sellf inflating mat aka thermarest
- Thread starter benp1
- Start date
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Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
Eric_Methven
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Tesco are doing a version of the Thermarest right now. Can't remember how much, but they were a lot less expensive.
Eric
PS. Found it: here . It says it's out of stock, but I know the Durham store has some, so other stores will have too and at £15 you can't go wrong (shame about the colour though).
Eric
PS. Found it: here . It says it's out of stock, but I know the Durham store has some, so other stores will have too and at £15 you can't go wrong (shame about the colour though).
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-2471.aspx 14.97, though out of stock.
http://www.alpkit.com/airic/ have an offer running on theirs too, if your buying two.
The Airics from Alpkit http://www.alpkit.com/airic/ are extremely good value for money, the quoted online prices include P&P
I considered the Airic from Alpkit, but Thermarest give a lifetime garantee, which they do honour.
I got sent a brand new thermarest mat replacing my 10yr old one no quibbles/cost at all.
I can't fault Thermarest for customer service.
I got sent a brand new thermarest mat replacing my 10yr old one no quibbles/cost at all.
I can't fault Thermarest for customer service.
Yep, that's what a genuine Thermarest has in it's favour. I've been using one for over 10 years (not hard use admitedly) and it's still as good as new. I've seen cheaper mats delaminate pretty badly - although that was years ago and the newer ones are probably better.
Whether guaranteed longevity is worth the money is a question no one else can asnwer for you.
Whether guaranteed longevity is worth the money is a question no one else can asnwer for you.
the tesco one is a bargain. i went to the website but, like mentioned, found them to be out of stock
those alpkit ones seem excellent. the slim airic is a great price (i'll prob get 2). thank you for the link. i'm just off to have a proper look at the site and compare them to thermarests
the thermarests cost twice as much so in comparison i'm not too fussed about a lifetime guarantee, they do need to last though...
those alpkit ones seem excellent. the slim airic is a great price (i'll prob get 2). thank you for the link. i'm just off to have a proper look at the site and compare them to thermarests
the thermarests cost twice as much so in comparison i'm not too fussed about a lifetime guarantee, they do need to last though...
In my opinion, you definitely get what you pay for when you're shelling out the cash on a Thermarest. They're sturdy, have a good warranty and tend to be lighter and less bulky while more insulating than comparable pads. My wife and I bit the bullet and bought Thermarest 4's and have never looked back.
Having said that, the cost of a similar pad from some other manufacturer might be as much as 2/3 for about 80-90% of the performance. The ROI on the Thermarest might not be good enough for you if you're a bit more cash strapped.
Having said that, the cost of a similar pad from some other manufacturer might be as much as 2/3 for about 80-90% of the performance. The ROI on the Thermarest might not be good enough for you if you're a bit more cash strapped.
I have a cheaper one from Macro. It's a bit thin on hard ground, but it was only £12.00 a few years ago iirc.
I saw some really thick thermarests recently, & my first thought was that they must be for car-camping - they were about 2" thick!
I saw some really thick thermarests recently, & my first thought was that they must be for car-camping - they were about 2" thick!
for sheer comfort it has to be the Fat Airic...
http://www.alpkit.com/airic/
they don't pack down small but I tend to plan what I take around what space
is left once it goes in the backpack
http://www.alpkit.com/airic/
they don't pack down small but I tend to plan what I take around what space
is left once it goes in the backpack
You will probably poo poo this folks but was looking at Gelert stuff and they do a 3/4 mat at £12.99 or an expedition one at £19.99! Nice price but got no feedback for you as I keep looking at them but dunno.
D
D
If your near a Netto shop on Thurs 24th it might be worth checking what these are like.
http://www.netto.co.uk/internet/net...ActiveCataloguePages/1-7?opendocument&catid=1
That Netto shop is a good idea for trying stuff out for weekend camping - thanks 
There's a review of the Airics at UK Campsite's website
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=135
and that Alpkit site has a comparison page for the different types of mats
http://www.alpkit.com/airic/compare/
Jo
There's a review of the Airics at UK Campsite's website
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=135
and that Alpkit site has a comparison page for the different types of mats
http://www.alpkit.com/airic/compare/
Jo
An alternative might be a backpacking airbed. I bought one for £10 a few months ago after my Nomad SIM sprung a leak. Its a 6 reed job which is lightweight, folds up small, is very stable and comfortable and if you want to improve insulation you can take a piece of foam mat to put on top.
army surplus
at 20 quid how can you say no?
http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk/stock.php?page=bigpic&item=20102
at 20 quid how can you say no?
http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk/stock.php?page=bigpic&item=20102
I always put the mat underneath cause I'm a bit paranoid about punctures what do others think?
Cheers Roy
