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Subject Topic: Self inflating sleep mat Post Reply Post New Topic
20/2/2012 at 8:33pm
 Location: Middlesbrough
 Outfit: Higear corado 4
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Hi new to camping just building up all the stuff I need for 1st trip got corado 4 tent been reading these mats better than air beds was looking for a double or two singles but dont want to spend large amounts of money after buying tent table sleeping bags stive all ready any help would be great thanks got the two young children kampa junior air beds (ones with sides on ) these any good?


20/2/2012 at 8:51pm
 Location: North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Holi * Perran 4 * Airedale 5
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You need to be comfortable and warm at night so don't scimp on beds and sleeping bags.

I always used an airbed which was fine until it leaked and I spent 2 very uncomfortable nights on the floor!
I now use a folding camp bed and wish I'd bought them years ago! Very quick and easy to put up and sooooo comfortable!

The Kampa junior airbeds for the children are popular but remeber that it is just a big slab of cold air so insulate below the airbed and on top - cheap fleece balnkets or foam roll mats work well.



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Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum


20/2/2012 at 8:57pm
 Location: herfordshire
 Outfit: hi gear Kalahari 10
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yes sims (self inflating mats) are good try them out before you buy, stores will normaly have them on display ,double or single is a personel choice ,i have 3 single sims and a double outwell one ,more warmer than air beds try and go for at least a 5cm thick one


20/2/2012 at 9:03pm
 Location: None Entered
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We used to use those old rubberised canvas airbeds and they'd last for years. Then they disappeared and we tried PVC ones that all developed slow punctures reasonably quickly. 2 years ago we got 5 centimetre sims and they're fantastic. We use those cheap roll mats underneath for added comfort and perhaps I'd have liked a slightly thicker sim but the hubster has no probs at all sleeping on his. They are very warm and (added benefit) they give you so much more space in your tent. Ours came from Go and are just the own brand. I think they were a tenner each.

Liz


20/2/2012 at 9:15pm
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If you are fit and healthy and don't mind scrabbling about at floor level then SIM's are very good. Light, no need for pumps etc and don't take up much room. However, as mentioned, if you scrimp on everything else don't scrimp on your sleeping kit because a good night's sleep is a must.

Cheap, thin, SIM's in my opinion are a waste of money as you may find your body touches the ground through them. Go for good quality ones if you can.

A lot of people now are finding the modern airbeds not up to the job and many leak from the start so there is a move towards campbeds with maybe a cheap SIM on top. I am considering this myself at the moment after wasting a lot of money on failed airbeds.

I have no doubt though that you will buy lots of things which you may later regret and it can be a bit of trial and error finding the kit that suits you best.

 



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20/2/2012 at 10:34pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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I too am moving from air bed to camp bed + SIM combination, after my trusted air bed developed a leak mid trip.

Definitely get the thickest one that you can afford. However, be wary of pack size as they can be bulky.

I am getting Therm-a-rest Luxury Map in XL, and the camp bed will be a Highlander Torran which is the largest I can find at 87cm wide.

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


20/2/2012 at 11:13pm
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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 20/2/2012I too am moving from air bed to camp bed + SIM combination, after my trusted air bed developed a leak mid trip.
Definitely get the thickest one that you can afford. However, be wary of pack size as they can be bulky.

I am getting Therm-a-rest Luxury Map in XL, and the camp bed will be a Highlander Torran which is the largest I can find at 87cm wide.

DK
It's worth making sure that the width measurement on the Highlander Torran refers to the sleeping platform or the widest point of the frame (the end bars stick out a bit, each side).

The Outwell folding bed
L Deluxe is cheaper than the Highlander Torran, has a better weight limit (125kg instead of 120kg) and gives open size: 80/97 x 210 x 44 cm (WxDxH). In other words, this has a sleeping platform spec of 80cm and total width 97cm.

If the Torran has similar reductions for frame, it might mean the actual sleeping platform is just 70cm, total width 87cm.

(I'm not saying one way or the other, just advising you to check if it's a widest-possible bed you're after).

We have the Outwell beds and they are excellent.


20/2/2012 at 11:27pm
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PS

We also have a couple of Luxury Map XL mats, and they too are fab. To be honest though, I don't know if you'd need a mat of this spec if using it on top of a camp bed (we use our Outwell beds for sunbathing - they were simply too tall for our Barbados bedroom inner because of the sloping sides).

The luxury map, as you'll know, is die-cut foam, which is supposed to mean fewer pressure points and a more comfortable sleep. I can definitely vouch for this when using the mats on the floor, but don't think it would be so much of an issue on a taut, hammock-like camp bed like the Outwell. You could probably get away with a solid foam mat, which are considerably less expensive.

Just one other thought, placing an expensive Thermarest directly on top of the metal bits on a folding bed (ie the centre joint pieces and the end bits where the frame meets) worries me a bit; if you move around in the night it might mean the Thermarest could chafe a bit. I think it might be an idea to put a folded fleece blanket on the bed first, then the thermarest, just to give it a bit of protection. I'd hate for a Thermarest to go pop, especially a Luxury Map!



21/2/2012 at 12:07am
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Thanks for the advice, I shall double check the measurements of the Highlander Torran.

The reason I am getting a Luxury Map is that, in the event I go camping with another person where sharing of bed may be required (I live in hope ), I would get another Luxury Map, and pair both up without the camp bed.

I did consider the Base Camp first, then thought I would pay a bit extra and get the Luxury Map, which has been rated as the best SIM in a number of reviews.

Good idea about putting a fleece on the bed first to minimise the risk of chaffing, thanks!

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


21/2/2012 at 12:23am
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wow those Luxury Map XL mats are expensive. What about these?  personally I use the rubber blue and red old airbeds. Would a sim be more comfortable? I put a fleece fitted matress topper to make it snug. SIMs are expensive to just try. I would find out in one night if they were for me or not. Can you sleep on your side on them? I just have memories of boy scout camping on a foam mat.  


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21/2/2012 at 7:41am
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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I already have a 5cm double Outwell SIM, and it is massive when packed, and takes up too much room in the car.

Hence I need to find something that packed into a small size, and once I have weighed up all the pros and cons, I decided on the Luxury Map.

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


21/2/2012 at 8:48am
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The Luxury Map is pricey, yes, but it is a fab mat with a small (ish) pack size and really easy to inflate and deflate.

We had Fat Airics first and liked them, only found they were too narrow and took quite a few puffs of air to make them firm enough for our liking.

Then changed to Thermarest Basecamp XL mats and couldn't believe the difference in inflation and set up times, also they are very much wider. We thought they were comfy, but just fancied something a bit more luxurious.

After a lot of uuming and aaghing over the money side of things, I then ordered the Thermarest Dreamtime XL mats (For me, a really comfy bed is important) but when they arrived I was really shocked at the pack size - they are each as big as some tents, packed! We simply couldn't fit them in (even though we used a trailer, then!) so they went back (great move on my part - had to pay return carriage of course).

I then sent for the Luxury Map XL mats and they are a big, comfy mats with a pack size that's not that much bigger than the Basecamp XL.

When deflating, first open both the valves and then fold the mat - from the bottom up- into three, kneeling on it as you go to get as much air out as you can (takes about a minute to do this and is no effort at all). When you get to the top, do up the valves. Then, unfold it and start to roll from the bottom edge, undoing the valves to let the rest of the air out when you get near the top again. Continue rolling, then fasten up the valves again.

They come with a carry sack, and fit into it easily without first having to be secured with straps etc (the Airics had to be held with webbing straps, or would spring out again. The Thermarests - Basecamp and Luxury Map anyhow - don't do this, once rolled they seem to stay in place pretty well because it's easy and fast to get all the air out).

You can buy heavy duty, top-loading carry bags for them, which might be good if you feel you need to offer them a bit more protection in transit. We just carry them in a tough Coleman dry bag, but I am tempted to get the Thermarest ones.



21/2/2012 at 9:00am
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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 21/2/2012

The reason I am getting a Luxury Map is that, in the event I go camping with another person where sharing of bed may be required (I live in hope ), I would get another Luxury Map, and pair both up without the camp bed.


DK


When using 2 x Luxury Map XL mats side by side, you don't need to use a joining kit, you can just use a 5ft (kingsize) fitted sheet and the mats don't move (well, I can say from experience that they don't when they have a tent carpet underneath).

In fact, I use a kingsize quilted mattress protector, then a kingsize fitted sheet and it makes a really luxurious, huge camping bed.

If using a quilt, it does mean carrying a kingsize quilt. We have a large Coleman dry bag and use that as a stuff sack for bedding; just cram the quilt, sheets, mattress protector and pillows into it and compress it all down.


21/2/2012 at 9:59pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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I am *hoping* to get a Ventra Down Comforter, along with a fitted sheet, plus the Tech blanket, and the largest down pillow, and the top-loading bag for the lot eventually, as in a complete sleep system.

Can't justify forking out the money for everything in one go, as a camping trailer is high on the list of things to buy.

So I shall continue to take my cheapo Ikea all season duck feather and down duvent, plus fleece blankets etc., along with a camp bed and SIM until I can afford the rest.

May ditch the idea of camping with another person, too costly, unless he comes equipped with his own Therm-a-rest Luxury Map etc...!

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


21/2/2012 at 11:08pm
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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 21/2/2012

May ditch the idea of camping with another person, too costly, unless he comes equipped with his own Therm-a-rest Luxury Map etc...!

DK


Make that two Therm-a-rest Luxury Maps, and you'll know you've met Mr Right!



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