leisure camping mattress reviews

Outwell Dreamcatcher Review

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Amazon Rating Brand – Outwell Price – £64 Variety – Self Inflating Mat  R-Value – 6.7 Weight –  2.3KG Thickness – 7.5cm or 10cm or 12cm (Three Options) Inflated Size – H195cm  W63cm   Packed Size – 67cm X 17cm Valves – Twin Valves view best deal on amazon Pro’s High R-Value (warmth rating) High level of comfort Extremely stable  Very competitive price Cons Large packed size Slow/ hard to deflate The Outwell Dreamcatcher – The Bottom Line Comfort The mattress were looking at in this review is the 10cm version. The thickness of this camping mattress provides a good level of comfort, although it lacks the plushness of the Dreamboat Single and Therm-A-Rest Mondoking. Despite its thickness, it feels stable and you don’t feel like your going to roll off unlike some taller inflatable mats. Another area the Dreamcatcher lacks compared to the Dreamboat is the fabric. The fabric isn’t as gentle on the skin as the Dreamboat Single, however it doesn’t produce noise and isn’t slippery.  Sleeping Positions It may feel slightly too firm for side sleepers or individuals with hip issues, but adjusting the air pressure can easily achieve a softer sleeping surface. Perhaps if you do like to sleep on your side you should look at the Dreamcatcher 12cm version which will provide easily enough depth. This version also has a seriously impressive 7.5 R-Value! Or, if you’re more concerned about weight, bulk and pack size, you might consider the 7.5cm Dreamcatcher version. Compared to standard inflatable sleeping pads or basic air mattresses, the Outwell Dreamcatcher will feel like genuine luxury. Much like the Therm-A-Rest MondoKing, the Dreamcatcher has vertical sidewalls. This means you can fully utilize the expansive 195cm length and 63cm width. Again, its nice to not feel like you’re going to roll of in the middle of the night!  Warmth and R-Value This Outwell Dreamcatcher really wins against the Dreamboat when it comes to combining winter level insulation with year round comfort. With an impressive R-value of 6.7, it should help you sleep safely and warmly through frosty nights. R-value is the measurement of a products thermal resistance. Basically the higher the number the warmer the mattress. You can find out more about R-value in our how to choose the right sleeping mat article.  Although 6.7 isn’t the highest R-Value mattress we’ve reviewed its certainly a warm cosy mattress. It’s recommended for winter camping to have a mattress with an R-value above 4.0. This means the Outwell Dreamcatcher is a solid four season mattress and will offer sufficient insulation all year round from the cold ground. Just bare in mind that 12cm version has an R-Value of 7.5! So, if you’re wanting to do a lot of winter camping then this is probably a great option!  Obviously your mattress is just one part of your sleeping system and what you wear to sleep as well as the R-Value of your sleeping bag plays a large part. For winter camping you could always use a Closed Cell Foam mat underneath your inflatable mattress to increase the total R-Value (warmth) of your bed.  Ease Of Use Despite its thickness and bulkiness, this mat offers faster and more thorough self-inflation compared to both Outwell’s Dreamboat 12cm and the Therm-A-Rest MondoKing 3d. Within two minutes and just a few additional breaths the mattress will be at full depth.  However, it does demand more pressure than the others for rolling up again. Nonetheless, after two rolls, this mat can be further compressed with its two Velcro straps, neatly fitting into its storage bag.  The Dreamcatcher has two single Flat High-Flow Valves. They fit neatly on the mattress side and one allows for self-inflation and deflation, the other is a one-way system, which allows you to top up the inflation levels by mouth. Portability And Durability Again just like the Dreamboat you wouldn’t want to be carrying this mattress far. It has a sole purpose of providing year round camping comfort and as it weighs 2.3KG its no good for anything but leisure camping.  Pack Size Due to the Dreamcatcher having a 10cm thick foam core it does have a large pack size. However its weight and packsize is much less than the Dreamboat and MondoKing due to it having horizontal air channels. This means it can roll up a lot tighter.  The Dreamcatcher doesn’t take up too much room in the boot of your car but just bare in mind that if you’ve got a significant other that will also want one, perhaps looking at one of our reviewed double mattresses would be better in these cases.  Durability Although self inflating mats aren’t as durable as closed cell foam mats they are certainly much more reliable than standard air pads. The Danish brand Outwell itself is extremely trusted amongst the outdoor community and is known for producing high quality products. The Dreamcatcher has a extremely durable outer cover layer to protect it from  puncturing. Self inflating mats obviously have much higher R-Values and comfort levels to closed cell foam mats but that’s not to say you can’t put one under your inflatable mat to increase warmth and protection from the ground! Conclusion Great value for such a warm comfortable mattress and at this price I think its definitely one of the best value for money mattresses. The reason why I think its so well priced is because its a solid four season mattress. It means you can get your monies worth all year round so if you’re looking to combine good comfort levels with the insulation levels required for winter camping, this would be a great option for you! View The Best Price Here view best deal on amazon DISCLAIMER– This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase the product I’ve reviewed using the link provided I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Writing product reviews takes time, so this way it will help me to continue writing about products I believe in

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Outwell Dreamboat Review

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Amazon Rating Brand – Outwell Price – £179.50 Variety – Self Inflating Mat  R-Value – 2.8 and 4.7 (Twin sided) Weight –  3.2KG Thickness – 7.5cm or 12cm or 16cm (Three Options) Inflated Size – H200cm  W77cm   Packed Size – 76cm X 22cm Valves – Twin Valves view best deal on amazon Pro’s Effortless inflation and deflation High level of comfort Extremely stable  Soft fabric Cons Large packed size Expensive Low R-Value The Outwell Dreamboat – The Bottom Line Comfort Very much like the Therm-A-Rest MondoKing 3D we reviewed, I honestly don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the comfort of this mattress! No matter what your preferred sleeping position, the comfort is one area that this mattress really excels! I tried out the 12cm version, which is the middle option as you can also get this mattress in depths of 7.5cm and 16cm. I can’t comment personally on the 7.5cm version, however after reading some trusted reviews its safe to say that it also offers great comfort. This obviously means that the 16cm version must offer enough comfort for even the princess and the pea to get a full nights sleep!  Compared to standard inflatable sleeping pads or basic air mattresses, the Outwell Dreamboat will feel like genuine luxury. Much like the Therm-A-Rest MondoKing, the Dreamboat has vertical sidewalls. This means you can fully utilize the expansive 2M length and 77cm width. If you like to sprawl out like a starfish then you can do just that! Not only that but the Dreamboat sidewalls are also really tough, which makes for a really stable mattress and a good nights sleep.  Warmth and R-Value The MondoKing has an R-value (warmth) rating of 2.8 and 4.7. R-value is the measurement of a products thermal resistance. Basically the higher the number the warmer the mattress. You can find out more about R-value in our how to choose the right sleeping mat article. The Outwell Dreamboat is quite unique in that its twin sided. The clever shaping of the foam not only makes this mat more comfortable and easier to deflate, but it also gives it two different insulation levels, with its R-value of 2.8 on one side and 4.7 on the other taking it into warmer autumn months as well as summer ones. It’s recommended for winter camping to have a mattress with an R-value above 4.0. This means the Outwell Dreamboat could be used over winter but I wouldn’t recommend this! If you’re wanting to winter camp then I’d recommend looking at mattresses with a higher R-Value to ensure warmth and comfort. The Outwell Dreamcatcher and Therm-A-Rest MondoKing are two really good options.  Obviously your mattress is just one part of your sleeping system and what you wear to sleep as well as the R-Value of your sleeping bag plays a large part. For those colder nights you could always use a Closed Cell Foam mat underneath your inflatable mattress to increase the total R-Value (warmth) of your bed.  Ease Of Use For initial inflation I allow the mattress to inflate while I set up the rest of my camp. I’d say it takes around 10 minutes to self inflate to its maximum level and then you do have give it some breaths to get it to the desired firmness. The tough side panels don’t  bend under pressure, which does aid with the inflation.  The Dreamboat has two single Flat High-Flow Valves. They fit neatly on the mattress side and one allows for self-inflation and deflation, the other is a one-way system, which allows you to top up the inflation levels by mouth. The deflation valve releases air from the mattress. Compressing the foam does require some effort to fit it into the storage sack but is easier than a lot of the mattresses we’ve tested due to the internal foams clever shape.  Portability And Durability Again just like the Therm-A-Rest MondoKing, you wouldn’t want to be carrying this mattress far. It has a sole purpose of providing ultimate comfort and as it weighs 3.2KG its no good for anything but leisure camping. Pack Size Due to the Dreamboat having a 12cm thick foam core it does have a large pack size. Its not as big as some of the mattresses we’ve reviewed however, just bare in mind that it will take up a lot of space in the boot of your car. This might not be a problem for you but especially if you’ve got a significant other that will also want one, perhaps looking at one of our reviewed double mattresses would be better in these cases.  Durability Although self inflating mats aren’t as durable as closed cell foam mats they are certainly much more reliable than standard air pads. The Danish brand Outwell itself is extremely trusted amongst the outdoor community and is known for producing high quality products. The Dreamboat has a extremely durable outer cover layer to protect it from  puncturing. Self inflating mats obviously have much higher R-Values and comfort levels to closed cell foam mats but that’s not to say you can’t put one under your inflatable mat to increase warmth and protection from the ground! Conclusion You’ll want to get plenty of use out of this camping mattress for the price but after a couple of summer nights on it, you might end up wondering why you ever worried about the cost! Its up there with our favourite reviewed leisure camping mattresses due to its unbelievable comfort. The only thing that’s holding it back is its low R-value but we understand that the majority of people going leisure camping tend to do it over the summer months. No matter what your sleeping position, you’ll find this mattress comfortable due to its super thick, clever designed foam core!  View The Best Price Here view best deal on amazon DISCLAIMER– This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase the product I’ve reviewed using the link provided I’ll receive a small commission at no

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Therm-A-Rest MondoKing 3D Review

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Amazon Rating Brand – Therm-A-Rest Price – £280 (XXL version) Variety – Self Inflating Mat with Inflation sack R-Value – 7.0 Weight – 2.38 KG Thickness – 10.8cm (4.25”) Inflated Size – H203cm  W76.2cm  D10.81cm Packed Size – 9x 32” Valves – Twinlock Accessories – Stuff Sack view best deal on amazon Pro’s Included stuff sack doubles as a pump Effortless inflation and deflation High level of comfort Warm enough for all-season use Cons Large packed size Expensive Therm-A-Rest MondoKing – The Bottom Line Comfort I honestly don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the comfort of this mattress! Compared to standard inflatable sleeping pads or basic air mattresses, the MondoKing 3D elevates your camping experience to genuine luxury. The vertical sidewalls mean you can fully utilize the expansive 2M length and 76.2cm width. If you like to sprawl out like a starfish then you can do just that! While this may seem over the top for camping, the reassurance of not teetering on the edge of the mattress is really nice. I bought the XXL version which features the specifications above but you can get a large version if you don’t require such a big mattress and want to save some money and space! I’ll attach it down below as well so you can take a look. Sleeping positions Irrespective of your preferred sleeping position, adjusting the firmness of the MondoKing’s 10.8cm foam core is so simple with its separate one way valves. One for inflation and one for deflation which are conveniently labeled. Speaking from experience I recommend adding extra air before settling in for the night. It’s a lot easier to release air out of the release valve than have to get up and start inflating the mattress with the inflation sack. This way you can fine tune the air level for optimal comfort as needed without leaving your bed! Crafted with StrataCore Foam, which is basically a thermal foam core ensconced between foam and air ridges, the MondoKing has a distinctive wave like texture which is designed to be easier to roll up than previous models. Its also much lighter than its predecessor but with that being said on paper it does have a lower R-Value. You can’t feel the ridges during sleep and the soft polyester cover provides a non-slip, breathable, and all round comfortable surface. While many mattresses we’ve tested offer comfort, the MondoKing undoubtedly stands out as one of the premier choices. Warmth and R-Value The MondoKing has an R-value (warmth) rating of 7 which is slightly lower than the previous model. R-value is the measurement of a products thermal resistance. Basically the higher the number the warmer the mattress. You can find out more about R-value in our how to choose the right sleeping mat article. Although 7 isn’t the highest R-Value mattress we’ve reviewed its certainly a warm cosy mattress. It’s recommended for winter camping to have a mattress with an R-value above 4.0. This means the Therm-A-Rest Mondoking is a solid four season mattress and will offer sufficient insulation all year round from the cold ground. Obviously your mattress is just one part of your sleeping system and what you wear to sleep as well as the R-Value of your sleeping bag plays a large part. For winter camping you could always use a Closed Cell Foam mat underneath your inflatable mattress to increase the total R-Value (warmth) of your bed.  Ease Of Use The labeled valves positioned at each of the bottom two corners of the mattress are such a great feature and make getting the desired firmness so easy. They’re larger than the older two way valve, allowing for increased airflow resulting in quicker inflation and deflation compared to the old system. The Therm-A-Rest MondoKing can still be inflated by mouth, but the stuff sack serves a dual purpose as an inflation sack!  So, no more feeling like you’re going to pass out! The sack attaches securely to the valve, and with a light blow into the bag (or catching a breeze), followed by rolling up the sack to push air inside, inflating the mattress is easy! Although I can’t confirm Therm-a-Rest’s claim that this system is three times faster than the old one, it’s undoubtedly user friendly.  For initial inflation I allow the mattress to inflate while I set up the rest of my camp. I’d say it takes around 20 minutes to self inflate to its maximum level and then using only the pump sack, it takes approximately two and a half minutes to fully inflate. The deflation valve releases air from the mattress. Compressing the foam does require some effort to fit it into the storage sack. However, thanks to the one way deflation valve, air doesn’t re-enter, making it a simple process of rolling once to remove most of the air and then rolling again to pack everything tightly.  Portability And Durability Even though the Therm-A-Rest MondoKing is lighter than the previous model, which is impressive considering its bigger, you wouldn’t want to be carrying it far. This mattress has a sole purpose of providing year round ultimate comfort and as it weighs 2.38KG its no good for anything but leisure camping. Pack Size Due to the MondoKing having such a thick foam core it does have a large pack size. Its not as big as some of the mattresses we’ve reviewed however, just bare in mind that it will take up a lot of space in the boot of your car especially if you’ve got a significant other that will also want one! Perhaps looking at one of our reviewed double mattresses would be better in these cases.  Durability Although self inflating mats aren’t as durable as closed cell foam mats they are certainly much more reliable than standard air pads. Therm-A-Rest is one of the oldest, most trusted brands in the outdoor market and is known for producing high quality products so you can rest assured that you’ll be getting a premium product.

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