The Truth about Haven XL Tree Tent/air pad upgrade

[@dr.dolittle6363]

Like you I really like my Haven XL but hate the pad. I was lucky enough to buy their pump so I can add air about every 15 minutes. I had issues with the poles but Derek jumped in and took care of that above and beyond what any other company would do. I hope Haven is looking into getting a better pad made, I don't think it's fair to their customers to have to buy a replace pad that cost almost as much as the complete Haven system.

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

I suspect they will be looking into this pad situation.

[@jimdye7431]

Thanks for the video. I have slept with the topo lux xl in the haven now about 3 times and it is now my favorite piece of gear. I definitely recommend it if you are having issues with the original pad. The haven is my go to system. I use it for everything from backpacking to kayak camping to car camping. The flexibility to set up on the ground is fantastic as well as the simplicity of set up. I have tried many setups, i have gone ultralight and everything in between and the haven with the topo lux is my favorite system.

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

Heck yeah, right there with you. Thanks for sharing your info on fb so that I could try this pad

[@MastaSquidge]

A month later. Still the plan? The haven one folds up on me, but I am going to try inflating it much further in a little while here.

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

@@MastaSquidge yes the Topo Lux is my choice

[@jimfromoregonusa9899]

Your "air pad" description is exactly what I am experiencing...So glad you posted this and great job. I recently purchased the Safari and like you stated ..everything is amazing except the pad. Nobody wants to get up in the middle of the night and add a little more air. The leak is so slow you can tell where its coming from. I even put "reflectix" underneath thinking it might help. It may have little but in the middle of the night would wakeup in a slight uncomfortable trench...no good.....SO...thanks to your research...I am going to reach out to Haven and see what they say and probably go with the Thelma-rest...because the rest of the outfit is genius....and I have been a hammock sleep for 4 years now.....Again....great job!

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

Yeah its so close to perfect. Its unfortunate about these leaking pads. Thanks for watching

[@kittywampus]

I just ordered a safari. Won't be shipping until August, but supposedly they have changed their air pad. Did you get the previous version or the "new and improved?"

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

@@kittywampus i was unaware they made a new and improved pad

[@jimfromoregonusa9899]

@@kittywampus

[@jimfromoregonusa9899]

@@kittywampus Slept on mine in the living room last night...no leaks...Make sure your air fill cap is fully closed and secure and should have no problems...you do have 60 days to return the pad or whole outfit!

[@ronbaker9971]

Thanks much for this review. I’ve been checking for a flatter lay as I age. I’ve considered the Amok and the Haven. Like I mentioned, I’m aging which means peeing in the middle of the night. Another gentleman suggested the Haven would better suit my nightly necessities. I think you sealed the deal for me because I already have that exact Topo and love it.

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

Awesome, you will love this setup

[@pauly4312]

Thanks for sharing! I thought I was the only one with air pad issues. I’ll be reaching out to them within the next few days!

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

Yes, do, hope they get you taken care of

[@kchris5326]

Thermorest is a great product. I still have one I purchased in 1988 and it still works like new.

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

Heck yeah

[@garysmith7286]

Great video mate, got the same issue with the haven pad. Had it over a year and not sure Haven will exchange it. Nice we have another option. Shame it doesn't work as advertised first time. The Haven xl is a fantastic piece of kit. Derek sort out the pads!

[@johnvanboolen7820]

Great vid, thanks, I personally haven't had an issue with the air pad but it's nice to see alternatives if needed! I went to a Bushcraft show in the UK and had a lot of people asking about the Haven. Haven seem to be a straight outfit , they have done masses of testing.... the weight testing alone, (check it out) I wish them luck. I was in the UK forces, but I don't want to 'rough it ' (at 73) Have fun x

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

Thank you, sounds like you had a great time at the show. Haven is a great company

[@sniperhejkal]

Thank you for this information, you are amazing. No one else thought of improving this hammock. I bought the Mondoking 3D XXL and it is excellent. Tet, I work on the under belt. If you have other great ideas, be sure to share. Good work once again.

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

You are very welcome, glad I could help

[@tomaszderadicka1694]

Hello, I also have standard Haven hammock. But I agree with you, the haven pad is not the best. Your solution is great, thank you very much. The stability and rigidity of the pad is given by its thickness, I think 8-10 inches should be enough. And the R-value of the pad is also important factor. But they have insulated pad cover as accesories. SO I ordered it and I will see. Thank you, Tomas

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

You bet, happy camping

[@tomaszderadicka1694]

The pack size of Mondo is huuuuuuuge. But the second one is smaller than haven, so the better option. @@LifeWithKernelLee

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

@@tomaszderadicka1694 yes indeed

[@stefanmether7716]

This is just the information I was looking for! Thanks! I’m researching hammocks and I’m down to Haven and Amok, I would have bought the Amok without this information. 🙏🔥🙏🔥

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

You bet, both great shelters

[@glennnewell2786]

Amok hands down

[@IndianHemlock]

I really do like that setup !! Very informative video kernel !!👍🏼

[@Roman-nu1om]

Haven has released a new pad in the meanwhile, the "True Level insulated XL" which is supposed to resolve the taco issue due to a tapered shape. It would be highly interesting for new buyers if the Thermarest Topo Luxe still comes out on top

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

I think it would be very interesting, im trying to get Haven to send me one. May have to just buy one

[@jimfromoregonusa9899]

@@LifeWithKernelLee I just read that Haven is offering us some kind of discount for the upgrade pad but you must reach out to customer service to find out what it is, ...for those of us that have one of the faulty pads and apparently there are a lot of folks.....

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

@jimfromoregonusa9899 yeah I reached out to them but no response so far

[@dummkompf]

I think I would prefer the amok just based on the chair mode and what you said about comfort in the other video. But that one is almost twice as expensive when you include the airpad and rainfly, so I will probably get the haven instead just based on budget.

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

Yeah there is good and bad with both but mostly good

[@glennnewell2786]

I’m sorry you did say the mondo king works great without strap . Thanks for your time.😊

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

Yes it does

[@user-be4yc2vr5c]

Finding out all these lay flat hammocks need a air pad, from the haven to the nightcat, I am not just going with a portaledge. I've never once in my life had any air mattresses of any kind hold air for more than a few hours with weight on em. if you're SUPER lucky, MAYBE you'll find one that'll not go flat for an entire night... but… just not worth it. That an you have to treat em like princesses. I clean AND mop my floor before putting down the air mattresseses I have tried, and they'll still manage to get holes from seemingly nothing and start leaking. Not paying 340 EXTRA dollars on top of the 340 I already paid for the entire camping kit just to sleep on a leaky air mattress. They need to think of more clever ideas to make lay flat hammocks....

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

I hear

[@alexgavin2343]

Hello kernel, I’m juts wondering if you plan on doing an overnight review video with the haven XL and Thermarest topo luxe? I would love to see that. Thanks for the videos, I have found them very useful. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

Yes indeed, just as soon as its not 105 degrees. Still very hot here in central Texas of USA

[@neilfuller2658]

Just wondering if you had a chance to try this set up overnight yet? I sent my XL back because of the taco effect but really like everything else about the haven. Haven’t told me the deflation of not due to a leak, but instead due to temperature change…

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

@neilfuller2658 the Thermarest neoair topolux xl does not loose air. There is no taco affect. This is the perfect pad for Haven xl and Safari

[@glennnewell2786]

You still have the strap under it. I wanted to see without the strap . Thanks for your time.

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

No problem 👍

[@rexmundi5180]

Same thing happened to me couldn’t find any holes but mattress deflates after about 3-4 hours

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

Dang, hate to hear that

[@printaix]

Thank you for the video and your thoughts. I have my Haven XL since one year and prefer it a lot against my classic tent für hiking. My pad is also leaking air since day one - not that much, but through the night it becomes a bit uncomfortable. As a fun fact, i have a NeoAir Topo Luxe ... but in size RW, not XL. So it doesn't fit in the Haven XL. Does the Topo Luxe XL work well in the Haven without the extra straps underneath?

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

You are very welcome. Yes it works great even without the straps underneath.

[@jonathanlamb7924]

Hi @LifeWithKernelLee, do you still get some "taco effect", and I mean any at all? Just wondering cause I got the haven XL and that taco effect really makes it uncomfortable. I have some lower back issues so the pad bending like that removes all the and makes it way uncomfortable. I really want to go the topo luxe route, but just curious if you still have any of that effect at all?

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

I have lower back issues as well and this air pad is the best. With this pad I get no taco, I may not even need the strap underneath anymore.

[@daviddarlingauthor]

Noticed on your testing with the Thermorest XL you had your secondary sling under and through the middle... does it still work without it?

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

Yes, the strap is no longer needed if you use the topo luxe pad

[@thezacharykoerickshow3173]

Im thinking it doesnt leak in the water bc the fabric expands and swells up the hole

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

Ive had it in a storm, no leaks

[@thezacharykoerickshow3173]

@@LifeWithKernelLee I was thinking the sleeping pad in the pool water

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

@@thezacharykoerickshow3173 ohhh, yes I see. Good point

[@apmikalogran]

Problems and spending time as i see

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

👍🏻

[@themegasexybasterd]

Honestly in my eyes what the company did for YOU says little. Clearly by having a media platform it/you can hurt their business. I'm not saying they do or don't have good customer service just that Im not convinced by this experience.

[@LifeWithKernelLee]

I hear ya