Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Camping Equipment and all Clothing
Camp Bed Thermarest Copy Camp Bed Thermarest Copy
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia




Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By wortho

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Jan 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 2
Camp Bed Thermarest Copy
Just bought a copy of a Thermarest bed off of Ebay. It was shipped direct from China and cost just over £50. Saving me around £140 on the price of the real deal.

The quality is very good and I have really give it some stick testing it.
It is easy to put together, light, strong and most of all comfortable.

Same applies to the copy of the Helinox chairs and table. Bought them both and very pleased.

If these companies did not rip you off with crazy prices, the Chinese would not bother to copy. Being greedy does not pay off.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 21 Jan 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 35
The companies that develop the kit have to make money somehow. Testing and development costs big time. The firms that copy stuff just have to buy one and reverse engineer it, saving a chunk of R+D, but at what price?
I've had a Thermorest sleeping mat for over 15 years, many of which were in my military days. It's never let me down, and I'll buy another if it ever dies.
I'm not knocking anyone who wants to save a few quid, but spare a thought for the people who did all the hard work ;-)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Jan 2016
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,982
I've owned a good eight or ten Thermarests plus another four or five off-branded pads. The Thermarests were all good quality; the off-brands ranged from pretty good to atrocious. Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances.

I'm aware that there are a few other highly-regarded name brands, notably Big Agnes and Exped.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 30 Jan 2016
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 574
you do pay your money, but if you havnt got that kind of money in the first place then your choice can be limited until someone brings out a copied budget version.

Yeah the quality might not be as good but when you consider the difference in price you could kit out four of you for the price of one original plus as long as you can bodge fix until you get home then no worries and at worst if it has cost much less in the first place you can just chuck it away, no need to carry a broken product around just so you can claim on the warranty when you get home!

Been looking at these as I fancy some lightweight comfort but I could never justify the high original prices. Cheers for posting, ditto the copy chairs.

I have an original thermarest sure its still going but its heavy and my copy version is much smaller and cost about £15 and has been serving me well for many trips.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Feb 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: England
Posts: 52
Quote:
Originally Posted by wortho View Post
Just bought a copy of a Thermarest bed off of Ebay. It was shipped direct from China and cost just over £50. Saving me around £140 on the price of the real deal.

The quality is very good and I have really give it some stick testing it.
It is easy to put together, light, strong and most of all comfortable.

Same applies to the copy of the Helinox chairs and table. Bought them both and very pleased.

If these companies did not rip you off with crazy prices, the Chinese would not bother to copy. Being greedy does not pay off.
Do you have a link or name? Ok, found one..
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Feb 2016
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
Quote:
Originally Posted by wortho View Post
Just bought a copy of a Thermarest bed off of Ebay. It was shipped direct from China and cost just over £50. Saving me around £140 on the price of the real deal.
I like the idea of being off the ground a bit but am concerned that the little "feet" on these cots/beds would bugger the groundsheet of my tent. Is this a problem or not ?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23 Feb 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: New Caledonia
Posts: 10
I have just sent my trail lite three/quarter back to Thermarest for repair where the covering was starting to get unstuck from the foam giving it a kind of pillow effect. I suspect it to be not salvageable and it cost be $35 US to ship!

I have had this mat under infrequent use for 25 years, the last decathlon mat I had lasted 5 nights before leaking round the valve.

On the last trip to replace the failed decathlon we picked up an Exped on sale very light but seems very thin ... time will tell.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
East Africa - to camp or not to camp? ScottC sub-Saharan Africa 9 19 Apr 2015 17:05
Canada Ontario 2014 HU Travellers Meeting, near Parry Sound, Sep 11-14, 2014 Susan Johnson HU Travellers Meetings - North America 45 27 Oct 2014 14:39
Buenos Aires to Bogota guest123 Route Planning 12 2 Jan 2013 08:18
London to Cape Town, November 2012 Tfoy97603 Travellers Seeking Travellers 56 4 Sep 2012 17:51
Alex to Siwa, can we camp? Vleis North Africa 5 30 Apr 2012 15:02

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:08.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top