Please recommend me some gear!

[Frederiek]

Hi everyone,

I am planning to make a camping trip this summer. Since I'll be going with four guys I'd like to buy a tent for myself so I can have a bit more privacy and don't have to smell four pair of smelly feet and have to hear all the snoring No just kidding. It's more about having to drag around a big heavy tent.

We'll be away for about a week and it will be semi trekking (either walking, cycling or public transport or a combination of those, and staying for a couple of nights before moving on). So it would be nice if it is lightweight but I know good lightweight tents are very pricy so I'm happy if it stays under 3 kilos. It's cheaper to lose 3 kilos myself My budget is about €100 but if it's worth it I can spend an extra 50 (and it probably is). I am 1.83 tall and because I will take a backpack and a pair of walking shoes with me I think a tight 2-person tent will be best. It is also nice that I can use it when I can use it when I have my boyfriend with me (he is 1.93 by the way, but we don't mind sleeping close together ). We'll be going somewhere reasonably dry but of course waterproofness is important, especially from below, and a 3 season tent is good enough because I won't use it in the winter. Most of these small tents are pretty easy to build so that is not a particular issue. Ventilation is important and perhaps affection by heat as well (I don't know if you say it that way, I love to go places where it's at least 35 'C)

Then I need a new sleeping mat. I have one but it is worn out and very thin. I never had any problems with that but since I have a lot of shoulder and back issues after I got hit by a car two years ago I just need a bit more comfort, I can't sleep in every position anymore. Would it be better to take an air mattress, a (self)inflatable thingy or a foam mat? For this the same counts as for the tent, I don't have very deep pockets. It really needs to be below €50.

To be able to carry all this stuff I need a new backpack as well. My army dump cotton bag serves me well still but it gets pretty uncomfortable after a while, it is very heavy itself and there is not enough storage room for all the extra gear. It would be nice to have my hands free so the tent should fit inside, plus clothing (I pack light) and all the other camping stuff you normally need for about a week. I'm not going to drag around a lot of food and I won't be in the middle of nowhere so I only have two water bottles. Hanging the sleeping bag and mat on the outside counts as storage room as well (mostly you can say that the bigger the bag you buy is, the more stuff you will take with you - which of course counts especially for women). I can spend about €100 on it because I will use it often. Any advice on cheaper or more expensive is welcome too.

Thanks in advance! Any advice or experiences are very welcome.

[Dr Gonzo]

For a good sleeping mat I recommend Alpkit, great price, great quality and nice people to deal with

[Frederiek]

Looks good! I don't know if it is sold here in the Netherlands though...

[RamblerUK]

I have the coleman phad x2, not used it yet though. Only ever read good reviews of it though, but it's slightly over your weight limit at 3.5kg, but it's pretty cheap, and plenty of room for gear. I was going to get the vango banshee 200 instead of this (which i'm glad I didn't) because although it's 1kg lighter, it's a lot smaller too (and I like my room).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-Phad...8489224&sr=8-1

[Martyn]

For a sleeping mat where comfort is important, you have two choices IMO, the neoair small and the Pacific Outdoor Equipment Peak Elite 2/3. Both are very comfortable and almost excactly the same size when inflated. I am a side sleeper and weigh about 90kg and find the neoair to be better suited to me. My other half prefers the Peak Elite, which I think is better suited to slimmer build/women. It's also the cheaper of the two at about £50 but you may find it cheaper locally.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pacific-Ou...-/270912044976

Pack size is very small and weight is extremely low for both, little difference between them, in either size, weight or comfort. For comfort, they are unbeatable, but they are not the warmest - not an issue for summer camping. Either can be punctured, so you need to make sure you are not lying on anything sharp and dont use them on unprotected ground. If they pucture while you are on your hike, you'll be left with a super thin, deflated nylon bag for a sleeping mat.

[benp1]

yes Neoair is recommended, although I have the large one which is really comfy (and worth it for me - I'm in the lightweight backpacking camp)

[Frederiek]

Thanks! I came across the NeoAir before and it is indeed very comfortable. But also expensive and I find it a little bit scary that you can puncture it (also it sounds like a bag of crisps ). Anyway, that happens with the self-inflatables too. I've heard of the peak elite ac and it looks like a very good choice, but I can't find it anywhere here in the Netherlands (this Ebay seller does not seem to ship to the Netherlands, though I can always ask).

How easily can you puncture a mat like that? Can it happen over some twigs / pineapple / small stones or do you need stuff like glass and big nasty rocks?

[Martyn]

Thanks! I came across the NeoAir before and it is indeed very comfortable. But also expensive and I find it a little bit scary that you can puncture it (also it sounds like a bag of crisps ).

Have you slept on one? The reason I ask is that yes they do rustle when handling them, but when you lie on them, they pressurise and go very quiet. I have no issues with noise whatsoever.

Anyway, that happens with the self-inflatables too. I've heard of the peak elite ac and it looks like a very good choice, but I can't find it anywhere here in the Netherlands (this Ebay seller does not seem to ship to the Netherlands, though I can always ask).

How easily can you puncture a mat like that? Can it happen over some twigs / pineapple / small stones or do you need stuff like glass and big nasty rocks?

The peak elite is excellent and the Mrs preferrs it to the neoair. They are about the same build quality I think, maybe the neoair is a little better built. They can puncture - some thorns can be as sharp as a hypodermic. You just have to be pretty thorough clearing the area you are going to sleep on and always use a groundsheet. They are very popular and if they were getting punctured often, they would not be.

The short 3/4 length versions seem to have less issues with leaks for some reason. If you need something under your feet, take a short, cut down section of foam mat, which will also double up as an outdoor sit mat.

[Nice65]

How easily can you puncture a mat like that? Can it happen over some twigs / pineapple / small stones or do you need stuff like glass and big nasty rocks?

Pineapple . My biggest worry when camping. You mean Pine needle?

Just brushing past a bramble, rose or any other thorn will quite possibly see you sleeping on cold, hard ground. Unless the mat is properly protected, ie; inside your pack, then I wouldn't bother with them. Strapping to the outside is a recipe for a bad night.

The recommendation for Alpkit isn't good IMO. They have a poor quality foam inside them and they don't self inflate. At least a Multimat or Thermarest offers a bit of padding if punctured.

Personally I've had it with self inflating mats.

[Martyn]

...Thermarest offers a bit of padding if punctured.

Except the neoair, that's just a plastic bag mate.

[Nice65]

Except the neoair, that's just a plastic bag mate.

That the one you have? Packs like Handie Andies, turns into a mattress?


How about one of these Frederiek?

http://bever.nl/index.cfm/product/th...id_colour/1204

The one you quoted looks absolutely fine, but this is about a third of the weight at 310g.

What was that concertina closed sell mat someone posted before?

[Martyn]

That the one you have? Packs like Handie Andies, turns into a mattress?


How about one of these Frederiek?

http://bever.nl/index.cfm/product/th...id_colour/1204

The one you quoted looks absolutely fine, but this is about a third of the weight at 310g.

What was that concertina closed sell mat someone posted before?

That's the latest one, yeah. It's really comfy. Blows away everything else I've tried.

[Dr Gonzo]

Just had an email about the AeroBed being on offer again...not the lightest/smallest pack size of all the sleep mats but great value and looks very comfy
Link

[Martyn]

Just had an email about the AeroBed being on offer again...not the lightest/smallest pack size of all the sleep mats but great value and looks very comfy
Link

Weight 2.3Kg

Hells bells.

[Dr Gonzo]

Hells bells.

LOL
I guess its more for car camping or as a put-me-up at home...does look comfy though