The Backpack Bed by Swags for Homeless is one of the only emergency homeless shelter designs which has gone through to commercial manufacture.
Whilst the company claim that it’s received 5 international design awards I feel like its fundamentally let down by the fact it doesn’t implement any structural poles in its design which means that the user has to find a suitable place to tie the bag up, else it will just lay on top of you.
Pros
- Compact design
- Built in roll-mat
- Quick setup
- Portable
- Multi-functional (can be used as wind-break etc)
- Good visibility when inside
- Doesn’t look like a ‘tent’ when packed up
- Built in fly-net
- Internal compartments
- Fully Waterproof
Cons
- Not freestanding
- Lack of structural supports
- Stability issues in high winds
- Exposed entrance
- Limited space for personal posessions
- If rolled up wet or in the rain water is kept inside
- Fixed backpack size means that sleeping bag will have to be packed separate
- Poor ventilation if not tied up
- Messy looking if not tied up
- If not tied up then increase in thermal heat-loss as bag is touching person
- Increased risk of condensation if not tied up
- Lack of suitable places to ‘pitch’ it
- A-frame design is inefficient on space
