[JAYZUKI]

I like the look of that filter, first id herd of it.
I was thinking of getting this one

or the lifestraw. One thing i dont want to skimp on is my water quality.

Ill have to pop into anaconda and check out those denalli bags, I think they used to have thermarest products but i think they stopped getting them

[shakes]

They aren't on par with a mont bag, but they seem pretty good for the price (a mate has one and is happy)
The sawyers seem to be all the rage on hiking forums, I've used steripens with no issue's and will be buying the sawyer shortly.

personally sleeping mat wise I love expeds.

[JAYZUKI]

so that $50 ebay tent arrived today. havnt set it up yet. impressed with how small and light the packaging is. and also like the straps

[shakes]

Nice. I'm looking seriously at a weight weenie tarp and trying to decided if I need a bug bivvy or just a groundsheet. Should see my entire sleep system a shade over 2kg with a porky shitty sleeping bag. Can drop another 500g easily but dont have the $$$ for it atm.

[Samurai81]

I'm going to be in Melbourne late next week for work and I'm looking at picking up a full size 100mm+ self inflating mattress. Probably spend some time browsing at Anaconda. Weight is not a problem - I'm not an alpineist. Any tips?

Steve.

[buzbox]

Choose something with a 1 way valve.

I have a coleman and is the best one ive had. Dont bother with a cheapie unless you like it to be deflated by the 3am.

[henno]

I have one of the "cheapie" Dune branded ones from Anaconda. I think it was $99 on special for a double. It doesn't pack up terribly small, but it is pretty damn good and loses absolutely no air. In fact, I'm taking it to my sister's place this weekend to crash on in their bed-less spare room and so far no complaints from the girlfriend so that's a win in and of itself.

[pete_79]

Samurai81 wrote:

I'm going to be in Melbourne late next week for work and I'm looking at picking up a full size 100mm+ self inflating mattress. Probably spend some time browsing at Anaconda. Weight is not a problem - I'm not an alpineist. Any tips?

Steve.

The Dune branded ones from Anaconda don't really 'pack up'. They roll a bit smaller then a normal foam mattress and that is essentially all they are, a foam mattress in an airtight bag. I owned one for a few years and they are comfy, just really, really big.
Just guessing by your details that you need to fly back to NZ with this thing? These dune ones are about a surfboard size, they might try and sting you with oversized luggage fees.

If you're looking for a full sized 'proper' self inflating mattress these are really good; http://www.leisuregear.com.au/blackwolf/4280-blackwolf-mega-deluxe-self-inflating-mat.html?gclid=CKS5jqm8w70CFRADvAod1WEAFw
They are 100mm thick and roll up to a really good size for travel (especially travelling in a zook).

Myself, I use one of these;http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/thermarest-trail-pro-womens-regular-full-self-infl/5196?kpid=5238&gclid=CN_wkreNub0CFRRxvAodSQMAMg
Hands down the best camping mattress I've slept on. They are 50mm thick and super comfy. They pack up tiny, like 350mm long and about 150mm round. Can't recommend these highly enough.

[brookesy]

Not sure if this should go here or in the trailer thread... But anyways, these look like a solid bit of gear: UEV - Urban Escape Vehicle

[Samurai81]

Thanks for the input guys. Yes, I want to bring it back with me on the plane and it needs to be compact enough when deflated to fit in the back of the zuke, and not be excess baggage. I've camped in my Macpac Olympus tent on sea ice for up to 6 weeks in Antarctica and dont need that level of insulation but I want more between me and the ground than a standard Thermarest provides. I'll check out the Dune but I appreciate your warnings. Unfortunately most things double in price once they are mailed across the Tasman and then we get slammed for duty on anything more than $NZ400 - and that includes the freight costs!
Steve.

[pete_79]

Sorry, just realised I didn't mention that my old Dune mattress was a queen size.
That's way it was nearly surfboard sized when rolled up, from memory it was about 1600-1700mm long and nearly 400mm round when rolled up.

[Samurai81]

Hey Pete, do you give me the female link with tongue in cheek or is it just a better mat all round?

[pete_79]

Samurai81 wrote:

Hey Pete, do you give me the female link with tongue in cheek or is it just a better mat all round?

Ha, Ha. Sometimes I wish I was quick enough to make cheeky links like that...
That was just the page I had saved on my computer from when we bought ours.

I was only getting one of these for the misses to try, but it was a pretty good deal so I bought one for me too.
These ones are a bit small though, they're perfect for the misses and kids but I would get a regular sized one if I was shopping for myself.

Just keep an eye on the thickness, I found a lot that where 37mm and these are 50mm.

[atari4x4]

They're pretty bulky, as in HUGE... I bought one to put in my RTT but it was too chunky & was a pain in the arse to try & deflate it in the RTT & get it to fold, I offloaded it after using it once & went back to the high density foam mattress.



Bogged straight off the web page:

If your heading along the beaten trail for a rough 4wd adventure but cannot sacrifice a good night sleep, then the 4wd mattress will be your savour, with 10cn high density foam and a durable PVC base, giving extra comfort & durability for the rugged terrain.
Features

Heavy duty PVC
10 cm thick high density cell foam mattress
Velour top added comfort
Self inflating valves

Tough 600D polyester carry bag
Repair kit included
Hint: Allow max 24-48hrs, with valves open for the first use due to vacuum seal

Material: PVC, high density foam, velour

Fill: High density open cell foam

Dimensions: 195 x 150 x 10 cm

Stuff / rolled size: 153 x 30 cm

Weight: 8602 g

Primary activity(s): 4wd, caravan camping, house guests

Warranty: 24 months

[Samurai81]

I was a bit disappointed by Anaconda. All cheapish clunky stuff. As you guys said,the Dune mattress doesn't squash down and the good Black Wolf one was too steep at $300+. I'll just carry on using an inflate able one.

[shakes]

Samurai81 wrote:

I was a bit disappointed by Anaconda. All cheapish clunky stuff. As you guys said,the Dune mattress doesn't squash down and the good Black Wolf one was too steep at $300+. I'll just carry on using an inflate able one.

Exped. /mat argument

[pezz]

^ what he said,

exped

[got_bar_work]

Any one used exped sim comfort 10 or 7.5
looking at getting some mats for when we take the tent instead of our camper

[Samurai81]

I ended up getting an Exped 7 down. I'll be testing it out next week.

[pezz]

Samurai81 wrote:

I ended up getting an Exped 7 down. I'll be testing it out next week.

Great mat!
I use the exped dm7 and love it, camped in the snow with it, love it

[got_bar_work]

Or even better the mega mat

[shakes]

got_bar_work wrote:

Any one used exped sim comfort 10 or 7.5
looking at getting some mats for when we take the tent instead of our camper

Missus used it comfortably with a bulging disc and has hypermobility - if thats not a selling point I don't know what is. Multiples velcro together too.

Only downside is the pack size.

Personally I think my synmatUL7 is comfier.

[shakes]

Just brought me one of these. http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/?product=prodigy

$250 delivered in the -1°c with the 'weather strips'

Initial impressions - I'm damn happy. Packs slightly smaller than my cheap down bag with the same rating.. Should be more versatile and I wont get cold feet from condensation.

[henno]

You Victorians and your crazy cold weather. Looks the goods though!

From one extreme to the other, I spent loose change (read: $49) on one of these today. I'm not the biggest fan of fixed awnings, particularly since I am restricted to a 1.2mx2.0m one on the shorty (why bother) plus as a permanent fixture it just doesn't suit me. To keep the gf from complaining about the lack of shade in the midday sun and to avoid this sort of shade-chasing situation:



I had been attempting some sort of tight-arse tarp-and-pole setup for cheap that I could only pack in the car when needed. Anyway, blah blah BCF catalogue etc, and I ended up buying one of these uber-cheap and uber-shitty things:



Just trial fitted it and it sets up in a minute or two and comes with it all the crap needed in a bag of its own so I can hide it in the shed for 90% of the time it's not needed. Reduced from $179 (which it certainly isn't worth half that) but for the price of a carton of beer Mrs Henno seems pretty chuffed.

Linky for those that care: http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/prod ... pid=284120

[Chop]

Henno, get 2 extendable poles and some guy ropes and they're an awesome freestanding shelter. We use ours as a kitchen when away.

[henno]

Holy fuck. I have poles and ropes already. This $49 thing just got two uses.

Today was a good day.

[atari4x4]

x2 with the poles & using it as a kitchen/shelter etc

[shakes]

henno wrote:

You Victorians and your crazy cold weather. Looks the goods though!

heh, thats borderline for alot of spring and autumn use too.

[pete_79]

Pretty keen to test out the latest bit of kit we just got delivered from the USA.

We splashed out bought 2 Thermarest Ultralite cots.
Not cheap, but perfect for touring in a zook. Super compact and weigh just over a kilo each.

[DarkHorse]

How robust/sturdy are they? Price and source?

Been thinking about something similar.