Last week I spent a really bad night at Orchard, Haven Centre. In the touring areas the pitches were mainly solid, dead, mud. At the front was an area of grass just big enough for the tent but the ground was rock hard and bumpy.
I didn't feel like spending another £37 for single person for one night to sit inside my tent in the rain and left the site without having had access to any of the activities (the pool closed as I arrived and reopened just before I was expected to have left).
Driving home my back was aching from an uncomfortable nights sleep, and continued aching the next day.
Camping again at the weekend I rushed out and bought a new OEX Compact 4 SIM, I chose the one I couldn't feel the keys in my pocket on.
I slept really well at the campsite this weekend, and will put aside my closed cell foam sleeping mats for the time being.
And I'd thought SIMs were for wimps.....
I've been looking at these but I generally thought 4cm would be rubbish (never tried one to be honest) and couldn't get myself to spend the silly money on the 7.5 or 10cm SIM's. Is the 4cm good then?
I tried most of the SIMs at Go Outdoors, Chatham. I was wearing shorts with car keys in one pocket. The others were 2 or 3cm and I could feel my keys through them. The 4cm OEX Compact SIM was thicker and I could not feel my keys pressing against the ground.
I slept well on this SIM for 2 nights and have no complaints.
I don't want to return to Haven campsite to test out the ground again with a SIM, the place just lacked style.
This is It stores/online sell Trail SIMS very cheaply and they are excellent value and well made.
A 3cm one works well if hard, and brilliant for backpacking, but the 10 cm is luxurious (not for backpacking) and can be left to self inflate, not needing finishing off...
About £10-£20...... (3, 5 and 10cm thickness' available)
I have just gone the other way. Started off with airbeds years ago and got fed up with them deflating so bought a cheap SIM which was fine but not particularly comfortable laying on the ground.
I then changed to a camp bed with the cheap SIM on top and that was great for awhile but after an awful night a few trips ago when I couldn't get comfortable and kept banging my knees on the metal bars at the edges of the camp bed I have decided to give airbeds another go.
I know I have put on a bit of weight round the middle over recent years but I am certainly not obese, but I have now found camp beds and SIMs too narrow for a comfortable nights sleep. Airbeds are a lot wider and hopefully, having bought one with an integral pump, I can keep it inflated in all temperatures without too much trouble.
I've used a Thermarest SIM for years but this year got an Outwell dreamcatcher 10cm. It is very comfortable. They are a bit pricey but the quality is good.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Succumbed to SIM
