NATURAL INSTINCTS PLATINUM HEAVY DUTY STRETCHER

October 2023

Stretchers have improved significantly over the years since the very first flimsy ones that only lasted one evening, if you were lucky. They have become more sturdy, durable and days of waking up belly down on the ground with bent stretcher legs are long gone. If your tent is big enough and has enough space, it is always recommended to sleep on a stretcher rather than just sleeping on the ground or on a mattress.

We have been using the Natural Instincts Stretcher for a few years now and it is still in very good condition. The Natural Instincts Platinum Heavy Duty Stretcher is quick and easy to set up. It is durable, with its Polyester 1200D PVC fabric and sturdy coated steel frame. I have slept on this stretcher for 6 consecutive days and the fabric has never sagged or stretched at all.

I was initially afraid that the plastic stability and foot hinges of the stretcher might break, as these are often the first items to break on chairs and stretchers that have these systems. However, all the plastic parts on the Natural Instincts Stretcher seem to be very durable.

The size of the stretcher is 200 x 80 x 42cm (H). There is ample space available on the stretcher, and you never feel as if you are going to f all off when you turn around while lying on the stretcher. The stretcher is advertised as being able to hold up to 200kg, so most of us can be confident that we will not break it. What I like most about this stretcher is that it is approximately 40 cm off the ground, which makes it easy to sit on and get up from.

It is not a light stretcher; the total weight of the stretcher is approximately 9.4kg. The stretcher comes in a lovely heavy-duty carrying bag and if folded up correctly can easily fit into the bag, however, like other camping bags a slightly larger bag would have been preferable.

Some recommendations when setting up this stretcher:

• Even before you set up your stretcher, it is important to make sure that you pitch your tent on level ground. Stretchers prefer level ground to ground that slopes heavily to one side or the other.
• If the ground is not level and at a slope, make sure that your stretcher is set up in such a direction that your head will be on the upper part of the slope with your feet facing down. On our last camping trip, the stand was at a slight slope and I decided to set up my stretcher perpendicular to the slope, which was also comfortable.
• Also consider putting a few extra pieces of cloth under the feet of the stretcher just to make sure that there is no direct contact between the feet of the stretcher and the groundsheet of the tent. This will provide extra protection to the groundsheet.
• Use a mattress on top of your stretcher. This will make your sleeping arrangements so much more comfortable and pleasant.



At time of writing this stretcher was selling for R1999.00 at Outdoor Warehouse.




If you are looking for a good quality stretcher for your next camping trip that should last you a very long time, consider the Natural Instincts Platinum Heavy Duty Stretcher