I have always previously used airbeds since I started regularly camping about 15 years ago. I have used quite a few different ones from cheap single/double airbed to the kingsize Aerobed. Whilst I have had mixed performance from these they have always punctured at sometime. I had two Aerobeds that punctured and was unable to fix these effectively. A few months ago my sister mentioned her friends used air mattresses and would never use anything else. So I recently received a gift of a Kampa kip highrise 10CM. I am so impressed with their comfort. It is by far more comfortable that any air bed and also does not require a pump. Though it is quite expensive it looks very durable and lower than the cost of two aerobeds that I purchased that both are now in the bin due to punctures. Would definitely recommend and plan to by a single one too.
The phrase is "SIM"... "Self Inflating Mattress"... and has been a very popular term on these pages, certainly since I started camping in 2012.
Luckily I came on here first, so I didn't suffer those wasted years on an airbed! Sheer fluke, of course!
Quote: Originally posted by Cross Camping on 09/11/2018
The Kip Highrise and the Vango Shangri La range of SIMs are the next step up from the traditional SIMs you can buy. Here's a link to a video of Kampa Kip Highrise 10cm single and the crazy thick Vango Shangri La 15cm single
It'll be a 20cm by this time next year, mark my words!
I'm still a bit dubious about the longevity of those single flip valves. Why don't Thermarest use them, if they're the best option, or Exped (both considered optimum SIMs)? Or, why don't Vango etc offer a lifetime warrants, like Thermarest?
I was tempted to buy an Airgo Cirrus from GoOutdoors when they were on offer, but was dissuaded by that single flip valve. I need to be able to trust and depend on a SIM and don't feel this type is yet tried and tested enough to instill confidence.
How many times do you think most people inflate and deflate these mats in a lifetime of family camping...? Well all i can say is during the summer we rolled up and inflated a shangri la demo mat about 20 times each week and the valve was still working as good as the first time. Its a very simple system.
------------- Gary Cross - The masked camping guru.
Is there much benefit to be gained in going from 10 to 15cm? Genuine question as I've not seen one in the flesh so to speak.
I'm around the 17 stone mark and don't bottom out on my 10cm mat. If it's properly inflated it gives enough comfort even for a side sleeper like myself
I have a bit of a weakness when it comes to sleeping mats having acquired quite a few over the years. My current car camping set up is to use a 10cm Vango on top of a standard karrimat. The karrimat adds a bit of extra insulation and a bit of peace of mind in case the SIM fails during the night. all four of my mats have battle scars of seamgrip and patches, mostly around the area where the valve is inserted. They all still hold air after the repairs though. I think my thinnest backpacking thermarest must be cracking on for 20 years old now
The 10cm should be fine for you but... 15 vango shangri la 15cm is like nothing else ive tried and im a heavy guy. We haven't any stock at this time of year but we have a few videos on our website. https://selfinflatingmats.co.uk
Post last edited on 12/11/2018 21:50:43
------------- Gary Cross - The masked camping guru.
Hi there - I'm looking to buy a 'next step' comfort camping mattress. I'm torn between two:
1 - The Vango Shangri-la 10cm (double)
2 - The Kampa Kip highrise double 10cm.
Is anyone able to give opinions about which is the best out of these two? If they are much of a muchness I think I'll go for the Kampa as it's quite a bit cheaper.
Lastly - is the Vanga Shangri-la double 15cm NOTICEABLY different?
My wife and I aren't especially tall of heavy (between 12 - 13.5 stone).
We have the Kampa Kip highrise double and it is sooooo comfy! we are both under 5ft5 and no more than 11stone each and it suits us perfectly. I'm not sure I'd go for a thicker one as I woul dthink the packed size would be bigger. This is the biggest thing we have to pack.
We took delivery of a Kampa Kip Highrise 15 today. I normally sleep on a carp bed but my husband wanted to try this to cut down on the car Jenga trying to fit 2 carp beds plus everything else. I have to say having tried it this afternoon I am willing to give it a go as it seems really comfortable and we got it back in the bag too which was a bonus! Husband is 6’ 6” and this fits him fine