OBJECT OF DESIRE

WHEN I think back to the first bedchair I ever bought, from Argos if my memory serves, it seems incredible that I got any sleep at all, given its lack of comfort.

Even when I subsequently upgraded to a Terry Hearn Stealth, which at the time was a real market leader, little did I know just how much further bedchair design had still to go.

In fact, there are some bedchairs on the market today that are so luxurious they can actually be detrimental to your fishing – what I mean by that is they’re so comfortable, it’s a struggle to get out of them in the morning when you should be be fish-spotting!

Avid’s Benchmark – a fitting name, as the company was the first to design a memory foam system – sits right at the upper end of the market and is suitably bedecked with all the creature comforts that the night fishing angler could ever wish for.

The thick mattress is a joy to lie on, while the integrated ‘sleeping system’ is so warm that it’ll keep you warm in all but the most Arctic of conditions.

The system actually carries a fourseason rating, so you’ll need a bedchair cover if you go out in the harshest weather that the winter can throw at you, but only the brave and foolish would do that, in my opinion!

The mega-cosy sleeping bag section features multiple layers, meaning you can choose the configuration to suit the conditions, and it can also be completely removed for cleaning.

Additional lumbar support has been incorporated to further add to the comfort, and the Benchmark’s flat profile (a revelation in modern bedchair design) is a major benefit in this respect too.

The hinges which help create this flat profile also come into play when packing the Benchmark away with the bag intact. It all collapses down to a surprisingly compact package.

The larger anglers among you, or those seeking that extra room, may be drawn to the ‘X’ model, which is the same design but with increased dimensions.

I’m no whippet, but found there to be ample room in the standard version.