Sleeping mats - a 2010 search

[brianrossy]

Gday all,

In planning for my upcoming trip I've come to the "which mattress" stage. After a couple days of reading and cutting down on numbers I've come up with a few options which I thought I'd share for others in the same boat. Comments, opinions and criticisms are most welcome!

My options I have cut down to include 3 lines - Black Wolf, Thermarest and Exped. I think the Black Wolf and Thermarest and Exped Sim Light are on par. With me thinking about the thermarest for quality, and a slightly larger size and better pack down size. The Exped 7 DLX, sounds good however I do worry about the air mattress feel and have heard several cases of punctures causing deflation. Others I have decided against are shown below too.

Black Wolf Self-Inflating Mat Lightweight Long 3.8cm thick – $109 AUD
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BLACK-WOLF-S-INFLATING-MAT-L-WEIGHT-LONG-3-8CM-THICK-/190432489728?pt=AU_Sleeping_Gear&hash=item2c56a931 00

Weight: < 830 grams
Size: 183 x 51 x 3.8 cm
Seams: heat bonded
Filling: Anti-Fungal CFC Free foam
Shell: Slip-resistant Ripstop
Packaged Size: 29cm x 16cm x 16cm

Thermarest Prolite Plus Regular ($150 AUD) or Large ($180 AUD)
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/THERMAREST-PROLITE-PLUS-REGULAR-LENGTH-SELF-INFLATE-MAT-/350367563907?pt=AU_Sleeping_Gear&hash=item519388c0 83
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/THERMAREST-ProLite-Plus-Mens-Self-Inflating-Mat-Large-/170531606364?pt=AU_Sleeping_Gear&hash=item27b479cf 5c

Weight – 680gms (reg) or 940 (lg)
Size - 183cm Long x 51cm Wide x 3.8cm Thick (reg) or 196 x 63 x 3.8 (lg)
Rolled Size - 27cm x 12cm (reg) or 33 x 13cm (lg)

Exped DownMat Pump 7 Deluxe - £115 / $190 NZD
http://www.traveldriplus.com/product_info.php?products_id=34&osCsid=e92d4e4b9f0 0554368f5a27cbb9a1759 or
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/sleeping-mats/exped-downmat-pump-with-wide-valves.html

Dimensions: 197 x 65 x 7cm
Rolled size: 27 x 14cm
Weight: 1.169kg

Exped Sim Light – $75 AUD
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BNWOT-EXPED-SIM-LIGHT-3-8-self-inflating-sleeping-mat-/380254658024?pt=AU_Sleeping_Gear&hash=item5888f19d e8

Size: 183x50x3.8 cm / 72x20x1.5“
Weight: 870 g / 31 oz (mat only)
Packed: 27x16 cm / 11x6“
Temperature: -7°C / +23°F

I excluded some mats like the Vango ($70 AUD) and Alpkit Airo 120 or 180 (£ 35.00) because of mattress thickness, the Reimo Self-Inflating Super-Light Air Mattress ($70 AUD) for its lack of details and a couple others for compacting size or questionable quality. While these may be good options for short hiking trips, I think they are unlikely choices for a longer RTW trip or other. They can however be found here:

Alpkit Airo – £ 35.00
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16531&category_ id=289

Airo 120 or 180
Weight (gr): 399 (120) or 582 (180)
Thickness (cm): 2.5
Real World Packed Weight (gr) 439 (120) or 653 (180)
Dimensions (cm): 120 x 51 x 2.5 (120) or 180 x 51 x 2.5 (180)
Min Rolled size (cm): 28 x 12 (120) or 28 x 13 (180)
Realistic Rolled size (cm): 28 x 14 (120) or 18 x 15 (180)
33D Mini Ripstop Nylon
Expected R value 2.5*
Repair kit included

Vango – $70 AUD
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Vango-Ultralite-Full-Size-Self-Inflating-Camping-Mat-/290498915799?pt=AU_Sleeping_Gear&hash=item43a315ad d7
Dimensions: 183 x 51 x 2.5cm
Packed Dimensions: 28 x 12cm
Material: 75 Denier Non-slip Ripstop Polyester
Weight: 660 grams
Core: open cell laminated foam

Reimo Self-Inflating Super-Light Air Mattress – $70 AUD
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Reimo-Self-Inflating-Super-Light-Air-Mattress-/220697602198?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33629a 2896

No specifications

Lightweight full self inflating mattress mat – thick – $40 AUD
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LIGHTWEIGHT-FULL-SELF-INFLATING-MATTRESS-MAT-THICK-/270662780034?pt=AU_Sleeping_Gear&hash=item3f04c244 82

Total Dimensions: 184 x 52 x 15cm
Mattress Dimensions: 160 x 52 x 2.3 cm
Pillow Dimensions: 24cm long x 15cm high
Packed Dimensions: 42 x 16cm
Material: Ripstop fabric with Anti-fungal CFC free foam
Weight: under 1 kg
3 carry bags (1 main, 1 pillow, 1 mattress) + 2 repair kits

Caribee LITE Full size Self-inflating Hiking Camp Mat – $82 AUD
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Caribee-LITE-Full-size-Self-Inflating-Hiking-Camp-Mat-/290504768398?pt=AU_Sleeping_Gear&hash=item43a36efb 8e

Full size Size: 183 x 51 x 3.8cm
Approx. weight 1.4kg
Horizontal Cross Coring to aid air flow and weight
Fabric: Slip resistant polyester
Compact and light weight
Anti fungal foam
Repair kit included
Packed size rolled: approx 25cm x 27cm

Look forward to hearing your views and comments. Cheers, Rossy.

[brianrossy]

An update on my choice. I opted for the Exped Downmat 7 Deluxe. My reasoning being I liked the extra thickness and width/length for the price ($145 AUD from http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/sleeping-mats/exped-downmat-pump-with-wide-valves.html) compared to the thermarest ones. The thermarest ones are a similar price but for a smaller mattress (width, length and thickness) and the large thermarest prolite plus is worth $190 AUD.

I figure I can keep it protected enough from punctures by having a tent or if need be a light fly/groundsheet for the grass etc. Any punctures I figure I can fix with a repair kit. Hopefully. I'll keep this thread updated with the results.

It would be great still to see others opinions if they use this thread to select or review a sleeping mat. Happy camping.
Rossy.

[Desert Ways]

+1 For the Exped Downmat 7

I got the short length version in August and have used continously in the UK since inside a hammock and also for 2 weeks wild camping in Morocco inside a bivi.

Very warm and very comfortable plus packs down really small.

[stephen.stallebrass]

Another vote for the Exped Downmat 7 because they're awesome. Warm, comfy and a small pack size... all the qualities adventure bikers need. Unfortunately quite expensive but worth every penny.

[jamieT]

I was gutted when my beloved thermarest prolite decided to wrap itself around my rear wheel and tear itself to pieces.

After a bit of research and with some trepidation, I splashed out on the new thermarest (is it called neo-air?). Now that I've forgotten how much I paid for it, it's fantastic. Early days for ruggedness, but tiny pack size, great warmth and comfort.

No experience of others to compare.

JT

[chef jules]

Had a quick ride out to North Wales last weekend, camping just 1 night . I used my Thermarest mat and my mate had the Exped 9 Deluxe. I was cold and uncomforable . He was warm and had a good nights sleep. The Exped inflates by hand prints where as mine is supposed to be self inflating but needs a top up. As I am planning a run up to the Arctic in 2012 Im considering changing my mat . Plus leaving half the gear I took behind. My tent is a Vango Spirit 100+ [with porch]
What sort of temperatures can I expect in northern Norway and Finland in June ?

[Warthog]

Originally Posted by brianrossy

Exped DownMat Pump 7 Deluxe - £115 / $190 NZD
http://www.traveldriplus.com/product_info.php?products_id=34&osCsid=e92d4e4b9f0 0554368f5a27cbb9a1759 or
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/sleeping-mats/exped-downmat-pump-with-wide-valves.html

Dimensions: 197 x 65 x 7cm
Rolled size: 27 x 14cm
Weight: 1.169kg

I have a Thermarest self-inflating (very good), an Alpkit self-inflating (very good). Exped are said to be good also. Nordic Outdoors (.co.uk) have an Exped mat at half price for £49 at the moment.
Perhaps see what shipping would cost...

[GordYukon]

Have used the Thermarest (Camp) for over 25yrs in -35C to +30C while hunting, snow machining, fire fighting... A bit cumbersome, bulky and slippery but first rate until daughter gave me an Exped Downmat7 a couple of years ago for my touring. Love it! Compact, warm and cradles better although takes longer to firm up. Have retired the thermarest.

[Sleepdog]

I have recently bought this one, packs up small and is very comfortable, but youy have to inflate (I carry a small pump)
2.5 inches thick and great for camping in the winter.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Trekker - Lightweight, go-anywhere air mattress comfort.

I have used it six times this year and get a great nights sleep. Not cheap but then my comfort comes first.

[brianrossy]

So far the exped is amazing! Have been in COLD places and been warm. Its comfortable. Its small. Light. easy to pack and great exercise to blow up! If you take precaution with where you lay it you will never have problems with leaks! A great mattress and great COMFORT!!!

V happy.

[mattcbf600]

I have the Exped 7DLX - I thought I would need the 9 as I'm quite a large fella but upon investigation the 7 is more than comfortable enough (the DLX gives you a little extra width and length) and the difference in pack size was marked enough that I didn't want the 9.

I got mine from Les at Traveldri Plus - in fact I'm on my second mat as I managed to break the valves of the first one in Australia (old design) which is now impossible to do with the new design. It was replaced under warranty 4.5 years after I bought it. Not bad.

Being a large chap I've tried every sleeping mat there is out there - there's nothing worse than an uncomfortable sleep. The thermarests are the nearest competition, but Exped are so far out in front it's not even close competition.

In fact I was so impressed with the Exped (I promise they don't pay me) it was one of the very first camping gear reviews I ever made.



I'll be making a newer one at some point later this year for the new model.

[Chris Cowper]

I have slept on my Thermorest Prolite 4 for many, many months. Several months at a time.

I still have my original Thermorest, it to had given me years of faithful
service. I purchased a new one as they roll up smaller.

I would not swap my Thermorest Prolite 4 for anything.