Tourist cots: features and tips for choosing

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

Tourist folding beds are a unique folding design that looks similar to a bed, but, unlike it, has the ability to carry and light weight. Such folding beds are supplied with a special frame thanks to which they quickly develop and be transported. Today, these travel accessories are available with various design features and differ in weight, design and price.

Tourist folding beds can literally replace the standard bedtherefore, they are often used in field conditions for a comfortable overnight stay. Most models come with a sleeping bag or mattress, while the frame of the travel accessory is made of aluminum tubes, which makes the design light and strong. Such clamshells can be purchased both in finished form and independently made at home from steel and fabric, but in this case their weight will be much higher.

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

Almost all models of clamshells are made of raincoat fabric - This fabric is resistant to dirt and dries quickly when washed, there are no stains or stains on it.

Camping clamshell for hiking, hunting and fishing is available for sale in several versions, each of which is different in appearance, optional equipment and price.

The most popular option is aluminum clamshell, as it is characterized by the smallest weight (not more than 6 kg) and is capable of withstanding a human weight of 125 kg. As a rule, such a model is acquired by those tourists who are planning to go on a multi-day trip. At the same time, an 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 sleeping they do not cause any pain in the body. The only disadvantage of such options is that the structures have a decent size and are recommended for those tourists who are planning to travel by car with a large group of friends.

Individual attention and deserve army options clamshells. These are transformers that do not differ in comfort from previous species, but in comparison with them have high durability. Such models are made from a metal frame, which is covered with a metal grid. The design of this type is quite stable, but it is recommended to additionally combine it with a foam sleeping mattress.

To date, to select and buy the appropriate model of the tourist clamshell is not difficult, since this product is represented on the market in a huge range. Top-list of the best folding beds are 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 allows you to comfortably lie down and stand up. The frame structure is made of aluminum, and the legs - of steel. This makes the product durable. As for the shortcomings, then they can include the weight of the clamshell and the complexity of the first installation.

• Texsport Deluxe. Compared with the previous version of the model, the product is characterized by simplicity in unfolding and assembling. In addition, the advantages include high strength, comfortable height and affordable cost.

• Earth Jamboree Military Style. It is considered the most comfortable model, as 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 can be operated reliably for a long time. The product is able to withstand a weight of up to 200 kg, its size can accommodate even tall tourists.

• Roll-A-Cot by Camp Time. This tourist 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 size.

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

• UltraLite Cot. This product weighs 1.36 kg, its dimensions - 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 maintaining the thermal radiation of the body. As for the product frame, it is made of aluminum arcs to which nylon legs are attached. This clamshell is equipped with a traveling bag with dimensions of 43 * 13 cm, it is designed for intensive operation 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 camp on stones or on the surface of the earth with prickles 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 lack of a product is a high price, but it justifies itself with excellent quality.

• Outwell Laguna Hills. This product is presented by the British company Outwell, which specializes in the production of camping products for more than 20 years and received many positive reviews. The clamshell has a simple and at the same time robust design that is easy to assemble. The frame of the tourist bed is made of steel alloys, additionally the manufacturer applies a protective coating to all the details of the construction, which makes the metal resistant to corrosion.

• Bestway. All constituent elements of the structure in this model are combined into one whole with the help of special hinges. Tourist bed without any effort quickly unfolds and folds. Additionally, a small pillow is sewn into the head of the product; 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 clamshell has several options. Most often, tourists choose a model in which the bed dimensions are 66 * 192/77 * 212 cm, the bed height is 45 cm and the pack size 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, because it is characterized by compact size and low weight. Such a cot can be transported even in cars with a limited trunk. Folding clamshell frame is made of steel tubes, which allow you to assemble a structure up to 16 cm high. Unlike classic camping models, it is inconvenient to sit on such devices, but they have high strength, which prolongs their service life.

• Mitek. It is a fairly reliable and robust in operation design. Although outwardly the design is very similar to the classic clamshell, it differs from the first build system. The folding bed is assembled similarly to the tent frame (according to the “plug” principle) of steel pipes, their diameter is 25 mm. Thanks to this feature, the tourist bed takes up little space, and the absence of rivet and bolt joints makes it reliable. The tourist folding bed “Mitek” weighs 6 kg, withstands the maximum user weight up to 200 kg. Its dimensions are 190 * 64 * 20 cm.

• "Coast". In this model, the size (length and width) is increased, which allows it to be placed comfortably. The design is represented by an aluminum frame with tubular links with a cross section of 25 * 25 mm and a wall thickness of 2 mm. The lower part of the legs is equipped with rubber anti-slip plugs, they make the clamshell stable on various surfaces. For convenient transportation the product is completed with a bag cover.

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

Camping bed should fit freely in the trunk of the car and a tent. In addition, before such an important acquisition you need to know your height and weight, so that the design was comfortable in further use.

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

• 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 of aluminum pipes, they are the lightest.
• Dimensions. Most types of tourist beds have compact dimensions. They are convenient to transport, because the products are equipped with durable covers.
• Comfort. To date, all manufacturers produce models of camp beds with increased comfort, while at the time of purchase it is worth paying attention to the presence of adjusting the legs and side pockets in which you can store various small items.
• The material of manufacture. Durable models are characterized by a long service life, but they are heavy.As for the bed, it is advisable to choose the classic folding bed with fabric covering. Well-proven models also have a sleeper decorated with lamellae made of wood and metal.
• Frequency of operation. If you plan to go on a tourist trip one or several times, then you can buy a cheap option of a folding bed. For long-term use, experts recommend acquiring 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.

For information on which tourist cot is better to choose, see the next video.