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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

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Original poster

Thermarest Basecamp and Alpkit Dozer

14 replies

poppyboo · 30/07/2011 17:47

Has anyone on here tried both of these mats and if so is the Dozer any more comfy then the Basecamp? I have the Basecamp but being a sidesleeper it is not as comfy as I would like, although it is nice and large (I got the XL) and very, very warm! I am so fussy

OP posts:

jamaisjedors · 30/07/2011 18:08

We only have the Dozer, so can't compare, but both DH and I were very comfy on them for 2 weeks camping recently - he says it was better than our bed!

Original poster

poppyboo · 30/07/2011 18:12

jamaisjedors I have heard other people say that too (about it being better then bed!) I wonder if I bought wrong SIM... I went for the Thermarest because I saw another Alpkit SIM that my brother owns (one of the much thinner ones) and wasn't too impressed with the materials used, I felt the Thermarest mats looked better quality IYKWIM...but really, it is all about the comfort for me (and warmth!)
Were they really warm?

OP posts:

nobodysfool · 30/07/2011 19:18

watching with interest as i was about to buy 4 air beds .....hmmmmm..maybe i will get a SIM if they are that good .

jamaisjedors · 30/07/2011 20:09

Well we weren't cold, but we were(are) in France - although the weather was pretty rubbish - rain and wind - and I have been cold in a caravan before in the UK in July.

How thick is the Thermarest you have ? I think the Dozer is 7.5cm and was certainly very substantial, especially as I let it inflate for a few weeks beforehand.

I hear the Thermarests are better quality generally but it depends which one presumably?

Sorry I am not much help.

Kingsroadie · 31/07/2011 10:24

Also watching this. I want a Dozer really but there aren't any left and no idea when they will be in stock. I need it for two weeks time so not much waiting time for me!

Am deciding between basecamp xl, vango 7cm or outwell 7cm. Poppyboo - your experience makes me think I'd be better going for a 7/7.5cm mat instead, even if not thermarest. Why doesn't anyone else sell Dozers?! I don't want to get one and regret it...The Luxury Map Thermarest which is the next one up from Basecamp and is 7.5cm is £130ish for a Large... Which is quite a bit more. Argh...

Original poster

poppyboo · 31/07/2011 13:43

Kingsroadie the XL size is great, do definately go for the larger size. I thought about the Luxery Map but didn't go for it b/c I couldn't find any reviews on it! I probably would go for the thicker one now I have actually slept on my basecamp one (I have used it for two camping trips now) but I think I would go for alpkit...can you borrow something and get an alpkit for your next camping trip after the one in two weeks time? Not ideal I know...
I basically don't find it very comfy on my hip when I sleep on my side with the Basecamp (obviously much better/much much warmer then airbed or ground) but as I said I am fussy when it comes to sleeping...I suffer from fatigue due to serious illness in the past so a great nights sleep is No.1 proirity for me when camping!

OP posts:

Ineedalife · 31/07/2011 16:07

I have the gelert adventure xl which is a 10cm SIM, it is definatly more comfy than my bed at home.

In fact I am considering moving in to the tent in the garden LOL..

Kingsroadie · 31/07/2011 17:49

Thanks poppyboo ! sadly none of our friends are campers so there is nothing to borrow from anyone ! I am loathe, as you say, to get one I don't really want though. However, it sounds like, from ineedalife's post that perhaps the thickness rather than the make is the most important?! Ie the outwell or vango might be fine.

I suppose Thermarest and Alpkit are just the big names...

I would love a luxury map one - and I have found them on my extensive searches for £99 which is a lot cheaper than in some places. Still a lot more than dozer though...

Have been advised (by Slubber - my camping idol) that we should get as good beds are we can afford as a good night's sleep is super important. I love sleep so totally agree!

Original poster

poppyboo · 31/07/2011 18:02

Kingsroadie I agree, I think choose thickness over brand. I do think that Thermarest make great quality mats, but in your situation (in that you need a mat now) go for a nice thick one and it should be nice and comfy. I would love it if you let us know which you end up choosing ?
I did actually buy the Thermarest Dreamtime which was soooooooooo comfy but it had to go right back as it was absolutely huge and we couldn't have got it in our car (plus it was slightly faulty) It would have been a beast to store too.
Maybe the luxury map one would have been good for me because of the pressure point system/ thing with that particular mat.......
I have been thinking about getting a memory foam topper from somewhere like Ideal World to lay it on top of my existing Basecamp to see if that would do the trick and ease my hip while i lay on my side?

OP posts:

Kingsroadie · 31/07/2011 19:43

Poppy - will certainly keep you updated! I am now lusting after a Luxury Map. Have found them for £110 which is cheaper than most places but still not cheap...

I am worrying that 60cm wide ones (as most seem to be) won't be wide enough

Ah - shame about the Dreamtime - I have also been oggling those...Apparently Thermarest give a lifetime guarantee?! Which is fairly good if so.

Kingsroadie · 01/08/2011 10:29

Right Poppy - my husband shut me down when I mentioned casually that Thermarests are apparently v good and have a lifetime guarantee. However, he asked how much they were and (sensibly) said we didn't need to spend that much - especially as we have just bought tent and all equipment ...

So we have gone for Gelert adventure xl 10cm. Will let you know how we get on with them. They were only just over £40 each and it may be false economy should they get punctured but we can see next year if Dozers/Thermarests are on the cards... They are fairly heavy but as we will only be car camping ever that's fine. Should imagine they will be a welcome change to our usual (overnight for parties etc) sleeping on a rug and double duvet.

superstarrb · 30/04/2017 15:16

Hi Kingsroadie... I wonder how you got on with your mats in the end? Were they comfortable? Have they lasted well. Realise this topic was a while ago now... but hoping you have some experience of camping with the mats now.

We need to buy some SIMs for us and our 3 kids asap... just came back early from a disaster camping trip with air beds. Toddler kept rolling off his and we were freezing! We've decided to get the same beds so we're all the same height and sleep in together.

hettie · 01/05/2017 21:15

We've had thermorest dream times for about 8 yrs..... They are fab, truly as comfy as a bed....

SoulAccount · 02/05/2017 06:28

Superstarrb, there are loads of new SIMS on the market now and very regular threads on the camping boards.

Sims will definitely be warmer and are much better than air beds for rolling toddlers.

I have been sleeping in 2.5cm SIMS from Aldi and find them great because they were cheap, roll up small, and have been going strong for about 6 years now, I think. And we are quite 'hardy '.

For more comfort I have been looking at the Vango 7.5 cm mats.

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