Outwell dreamcatcher v dreamboat

[playftseforme]

I want to invest in a SIM - I'm comfortable on an airbed but it's playing havoc with my back. The dreamcatcher and dreamboat both get great reviews, but I don't know which one to go for. The dreamboat is about twice the price of the dreamcatcher, but I don't want to go for the cheaper one, only to have found I've wasted my money. I'm 5'10" and not the lightest. Really don't want to have my hips making contact with the ground! Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.

If you camp a lot I think you are better off not compromising on quality/price when it comes to SIMs.

We got 'the thickest' thermarests that were available 11 years ago and they are still going strong- our kids use them now. They were £70 and we have probably used them for the equivalent of 8 months, so I make that 30p/night? Last year we upgraded to the mondoking from thermarest which are 10cm and they are so much better for us now we are getting older.

We have also used the ALDI ones which were fine for a couple of years but the valves have gone in that time.

Thanks profpoop. So would you say I should be looking at a better quality again and consider the Thermarest? I've been reading so many reviews and there seems to be quite a debate between the Neoair and the Exped Megamat (may have got the name a bit wrong...), and I wondered whether it was really worth paying the extra. I'm happy to make the investment if I'm going to be comfy!

My lower back is still suffering after this weekend's camping on an airbed, and we're going camping for 7 nights in just over a fortnight.

I think there is a lot more choice now- 11 years ago I think the only SIMS available were thermarest. I know decathlon also sell them but don't think they go that thick. Is the neoair the one that crinckles every time you turn over? That's what put us off those, especially if you wanted a bit of canvas lurve

What I would consider is thickness, and then overall size of the mat in comparison to your bedroom area. I think there's not much difference in quality once you get to mega thickness.

In for a penny, in for a pound - just invested in an Exped Mega Mat 10 Should arrive early next week, just in time for the next trip...

Happy comfortable camping.