I tried my Hubby`s very expensive Thermarest once and loathed it. I was trying to persuade my son to swap his airbed with me at 4am. (It needed a small bribe.....) I`m quite heavy and I found I squashed it so flat at some points I could feel the ground. Warm, though. Good for kids, and if space and weight is important.
Now Hubby and I have a dual chamber Coleman double airbed, which is more comfy than our bed at home, almost.
Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 25/11/2004
I tried my Hubby`s very expensive Thermarest once and loathed it. I was trying to persuade my son to swap his airbed with me at 4am. (It needed a small bribe.....) I`m quite heavy and I found I squashed it so flat at some points I could feel the ground. Warm, though. Good for kids, and if space and weight is important.
Now Hubby and I have a dual chamber Coleman double airbed, which is more comfy than our bed at home, almost.
I have a lumbar problem (slipped a disc) and I find an airbed is best cos it fits my (ample) contours, where the inflata-mat didn't. We were considering an upgrade to the Coleman's dual chamber one too, in order to get over that trampolining effect when one of us moves....so its good to know its comfy.
I think you have settled the debate Valk-scot. Thanks!
Thermarests can be found for all conditions.. fair weather campers in static tents and for more adventurous outdoors people who need lightweight but comfortable sleeping mats which also insulate from cold ground,.. they are guaranteed for life , and are very tough.
You should look at www.thermarest.com
for the full range, but some may be hard to get in wider sizes unless you try specialist suppliers like Gearzone or the Outdoor Shop
I have a Prolite 3 regular for cold camping in this country and still use my old Ultralite [thicker but heavier] when down to -10 And I just dont feel the cold!!
If you mainly want to car camp , I would recommend trying the cheaper Aldi /Lidl/self inflating mats and a really really good sleeping bag, which is a good insulator for the season you want to camp in.
The word is Vango will be introducing a self inflating bed next season which may be priced for car campers.
Quite honestly, though, If you are overweight or have some lumbar/spine problem, a 2" thick Luxury Camp Thermarest or a 12" "comfy" airbed wont solve your problem, but one thing is sure, a Thermarest is definitely warmer than an inflatable bed!
------------- In a tent everyone can hear you scream.....
I have a lumbar problem (slipped a disc) and I find an airbed is best cos it fits my (ample) contours, where the inflata-mat didn't. We were considering an upgrade to the Coleman's dual chamber one too, in order to get over that trampolining effect when one of us moves....so its good to know its comfy.
It is definately better for the trampoline effect. Hubby didn`t want an airbed at all because of this, but I went ahead and bought it to give it a try out over a weekend. Now he`s a convert. You can still feel the other one roll, but you don`t get catapulted out the side!
As for being warmer, well, our main holiday is 4-6 weeks in France in the summer so warmth is less important than comfort. The Coleman is the most comfortable airbed I have ever tried...it`s as good as my bed at home for that. If we use it in Britain it`s simply a matter of taking an old zip open sleeping bag to put between it and the fitted sheet. Very warm.
I'm going back to the £145 limit on goods - that's for goods that you personally bring in to the Uk from non EU countries. Items posted to you (whether by yourself or through mail order, gift etc.) have a MUCH lower limit - I think it is £36 - best to check on the Customs and Excise website.
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Topic: thermarest: which of them are okay?
