When you’re camping for any length of time, it’s ALL about space-saving. Oh the conversations – ok, heated chats – the husband and I had about what we could and couldn’t take on our three-week camping road trip to France. One thing we agreed on from the beginning though, was stacking the kids on top of each other. And by that I mean, once we had discovered they made camping bunk beds for kids (in this case, the Hi Gear Duo Bunk Beds from Go Outdoors), we thought they’d be the perfect solution for our daughters’ (aged 5 and 3 at the time) sleeping arrangements during our camping adventure.
The Hi Gear Duo Bunk Beds also seemed like they would be super handy for future trips where we might need to put them to bed in a smaller space than usual. The camping bunk beds for kids were one of the new-equipment successes of our holiday, let me tell you why…
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Camping bunk beds for kids: Hi Gear Duo Bunk Review
Me testing out the camping bunk beds (I’m 5’8″)
Are the camping bunk beds easy to construct?
There’s an awful lot of construction that goes into a setting up camp, even with an inflatable tent. I have to say rolling things up – mattresses, sleeping bags, you name it, is my LEAST favourite part of the camping experience. I think this is partly why the canvas camp beds appealed to me!
The Hi Gear duo camping bunk beds are collapsible, concertina-style, so you can make them into two single beds if you prefer. They are connected together by a steel frame, which is easy to build – simply slot into place and fasten with a thick strip of velcro. They feel really sturdy – my husband even ended up sleeping on one for a night, during a bed-hopping evening with the kids – you know the kind. I’m 5’8″, so you can get an idea for the length of the bunk bed in the photo above.
I like the fact there’s no faffing around with pumps, and no issues with having to deflate beds like you get with blow-up mattresses.
Click here to purchase the Hi Gear Duo Camping Bunk Beds from Go Outdoors
Are the Hi Gear Duo camping bunk beds actually space-saving?
The camping bunk beds come in a carry bag which measures approximately 83x18x31cm and is quite heavy. If you’re tight on space in the car it can be easier to separate the poles from the bag so it packs down into smaller spaces.
Once they’re up and in the tent though, as they only take up the same amount of room as one camp bed, there is plenty of space left for the sprawl of kiddo paraphernalia.
One of the sides of the top bunk is also fitted with three little net pockets, which are really handy for storing stuff that kids like to have within easy reach, such as bottles and nappies etc.
Are the Hi Gear Duo camping bunk beds comfy?
If you’ve ever slept on a canvas camp bed, you’ll know how comfy they are. Our young kids slept in quite padded Vango Starlight sleeping bags and were more excited by the prospect of who was going on the top bunk, than the softness of the bed, so were very happy with their lot.
If you were really worried about kiddy-sleeping comfort though, you could always get a portable mattress topper for the camping bunk beds, however I found the little ‘lip’ of the edges was great at preventing our wriggly three year old from falling out of the bottom bunk. The side panels on the top bunk naturally stop that from happening.
A nice cosy sleeping bag and a proper pillow (not the inflatable camping pillows shown below in the photograph – they just flew out from under their heads constantly) make this a pretty snug child-sleeping option.
Being elevated off the ground meant they didn’t get cold at night either.
How much do they cost?
The Hi Gear Duo Bunk Beds cost around £99 from Go Outdoors, which is a 50% discount on the retail price of £200. If you have a Go Outdoors card (which is free), you can often get another 15% off this too. I think this is great value for money, when you consider a good quality airbed costs around £50 and is in danger of puncturing as soon as the kids bounce on its tempting surface (I speak from experience). We’re going to get loads of use out of it in years to come too, not just camping, but for weekends away, self-catering stints and staying with friends and family.
Would I recommend the Hi Gear Duo camping bunk beds?
Yes! Our kids loved them and took it in turns each night to sleep on the top bunk. They slept really well in the bunk beds, better than they have slept anywhere EVER before – sometimes even until 10am (!) in the morning (although this was also to do with the busy, outdoor, late-night camping lifestyle). The camping bunk beds were a great bit of kit to take with us on our three week road trip, but we also plan on using them for staying at our friends’ and families’ houses, or setting them up when we have guests with kids to stay in our humble-sized house. I’d definitely recommend them.
Click here to purchase the Hi Gear Duo Camping Bunk Beds from Go Outdoors
Read more:
Best inflatable family tent? The Berghaus Air 8 reviewed
Trip to France and Spain: our French road trip itinerary
Take your camping bunk beds to the Peak District with this handy camping guide to the area from Peak District Kids.
Campsites on the Dordogne river: Camping le Capeyrou, Beynac France
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