Thermarest Question

Simon Caldwell said:

A quick google comes up with £50 at the-the-Open ↗
outdoorshop.com/html/shop_moreinfo_cas_ultrafull.htm

Thanks. Why can't I google as quickly as that?

What sort of search terms do you put in?

Paul
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[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

I tend to use my spare clothes as a pillow. Anyone think that a special Thermarest pillow is a
good idea?

I tried one once and concluded that it was woefully inadequate. It might be great at providing
insulation, but it was far too small to be of use to me. I tend to use rolled up clothes instead.
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"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you are going for an ultralite thermarest make sure you have a good sleeping bag.

Interesting you should say that. I should be buying a very good one any day now.

Have you folk seen these ? backcountry-equipment.comneve.htmlOpen ↗. I'm in Oz, and
picked one up from Paddy Pallin about 12 months ago. Never slept warmer, and it does get cold here
in many walking locations. The concept is no down on the underneath of the bag, where it just gets
compressed and doesn't insulated very effectively anyway. Instead a sleeve takes a full length TR,
which stays in place very nicely (being contained). There is ample down right around to the edge
where the TR begins, usual quality Macpac gear it seems. The only drawbacks are it is almost
impossible to sit up in the bag, or to place a stuff sac of clothes under your head for a makeshift
pillow. I got around the pillow bit by taking my old small down camping pillow which fits nicely
inside the hood.

Quoted message said:

I currently have a luxury thermarest which is two inches thick and great for basecamping, but a
bit bulky for lightweight backpacking. It's not really that heavy, but it's way too bulky for a
55L sack, and the thing with travelling ultralight, is that every ounce counts (even if you're
measuring in grammes!).

I used a 3/4 very early model TR for years, and when I bought the Neve bag, decided I needed to go
for the full length standard. Unbelievably more comfortable, and because the foam is perforated now,
it is only marginally bigger and heavier than my 3/4. I do have a 80 + 10 (made in Ireland) Lowe
Alpine pack though : )

I'd be interested to know if anyone uses a Neve bag or similar in the UK, and how it performs in
various conditions.

Regards, Les Adelaide South Australia

"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For a weekend I can happily get everything into a 45 litre sac.

Are you serious? I am talking about winter camping here. I thought that I might be able to make do
with 55L at a push during high summer, but when I looked at the rucksack in the shop today I
refrained from buying it because I really didn't believe I could get a winter's camping trip's
worth of gear into it.

How much extra stuff would you take for a Winter trip that you wouldn't take in summer? If I do any
camping in Scotland when we go in Feb I was thinking the only extra I'd need to fit in would be a
bigger sleeping bag and something like a down vest. Ice axe will go on the outside if needed and
maybe crampons too should strap to the top ok. There should also likely be a decrease in the stuff
I'm carrying compared to summer because I'd be wearing things like hat, gloves, extra layer and
waterproof jacket that in summer would spend most of the time inside the rucksack.

My philosophy when I started backpacking was if it doesn't fit in a 45 litre sack it'll be too heavy
to really enjoy and I'm not bothering. The actual gear fits in comfortably, so it's just a question
of how many days worth of food I can fit in as well.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I think the 3/4 length ones are perfectly adequate over the full length versions BTW. I don't
think you lose much heat through your feet and lower legs and anyway you can easily stuff
something else underneath them.

This is something I've wondered about but I'm not entirely convinced. Anyone else have views
on this?

Yes, I do this and although I find it's adequate for summer I wouldn't try it much below 5 or 10 deg
C. I usually use my rucksack beneath by legs but it's not as warm as a full length sleep mat. In
winter I'd put up with the extra weight of the full length ultralight.

Quoted message said:

What do you stuff underneat them? Spare clothes? Rucksack?

I tend to use my spare clothes as a pillow. Anyone think that a special Thermarest pillow is a
good idea?

Imho it's just extra expense and weight. If you're carring spare clothes anyway then why not put
them to dual use as a pillow ?

--
Boo

Paul Saunders said:

This is something I've wondered about but I'm not entirely convinced. Anyone else have
views on this?

Quoted message said:

What do you stuff underneat them? Spare clothes? Rucksack?

I just put my waterproof jacket under my feet, or if it's very cold, then my rucksack too. The
problem comes if both are soaking wet :-(

Quoted message said:

I tend to use my spare clothes as a pillow. Anyone think that a special Thermarest pillow is a
good idea?

Spare clothes are OK unless it's a long trip, when the smell can make sleeping difficult ;-) I have
one of those Thermarest pillows, it's excellent and I always take it, unless space is at a premium.

S.

If you use your spare clothes as a pillow, you don't need the top end of the thermarest under your
head and a 3/4 length one just leaves your feet off the other end. Wear a pair of thick socks and
you won't notice they're not on the mat.

Adrian

"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

AndyP said:

I think the 3/4 length ones are perfectly adequate over the full length versions BTW. I don't
think you lose much heat through your feet and lower legs and anyway you can easily stuff
something else underneath them.

This is something I've wondered about but I'm not entirely convinced. Anyone else have views
on this?

What do you stuff underneat them? Spare clothes? Rucksack?

I tend to use my spare clothes as a pillow. Anyone think that a special Thermarest pillow is a
good idea?

Paul
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"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Chris Street said:

Hell I've seen them in shops in Hathersage for £45.

I've got a funeral in Sheffield next Thursday Paul - I can drop in and price them up if
you like.

Is that tomorrow? By all means check them out, but I don't mind paying £50.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Not *that* heavy, but definitely bulky.

So strap it to the outside like I do.....:-)

I'm fed up of strapping things to the outside. For once in my life I'd like to be able to get
everything *inside* the rucksack! Even if that means using a bigger rucksack. I don't want to use
a smaller sack and not be able to get everything in it, that seems to be missing the whole point.

I will admit I have a huge 75+15 litre rucksack (Lowe Alpine Frontier) inside which I can fit
everything I need for up to 4 days (maybe more, not tried it yet) wild camping, including tent,
sleeping bag, Thermarest and cooking gear. I got this bag mainly because the back was adjustable
for my height, but the actual capacity is useful considering my clothing is a few sizes bigger than
most folks.

I try to keep the contents down when I'm going on (say) a weekend Scout camp where most things are
provided but admit to a naughty habit of adding luxuries I actually never get round to using!
(Chocolate biccies may be a luxury, but they always get eaten!)

Nick (now planning this years walking!)

Fran said:

Quoted message said:

I tend to use my spare clothes as a pillow. Anyone think that a special Thermarest pillow is a
good idea?

I tried one once and concluded that it was woefully inadequate. It might be great at providing
insulation, but it was far too small to be of use to me. I tend to use rolled up clothes instead.

Hmm...

Paul
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Actually, I just found this with a google search. A UK supplier at . . .
fieldandtrek.comproduct.aspOpen ↗ May
have to cut and paste URL ? (How do you do those tiny urls's ?)
--
Regards, Les e-mail munged, remove the obvious to reply direct

"figjam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:lWPLb.4098$Wa.575@news-
server.bigpond.net.au...

Quoted message said:

"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you are going for an ultralite thermarest make sure you have a good sleeping bag.

Interesting you should say that. I should be buying a very good one any day now.

Have you folk seen these ? backcountry-equipment.comneve.htmlOpen ↗. I'm in Oz, and
picked one up from Paddy Pallin about 12 months ago. Never slept warmer, and it does get cold here
in many walking locations. The concept is no down on the underneath of the bag, where it just gets
compressed and doesn't insulated very effectively anyway. Instead a sleeve takes a full length TR,
which stays in place very nicely (being contained). There is ample down right around to the edge
where the TR begins, usual quality Macpac gear it seems. The only drawbacks are it is almost
impossible to sit up in the bag, or to place a stuff sac of clothes under your head for a
makeshift pillow. I got around the pillow bit by taking my old small down camping pillow which

fits

Quoted message said:

nicely inside the hood.

Quoted message said:

I currently have a luxury thermarest which is two inches thick and great for basecamping, but a
bit bulky for lightweight backpacking. It's not really that heavy, but it's way too bulky for a
55L sack, and the thing with travelling ultralight, is that every ounce counts (even if you're
measuring in grammes!).

I used a 3/4 very early model TR for years, and when I bought the Neve

bag,

Quoted message said:

decided I needed to go for the full length standard. Unbelievably more comfortable, and because
the foam is perforated now, it

is

Quoted message said:

only marginally bigger and heavier than my 3/4. I do have a 80 + 10 (made in Ireland) Lowe Alpine
pack though : )

I'd be interested to know if anyone uses a Neve bag or similar in the UK, and how it performs in
various conditions.

Regards, Les Adelaide South Australia

"AndyP" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For a weekend I can happily get everything into a 45 litre sac.

Are you serious? I am talking about winter camping here. I thought that I might be able to make
do with 55L at a push during high summer, but when I looked at the rucksack in the shop today I
refrained from buying it because I really didn't believe I could get a winter's camping trip's
worth of gear into it.

How much extra stuff would you take for a Winter trip that you wouldn't

take

Quoted message said:

in summer? If I do any camping in Scotland when we go in Feb I was

thinking

Quoted message said:

the only extra I'd need to fit in would be a bigger sleeping bag and something like a down vest.
Ice axe will go on the outside if needed and maybe crampons too should strap to the top ok. There
should also likely be

a

Quoted message said:

decrease in the stuff I'm carrying compared to summer because I'd be

wearing

Quoted message said:

things like hat, gloves, extra layer and waterproof jacket that in summer would spend most of the
time inside the rucksack.

My philosophy when I started backpacking was if it doesn't fit in a 45

litre

Quoted message said:

sack it'll be too heavy to really enjoy and I'm not bothering. The actual gear fits in
comfortably, so it's just a question of how many days worth

of

Quoted message said:

food I can fit in as well.

I'd tend to agree with all of the above. A 45L bag does me fine; a cheap Wild Rover with all the
trimmings cut off as it happens. Admittedly I haven't been backpacking in the depths of winter
recently, nor have I ever carried photographical equipment of any kind. I'd guess 55L would cover
those options without too much trouble.

--

Bernie Get back on the wagon to reply..

* figjam <[email hidden]> deigned to grace
* uk.rec.walking with their presence by declaiming:

Quoted message said:

Have you folk seen these ? backcountry-equipment.comneve.htmlOpen ↗. I'm in Oz, and
picked one up from Paddy Pallin about 12 months ago. Never slept warmer, and it does get cold here
in many walking locations. The concept is no down on the underneath of the bag, where it just gets
compressed and doesn't insulated very effectively anyway.

I've never understood the idea of no down underneath. Good idea if you sleep all night on your back
withoput moveing (who does?), but what happens when you roll on your side?

Regards: Jim Ford

Quoted message said:

How much extra stuff would you take for a Winter trip that you wouldn't take in summer? If I do
any camping in Scotland when we go in Feb I was thinking the only extra I'd need to fit in would
be a bigger sleeping bag and something like a down vest. Ice axe will go on the outside if needed
and maybe crampons too should strap to the top ok. There should also likely be a decrease in the
stuff I'm carrying compared to summer because I'd be wearing things like hat, gloves, extra layer
and waterproof jacket that in summer would spend most of the time inside the rucksack.

Totally agree with you, in Summer you have to take extra items in case the weather turns, but in
Winter you're wearing them anyway. Also there is no need to carry as much water which should be
easily available, so a winter pack can weigh less than in Summer.

Quoted message said:

My philosophy when I started backpacking was if it doesn't fit in a 45 litre sack it'll be too
heavy to really enjoy and I'm not bothering. The actual gear fits in comfortably, so it's just a
question of how many days worth of food I can fit in as well.

Again you're spot on, if you use a bigger pack, you wil end up filling it with items 'just in case'
that you will probably end up not using. Better by far to impose discipline through lack of space.
Steve Jones

On 10/1/04 12:09 am, in article
[email hidden], "Fran" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

I tend to use my spare clothes as a pillow. Anyone think that a special Thermarest pillow is a
good idea?

I tried one once and concluded that it was woefully inadequate. It might be great at providing
insulation, but it was far too small to be of use to me. I tend to use rolled up clothes instead.

I bought an inflatable pillow last year (which might have been Life Adventure). This is great
provided you don't over-inflate it.

figjam said:

The only drawbacks are it is almost impossible to sit up in the bag,

Now that's a drawback. I like to sit up in my sleeping bag whilst cooking in the morning, or to just
wrap it around me.

Quoted message said:

I used a 3/4 very early model TR for years, and when I bought the Neve bag, decided I needed to go
for the full length standard. Unbelievably more comfortable,

That's what I thought.

Paul
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AndyP said:

How much extra stuff would you take for a Winter trip that you wouldn't take in summer?

More clothing mainly, plus extra liners for the sleeping bag.

Quoted message said:

If I do any camping in Scotland when we go in Feb I was thinking the only extra I'd need to fit in
would be a bigger sleeping bag and something like a down vest.

Jeez, you must carry a lot in summer.

Quoted message said:

There should also likely be a decrease in the stuff I'm carrying compared to summer because I'd be
wearing things like hat, gloves, extra layer and waterproof jacket that in summer would spend most
of the time inside the rucksack.

I don't bring a hat and gloves in summer, very few exta layers either. I carry very little spare
clothing in summer, but quite a lot in winter, for all that standing about in the cold taking
photos. And I never wear waterproofs unless it's actually raining, far too sweaty. I used to bring
heavier waterproofs in winter, but not anymore.

Quoted message said:

My philosophy when I started backpacking was if it doesn't fit in a 45 litre sack it'll be too
heavy to really enjoy and I'm not bothering. The actual gear fits in comfortably, so it's just a
question of how many days worth of food I can fit in as well.

Good philosophy, wish I could get everything in a 45L sack.

Paul
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"Nick Pedley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I will admit I have a huge 75+15 litre rucksack (Lowe Alpine Frontier) inside which I can fit
everything I need for up to 4 days

What? Are you doing DoE where they carry 6 month's worth of kit for 4 days? What on earth do you
carry for a 4 day camp that needs *85* litres????? You shouldn't need any more than 65 litres (and I
reckon that's pushing it) for a four day camp unless you've got a lot of climbing kit or similar as
well....I reckon I could get my camping kit into 55 litres.

Simon Caldwell said:

I just put my waterproof jacket under my feet, or if it's very cold, then my rucksack too. The
problem comes if both are soaking wet :-(

Yeah, that can be a [censored], can't it? I guess that's when down sleeping bags become a problem, when
it's just above zero but pouring with rain.

Quoted message said:

I have one of those Thermarest pillows, it's excellent and I always take it, unless space is at a
premium.

Really? Another difference of opinion?

Paul
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Chris Malcolm said:

There's a Thermarest accessory consisting of straps which turns the standard into a comfortable
chair. One of the great hits of last camping exped with wife. Don't know if works on 3/4 version.

Does it work with the ultralite? How heavy is it?

Paul
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"Chris Malcolm" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

There's a Thermarest accessory consisting of straps which turns the standard into a comfortable
chair. One of the great hits of last camping exped with wife. Don't know if works on 3/4 version.

I use one of these 'chairs' for car camping though I'd never take it backpacking. It's excellent for
sitting reading, or trying not to fill your sleeping bag with soup. I 've only used a full length
thermarest, but I can't see any reason why a 3/4 length wouldn't work in the chair. A degree in
structural engineering will be helpful first time you use it though...

--

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