A Dream Start From Shimano
Having conquered rods, reels and luggage, Shimano now has its sights on improving your bankside sleeping habits
Shimano need no introduction for their world-beating reels, but it’s far from all that they do. In fact, it’s the brand’s rods that have been getting all the headlines in recent years, with some genuine stunners across their latest carp and coarse ranges. Before that, it was their luggage which was catching the eye, so they’re much more than a one-trick pony. And now it looks like that recent momentum is continuing into the bedchair market.
1. Trench Gear MAG Bedchair System (Standard and Wide)
These are the flagship sleep systems in the new range and are available in Standard or Wide. The former is 73cm wide by 198cm long, while the latter comes in at 78cm by 208cm. The Trench Gear beds feature built-in sleeping bags with true four-season ratings to keep you warm in temperatures down to -10C. The double-layer sleeping bags feature A-rated hollow fibre and a mix of fleecy and smooth inners. They also have EAZI-Glide zips with 5cm strips of nylon webbing on the inside to almost completely eliminate snagging, while 10cm over-padded internal baffles stop heat escaping. A waterproof outer provides resistance from light rain and dew if fishing without a shelter. The lay-flat frames are partly made from a type of magnesium alloy, which, Shimano says, is 37 percent lighter than aluminium yet still strong. They feature two sets of twin legs and individual legs at the head and feet end, which fold out at 90 degrees meaning they can be simply positioned with one hand. £399.99 and £429.99
2. Tactical Bedchair System (Standard and Wide)
For those with a tighter budget, the Tactical range offers a more affordable range of sleep systems. These also come in Wide and Standard (they measure the same as the Trench Gear versions) but have five-leg frames with the extra support at the feet end. The built-in bags are single layered and offer three-season protection thanks to high-grade hollow fibre. They too boast heat-trap internal baffles and the EAZI-Glide zippers for rapid exits in the middle of the night. The frames lie completely flat and, like the Trench Gear range, have Shimano’s Flat-Pak system for easy stowage without over-compacting the bags through repeated use. £219.99 and £229.99
3. Tactical Bedchair Winter Cover
If you want to give the three-season Tactical range a bit more protection then these matching covers (in Wide or Standard fitment) are a great option. They fit well yet don’t affect the opening of the sleeping bags and are made from a ripstop material filled with the highest-grade hollow fibre padding.
4. Bedchair Pillow (Standard and Wide)
Designed to perfectly fit on the PILLOW-Lok system on Shimano sleep systems—and to any other bedchair using an adjustable webbing strap—these hollow-fibre-filled pillows are double sided for extra comfort. One side is fleece, the other is smooth cotton, and are available in Standard or Wide.
What makes them stand apart from the crowd?
MAG-Frame
Thanks to parts of the frame being made from a special type of magnesium alloy, these beds weigh 37% lighter than their aluminium competitors.
Lay-Flat
The clever hinged frame design means the support bars butt against each other to give a perfectly flat bed for extreme comfort.
Flat-Pak
Utilising different length hinges allows each end of the bed to fold down square. On top of better stacking and storage, it also lowers the amount of pressure on the fitted sleeping bag and pillow.
Swing-Lok
End support legs don’t fold lengthways—instead they fold at 90º, to the side which means that they can be swung open and locked in place with a single hand.
Leg-Lok
Leg-Lok is a specially located webbing clip that holds the main legs tight and secure to the body of the bed so legs can be secured for handling and transport.
Foot-Cover
A small detail but a neat one. These tough covers are designed to fit over the end support leg feet to ensure no dirt or water is transferred to the duvet or bed while in transit.
