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HI chaps could some one recommend i good site for army light weights real ones not copy's and also what is better therm-a-rest type thing or a rubbery mate type thing price, long lasting, size for packing,ext thanks :You_Rock_
http://www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk/trading/clothing.htm
:biggthump
As to the therm-a-rest/foam mat debate, I like the inflatable foam mat but they are a lot dearer than a foam mat. Foam mats are bigger but lighter than the inflatable mat.
About the mat. I would recommend a roll mat karry mat type thing. Iv never used a thermarest and they are supposed to be more confortable but are more expensive and heavier. I would not want to lie on the ground in one for fear of it ripping. they are harder to store on the outside of the pack for the same reason. My roll mat is still going after lots of rips, cuts and bites, and is still usable.
I can thoroughly recommend a thermarest over a foam mat for a good night's sleep, compact size for strapping to a pack as well as good insulation from the ground. I've used my 3/4 thermarest on rough ground, pine cones, rock, stony beaches, etc and I've never had any rips or punctures. (Mine even survived intact after getting violently thrown around and then crushed in a car accident - in fact if I could get rid of the smell of petrol that leaked onto it it'd be good as new.)
Thermarest mats pack down smaller than foam kip mats too. Mountain Equipment make them too, but they don't pack down quite as small as Thermarest (however they are easier to pack away).
Hope that helps! :biggthump
yep, Thermarest all the way. Mine has survived all kinds of abuse and still lives to tell the tales.I have one that folds in half along the length(I think it is a light weight) and can pack down to about 8" long by 4" wide! In our local army supplies shop you can get a cheaper army knock off for about £20-£30.Don't know how good these are but would think you could get them anywhere you can get military equipment.
Inflatable mats aren't as flimsy as most people think - mines been on gorse and it's still going strong (although mine is a Mountain Equipment one). I have a repair kit but it is unused.
I used a closed cell foam mat for years, but once you try a thermarest, you'll be seduced by the dark side :o):
Thanks everyone can you get therm-a-rests cheaper than they are at woodlore. And anyone know good sites for light weight army trousers. :biggthump
Great Pebble
28-10-2004, 23:47
Wouldn't have one of the inflatable things about me thank you very much...
Just one more thing to go wrong. But then my absolute favourite kip mat ever was madeout of the linings of ammo boxes and duct tape.
Thermarests are quite well priced at http://www.summits.co.uk/acatalog/Thermarests.html
Trousers, try http://www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk/trading/clothing.htm
tenbears10
29-10-2004, 00:02
Mal
Try here (http://www.the-outdoor.co.uk/ishop/853/shopscr42.html), cheap as chips.
Bill
Trousers. This site is normally good for all army surplus. Postage is £5.95 on top.
http://www.surplusandadventure.com/ishop/800/shopscr81.html
Iv seen them (got them) cheaper than this in my local army surplus store though
Tantalus
29-10-2004, 00:04
thermarest on evilbay
http://search.ebay.co.uk/Thermarest_W0QQcatrefZC3QQfrom ZR10QQfromZR9QQsocolumnlayoutZ 3QQsocomparecolumnlayoutZ0QQso currencydisplayZ1QQsoloctogZ9Q QsorecordsperpageZ50QQsosortor derZ1QQsosortpropertyZ1QQsotim edisplayZ2QQsotrZ2
Tant
british army lightweight trousers on evilbay too
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=588&item=2280014701&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
:biggthump
:biggthump
Cheers guys as all whys :You_Rock_
Don't recall exactly when I bought my first thermarest but it must have been back in the late 70s or so. I still have it and it's been used to death. Still ticking. A few years back though I decided to get a 3/4 model to save a little weight. I still use the full length model when the weather turns cold but I use the 3/4 model during milder weather. When I was younger I could sleep on ensolite with no problem. The older I get though, the more I appreciate my thermarest. :shock: As for air mattresses, the problem is that the air becomes the same temperature as the ground and you can freeze your butt off. BTDT. I think ol' Calvin Rutstrum talked about that and his solution was to slit it open and put some goose down inside, then seal it up. He covers this in great detail in Paradise Below Zero.
I find thermarests are tons warmer than even the best closed cell foam karrimats. No contest at all.
An ebay outfit in the states "mickies_place"
http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQgotopageZ1QQsassZmickiesQ 5fplaceQQsosortorderZ1QQsosort propertyZ1
was a very economical and decent source earlier in the year. I bought from them a couple of times to kit out the whole family but they weren't listing any last time I looked. :cry:
Cheers