Dear partners, we are pleased to present a line of rugs from the Base Camp brand. Now the Ukrainian manufacturer has rugs for tourism in its assortment. They are convenient, practical, and, unlike foreign counterparts, affordable.

A hike, camping or just a trip to nature is not complete without basic equipment. And the basis of the basics in this list is a tourist rug. On a hike, it is laid under a sleeping bag for convenience and thermal insulation, on a picnic it is an excellent alternative to a blanket. In addition, unlike ordinary blankets, rugs for tourism are much more comfortable and warmer. Buying a Base Camp tourist mat is not only for avid tourists, but also for everyone who enjoys outdoor recreation, whether it's fishing or just a picnic.

Why do you need rugs?

Base Camp hiking mats perform two main functions:

  • Thermal insulation is provided by using foamed polyethylene. The small cells of the base of the mat store the air heated by your body, and at the same time do not let the cold from the surface of the soil to the body. Thus, a rug for tourism is a layer that will protect against cold and moisture.
  • Smoothing of irregularities. In hiking conditions, it is usually too difficult to find a perfectly flat surface for pitching a tent. Stones, bushes, natural relief - all this will be under your tent and will not allow you to rest well after a day of walking. Therefore, a properly selected mat smoothes all this for your comfort. The thicker the mat, the more pleasant it is to sleep on it. After all, due to its thickness, it will smooth out the features of the terrain.

Basic requirements for rugs

Before buying a travel mat, it is important to pay attention to it:

  • Thermal insulation characteristics. The mat retains body heat thanks to its porous structure. Regardless of whether it is a folding mat or a roll mat, its basis is dense foam. It will protect against the cold. The main indicator of thermal insulation of the mat is its R-value indicator. It reflects how much heat the mat can pass through itself. The higher this indicator, the warmer the mat will be. Therefore, some models (BaseCamp Legion NEW XPE) are recommended for use only in the warm season, while others (Base Camp Hunter Wide IXPE) are great for the off-season or even winter.
  • Thickness is the second important criterion when choosing a sleeping mat. Rugs for hiking can be thicker and thinner, it depends on the model, its thermal insulation, etc. But do not forget that the thicker the cot, the more comfortable you will sleep on it. The minus of the thickness can be its size when folded.
  • Dimensions in folded form affect the convenience of transportation. After all, compactness has always been and is important for a tourist. Due to its accordion form factor, Base Camp rugs are indisputably the leader among competitors in this criterion.
  • Sizes of the carpet in unfolded form. Beds can be larger or smaller depending on the model. Some are great for hiking, while others are better for camping. Therefore, before choosing a travel rug, pay attention to its size when unfolded.
  • Functionality and practicality. One of the features of foam mats is their functionality. You can not only sleep on it. Accordion rugs, for example, are convenient to use as a seat or as a rug with a headrest. In addition, some models are easy to wash and clean thanks to the outer coating, they almost do not absorb dirt.

Types of Base Camp mats and their benefits

For ease of use of the mat, the Ukrainian manufacturer Base Camp suggests choosing one of two types of mats:

  • Folding or accordion has straight fold lines, thanks to which it folds as compactly as possible. This includes Tourist, Ranger IXPE, Expedition IXPE models.
  • The roll has no "factory" fold lines and is rolled into a roll for transportation. At Base Camp, this option is presented in only one model - X-Line Roll Foiled Mat IXPE.

Models of Base Camp mats: their characteristics and features

  • BaseCamp Tourist IXPE – has a rectangular shape and is ideal for rest in the warm season. Its thermal insulation index of 2 will keep you warm in summer and late spring. At the same time, the model is as versatile as possible - it is suitable for hiking, outdoor recreation, and fishing. Standard dimensions of 185x55x1.5 cm and low weight (only 360 g) meet the demands of the most demanding tourists. And the thickness of 1.5 cm will ensure comfort wherever you are.
  • BaseCamp Legion XPE is one of the lightest models in the line from the manufacturer (308 g). The low weight was achieved thanks to the use of XPE foam with a density of 40 kg/m3 and a standard bed size. In addition, compactness, good thermal insulation for the warm period, wear resistance can be highlighted among the advantages of the mat.
  • BaseCamp X-Line Roll Foiled Mat IXPE is one of the latest developments of the manufacturer. The main feature is that the mat is rolled up and does not have fold lines. In addition, one side of the bed has a foil coating. Thanks to this, the mat wears out less and has increased thermal insulation compared to similar models of competitors. Excellent for use in the warm period of the year and off-season (R-value 2.4). The thickness of 1.5 cm and dense foam provide comfort and thermal insulation during hiking, camping or fishing. And the outer polyethylene coating protects the mat from absorbing moisture and dirt. With a weight of 550 g (including packaging), the mat has dimensions of only 55 x 20 cm when folded. And its dimensions when unfolded are 185 x 55 x 1.5 cm. Due to this, it "fits" perfectly into most models of tents.
  • BaseCamp Ranger IXPE is a lightweight practical accordion mat for your outdoor adventures. IXPE foam is characterized by wear resistance and good thermal insulation. The rug has a cold insulation index of 2, so it is perfect for use in the warm period from spring to autumn. And such mats are not afraid of punctures, because even if you puncture it, it will not lose its heat-insulating properties and will continue to retain heat. The standard dimensions of the mat 185 x 55 cm allow you to use it both in a tent and for picnics or camping. The mat comes with a mesh cover for transportation.
  • Base Camp Expedition IXPE differs from other models in its foil coating. Thanks to this, its wear resistance and thermal insulation characteristics increase. It is perfect for a picnic or outdoor recreation. It is a comfortable place to sleep in a tent, a good thermal insulation from the cold in the mountains or an alternative to a mat for the beach. The standard size (55 x 13 x 16 cm) and low weight (440 g) ensure its popularity among tourists, fishermen, and the military. And the R-value of 2.2 guarantees warmth in the off-season. Dense foam (40 kg/m3) guarantees long service.
  • Base Camp Hunter Wide IXPE – a top rug from a Ukrainian manufacturer. It has already been appreciated not only by tourists, but also by military personnel, survivors and supporters of the military style in hiking. Its main advantages are increased dimensions and improved thermal insulation. The bed size of 199x60 cm is great for tall people, as well as for people of large build. The two-layer structure of the foam provides a thermal insulation index of 2.4, so this sleeping bag for tourism can also be used for the cold period of the year (approx. up to -5C). Another of its advantages among similar competitive models is its thickness. 1.8 cm of dense foam perfectly not only protects against the cold, but also smooths out all the unevenness of the terrain. The model comes with a mesh cover for easy transport and storage.

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