durable construction. Although externally the design has many similarities with the classic clamshell, it differs from the first assembly system. The clamshell is assembled similarly to the frame for a tent (according to the “plug” principle) from steel pipes, their diameter is 25 mm. Thanks to this feature, the tourist bed takes up little space, and the absence of rivets and bolted connections makes it reliable. The tourist folding bed "Mitek" weighs 6 kg, can withstand a maximum user weight of up to 200 kg. Its dimensions are 190*64*20 cm.

• "Coast". In this model the size (length and width) is increased that allows to be placed on it comfortably.The design is represented by an aluminum frame with tubular links with a section of 25 * 25 mm and a wall thickness of 2 mm. The lower part of the legs is equipped with rubber anti-slip caps, they make the bed stable on various surfaces. For easy transportation, the product comes with a carrying case.

Since tourist folding beds are presented in a wide range, it is not easy to make a choice in favor of one or another model. First of all, you need to decide what the product is purchased for: for hiking, tourism, camping or winter fishing. Then you should pay attention to such indicators as equipment, product quality, manufacturer, warranty period and capacity.

The camp bed should fit freely in the trunk of a car and a tent. In addition, before such an important acquisition you need to know your height and weight so that the design is convenient in further operation.

Additionally, the following characteristics of folding beds should be taken into account.

• The weight. This parameter depends on the size of the structure and the material from which it is made. It is best to give preference to models made of aluminum pipes, they are the lightest.
• Dimensions. Most types of tourist beds have compact dimensions. They are easy to transport as they are supplied with durable cases.
• Comfort. To date, all manufacturers produce models of camp beds with increased comfort, while at the time of purchase you should pay attention to the presence of adjustable legs and side pockets in which you can store various little things.
• Manufacturing material. Durable models are characterized by a long service life, but they are heavy.As for the bed, it is advisable to choose classic folding beds with fabric lining. Models have also proven themselves well, in which the bed is decorated with lamellas made of wood and metal.
• Operating frequency. If you plan to go hiking one or more times, then you can buy a cheap version of a folding bed. For long-term use, experts recommend purchasing expensive high-quality models. Their price will pay off over time.
• Price. It is determined not only by the manufacturer, but also by the functional characteristics, the material of manufacture.

See the next video for information on which tourist clamshell is better to choose.