SONIK SK-TEK Levelbed
Value for money and innovation go hand-in-hand when it comes to the new SK-Tek kit...
Sonik is busily forging a reputation for quality at a price that most of us can afford, and the new SK-Tek range of products is the perfect example of that. However, don’t think for a moment that value means that they jumped on the latest shipment of me-too products from China and whacked a Sonik stamp on it; the truth couldn’t be further removed from that. In fact, most of the SK-Tek range actually features little tweaks to convention that make our lives better when we’re on the bank. So, let’s take a closer look at some of the standout performers from the range…
The Big Questions
Levelbed? We get it: it’s a flat bedchair, right? No big deal then?
Well, we did promise you innovation, and yes, you are right to point out that the Levelbed folds down totally flat, as is the fashion these days, but its attributes extend far beyond that. Perhaps the best thing about it is the way that the mattress is sprung. Sonik identified that we all sleep differently, some on our sides, some on our fronts and some on our backs. With that in mind, they thought that they could improve on the current trend to tighten the middle section of the bed for lumbar support. What the team actually did was to tighten the elastication through that middle section, but also through the top end too. They realised that, for those of us who sleep on our sides, there’s a lot of pressure going through the shoulders, and firmed the mattress up at the top to make us more comfortable.
SK-TEK Levelbed £99.99Does it do the normal stuff too?
The rest of the spec is pretty solid too, with a SK-Tek Camo fleece-lined mattress, which has extra-wide padding around the frame because, frankly, why the heck wouldn’t you want more padding on your bed? Twin hinges to allow the bed to be folded down with sleeping bag attached, and you’ve got the standard, yet vital adjustable mud feet.
SK-TEK Sleeping Bag £89.99Okay, we’ll give you that. What about a sleeping bag to go with it?
We love this bag. It’s like the Sonik team synthesised all the best things about the best bags, and put them together for the first time. It’s a five-season bag, packed with silicone-treated, hollow fibre fill, which creates the very best in heat retention. Perhaps our favourite design tweak though, is the hood. Because of the way that it’s configured, it allows the bag to close up around your shoulders and neck, however you settle on the bed, cutting out those killer draughts!
SK-TEK Pillow £12.99Any other clever bits on this bag?
Yes, actually, they weren’t finished just yet! The head and foot sections have drawstrings, which allow you to ‘gather’ the fabric up tight, thickening it and eliminating any cold spots in the corners. The way the team chose to line the bag is genius too. They went for the much maligned (but technologically advanced) fleece inner, but only on the upper part – the lower section of the bag is polyester-lined, so you won’t drag the thing around with you as you turn over. They even had the foresight to terminate the fleece a few inches before the top of the bag too, so your stubble won’t get caught in it!
You’ll be telling us they’ve improved the humble pillow next?
That’s amazing! Are you psychic? Yes, they’ve done exactly that! They designed a carp-fishing pillow, from the ground up, and the result is certainly different. The pillow has been painstakingly sculpted to provide ergonomic support for the human head and neck. The result is, scientifically speaking, you should get a better night’s sleep (as long as those pesky carp don’t keep waking you). Just to make sure that the pillow caters for all, Sonik has lined one side with micro-fleece, and the other with brushed polyester, so the choice is yours.