Thanks. I'll probably look into that once more when all my new stuff arrives, as was recommended by several members. Then I'll know what size I need.
Campcraft questions
- Thread starter THOaken
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The foam mat will be OK if you sleep on your back rather than your side. But remember on a straight foam mat like that one the purpose is insulation not comfort.
My brother can sleep on the floor (indoors) in a sleeping bag. Because he sleeps on his back.
The Gelert might well be a good mat. It will come down to how small you need it to pack. A Quick comparison is
Gelert
Mountain Equipment
So it's thicker, light and packs way smaller.
For side sleepers it is not just insulation. But you can always pull the Baden Powell trick of digging a hole the size of a teacup to put your hip in.
If you had not trouble with any of this before then 2x of those Yellowstones looks up to the job.
My brother can sleep on the floor (indoors) in a sleeping bag. Because he sleeps on his back.
The Gelert might well be a good mat. It will come down to how small you need it to pack. A Quick comparison is
Gelert
- 180 x 51 x 2.5 cm
- Rolled Size 51 x 15cm
- Weight 1040g
Mountain Equipment
- Size: 183 x 51 x 3.8cm
- Size packed: 27 x 16cm
- R-value: 3.2
- Weight: 0.75kg
So it's thicker, light and packs way smaller.
For side sleepers it is not just insulation. But you can always pull the Baden Powell trick of digging a hole the size of a teacup to put your hip in.
If you had not trouble with any of this before then 2x of those Yellowstones looks up to the job.
I have the vango, though bought over twenty years ago, now is my sofa bag for when im poorly
nice bag but very bulky and heavy, even the new design ones are 2.5kg. The x lite is 1.5kg though ive never used one.
Hmm, any other recommendations? Trying to strike a balance between warmth, thickness and weight. What do you use now?I have the vango, though bought over twenty years ago, now is my sofa bag for when im poorly
6 or 7 years back when I was looking for a replacement 5 season Karri-mat I was shocked and stunned to discover I was so last decade regarding sleeping mats. I opted to stick with foam, despite the sniggers and raised eyebrows of the sales staff.
That was my main fear with inflatables, as I use my mats for more than sleeping, and sometimes on rough terrain, fire side etc.
Thats an old climbing trick, keeps a pack up right and in a wearer friendlier shape when not fully filled. Handy in non framed straight single compartment climbing sacks.
Another old trick, and one I still employ; is to recycle an old worn-out mat by cutting the remnant into usable pieces, usually into bits the same size and shape as the inside of the back section of the inside of the rucksack. Helps with padding for a carry, but the sections also make handy seats, atop a rock or log etc or as part of an emergency (or planned) bivvi set up, two or three pieces, one (or two stacked) to sit on, the other for the back, for use in situations where one can't lie out flat, up a cliff face. Handy even when just out for a walk, having a handy sized piece to sit on, or park the kids on during a picnic.
I sleep on my side, left hand and never had an issue with a just a foam mat.
I'd go for the Karrimor as it's a good bit lighter than the vango, looks like a good bag that. 3 season's plenty to be getting on with and it should stuff down quite small. It's a 3 season I use mostly and in most situations in the UK it's warm enough, if sleeping in ones thermals (which helps keep the bag fresh, and saves faffing around with a liner), for most winter use too, especially when holed up in a good tent lying on cozy foam mat, or inside a bivvi bag even more so
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I have constant issues with it, so that's going to be quite personal. Given Thoaken has mentioned no previous issues, it probably doesn't come into it for him, but there will be other people using the thread.
I sleep on my stomach, actually. For some reason that's the only way I can get to sleep. In the tent I got to sleep, albeit not comfortably for until I got really tired, with just a thin sleeping bag and on ground that I forgot to clear, with loads of twigs and things. Anything will be a step up.
Okay. Any last thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
DD Tarp 3m x 3m
Karrimor X Lite 3 Sleeping Bag
BA Goretex Bivvy Bag
Yellowstone Eva Camping Mat
Free stove and can set up.
Mess tins and other misc cooking gear
(Rucksack to be purchased later)
DD Tarp 3m x 3m
Karrimor X Lite 3 Sleeping Bag
BA Goretex Bivvy Bag
Yellowstone Eva Camping Mat
Free stove and can set up.
Mess tins and other misc cooking gear
(Rucksack to be purchased later)
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Only thing i would say with the sleeping bag is that its a very narrow fitting bag. I know you are thin so thats not a problem but it can feel very constrictive if you like to sleep with legs anything other than straight.
Can always give it a go, mate. I'm not too bothered by these little problems. Anyway, it's all subject to change anyway. The whole point is just to try everything out and see what suits me. Tarp camping it is then! I reckon in the next few days I'll be out in the woods learning knots and seeing if I can do a few configurations.
Also, I'll be posting a thread on the stove that Crosslandkelly is sending me to let the user know it's arrived safe and sound.
Looks quite sorted, the only thing I'd add to that is some twine/string/accessory/para cord, I'd go with a ball of strong gardeners twine to supplement that already on the tarp (?) and a few tent pegs for pitching in a clearing or open ground.
Your list looks a good start THOaken. I'll also give a plug for the Therm-a-rest Ridgerest foam mat. I agree 100% that the primary function of a closed cell foam mat (or any mat) is insulation from the ground. However, I have found that the Therma-a-rest Ridgerest mat is by far the most comfortable CCF mat that I have used and I've used many different CCF mats. My wife and I got our Ridgrest mats back in 1994 and they are still going strong, though my backpacking days are now sadly over. The Ridgerest mat served well on many weekend and week long backpacking trips with my wife and with the Scouts. I, too, have cut up other CCF mats, as Uilleachan has described, for handy padding and equipment pads. No connection with Therm-a-rest but it is worth a browse for a used Therm-a-rest Ridgerest mat. It may be possible to get it as cheap as your budget allows and it should be serviceable and up to your camping tasks for years to come.
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This has been a nice thread for me to follow. Although I have my kit fairly sorted out it is good to rethink just why I pack what I pack, and wether or not I am actually happy with my kit. Does it do what it has to do? I realized that not all of it does: I just ordered the yellowstone eva mat in the link that was posted earlier. I have a thin self-inflating mat that stopped inflating and I have had a cold night or two on it. Never tried a foam mat before but this one doesn`t break the bank and if it is indeed warm then for me it is an upgrade
About stoves: It has been suggested earlier in the thread to make a hobo stove and an alcohol stove (out of a pop can for instance). That way you can add two two very functional stoves to your collection for less than 5 pounds, and then just pack the one that will be most adequate for the place you are going. Or have the alcohol stove as a back-up since it weighs absolutely nothing
About stoves: It has been suggested earlier in the thread to make a hobo stove and an alcohol stove (out of a pop can for instance). That way you can add two two very functional stoves to your collection for less than 5 pounds, and then just pack the one that will be most adequate for the place you are going. Or have the alcohol stove as a back-up since it weighs absolutely nothing
Good to see that the thread is helping more than just me. It's nice that you've bought the Eva mat. That's the one I'll be buying for now too.This has been a nice thread for me to follow. Although I have my kit fairly sorted out it is good to rethink just why I pack what I pack, and wether or not I am actually happy with my kit. Does it do what it has to do? I realized that not all of it does: I just ordered the yellowstone eva mat in the link that was posted earlier. I have a thin self-inflating mat that stopped inflating and I have had a cold night or two on it. Never tried a foam mat before but this one doesn`t break the bank and if it is indeed warm then for me it is an upgrade
About stoves: It has been suggested earlier in the thread to make a hobo stove and an alcohol stove (out of a pop can for instance). That way you can add two two very functional stoves to your collection for less than 5 pounds, and then just pack the one that will be most adequate for the place you are going. Or have the alcohol stove as a back-up since it weighs absolutely nothing
And about stoves, Crosslandkelly is willing to send me his hobo stove for free
Good to see that the thread is helping more than just me. It's nice that you've bought the Eva mat. That's the one I'll be buying for now too.
And about stoves, Crosslandkelly is willing to send me his hobo stove for free
I`ll be happy to hear how you will get along with the mat. And very nice of Crosslandkelly to send you a stove!
Or get a surplus IPK for around a fiver complete with groundsheet, cord and pegs.
This is a pretty comfortable and fairly robust mat at £35...http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vango-Adventure-Self-Inflating-Matt/dp/B007NAEI80/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1395613623&sr=8-8&keywords=vango+self+inflating+mat I use a piece of cheapo economy tarp underneath to prevent it bursting. That said it has burst twice in over a year which isn't bad. It's strength over others in my experience is that it's still reasonably comfortable even when deflated as it's fairly thick foam. Even burst it's actually more comfortable than the 18mm thick Dutch Army closed cell mat.
Punctures are easy fixed at home.
Punctures are easy fixed at home.
That does look good, Dave, however I think I'm going to just buy the cheap CCF mat recommended earlier for a starter.
