Walmart knock off Thermarest.

[Cedar1974]

I was walking through Wally worls and say an Orzark Trail versin of the Thermarest sleeping pad. I was interested in getting it since it will be cheaper and easier to get, but is it better to just get the Thermarest?

[rocketsocks]

quality never costs...it pays. But I've no experience with WW's ozark line of anything.

[Rocket Jones]

Is it a knock off or the exact item rebranded for Wally World? Check the specs like weight and dimensions. It might be worth getting, but I'd want to do a comparison first. Can you access a Thermarest near you? Maybe a sporting goods store or outfitter.

[10-K]

Is it a knock off or the exact item rebranded for Wally World? Check the specs like weight and dimensions. It might be worth getting, but I'd want to do a comparison first. Can you access a Thermarest near you? Maybe a sporting goods store or outfitter.

That's a good question - I doubt Walmart has an air mattress factory.

I was talking to a dairy vendor in our local Walmart the other day and she told me that the Walmart brand (Great Value) cheese was actually made by Kraft.

[atraildreamer]

That's a good question - I doubt Walmart has an air mattress factory.

I was talking to a dairy vendor in our local Walmart the other day and she told me that the Walmart brand (Great Value) cheese was actually made by Kraft.

Most of the store brand stuff is made by the name brand manufacturers. One trick I learned is to take the packages and examine how they are made. e.g.: I compared the bottom of the bottle of Advil Geltabs with the bottle of the WalMart brand. The markings molded into the base of the bottles were identical. The only real difference was the $2 I saved by buying the WalMart version.

[MuddyWaters]

I purchased inexpensive heavy self infating air matresses for car camping with scouts. Did not take long for them to delaminate from the foam and turn into big worthless bubbles. Many years later my thermarests have not done that.

[gypsy97]

I purchased inexpensive heavy self infating air matresses for car camping with scouts. Did not take long for them to delaminate from the foam and turn into big worthless bubbles. Many years later my thermarests have not done that.

I had exactly the same experience with their air mattress I bought for car camping. I ended up sleeping in my car one night and it wasn't worth the little I paid for it. I'd never trust any Walmart item on the trail.

[HooKooDooKu]

I've owned Thermarest mattresses for 20 years. My original ones seem to be just as good today as the day I bought them. They were actually used by a friend this month who is new to the camping scene and said they did wonderful. (Ok, the coating on the Thermarest stuff sacks I bought back then are delaminating... but the pads are still top notch).

Of course technology moves forward, and I've up-graded to the Neoair xlite. Thicker than my 20 year old 2" LE Edition yet less then half the weight (and crazy smaller in packing size).

[HeartFire]

Just because a product is made by a name brand company for an off brand label does not mean it is the same quality. It is often (always?) a much lower quality item. Like the stuff in the "outlet stores". Most (but not all) is actually manufactured at a lower quality to be sold in those stores. "You gets what you pay for"

[Starchild]

Saw it today at Wallyworld, it is a Thermorest product, 'Thermorest' is on the product, along with Cascade Designs'. However this is not the light weight self inflating pad the ProLight and IIRC the weigh is 1lb 8 oz which makes it on the heavy side. (Prolight is 1 lb 1 oz).

[mudsocks]

Just because a product is made by a name brand company for an off brand label does not mean it is the same quality. It is often (always?) a much lower quality item. Like the stuff in the "outlet stores". Most (but not all) is actually manufactured at a lower quality to be sold in those stores. "You gets what you pay for"

This. If there is a significant price difference it's a safe bet you aren't getting the same quality.

[vamelungeon]

Not hiking or camping equipment BUT I worked for a manufacturer of automobile engine parts, and the difference between the OEM and the aftermarket parts we made was the stamp we put on them, so some bargain brand items ARE exactly the same, and some are not. It requires more research to make a statement about it (or a decision).

[Rocket Jones]

This. If there is a significant price difference it's a safe bet you aren't getting the same quality.

Not neccessarily. It could be that they're using cheaper, heavier materials. Same quality construction.

[Rocket Jones]

Saw it today at Wallyworld, it is a Thermorest product, 'Thermorest' is on the product, along with Cascade Designs'. However this is not the light weight self inflating pad the ProLight and IIRC the weigh is 1lb 8 oz which makes it on the heavy side. (Prolight is 1 lb 1 oz).

Therm - O - rest or Therm - A - rest?

[Starchild]

Therm - O - rest or Therm - A - rest?

Cascade Designs

[rocketsocks]

Lets not forget the principals of the "Dirt bag and deal" our fella dirt baggers before us have laid down. You can patch that thermo/therma-rest a hundred times until it becomes unacceptably heavy to you to continue to carry, all with the quiet inside glow of knowing you only paid a small pittance of a name brand piece.

[Traveler]

Caveat Emptor

[Dholmblad]

dont support walmart... Just buy the real thing

[double d]

most of the things I've bought at Wal-Mart are cheaply made, unless its tooth paste, I would pass on buying any hiking gear at Wal-Mart that isn't a well known manufacture
.

[double d]

dont support walmart... Just buy the real thing

couldn't agree more with you!