3 minute read
IsABellA cuPBOArD DOuBle
This camping equipment company was first born in 1957, when Søren Odgaard needed a tent but couldn’t find one that met his needs, so like any sane man he took to his basement to make his own. The name came about with Søren’s fascination with the old high-end car marque: the “Isabella Borgward”. From there the company has gone from strength to strength and now sells tents, awnings and camping accessories to over 35 different countries worldwide. We received the Cupboard Double to test out, now when you think of camping you may not think of packing a cupboard. In fact, when one of our camp mates turned up with a pop up “bookcase” as she called it we all took the mick, however it quickly became apparent into our weeklong stay that she had the right idea. Our tent floor was covered in carrier bags trying to separate food, cooking equipment, games and booze but eventually everything became muddled up which meant digging through at least 4 different carrier bags every time we needed something. This pop-up double cupboard weighs quite a lump at 30kg, but it comes with a carry bag (folded size 87 x 55 x 11 cm) making it easier to transport from the car, this isn’t a product suitable for a long trek from a festival carpark to the campsite. This weight however does indicate the durability of the cupboard, it is made from a strong aluminium frame with sturdy polyester walls and zip up doors. The fabric shelves are fixed in place, there are six metal shelves that then sit on top for reinforcement, it would be handy if there was a clip or something to hold the shelves in place just to keep them level under uneven weight. It is very easy to set up, simply lift the top up then the legs push into place, it packs down just as easily, it measures up at 84w x 50d x 81h cm giving you are good amount of room to separate your food, cooking gear and eating utensils, the doors can be tied back open so you can always see where everything is, reducing rummaging time. There is ventilation mesh at the back and two holes, it’s worth noting there is no way to close these to keep the bugs out 100% but you can stuff in some tea towels to block them up. Anyway, these holes can be used to pass cables though, letting you pop a tv on top of the fixed tabletop, Xbox and games on the shelves, there is even a cut away hole on the table top that has a plastic cap (which wasn’t fitted very securely) again this can be used as a cable pass through or to stand up tall utensils or spaghetti, whatever you like. The little feet on the bottom of the unit are adjustable so you can get a flat surface on uneven ground, better for storage but also providing the perfect tabletop for a boardgame session. The Cupboard Double is a really handy bit of camping gear, if you use it once it will be hard to go back to a carrier bag storage system, it gives you more room in the tent too as your belongings are elevated off the floor, not to mention protecting them from dirt, sand, mud or anything else that finds it way into the tent. PrOs PrOs eAsy tO set uP AND PAck AWAy rOBust cONstructION fIxeD, lArge tABletOP cABle PAss thrOughs IN the BAck AND ON the tOP stOrAge POckets ON the OutsIDe ADjustABle feet cArry hANDle AND cArry BAg DOOrs tIe BAck cONs heAvy PlAstIc cAP ON the tABletOP POPs Out eAsIly shelves hAve NOthINg tO hOlD them IN PlAce NO WAy tO clOse hOles At the BAck (keeP Out Bugs)
£150
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