I've recently started fishing a very overgrown lake. The paths are almost non existent so there's a lot of forcing your way through undergrowth to get to the ‘swims'. I've been thinking of ways to lessen the bulk of the gear I take as it's a struggle with a loaded barrow. I use an aqua atom plus and 10ft rods so that helps but it was the bed that was the main issue. They're just so cumbersome! So I bought Robens camp bed and it's great! I only really do a night at a time but it's made me question whether or not bedchairs are even necessary. Does the fact it's a bit higher off the ground and is fairly easy to fold out outweigh all the benefits of using a mega light and easily transportable camp bed? Tbh once I've faffed around with my Bedchair it's no quicker than the camp bed and the camp bed fits easily into my under barrow bag meaning pushing and manoeuvring the barrow is so much easier. Just not really sure how we arrived at the standard design for a Bedchair really.
In reply to Post #1
Most bedchairs nowadays are just really beds, most of them dont incorporate the chair part in them, so in reality everything is the same just different sizes and weights, so what you have essentially bought is to me just a different bedchair
Most bedchairs nowadays are just really beds, most of them dont incorporate the chair part in them, so in reality everything is the same just different sizes and weights, so what you have essentially bought is to me just a different bedchair
In reply to Post #1
Comfort . . . the fact is camping is uncomfortable - sleeping on the ground is cold damp and wet so bedchairs have evolved to at least give us a little respite. Anyone that says 'its as comfy as my bed at home' is either on drugs or just has a really crap argos bed at home . . .
Comfort . . . the fact is camping is uncomfortable - sleeping on the ground is cold damp and wet so bedchairs have evolved to at least give us a little respite. Anyone that says 'its as comfy as my bed at home' is either on drugs or just has a really crap argos bed at home . . .
To sleep on 
That aside I'd use a thermorest quite happily
That aside I'd use a thermorest quite happily
I've been down this path..
You've got two choices ,a thermarest as said,or look at Helinox bedchairs ,backalong ,I did a thread on them..
(I use a Helinox Chair one xl for all my carp and course fishing,I won't be going back to a conventional day chair any time soon.. )
The Helinox bedchairs,can be upgraded to adjustable, but they not cheap ...I fish a quiet place or two, its more than possible though to carry on using the lightest conventional carp bedchair ,say a xlite,and put a Dpm tarp inside ,and a walking pole or two,maybe learn a plow point configuration..oh,and sleeping bag can be a snugpak ,junglebag,reality is they not that warm..
Look to the Bushcraft,Wildcamping World,it's where I get my inspiration from
Edit,I should have said... no barrow used at all,carry it all over rough ground...I use a waterfilter,but most would not do that though..my kit on quiet places are if it helps you a bit
Two rods fully protected in double sleeve
Bedchair,plus tarp
Unhooking mat on rucksack
Everything in a 40 litre rucksack,in my case an ESP,or back along a Kombat UK klone
Double edit,lol..I have spent my entire carping time ,a long time minimally as I can,..I bet you 99% of anglers would look at this facet of my set up and ,go no way!..I'd just nod and smile
In short ,if you can barrow,nice one..you can still be super minimak ,if not carrying is the way..
You've got two choices ,a thermarest as said,or look at Helinox bedchairs ,backalong ,I did a thread on them..
(I use a Helinox Chair one xl for all my carp and course fishing,I won't be going back to a conventional day chair any time soon.. )
The Helinox bedchairs,can be upgraded to adjustable, but they not cheap ...I fish a quiet place or two, its more than possible though to carry on using the lightest conventional carp bedchair ,say a xlite,and put a Dpm tarp inside ,and a walking pole or two,maybe learn a plow point configuration..oh,and sleeping bag can be a snugpak ,junglebag,reality is they not that warm..
Look to the Bushcraft,Wildcamping World,it's where I get my inspiration from
Edit,I should have said... no barrow used at all,carry it all over rough ground...I use a waterfilter,but most would not do that though..my kit on quiet places are if it helps you a bit
Two rods fully protected in double sleeve
Bedchair,plus tarp
Unhooking mat on rucksack
Everything in a 40 litre rucksack,in my case an ESP,or back along a Kombat UK klone
Double edit,lol..I have spent my entire carping time ,a long time minimally as I can,..I bet you 99% of anglers would look at this facet of my set up and ,go no way!..I'd just nod and smile
In short ,if you can barrow,nice one..you can still be super minimak ,if not carrying is the way..
In reply to Post #5
Tbh the thing I like least about carp fishing is the bulky and heavy items of kit. It makes me feel tied down and detracts from the actual fishing imo. I looked at hellinox (couldn't justify the cost as it was a bit of an experiment) and other brands but I'm really pleased with the Robens.
Tbh the thing I like least about carp fishing is the bulky and heavy items of kit. It makes me feel tied down and detracts from the actual fishing imo. I looked at hellinox (couldn't justify the cost as it was a bit of an experiment) and other brands but I'm really pleased with the Robens.
Do you have a link for the adjustable legs? Done a search but couldn't find anything, only the extensions...
I have a few ways of taking a bed with me depending on where I am going.
Just take a normal fishing "bed chair", large to transport about but comfortable and storage space underneath
Take a collapsible bed with four detachable legs that just rolls up similiar to a normal camp bed. and pack away to nothing. Easy to transport, but low to the ground and unable to store any baggage etc underneath.
Like the following for example
https://www.millets.co.uk/15987165/eurohike-utah-4-leg-campbed-15987165
An airbed. Most comfortable of all, but a pain to blow up and no room to store anything underneath and bulky inside a bivvy.
Just sleep on the ground with a foam mat or a SIM.
And my most favourite bed, a US army cot I bought in the 80's for £15, very comfortable, high up off the ground for sitting on, bags of room underneath and packs away to nothing to go on the barrow with no bulk. Its only problem is the legs are not adjustable so I take some blocks of wood for levelling. When Winter comes along with very long nights 12 hour plus, this is my choice of beds as I can spends hours at a time on it and get a good sleep on it with no aches, pains. bad backs or sore spots etc. But, it also needs something warm on top of it in Winter like a foam mat which is perfect. Never tried a SIM on it as never had the need to improve the comfort.
I also have 4 British army ones of the same design but they are not as good and seem to break or rip easy, cheap copies by the cheapest bidding contractor for the UK government probably.
Just take a normal fishing "bed chair", large to transport about but comfortable and storage space underneath
Take a collapsible bed with four detachable legs that just rolls up similiar to a normal camp bed. and pack away to nothing. Easy to transport, but low to the ground and unable to store any baggage etc underneath.
Like the following for example
https://www.millets.co.uk/15987165/eurohike-utah-4-leg-campbed-15987165
An airbed. Most comfortable of all, but a pain to blow up and no room to store anything underneath and bulky inside a bivvy.
Just sleep on the ground with a foam mat or a SIM.
And my most favourite bed, a US army cot I bought in the 80's for £15, very comfortable, high up off the ground for sitting on, bags of room underneath and packs away to nothing to go on the barrow with no bulk. Its only problem is the legs are not adjustable so I take some blocks of wood for levelling. When Winter comes along with very long nights 12 hour plus, this is my choice of beds as I can spends hours at a time on it and get a good sleep on it with no aches, pains. bad backs or sore spots etc. But, it also needs something warm on top of it in Winter like a foam mat which is perfect. Never tried a SIM on it as never had the need to improve the comfort.
I also have 4 British army ones of the same design but they are not as good and seem to break or rip easy, cheap copies by the cheapest bidding contractor for the UK government probably.
In reply to Post #7
DM,I seen these removable and adjustable legs on an American survival channel during the 'experiment'..I cannot for the life of me remember which channel it was on ,it might have been l9newolf 101..until he fell out with a sponsor or the Outdoor gear channel,if I find it,I'll send it to you
DM,I seen these removable and adjustable legs on an American survival channel during the 'experiment'..I cannot for the life of me remember which channel it was on ,it might have been l9newolf 101..until he fell out with a sponsor or the Outdoor gear channel,if I find it,I'll send it to you
Cheers, be great if you do come across it. The adjustable leg factor is possibly the only stumbling block with these type of beds.
The advent of 2DPA-1 could eventually help to lighten standard fishing bedchairs.
The advent of 2DPA-1 could eventually help to lighten standard fishing bedchairs.
In reply to Post #10
What's this 2DPA-1..then mate ,a super light alloy or similar I guess?
What's this 2DPA-1..then mate ,a super light alloy or similar I guess?
Bivvys, Rods, Bite alarms have all come on leaps and bounds since there initial conception. But so called " Bedchairs " have changed little since Fox introduced the Bedchair to the market in the mid eighties. There basically still the same big heavy awkward to transport things they have always been. It's about time a lot of these brands went back to the drawing board with the concept. And I definately think the way to go is with some of the ideas like what's already been mentioned the outdoor companys are coming out with. 
In reply to Post #12
Comfort / Height / Strength & a level of adjustability are important - weight and speed/ease of assembly also key - def think that materials could be improved upon and like the integrated SIM on the Helikon . . .
Comfort / Height / Strength & a level of adjustability are important - weight and speed/ease of assembly also key - def think that materials could be improved upon and like the integrated SIM on the Helikon . . .
In reply to Post #11
I'm no expert but have a read...
http://www.sci-news.com/othersciences/materials/2dpa-1-polymer-10518.html
I'm no expert but have a read...
http://www.sci-news.com/othersciences/materials/2dpa-1-polymer-10518.html
In reply to Post #12
The thing is do they have to go back to the drawing board? There are alternatives out there, and very few people use them. Which would suggest there isnt really a market for it. Added to the fact that there are a lot of lakes which you can either park behind the swim or at least dump your gear behind, would also suggest there isnt really a need for a camping style bed
The thing is do they have to go back to the drawing board? There are alternatives out there, and very few people use them. Which would suggest there isnt really a market for it. Added to the fact that there are a lot of lakes which you can either park behind the swim or at least dump your gear behind, would also suggest there isnt really a need for a camping style bed