The camping essentials - I've found a bargain which you all need to know about thread...

[clasher]

I'm looking for a new sleeping bag. I only use it once or twice a year for festivals, so doesn't need to be particularly warm. It does have to be as small as possible when packed. If the zipper goes all the way down so you can use it as a blanket all the better. Any recommendations?

[CaledonianGonzo]

Looking to replace my Thermarest Prolite, which have up the ghost at G24.

 

Does anyone have the Neoair Xlite?

[Skip997]

I’ve used a neoair, by far the best sleeping mat I’ve ever experienced 

[Quark]

Oof, I'd want a bloody good sleep for 200 notes! Worth the outlay?

[CaledonianGonzo]

The Prolite is / was a bit cheaper but it lasted 15 years and I was pretty happy with it.

 

Sounds like the Neoair is even comfier and packs up smaller so I don't mind the extra wedge.

[Skip997]

18 minutes ago, Quark said:

Oof, I'd want a bloody good sleep for 200 notes! Worth the outlay?

They are unbelievably comfortable 

[sedra]

14 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

They are unbelievably comfortable 

What depth are they?

[Skip997]

Just now, sedra said:

What depth are they?

No idea TBH. Only used one once, was borrowed. 

[CaledonianGonzo]

If it's good enough for the 997 skellington it's good enough for me.

[tarw]

12 hours ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

Looking to replace my Thermarest Prolite, which have up the ghost at G24.

 

Does anyone have the Neoair Xlite?

Have you tried fixing it?

My thermarest basecamp started deflating overnight last year after 25 years of use. Got a repair kit from them and now it’s as good as new

[worthyraver]

11 hours ago, Skip997 said:

12 hours ago, Quark said:

Oof, I'd want a bloody good sleep for 200 notes! Worth the outlay?

They are unbelievably comfortable 

 

I second this they are both expensive but by far the most comfortable, I even have the little pump for blowing them up

 

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir® Micro Pump (Also expensive get ready for a shock)

 

I put one on a camp bed as at my age I don't like being on the floor lol

 

 

[Gnomicide]

17 minutes ago, worthyraver said:

 

I second this they are both expensive but by far the most comfortable, I even have the little pump for blowing them up

 

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir® Micro Pump (Also expensive get ready for a shock)

 

I put one on a camp bed as at my age I don't like being on the floor lol

 

 

 

Flextrail pumps are similar but about half the price.

 

https://amzn.eu/d/as0xDmq

 

[CaledonianGonzo]

49 minutes ago, tarw said:

Have you tried fixing it?

My thermarest basecamp started deflating overnight last year after 25 years of use. Got a repair kit from them and now it’s as good as new

 

It had perforated quite badly all at once over a large area so looked like a lost cause.  Probably now in a landfill near Bristol.

[Jacksamthompson]

35 minutes ago, Gnomicide said:

 

Flextrail pumps are similar but about half the price.

 

https://amzn.eu/d/as0xDmq

 

Can vouch for flextrail. Makes blow up beds easy. 

[worthyraver]

59 minutes ago, Gnomicide said:

Flextrail pumps are similar but about half the price.

 

Now you tell me 

[Gnomicide]

29 minutes ago, Jacksamthompson said:

Can vouch for flextrail. Makes blow up beds easy. 

 

Yes, I've used one for the last 4 festivals I've been to, blowing up (and topping up) 3 airbeds at each festival. Small, light, all good.

[worthyraver]

1 hour ago, Gnomicide said:

Flextrail pumps are similar but about half the price.

 

I have bought one of these on your recommendation 🙂

 

FLEXTAIL EVO PUMP 3

 

More for Farmer Phil's Festival where I have three queen size blow up beds to keep inflated for the week and there I can park next to my tent.

 

Despite the fact that I have 4 other pumps simalar pumps.

 

[philipsteak]

22 hours ago, Gnomicide said:

 

Flextrail pumps are similar but about half the price.

 

https://amzn.eu/d/as0xDmq

 

 

They are also good for sucking the air out of vacuum packing bags. Had a two week trip using a carry on bag, one week in cold weather, one week in warmer weather so needed very different clothes for each. The vacuum bags were essential

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

8 hours ago, philipsteak said:

 

They are also good for sucking the air out of vacuum packing bags. Had a two week trip using a carry on bag, one week in cold weather, one week in warmer weather so needed very different clothes for each. The vacuum bags were essential

 

Of course you did.

 

[philipsteak]

The only thing I'm going to try and take through these days is ibuprofen for my dodgy knees

Edited February 14, 2025 by philipsteak

[Fred Zepplin]

On 2/12/2025 at 10:15 AM, Jacksamthompson said:

Can vouch for flextrail. Makes blow up beds easy. 

Do these give enough pressure to pump up and air tent?

[merago]

No - not enough pressure for a tent.

[Jacksamthompson]

1 hour ago, Fred Zepplin said:

Do these give enough pressure to pump up and air tent?

No but they have one for boats (which is a lot bigger) which would work i expect https://www.flextail.com/products/max-sup-pump

[Alvoram]

On 2/12/2025 at 9:39 AM, Gnomicide said:

 

Flextrail pumps are similar but about half the price.

 

https://amzn.eu/d/as0xDmq

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09FXPW846/ref=twister_B09FXQYDJ7?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

This is the one I bought a few years ago for wild camping. Tiny enough for our packs, will pump up both matts, deflate them both, act as our night light for a couple of nights, and still have juice to spare... Fantastic little things. 

[Ayrshire Chris]

After decades of resisting and telling Mrs c it’s not for me, I’ve just bought a bum bag for the festival