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 Topic: Thermarest base camp
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07/6/2017 at 8:26pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: Cabanon Barbados & Cabanon Guadeloupe
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Me and possibly my family are considering switching from using a campbeds (wire legged) to SIM only, for car camping. We'd probably still use the campbeds + SIM in really cold weather.
The Thermarest Base Camp SIM seems to have a good reputation for reliability and comfort (hear it has a good warranty too). It's not too big when rolled up either.
I'd appreciate opinions from anyone using this SIM as regards comfort and warmth - I'm a side sleeper and hope that the 5cm thickness will provide enough comfort.
Many thanks
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Aug 2017 St Martins Campsite, Scilly
Jul 2017 Trewan Hall, Cornwall
Jun 2017 Higher Kestle Farm, Cornwall
Mar 2017 Pitch Perfect camping Bath
Aug 2016 Brittany/Normandy:-
La Ferme Croas Men (near Morlaix)
Le Ranolien (Ploumanac'h)
Le Bois Courdrais (Cugen)
Chateau de Montfreville (Montfreville)
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07/6/2017 at 8:41pm
Location: North Devon
Outfit: Robens Fairbanks Coleman Phad X3
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We use their Trail Pro SIMs which are a bit lighter/thinner, I sleep on my side and have always been comfortable and I'm 14.5 stone. My OH has stopped complaining about being cold since we got them too. So I reckon they'd do the job for you.
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Sean
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07/6/2017 at 8:47pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: Cabanon Barbados & Cabanon Guadeloupe
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Thanks for the recommendation seanfdh
I just googled the trail pro and it's listed as 5cm on the site which is same as the base camp - I will certainly take a closer look at this SIM
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Aug 2017 St Martins Campsite, Scilly
Jul 2017 Trewan Hall, Cornwall
Jun 2017 Higher Kestle Farm, Cornwall
Mar 2017 Pitch Perfect camping Bath
Aug 2016 Brittany/Normandy:-
La Ferme Croas Men (near Morlaix)
Le Ranolien (Ploumanac'h)
Le Bois Courdrais (Cugen)
Chateau de Montfreville (Montfreville)
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07/6/2017 at 8:52pm
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A good guide is to check out the R value, hope this helps:
An insulating material's resistance to conductive heat flow is measured or rated in terms of its thermal resistance or R-value -- the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. The R-value depends on the type of insulation, its thickness, and its density.
I think the basecamp has an R value of 5 which is not to bad.
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It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
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08/6/2017 at 11:13am
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: De Waard Lepelaar & Kleine Burgemeeste
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I've got a Thermarest BaseCamp and can offer a decent opinion.
Mine has taken years of abuse. I use it when I go camping on my motorbike as it takes up less room than the ones we take when we camp as a family in the car. They are very well put together. Better than anything else I have seen apart from Exped which they are level with. They are far superior to an own brand effort.
You won't get cold using it. Mine mostly gets used very early and very late in the season and I have always been warm (with a decent sleeping bag).
The only thing to be a bit concerned about might be the thickness. I'm quite happy to use mine for a couple of nights over a weekend, but I wouldn't want to spend a fortnight on it. I'm quite a big chap though which doesn't help. If you like a soft bed you can end up with your bum on the floor with a 5cm SIM by the time you have left enough air out. When we go away as a family my wife and I use 10cm Exped SIMs and our daughter uses the Basecamp. It is fine for her. I slept on a 1cm foam roll when I was her age so she should count herself lucky!
If I was you I'd buy one and give it a test run to see how you get on. If you find you need thicker you can use that one for one of your kids so it won't be wasted. I wouldn't go straight out and buy one for each person and find you have to upgrade two of them straight away.
I personally wouldn't venture away from Thermarest or Exped. I have used after-sales for both and they were spot on.
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Your mileage may vary
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08/6/2017 at 8:23pm
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I have a thermarest and can appreciate the quality. I also have Alpkit mats which are also well made but less expensive.
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09/6/2017 at 4:54pm
Location: Bergamo Italy
Outfit: ESVO Pyramid & Ridge
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I'm still using a Therm-a-Rest SIM bought back in 1994 or '95.
Therm-a-Rest have a lifetime guarantee!
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Are we there yet?
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10/6/2017 at 3:23pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: Cabanon Barbados & Cabanon Guadeloupe
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Thanks all for your helpful comments. I'm definitely going to go for a Thermarest.
Having looked at the thicker Luxury Map I'm deciding on whether go for this, or the basecamp at present. As a side sleeper the thicker one may be the way to go, but at more of a cost.
Unfortunately nowhere round here sells them as far as I know to give each a try so I'll just have to make a decision and go for a purchase online.
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Aug 2017 St Martins Campsite, Scilly
Jul 2017 Trewan Hall, Cornwall
Jun 2017 Higher Kestle Farm, Cornwall
Mar 2017 Pitch Perfect camping Bath
Aug 2016 Brittany/Normandy:-
La Ferme Croas Men (near Morlaix)
Le Ranolien (Ploumanac'h)
Le Bois Courdrais (Cugen)
Chateau de Montfreville (Montfreville)
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11/6/2017 at 6:15am
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: Cabanon Barbados & Cabanon Guadeloupe
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Thanks again for all your advice - in the end I felt that the thicker Luxury Map was the way to go - it was £27 extra vs Base Camp and not too much bigger in pack size. I went for large size for the extra width.
Ordered from Hill and Dale Outdoors who were really helpful over the phone with additional advice on the various options and SIMS in general, pricing good too.
Will update on how I get on with the SIM after it arrives.
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Aug 2017 St Martins Campsite, Scilly
Jul 2017 Trewan Hall, Cornwall
Jun 2017 Higher Kestle Farm, Cornwall
Mar 2017 Pitch Perfect camping Bath
Aug 2016 Brittany/Normandy:-
La Ferme Croas Men (near Morlaix)
Le Ranolien (Ploumanac'h)
Le Bois Courdrais (Cugen)
Chateau de Montfreville (Montfreville)
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