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Greadh



Member Since: 17 Feb 2016
Location: North West
Posts: 97

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Santorini Black
Self inflating mats
The other half has been convinced to go camping for 2 weeks summer holiday, my side of deal is I have to get her best possible bed. Cots aren't currently option as the tent is too small. Currently we use go-outdoors 3cm SIMs

Was looking at Exped megamat and Outwell Dreamboat 12 cm, anyone got a view on these 2 or similar.

Cheers
Post #540112 14th Jun 2016 5:28pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 14 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2070

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
We have some kampa mats that we started using this year and love them ...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kampa-Kip-Luxury-...kampa+mats

well recommended and have used them for 2 weeks every night with no issues ....
Thumbs Up Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126
Post #540152 14th Jun 2016 7:55pm
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Mash



Member Since: 09 Feb 2015
Location: Guernsey
Posts: 1674

Guernsey 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
On eBay there are some memory foam waterproof ones, very comfy but a tad bulky if hiking 90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html
110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html
52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html
D3 Hse - Fiona
Capri 2l S - Anna

Think I might have a problem............
Post #540172 14th Jun 2016 8:32pm
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Chris86



Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: South Yorks
Posts: 755

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 110 Td5 USW Chawton White
Take a look at alpkit

https://www.alpkit.com/featured/sleeping-mats

I have had a few bits from them, I know others who have had lots of gear from them- never heard a bad thing said and the gear I have had has been great.

Chris
Post #540193 14th Jun 2016 9:02pm
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Ads90



Member Since: 16 Jun 2008
Location: Cots-on-the-Wolds
Posts: 800

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Keswick Green
I bought SIMs a couple of years back - Vango 5cm - perfectly comfortable for a night or two.
But we found a whole week on them was not so good, and have since resorted to buying a big ol' airbed for the summer week away - with a mattress topper to keep out the cold, there's just no comparison.
The downside to the airbed as you'll probably know is that it needs a bit of extra air several times during the week, and the risk of punctures!
I also considered a fold-up foam mattress (a bit like the seats you get in a caravan), these are probably the most comfortable and won't deflate, but are obviously very bulky not just for travelling with, but also for storing at home.

Note the thicker/wider SIMs are also quite bulky when rolled - you won't save much (if any) packing space over an airbed.

If you do get SIMs, try and store them inflated, as we deflate ours to fit in a cupboard and they now no longer fully self-inflate - like a fluffer on a porn set I have to put in a few puffs to get them hard.
Post #540213 14th Jun 2016 9:40pm
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miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1758

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
Alpkit fan here. My several year old airo (super thin one) now leaks down over a night, but I can't find the puncture! Lasted through a lot of heavy use either way. Think I'm going to replace it with one of the thicker ones.
Post #540246 14th Jun 2016 11:39pm
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MartinK



Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2664

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
I have 2 of the original Thermarests
Both still functioning perfectly despite being over 10 years old, and been on many excursions (including Alpine climbing trips)

However also use some Alpkit stuff (though not their mats) and agree - great VFM Smile Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)
Post #540282 15th Jun 2016 6:06am
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Greadh



Member Since: 17 Feb 2016
Location: North West
Posts: 97

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Santorini Black
Hi,

Thanks for all the advice, I will take a look at all those suggested, Alpkit seems to be suggested often, I have dry bags and tent pegs form them - but nothing more.

I guess a question is - all those suggested are in a similar ball park cost wise ~£50-70, most are available in ~10cm thickness. Has anyone got any experience with the more expensive ones? The Exped and the Outwell mentioned are both ~£130 and indeed so is the Thermorest Neo-Air.....Interested to know if these are worth twice if not 3 times the money?

cheers
Post #540291 15th Jun 2016 7:50am
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MartinK



Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2664

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
One of my Alps Pics:



Thermarest worked a treat! Good insulation from the cold ground...

The newer ones can be bought under £60 http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/thermarest-prolite-regular-p206782

This makes them quote price compatible?

Even been able to sleep on rocky terrain:


Click image to enlarge


Not knocking Alpkit in any way - I use one of their down sleeping bags in the Alps...

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Mr. Green  Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)
Post #540302 15th Jun 2016 8:42am
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Greadh



Member Since: 17 Feb 2016
Location: North West
Posts: 97

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Santorini Black
Thanks Martin, those pics make me jealous, unfortunately the gf is expecting something more along the lines of this for her 2 week summer holiday:


Click image to enlarge


Well maybe not quite, but I think 2 weeks camping in the snow would be pushing my luck!

Its a hard thing to buy as it is generally subjective and many of them aren't easy to go take a look at as not available on high street (Alpkit for example).

One thing that isn't too much of an issue is pack size - these wont be for hiking etc. 100% car camping with a 110, so space is there. This said, I have never had one good nights sleep on any airbed, so going to avoid these for now.
Post #540347 15th Jun 2016 11:02am
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dantastic



Member Since: 04 May 2010
Location: London
Posts: 367

United Kingdom 
These self inflating mats are great. Very comfy. Mine is about 2" thick and it's plenty comfy.

I have 2 real problems with my mattress though. If I was buying again I wouldn't buy the same one.

1) The top surface is really slippy. Nylon sleeping bag on top of nylon mattress means you easily slide off unless the ground is 100% flat. Don't underestimate how flat the ground must be if you've no friction between the sleeping bag and the mattress.

2) It's too narrow. I think it's 60cm wide. Fine for a night but if you are using it for an extended amount of time you need something a bit more comfortable. In my case I found I don't wish for thickness but width.

Other things to look for is ability to blow in more air. Mine says it's self inflating but that's a lie! This also means that you have to shove the entire valve into our mouth to add a bit of extra air. It's has this cage kind of screw valve. Probably a fine valve knob if the thing was actually self inflating...
Post #540367 15th Jun 2016 11:48am
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Chris86



Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: South Yorks
Posts: 755

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 110 Td5 USW Chawton White
Greadh wrote:
Thanks Martin, those pics make me jealous, unfortunately the gf is expecting something more along the lines of this for her 2 week summer holiday:


Click image to enlarge


Well maybe not quite, but I think 2 weeks camping in the snow would be pushing my luck!

Its a hard thing to buy as it is generally subjective and many of them aren't easy to go take a look at as not available on high street (Alpkit for example).

One thing that isn't too much of an issue is pack size - these wont be for hiking etc. 100% car camping with a 110, so space is there. This said, I have never had one good nights sleep on any airbed, so going to avoid these for now.



Im pretty sure Alpkit do free shipping and returns if that helps- sure I read that on their website somewhere when I was looking at trying to get a down Jacket for my wife a couple of years ago.

Chris
Post #540457 15th Jun 2016 4:37pm
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Scotm



Member Since: 28 Feb 2014
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 640

Scotland 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Orkney Grey
Martin - Glad to see someone else is still using their early 90's karrimor hot route rucksack. I have a twin!
Post #540704 16th Jun 2016 11:10am
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Jimb1978



Member Since: 05 Sep 2012
Location: Huddersfield
Posts: 804

England 2002 Defender 110 Td5 Black LE Java Black
http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Exped_Mega_Mat_...Ar4-8P8HAQ

Two of these with a standard bedsheet over the top with some Velcro straps sewn to it underneath. More comfortable than my bed at home! 2002 110 td5
Post #540709 16th Jun 2016 11:22am
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mick



Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 2109

England 2010 Defender 130 Puma 2.4 HCPU Rimini Red
These are the dogs danglies http://www.basecampgear.co.uk/sleeping-c39...Gwod_SEFPQ I've got two top kit
Post #540833 16th Jun 2016 8:22pm
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