Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Camping

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

Original poster

SOULPAD.... should I???

49 replies

thisisyesterday · 21/07/2013 17:54

family of 5, is a soulpad 5m going to be big enough??
anyone got one they'd like to rave about?

also, how big are they when packed up?

OP posts:
Original poster
thisisyesterday · 21/07/2013 17:54
OP posts:
MinimalistMommi · 22/07/2013 12:54

YES YOU SHOULD Grin
It is quite big when packed, but as another MUmsnetter pointed out to me on recent thread, the canvas and the groundsheet can be packed separately and flat rather than rolled and trying to squeeze back into original bag.

I think you can fit five in 5 m.
We are four and there is still plenty of space.
We stack beds in day to make most of airy space.

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 22/07/2013 14:49

that's the answer i wanted, thank you :-D

we currently have giant 8 berth gelert, and I don't think the soulpad will be any bigger/heavier than that tbh if what i've read online is true.

will i miss having actual bedrooms though? for the evening if weather is a bit shitty?

OP posts:
MinimalistMommi · 22/07/2013 17:31

Yes possibly? You can get quarter inner tents but that takes away some airy space? I go to bed at similar time to DC so not an issue.

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 22/07/2013 23:15

i think i need to see one in real life.
our children are 8, 5 and 4, so tend to need lots of leaving alone quietly before they'll sleep!

OP posts:
amistillsexy · 22/07/2013 23:28

Our boys are 6,7 &9. We have a 5m bell tent. Sometimes we shove a few SIMs together and all sleep together, sometimes we take mattresses (proper high queen size for us and 3singles, and still tons of room).
Get one. They're lush Grin

lilyfire · 22/07/2013 23:48

We had 9 (2 adults, 13, 11, 9, 9, 6, 6 and 4 yos) sleeping for a few nights in a 5m bell tent and there was still room for rucksacks etc.

We regularly use it for 5 people and it feels lovely and spacious. Can't get the children to go to bed any earlier than us anyway, so don't mind about no separate bedrooms.

Miffytastic · 23/07/2013 13:10

We have a 5m bell tent and tried it without inner dividing thing once, but then resolved to buy one - it does detract from the lovely roof, but means kids are cosy and living space is defined and tidy (ish)

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 24/07/2013 21:22

i like you lot.
you enablers :P

OP posts:
Bramblesinforrin · 25/07/2013 16:11

Yes. Absolutely. I have just returned from a blissful camp to christen our new 5m zig soul pad. Why didn't I get one sooner? Just cleaning the groundsheet so I'm ready for the next trip. I'm in love.

Top tip. Get a fabric sheet that painters and decorators use to cover furniture (bnq) as a loose floor cover.

I did the whole glamping thing with rag rugs and fairy lights, it was great.

Given the heat, the ability to roll up the sides was fantastic.

MinimalistMommi · 25/07/2013 18:03

Bramble get a builders plastic tarp thingy from B&Q builder section for about £10 and place as footprint under bell tent tent when pitching. No cleaning bell groundsheet when you get home. You can chuck tarp into back garden and deal with it when you're ready too. Or be lazy like us and never actually clean it, just fold it up and chuck in large bin bag ready for next time Grin

sixp · 25/07/2013 18:16

We love our soul pad tribe! Absolutely no regrets years on and we are usually the envy of the campsite. Very easy to pitch even in torrential rain and with standing water. But, do note it will be extremely heavy when wet. We have swithered about the stove for a couple of years. Just worried it is too heavy and bulky and dangerous in the middle, although we love the idea. Does anyone have the blaze stove?

Bramblesinforrin · 25/07/2013 20:08

Nice one minimalist mom. Anything to reduce the load is great!

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 26/07/2013 22:47

i know there are definitely people on here with a stove because I recall a discussion a couple of years ago when someone was about to (nervously) cut a hole in their tent to fit it :-D

Ohh I just can't decide. it's a lot of money, but they're so bloody cool

OP posts:
sixp · 27/07/2013 08:37

They are cool! But, also very nice to sleep in. Our friends tents all seem to either make a lot of noise rustling if there's a little wind, or fill up with flies!!, or get really hot inside. Our soul pad just feels like an oasis of calm when we have it up. The first time we used it, we all slept in as we were so comfortable, all our other friends had been up from the crack of dawn!
Does anyone have a stove in their soul pad?

Bramblesinforrin · 27/07/2013 12:44

There are a couple of mnetters at least with stoves.

MinimalistMommi · 27/07/2013 12:46

We never did because:
a) we couldn't fit it in the car.
b) I couldn't bare to cut a whole in my bell tent.

Rooners · 27/07/2013 21:00

Hi TIY,

we've got a 4m one and trying it out this coming week - so will let you know what it's like if we return

I have a 10yo, 6yo and 6mo.

Rooners · 27/07/2013 21:02

re the hole you would have to take the stove every time you went camping then, because otherwise you would get wet.

I wouldn't have a stove. Also I'd worry about the gases. and safety.

Bramblesinforrin · 27/07/2013 21:45

Check on the soul pad website. You don't have to take the stove each time as there is a kit which will seal it up if you don't want to take the stove (my friends came with their 4m but without the stove to camp with us last weekend).
You can also buy the 'ease' which has the stove exit ready cut and fixed to have a stove or not.

sixp · 27/07/2013 22:00

As we have the tribe, we wouldn't have to cut anything, as, like a teepee, the flue exits at the top, which can already be opened for ventilation, but I'm still not sure!

Rooners · 28/07/2013 08:31

Oh sorry for being wrong! Blush

By the way though, we have the 4000 ease and it doesn't have a pre cut hole (well I hope not!!! we're using it this week for the first time!)

Bramblesinforrin · 28/07/2013 09:25

Have a wonderful time rooners. I too would be very cautious about cutting a hole in mine. Spent a long time pondering whether I should just go for the full tent/stove kit, then realised I would probably have to buy a trailer for the car due to family, dog and other camping stuff. :)

Rooners · 28/07/2013 10:16

Trailer is sounding a good idea. Our boot is full already with rugs, blankets and sleeping bags and the tent and cooking nonsense isn't even in yet Hmm

I'm not sure if we may need two trips!!!

SalIAm · 28/07/2013 21:14

We've got a Frontier stove and it is brilliant. Whilst some of the other tent stoves will give a bit more heat, the biggest benefit of the Frontier for us is how portable and compact it is.

I've read that some hardcore winter campers said it doesn't warm 5m tents up enough, and I can't comment on that as we've got a 4m. I'd be very surprised for normal use though - we've camped over Christmas with snow around us and it was very cosy inside. So much so that we opened the 'windows' for nice ventilation whilst we played games and drank wine inside.

If you have FB, here is their page: Camping Solutions and website.

If you do a quick search there are a million and one reviews, but this one has nice closeup photos.

As to how to plug the hole when not using your stove, the spark arrestor can be used.

Or, you could do it as this lady did. I'm much too lazy, but that looks pretty amazing. closing when not in use.

Normal precautions with stoves obv - carbon monoxide alarm (but don't rely just on that as never 100% sure) and ventilation, never leave on overnight just in case, have fire extinguisher, have folding pocket knife under pillow.

I love how it extends the season (and you can go camping without having to book nice sites months in advance!)