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Subject Topic: SIM Blues Post Reply Post New Topic
24/10/2013 at 3:52pm
 Location: Salisbury
 Outfit: Bear Lake 6
View Porbeagle's Profile View Profile   Reply to Porbeagle Reply   Quote Porbeagle Quote  
Joined: 05/1/2013

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4 Outwell SIM's 1 year Old

x 2 Serenity 5cm

1 Elegance Double 7.5cm (really two singles joined)

x3 Have "punctured" some multiple times

All are very comfortable but three have had multiple puntures, 4 small holes in the material around the valves but the double has had a seam go plus several small leakes where is joins to it's twin.

Ok, so not hard to fix with a bit of seam grip, some patience and some geek forum trawling, but the buiud quality is surely woeful.  Outdoor kit that gives up on some light family camping!? Thank god I'm not on an expedition!

Two observations:

Double SIM's seem to be uniquely prone to this my the way they fold and roll together for storage.

The generic valve assembly on most of these products seem to pinch and "cut" into the SIM material

Impressed by SIM comfort but not impressed by the quality or durability in this instance.

What SIM would folk recommend and why, especially with regards to the valve design, the majority seem to have the same valve assmbelies and probably come out of the same factory in China....

Thanks. P.

 

 

 



24/10/2013 at 5:26pm
 Location: Swansea
 Outfit: Hobby 650 UFF
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i have a thermarest which i have had for years and it is still going strong.

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real men shouldn't be crying into their beer, they should be drinking whisky.


24/10/2013 at 6:35pm
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View VangoMan02's Profile View Profile   Reply to VangoMan02 Reply   Quote VangoMan02 Quote  
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Another vote for thermarest.. I have also had them for years. When stored at home its rolled out full length with valve open and hung in a large cupboard.

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It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


24/10/2013 at 7:51pm
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Yep, Thermarest vote from me too. I have 2 and an Exped fat mat which was my favourite until it started to de-laminate. It wasn't that old either but I dont think I will bother replacing it.

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Jim


24/10/2013 at 8:16pm
 Location: Hertfordshire
 Outfit: Anything I like !!!
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I like the Kampa Wide boys... 10cm thick and singles. We find two singles much better than a double and no issues with the valves.
I also let a lot of air out when sleeping and find this so much more comfortable.
Gary Cross

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Gary Cross - The masked camping guru.


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24/10/2013 at 9:54pm
 Location: Aberdeenshire
 Outfit: Several tents and a hammock
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We've have a Gelert and an Alpkit for a few years. No leaky problems (except when the cats got their claws into one) so no complaints about build quality. The Alpkit won't self-inflate, that's my only grouch.

Sounds like the Outwells are to be avoided.

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Sarah


24/10/2013 at 10:04pm
 Location: Cornwall
 Outfit: Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0 xtr Vario
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We have the cheaper/discontinued Outwell relax 5cm sims for the kids and I must say, we have not had a problem.

As for aerobeds that is another story.

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It's better to ask a silly question than make a silly mistake.


24/10/2013 at 10:14pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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I bought a Therm-a-rest Luxury Map XL for the 2012 season and can't fault it.

It has an advantage over other brands in that the valves can be replaced.

DK

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* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
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* 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! *


25/10/2013 at 11:38am
 Location: Earth
 Outfit: Karma Bell Tent (5M ZIG) + Robens Tarp
View autopilot's Profile View Profile   Reply to autopilot Reply   Quote autopilot Quote  
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Airic - 5 years of heavy use, lent to friends for festivals and still going strong. Did need to repair one a couple of years ago thanks to my cat, the kit they sent worked a treat. Replaced one valve, which they sent free of charge too, was was working but a bit wonky.


25/10/2013 at 11:45am
 Location: Earth
 Outfit: Karma Bell Tent (5M ZIG) + Robens Tarp
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Quote: The Alpkit won't self-inflate, that's my only grouch.



That's true actually, they don't self inflate that well (most SIMs need a bit of puff, but not as much). I think they make up for in other areas though.



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25/10/2013 at 8:56pm
 Location: Jersey
 Outfit: Filey 6; Frinton 5
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Vango Adventurer DLX. 75 mm thick . Had two of these for a couple of years and no problems whatsover. Must have slept on them for over 40 nights.

Keep them unrolled with valve open at home and only roll them when need to for travel etc.

Like the look of the Kampa Wideboys, which are slightly thicker at 100mm or four inches

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May '13 Rozel, Jersey
July '13 Cognac, France
August '13 Domaine Les Gonies, France
September '14 Domaine Les Gonies, France
August 15 Gonies, France
August 17, Gonies , France


25/10/2013 at 11:19pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Karsten 350 CA FW RA :)
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Exped megamat, best sleep ever


02/11/2013 at 9:33pm
 Location: NE Lincs
 Outfit: Buccaneer Caravel - Range Rover
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Had two of these for a few years now. Still going strong and excellent quality.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/a-300-self-inflatable-camping-mattress-blue-id_8172440.html#avantages



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