Another equipment question!
We've just been away with borrowed Vango Comfort Grande 10cm beds, which were AMAZING on a weekend when there was ice in the tent and a bumpy pitch. So we're converted to the joys of really good mattresses.
But the packing size... it's not just that the diameter is huge, they're really long as well (because they're so wide).
Is there anything that is super-comfortable, but isn't 76cm wide? Neither of us wriggle that much, so the width just seems to be extra packing bulk in an already over-stuffed car!
We gave up on sims as too bulky and now use backpacking air mats. Super comfy, insulated and pack to less than a 2 litre bottle. Bit narrow though.
Vaude norrsken are the ones we have but big Agnes also do similar.
They aren't cheap but we haven't had any punctures. They come in two lengths. The shorter ones leave your legs on the ground to save on a few grammes weight. The longer ones fit a 6 footer easily.
My Mrs loves this year round. Down fill & only weighs 575 grams. Packed size is only 9" by 4.5"! Inflated it is 72" long by 20" wide & nearly 32 thick. It's also good to minus 24c. I use the shorter one for winter backpacking sometimes.
You can get bigger. thicker more heavy duty versions
oh, some great ideas, thank you. Those down mat things look amazing, but they're crazily expensive!
Two additional issues
- we have 3 very active small children, and whatever we get needs to be able to cope with them falling over on it (i.e. it mustn't pop! we can enforce no jumping, but not no falling over...)
- my husband is 6'4" and only weighs a bit over 10 stone (i.e. he's very skinny and bony); also a delicate flower, so whatever we get needs to be REALLY cosy and comfortable...
You could also take a look at the Thermarest Neoair mats.
Tiny when packed down, about the size of two coke cans, one on top of the other.
They also come with a lifetime warranty for original purchaser.
Same idea as Exped but different technology and starting prices are not to bad on some models if you shop around.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
Vangoman - do those new neoairs contain insulation? I looked at a version a few years back & it was very noisy. Would have been like sleeping on crisps packets.
Quote: Originally posted by indecisive on 25/4/2016
Another equipment question!
We've just been away with borrowed Vango Comfort Grande 10cm beds, which were AMAZING on a weekend when there was ice in the tent and a bumpy pitch. So we're converted to the joys of really good mattresses.
But the packing size... it's not just that the diameter is huge, they're really long as well (because they're so wide).
Is there anything that is super-comfortable, but isn't 76cm wide? Neither of us wriggle that much, so the width just seems to be extra packing bulk in an already over-stuffed car!
I've just found the 7.5cm Vango SIMS - 60cm wide - at a great price: £29.99 here.
I bought some simple from Gary at Cross Camping on Sunday. They arrived at lunchtime today. We went for a Vango 10cm double, just bought two 5cm singles for the kids.
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: Best REALLY comfortable SIM?
