Duvalay - which one to go for?

[4WheelsFromCanvas]

Controversial but we couldn’t go for Duvalay as our setup leaves very little storage behind the bed between rear doors and they are a fair old size when rolled.

Took a punt in Decathlons SleepinBed - basically the top half is sleeping bag and the integrated bottom is a SIM. They’ve been great. Pack up small for our storage spaces (smaller than duvalay) and have been comfy and warm. Can be zipped together too.

 

[CAB]

I've just bought a freshtec ready for our conversion next month. What do you all do storage wise? Does the topper live in the house and only go in the van when you're using it, or can it stay in the van through spring/summer. I was planning on keeping it in the house but thought I'd check what others do. Thanks

In the van, especially if you are going to bring it in during the winter.

 

[Gàirnealair]

Duvalay - goes into van mid-March, or whenever I think the weather might be on the verge of playing nicely. Comes out end-October/early November when I finally admit to myself I am unlikely to be overnighting until the next year.

Also comes into the house after long trips away so I can give it a good airing.

 

[Daleboy]

I've just bought a freshtec ready for our conversion next month. What do you all do storage wise? Does the topper live in the house and only go in the van when you're using it, or can it stay in the van through spring/summer. I was planning on keeping it in the house but thought I'd check what others do. Thanks

As with Pillows/Duvet, brought indoors and loosely aired between trips while sheets are laundered. FWIW I don’t see an issue with the remaining onboard scenario within reason. After all, that’s what happens on trips...

Had no issues with the Poptop Reimo Mattress remaining in situ.

 

[Mick]

Duvalay - goes into van mid-March, or whenever I think the weather might be on the verge of playing nicely. Comes out end-October/early November when I finally admit to myself I am unlikely to be overnighting until the next year.

Also comes into the house after long trips away so I can give it a good airing.

Autumn and winter are the best time. I spend a lot of my time in the van during that period.

 

[Gàirnealair]

Autumn and winter are the best time. I spend a lot of my time in the van during that period.

I am wimp who feels the cold, I freely admit it !

 

[CamperBadger]

We pondered the Duvalay sleeping bags but concluded that we prefer a duvet, sleeping bags always feel constrained to me, even though the Duvalays are open on one side. We bought a Duvalay Freshtec mattress instead, it’s very comfortable and cool. Premium price vs others but no regrets here.

do you use a duvet/sleeping bag on top of your duvalay fresh tech?

 

[interbear]

do you use a duvet/sleeping bag on top of your duvalay fresh tech?

We use a standard duvet on top of the Duvalet mattress. Works perfectly for us.

 

[psybear]

After my first (very bad) night's sleep in my new van, I've come here searching for solutions...

All the Duvalay stuff is so expensive, which makes me more nervous about making the wrong decision for my circumstances.

First up, I need a solo solution - I doubt that my wife will ever be sleeping over in the van - she has been clear about this from the start.

Since a back injury a couple of years ago, I am mainly a back sleeper. I also tend to overheat during the night. I can usually sleep okay in a tent with a light sleeping bag and a thin inflatable mattress pad but I really struggled to get comfortable and get any quality sleep the other night. I had the heater on low but never properly warmed up and my usual sleeping bag was too light - not just in terms of heat but also there was no weight to it - at home I sleep under a goose down duvet all year round.

I'm leaning towards a Duvalay Sleeping Bag, either compact or comfort. As it's just me I will probably go for the middle 66cm size. I'm tempted to go for the thicker 5cm Comfort but I'm worried about how bulky it might be for storage (having said that, we me being a solo traveller I have more space than most). I've also considered the Freshtec, given that I am prone to overheating - but I'm worried it might not be warm enough for this time of year, and I couldn't justify buying this and a compact/comfort for winter trips.

Another option I am considering is a full-size Duvalay mattress and just getting a single goose down quilt to use with it.

I've read and digested everything here and in another long thread I found, and I'm still dithering!

Would appreciate any further views from folks who have already commented (especially if in similar circumstances to me) and also any new views, given that the most recent post here is from last April.

It would also be great if folk could share any pictures of the Duvalay Sleeping Bags rolled up and stored in the back.

Thanks in advance!

 

[psybear]

OK, reading this thread has thrown up a couple of questions.
Firstly I am trying to see the advantages of the sleeping bag over a mattress topper and a duvet. I dont really like sleeping in a bag. SO people with the Duvalay bags, where do you see the advantages over a mattress/duvet combination?

So, if I did decide to go with a mattress topper and duvet, why would people pay from £205 to £299 (depending on version) for the Duvalay when you can get CampinComfort RIB112 mattress topper at £135 (admittedly 1cm less thickness) are people just paying for the name?
For the difference I could buy a very nice summer and winter duvet.

Did you go for this?

I like that it's way cheaper than the Duvalay and love that it is articulated for easy storage. Doesn't seem to come with a cover though so it would get dirty very quickly....

 

[Skyliner33]

Did you go for this?

I like that it's way cheaper than the Duvalay and love that it is articulated for easy storage. Doesn't seem to come with a cover though so it would get dirty very quickly....

No, I bought a Duvaley in the end.

 

[bobbybasic]

I’m going to make my own Duvaley. It’s only a bit of stuff stitched down the sides. Something like that anyway.

 

[bobbybasic]

More info here…

Post in thread 'DIY DUVALAY any suggestion?'
DIY DUVALAY any suggestion?

 

[Captain Quick]

We use a 2" thick memory foam egg crate type mattress topper inside a singe duvet cover. It's comfortable and relatively inexpensive (£60) compared to rip off Duvalay mattresses. And it rolls up fairly small too.

 

[psybear]

No, I bought a Duvaley in the end.

Which one did you go for?

 

[czmate1999]

Can highly recommend the 5cm freshtec sleeping bag. Very comfortable and you can always swap the duvet out for a different one depending on the weather. You’ve just spent £xx,xxx on a van, why dither over a few extra quid?

 

[psybear]

Can highly recommend the 5cm freshtec sleeping bag. Very comfortable and you can always swap the duvet out for a different one depending on the weather. You’ve just spent £xx,xxx on a van, why dither over a few extra quid?

Thanks for the recommendation.

Is the Freshtec still a viable option for the cooler months, given that it's designed to leach heat away?

I wouldn't be dithering at all if I was confident in my decision, it's the thought of dropping £250-£300 on something that doesn't work out for me, forcing me to get the wallet out again. Seems there are plenty on here who have done just that.

 

[czmate1999]

We use ours all seasons. The duvet part is the size of a full single duvet, so actually spreads across the whole of the ‘double’ bed rear seat bed. You can nicely wrap this around you.

which heater so you have?

 

[psybear]

We use ours all seasons. The duvet part is the size of a full single duvet, so actually spreads across the whole of the ‘double’ bed rear seat bed. You can nicely wrap this around you.

which heater so you have?

It's a Propex gas heater.

 

[jaybee]

Just as another option for you I went with the outdoor revolution self inflating mattress I tried other things and none of them worked out for me and I didn't want to go to the expensive of a duvalay I've been using it for a year now and cant fault it at all in fact I sleep better on it than my bed at home lol I don't use a sleeping bag I went for a coverless duvet which again is great