Camping

A what tent?

The premise of a pump up tent might sound iffy but I’m a convert. Way more sturdy than our previous Terra Nova but with the downside that it doesn’t pack small. In fact it comes in a wheely suitcase which for family car camping shizz, is all about some degree of comfort so not an issue.
Also a massive reduction in spousal arguing during erection (frankiehoward.jpg) allowing more drinking time to spectate other late arrivals having a barny.

massive reduction in spousal arguing during erection

Also the case with a Bell tent (one central mast, 1 front entrance shaping pole).

Has been a game changer for getting setup at camp.

My camping has gone from what we can carry on bikes to what we can put in the back of our Civic's cavernous boot which has been a real game changer - it's so much nicer with a few home comforts!

However, I've got a thermarest and a thicker standard air mattress type thing and they're not great for someone still in long term recovery from a spine op who isn't getting any younger - I'm a good sleep addict these days...

What's the comfiest possible sleeping pad that doesn't cost too much (probably needs to be a budget option given the cost of decent kit)?

Don't care too much about weight/size as long as it's not ridiculous and I can easily get it in the boot with other stuff. Something like this?
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/inflatable-camping-mattress-ultim-comfort-70-cm-1-person/_/R-p-307396

No personal experience of these but what about Alpkit? The dumo is 10cm thick.
https://alpkit.com/collections/sleeping-mats

Might also be worth asking here:

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/157341/?offset=1125#comment16974649

Decathlon option looks worth a punt or the Exped Deepsleep 7.5, which is probably the brand name equivalent. Much cheaper than the Exped MegaMat 10 or 15 (but they are thicker).

Think I have a 7.5cm deep option but forget the brand. It is used as a guest bed and it's great.

No personal experience of these but what about Alpkit? The dumo is 10cm thick.

https://alpkit.com/collections/sleeping-­mats

These mattress style options (e.g. Megamat) and camping options like the Dumo are in different comfort leagues. They can be on-par with a semi decent mattress... I know because I slept on mine in the living room for a few weeks during a break up ha

I find a mat on its own too cold so for car camping luxury we use this type of folding camp bed plus a foam mat to block the cold. If I’m feeling super lux I’ll stick my thermarest on as well and snore like a motherfucker.

1 Attachment

Buy an exped megamat 10 and never look back. I swear to god it’s so comfortable and is warm enough to take you to -40° lol

Of course the forum has a thread for that!

Thanks, Alpkit is a really good shout (I haven't got a lot of their stuff but what I have got is all great) and the Dumo seems to get really good reviews. Plus I like the idea of a built in pump. I think that'd do me nicely.

@spinnnout sorry to hear about the breakup but that's definitely a good test of a Dumo...

@inchpincher woah that is lux but I think I'd be scared of falling off.

@JB the

that doesn't cost too much

Was quite key given impending funemployment!

Also tbh I'm not planning on seeing single figures, nevermind minus ones :P

Yeah, I was just adding that bit because of the temperature rating of the cot thing being mentioned further up.

My mum and sister were here a couple of weeks ago. My sister was on my queen sized sofa bed, my mum in my queen sized bed. I slept on the Megamat all week. Was comfy af. It’s literally just a memory foam mattress that just so happens to deflate, can be rolled up, and has a customizable firmness level, but yes, it’s not cheap and I got it for 25% off. Still worth full RRP tho imo if it’s gonna get used.

It does look very nice, still a bit bulky to carry non? Do you have something thinner if you’re doing your weekend hikes?

@spinnnout sorry to hear about the breakup but that's definitely a good test of a Dumo...

No worries, afraid it is me who is sorry, I wrote that poorly... the Dumo can't compete with the mattress style options, like the megamat. Popped into the loft and mine is the Outwell Dreamboat 7.5. Purchased for car camping, but sold the car and is now a really good guest bed for my 1 bed flat.

Yeah of course, this is for car camping. @Fox said: what we can put in the back of our Civic's cavernous boot which has been a real game changer hence the recommendation.

I have an Exped Ultra 3R for backpacking. I've tried lighter pads, like the Thermarest XLite, but I sleep like shit on them, whereas I sleep like a baby on the Ultra 3R.

Any recommendations for a tent campsite closest to Central London that is decent, cheap, friendly for a couple of nights?

https://www.hook-farm-west-hoathly.co.uk/camping/

like this place, if you have a car. can have fires, little walk to a nice pub. V basic site, just loos no showers

N,S,E or W? As in are you travelling out of central or looking to travel in from the campsite?

Any, pretty flexible, just looking at options rather than hotel for a change. Somewhere I could jump on Overground or train to reach Central. I saw some Lea Valley sites for example.

Looks a nice site, bookmarked cheers.

Is Crystal Palace Campsite still open? That would fit the bill, I reckon. Plus you could cycle the Crystal Palace hills.

Looks still open, cheers.

Hi. Don't want to spam the whole forum but I hope many people in here will be interested in this
https://www.lfgss.com/comments/16981815/

I just ordered one. I’ve been using folding silicone cups but my dog keeps chewing them up. I can’t wait to see her try and chew one of these!

There's Dulwich Scouts, which is very central. Have camped with kids there a few times. Can be rowdy depending on the groups that are there, so take earplugs.

https://southlondonscouts.org.uk/fort-where-it-all-happens/explore-fort/camping

You can even walk and get breakfast at Gail's in Dulwich Village, so 'roughing it' it is not.

One of the few times I wished I had kids!
Cheers for the link.