Amphipod Micropack Explorer Pack

Advantages: Cheap Thermarest Mat, Very Comfortable
Disadvantages: Size

...Thermarest mats have been at the top of any kit list for keen campers such as myself. I spent about 5 years sleeping on those terrible closed cell foam mats. It was during a 5 day long expedition that i woke up with a bad neck and said "Im getting a thermarest." I searched the market for a thermarest pad that suited my needs. The first mat i purchased was my Luxury Edition Camprest mat which was about £100. This is a great mat, and when ever there is a car available to be my porter i will pack this. I then purchased a Perforance Series Ultralight mat. This is used when im climbing high in the mountains where a massive mat lashed to the side of your bag just doesent help your performance. Finally i decided to try one of the discovery series mats, mats that i had outcast earlier. To my amazement i was introduced to a mat that could... Read review

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Advantages: Lightweight, comfortable, compact
Disadvantages: Can sometimes be a struggle to get it back in the bag

...Since buying one of these mats I would never go camping again without it. They are amazingly comfortable for the thickness of the mat and also provide insulation. They are the size of a standard camping mat but provide much more cushioning due to the self-inflating mechanism of the thermorest design which give it more of the comfort of an airbed. The mats also provide insulation against cold coming up from the ground which is a definite advantage when camping outside the summer season - or even within it at times in England! They are easy to strap to a rucksack and don't require any blowing up as that all happens automatically. The only slight struggle you might have with this product is rolling it up at the end of your trip as it can be hard to squeeze the air out at times in order to get it to pack down enough, but this is just... Read review

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Advantages: High Volume and Superb stability with heavy loads
Disadvantages: Military image - olive green

...You don't see the Vulcan around much these days but I had one and it was a rock steady backpack. Manufactured by Berghaus for the serious mountaineer but affectionately used by the military and forces due to its high volume and stability when loaded to the maximum. Features 100litre volume with two detatchable side pockets (very useful for expeditioners who have trekked to a base camp and then require a day pack for day walks etc) - the pack comes with straps to turn the side pockets into a small backpack. A feature copied by many other manufacturers. Internal frame that can be moulded to your back. High density foam in the right areas to prevent chaffing and rubbing (eg hips, shoulders and lower back - good lumbar support) My one had a divider between the main sac - not sure that this was common but very useful to keep dirty... Read review

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