I first saw the Born Outdoor Badger Bed while walking through the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in February 2024. At first glance, it looked no different from the Canvas Cutter I had used for several years. I soon realized it was a complete bed system designed to provide a comfortable night’s sleep wherever your adventures take you. Read on to see what I think about the Badger Bed after an entire season of use.
Born Outdoor Badger Bed
So, what exactly is it? The Badger Bed is a modular bedroll that can be configured for comfortable sleep wherever you are in the world and in a variety of conditions. You can buy the Badger Bed alone and use it with your existing pad and sleeping bag, but it really shines when you use the entire system as designed.
The Sierra Bundle comprises the Badger Bed, a Thermarest MondoKing™, Cascade Flannel Sheets, and a Sierra Down Quilt. Born also offers a Baja Bundle with the same sleeping pad, Mohave poly-cotton sheets, and a Baja Synthetic Quilt. I ordered the Sierra Bundle plus the Baja quilt to have a system that would be comfortable in warm weather down to around 0*F.
Size Options
The Badger Bed comes in two sizes, 25 and 30 (25″w x 78″L and 30″w x 82″L respectively). I chose the 25 for its versatility and to match the size of my cot. I’m 5’10” and 190 lbs; I sleep on my side and switch sides constantly throughout the night. When I started using it, I thought the material on the top was a little tight and thought I might like the 30 better. But I got used to it over time, and it worked well for me. The benefit of a smaller footprint outweighs the added space for my use.
Exterior Materials
The Badger Bed is not waterproof on top, but the 210-denier nylon Oxford fabric features a two-way stretch, is very breathable, and repels condensation or light splashing. The bottom and sides include a C6 DWR TPU coating to keep water out if you use it directly on the ground. Think of it like a bathtub floor in your tent. All the fabrics are made from recycled plastic bottles, which is pretty cool. Read more on that here.
Notable Features
The Badger Bed has stretchy corner straps to keep your sleeping pad in place—two small loops at the bottom of the bed clip to the top sheet and quilt. I appreciated how well everything stayed where it should while rolling the Badger Bed up or sleeping in it. Three pockets inside give you a place to keep your phone, keys, headlamp, or similar items. The full-length zipper makes setting up the system and getting in and out easy.
One Issue
I did have one issue with the Cascade Flannel Sheets. After several nights of use, I noticed the sheets starting to pill. I talked to Stewart about it, and he said they had a very small number of sheet sets showing that issue. My wife used a little tool and shaved the little clumps off. The sheets have been just fine since she fixed them for me.
Badger Bed vs Canvas Cutter
After extensive use with both, I would choose the Badger Bed over the Canvas Cutter for every situation except sleeping outside without a tent or tarp covering if there is a risk of precipitation.
And I would only use the Canvas Cutter in that situation if I had no other option since using a bed roll and getting in and out in wet weather sucks no matter what. The Badger Bed is so comfortable with the sheets, quilt, and pad that it reminds me of sleeping at home. The Canvas Cutter uses a sleeping bag, which is okay but not as comfortable as sheets and a quilt.
My Uses
I used the Badger Bed in a wall tent this season for a very comfortable spring bear hunting week. I used it many nights in my camper. My favorite use was in the bed of my truck. I do a lot of long road trips, and it is so convenient to jump in the back of the truck and get a good night’s sleep. The Badger Bed will pay for itself by skipping several hotel stays on road trips. I also enjoy my trips much more since I don’t have to sleep all cramped in the truck’s cab.
Temperature Ratings
One of the best things about the Badger Bed is its versatility. Because you can layer sheets and multiple quilts, it can be configured for comfort in all seasons. For summer, you can use the Mohave sheets and Baja quilt, which should be comfortable for most people down to at least 40 degrees. If temps are colder, I recommend the Cascade flannel sheets and Sierra down quilt, which will be comfortable to at least 30 degrees (I would be good to 20*). When temps get really cold, you can double up the quilts to stay warm in temps down to 0 degrees and beyond. Another cool layering option (I haven’t used it yet) is the Frontier Wool Blanket, which is available for pre-order at the time of publishing.
Conclusion
The Born Outdoor Badger bed is a premium product for someone who values quality sleep. Its high quality and versatility make it an excellent choice for serious road trippers. Give it a look if you camp in a wall tent, truck canopy, van, or RV and want exceptional comfort in various temperatures. The cost may seem high for potential customers, but sleep is very important to me, and I feel it’s worth it when you consider the cost vs. many years of use.
I look forward to many more comfortable nights with the Badger Bed. Order yours here.
Comment or ask Justin questions on the forum.
*Born Outdoor is not a Rokslide sponsor. The writer was sent the product at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
