View Full Version : what sleeping mat?
Rabbitsmacker
12-02-2010, 21:20
Hi everyone,
could i ask for your advice on a sleeping mat? was looking at a ridgerest type mat as i've heard they are of good quality, and have always been a bit dubious about self inflating mats after watching my mates swearing and verbally abusing theirs back into the rucksack.
however, i have got a bit of a bad back and wondered if inflated mats were a better option.
pro's and con's please, and suggest some makes and models, full size or 3/4, all the details if you can.
cheers all
Rob
during the winter i use a alpkit regular airic (http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16214&category_id=253), its full length and although good, and very robust (no punctures) its a bit on the large size, in the summer i use a blacks (http://www.blacks.co.uk/home.html) thermarest (http://www.cascadedesigns.com/Therm-a-Rest)clone that's 3/4 length and packs down small.
i may toy with the idea of getting a exped (http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage.nsf?OpenDatabas e)down mat very pricey but considered the mutts nuts by a load of folks on here..
i never really faulted the thick foam ex army mat i had but i kept chopping it down for sit mats or to get on the plane to take to bushmoot and it didn't come back (bin'ed before peeps ask!)
I have used allsorts over the years and eventually went to hammocks as the mats just weren't thick enough.They were great at insulating from the cold ground but did little to even out the hardness.I found a large inflating thermarest copy from gelert 50mm thick and extra wide and long.This does the job perfectly,to protect it from sharp stones and twigs I put a closed cell mat down first.I sleep better on this set up than I do in my own bed.
Airic all the way. Used one in -11 to -13 temps on ex at Catterick couple of weeks ago, no cold, no slipping off.
Fat Airic if I'm car camping or canoeing and there's no trees for a hammock. 3/4 Thermarest for lightweight bivvy nights or warmer hammocking.
The secret to packing them is to roll them up to get all the air out, close the valve(s) and then drop it into your pack before anything else. All the rest of your gear then goes inside it.
I have the 5cm Gelert mat, it was cheap but a little bulky, well worth taking if comfort is high in your priorities though. I've had back problems after fracturing 4 vertabrae, two in my neck and two in the middle of my back.
I think it does an amazingly good job of levelling out rough ground, and insulates very well.
I've never had any trouble getting mine back in my pack, I took shewie's advice. At 50cm wide though you'll need a big backpack, it fits my longback PLCE bergen perfectly.
3/4 length should be ok if you sleep on your side with your knees tucked up.
Vango do a good 3/4 length mat that packs up really small.
The only ache I get when sleeping rough is in my top hip (I sleep on my side), putting some sort of pillow between my knees prevents it.
See if you can find a shop where they'll let you try a few out.
As others have said, apparently the Exped Downmats are amazing.
Barn Owl
12-02-2010, 23:44
Yet to use my expedition down mat but it packs down great.
Have been using both the normal airic and wee airic in the past year and both work well.
Another vote for the Airic. My latest was the Fat Airic which I got on special. Great for car camping, but if you're looking to carry, I guess it's down to which give you the best balance between comfort and size/weight
forestwalker
13-02-2010, 06:30
could i ask for your advice on a sleeping mat? was looking at a ridgerest type mat as i've heard they are of good quality, and have always been a bit dubious about self inflating mats after watching my mates swearing and verbally abusing theirs back into the rucksack.
however, i have got a bit of a bad back and wondered if inflated mats were a better option.
I have a ridgerest and like it. Basically (the way I see it) if you want to pack it into the pack the inflatables are the only way to go, but if you are willing to have stuff on the outside then one (or even two) of the closed cell foam mats are ideal. What I like is the indestructability (unless you toss it on he fire, what is going to happen?) and simplicity.
ObCato; or a thick reindeer hide, but those are not ideal for everyone, and have their drawbacks (wet being their main problem; if you like to plonk the mat down on the wet ground when making lunch don't use a reindeer hide)
A vote for the Exped down mat :)
Mine was bought for me as a Christmas present, I freely admit I'd have had to think hard on it to spend the money otherwise, and if I hadn't tried one, though.
I think you might be best to have a really good think about what you need and what you'll use it for.
Forestwalker's comment makes a lot of sense; those closed cell mats are still bombproof excellent bits of kit. Their only drawback is bulk.
If you can get enough brash and the like underneath one, they become a padded, dry, insulating layer. It works and they're as cheap as chips.
The inflatables save the bother of finding the brash, but oh some of them can be cold. They absorb body heat and instead of storing it they pass it straight on into the ground :sigh: Very comfortable though, and if you sleep warmish a brilliant bit of kit. Car camping I found a vast improvement by taking one of the closed cell mats along to use with one of the early inflatables.
The down mats are not only lightweight inflatable padding, but they're warm underneath too.
If you can guarantee to be someplace cold enough then the reindeer skins seem to be unbeatable :cool:, otherwise they shed like mad, get smelly when they get warmed up beyond cold and generally are more bother to store than most of us in the temperate regions could be bothered with.
Horses for courses, you can make the ground comfortable to sleep on with a little effort and forethought, people have done so for millenia; we're spoiled rotten these days :D
atb,
Toddy
Melonfish
13-02-2010, 13:04
I've got the Gelert inflatable Xtreme, 3/4 took it out in january i'm a side sleeper with my knee's tucked so this thing worked well!
mind that was in a tent, next test is in my bivi at the end of this month ;)
about 500g so pretty good overall ;)
andybysea
13-02-2010, 14:36
I use either a Airic slim,a karrimat(the old two ply type)or a cheap gelert inflatible or a combo
depending what im sleeping on(ground conditions) and what the weather's like.
helixpteron
13-02-2010, 15:57
For over a year, I've been sleeping each night on a 25mm closed cell foam mat without an inflatable mattress.
When I travel, I use my Multimat Summit XL 12mm closed cell foam mat and a large Thermarest NeoAir.
scrogger
13-02-2010, 16:10
For Summer use a 3/4 thermarest 10 years old and after a leaking valve I thought it was terminal so bought an exped downmat as I had been looking at them for a while.
I actually sent the Thermarest back to the manufacturer and thought I would just get a nice letter back. It came back cleaned and as good as new.
The Exped is wayyyyyyyyy more comfy and for winter just so much warmer it actually allows me to use a slightly lighter doss bag. I do wonder wether it will last as long as the thermarest though, I doubt it but hope to be prooved wrong.
The thermrest is still my choice for summer/spring combined with about 50 cm of a roll mat which extends it but also doubles as a sit mat etc.
I have been using a 3/4 highlander and a full length mat from Decathlon both less than £20.
I use a German Army groundsheet or a cut down IPK sheet underneath to protect/keep them clean. Never had any problems. Hope this helps,
PREPER............ :)
I use a £2.99 lilo.
I suppose you could borrow one. Cost £0
PREPER.......... :)
forestwalker
13-02-2010, 19:48
For over a year, I've been sleeping each night on a 25mm closed cell foam mat without an inflatable mattress.
For comfort I sometimes carry both a 14 mm traditional foam pad and a ridegrest. Pure comfort.
Rabbitsmacker
13-02-2010, 19:49
wow! lots or replies! thank you for your intelligent advice, look forward to seeing what else comes out of the suggestions. thanks everyone.
i also use a 3/4 light weight therma rest. even been 6 foot 4 its not to short. easy to put away and not to bad to sleep on. better than not having it to sleep on
Slim Airic.
They don't feel as tough as the thermarest and don't self inflate as well but they are a fraction of the price.
Inside a a good bivvy bag punctures shouldn't be a problem,
PJMCBear
15-02-2010, 15:38
If I'm not hammocking then I'll use a Ajungilak-D-Lux-Pump-Mat. Very expensive at £110, but comfortwise - ahhh!
I got mine when they first came out and I was looking at increased comfort whilst backpacking. I think I paid about £90 to get it imported.
It's been used and abused for about 18 months now with no problems.
I will admin to placing a simple foam mat under it for added protection if car camping. Well, you would at that price wouldn't you.
Review link:
http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com/Gear-Reviews/Search-Results/Accessories/Ajungilak-D-Lux-Pump-Mat/
Anyone tried the balloonbed ?
http://www.balloonbed.co.uk/
I fancied this, and I posted a thread on it, but it got very negative reviews from those who'd used one.
Pity, it seemed such a good idea :sigh:
cheers,
Toddy
p.s. If you fancy making one for yourself the balloons are the same as the modelling ones sold on ebay at a fraction of the cost.
Anyone tried the balloonbed ?
http://www.balloonbed.co.uk/Yep. Lightweight, comfortable and a bit burstable if you're over 16 stone like me. I used mine in the summer so there was no heat retention issue and it really was quite comfy. One needs to be a bit careful about the amount of inflation to get maximum comfort with minimum bursting. I've now moved on to my old army issue camp bed and a down filled exped mattress for superduper comfort when not having to carry my kit about.
Nigel.
Rabbitsmacker
17-02-2010, 12:11
thanks everyone, lots of replies, looking at airic but also the double closed cell type affair as mentioned. i hadn't really considered the closed cell under the inflated mat, may have to consider this also.
thank you all again.
Rob
I've monkeyed around for a while (I'm not the comfiest sleeper) and have settled on a standard but extra thick foam mat (weighs bugger all) with the smallest 3/4 length self inflating Airic mat from Alpkit. All in it was £50 or so which was the same price as full length self inflating mat but when stacked, thicker and still lighter. It's comfy and gives me a foam mat for sitting on round the fire plus if the inflating mat craps out I still have an option.
I also noticed that being a shorter chap, with the 3/4 length mat starting under my shoulders it still comes well below my knees anyway.
I use a prolite 3 full length mat (possibly the XLong one). Light and compact and comfortable. I also use a cheap gelert colsed cell one underneath if colder or car camping. it allows me to stagger the two mats as I am longer than thhe thermarest so my lower legs end up onthe ground if I dont stagger two mats. The Gelert (I think) mat was a few quid and is only 130g in weight plus still quite warm. If I was truly lightweighter I'd get two for winter, one for wamer camps and At worst the weiight is only 260g. Not bad really.
My advice for a comfortable nights sleep in the hills BTW is a thermarest pillow and sleeping on your front while wearing earplugs. A good nights sleep is amazing for making your walking the next day a lot easier.
Anybody tried the folding 'Z' foam mats that pack flat rather than roll up? I have seen them only in DPM (from Highlander I think); around the £15-20 mark.
Rabbitsmacker
22-02-2010, 14:30
no, but i looked at the folding mats before, i found some arktis and german army folding mats and where the folds were the mat got very thin and would have offered very little support or protection from the lumps and bumps underneath, don't know if the better quality ones offer a solution to this.
Mmm - crossed my mind too re the folds. I like the idea of putting it inside the pack though - but then again that will take up a little room and the 'weightless' roll-ups can be dangled outside (and are half the price)...
Thermarest made a folding foam mat that looked like egg cups. They were supposed to be warmer and more comfortable than standard flat closed cell foam roll-ups mats. Just as bulky.
OMM do some thin closed cell foam mats that fold in two to fit into their sacks. No reason why they cant be used in other sacks as back padding. They are light and not very comfortable from what I've heard. You can link two together to make a longer mat and I think they have a kit for that. The folds (from what I can tell) are more like scores in the foam that split open when folded but close shut when laid flat for sleeping. Check out http://www.theomm.com/products/packs/duomat.html
Jackal 211
22-02-2010, 18:09
I've just got one of these from Attwoolls which are new for 2010 and they are really comfortable. Inflates pretty quickly and just a few puffs makes it much firmer. Compacts down quite well and much cheaper than alternative for the thickness / comfort. Quite heavy though at 2.5kg.
Steve
link here
http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=6212&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=froogle
big_swede
22-02-2010, 19:00
I like ridgerest. Warmer than ordinary cheapo roll mats. The Z line is even better. Very light too.
My army sleeping mat is pleated so it can be folded. Makes it a more leaner package when you put it on your pack if you use a pack with a lid. You put it under the lid on the vertical, if you know what I mean.
You can make pleats in a roll mat by making cuts with a matt knife. Not all the way thru though. Forestwalker wrote a very good guide to it in a post a few months or weeks ago.
I mostly use a pack without a lid these days, and the rolled up ridge rest goes on the back vertically.
Anybody tried the folding 'Z' foam mats that pack flat rather than roll up? I have seen them only in DPM (from Highlander I think); around the £15-20 mark.
Hi, I have the highlander z mat and I like it, it may not be much smaller than a roll mat but it is easier to pack, if you put it against the back of your rucksack it will stop hard objects digging in as well.:) it doesn't magicly soften all ground, but I find it comfortable enough, & seems to be lasting well as well.
Rob_Beek
22-02-2010, 19:42
I've just found my 3/4 thermarest prolite 3 which was hiding in a plastic bag in the garage, so i'll see how it goes when i start using it again. The only times i've used it before i've been very drunk at the bottom of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis after a long days hike so i would've slept on rocks and still have been comfy.
big_swede
22-02-2010, 20:00
I've just found my 3/4 thermarest prolite 3 which was hiding in a plastic bag in the garage, so i'll see how it goes when i start using it again. The only times i've used it before i've been very drunk at the bottom of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis after a long days hike so i would've slept on rocks and still have been comfy.
Is that because of the sleeping mat or because you were drunk? :o
regards.
Anybody tried the folding 'Z' foam mats that pack flat rather than roll up? I have seen them only in DPM (from Highlander I think); around the £15-20 mark.
I've got a bright orange Vango one, z folds up into a block of closed cell mat. Folds out flat. Comfortable, lightweight but a heck of a bulk. It must be at least 10 years old now and still as good as new, it's just too awkward to carry unless car camping.
cheers,
Toddy
I saw that SASS do a folding mat.
Any mat can be turned into a folde by scoring it but I'd re-inforce with tape if I were you as closed cell foam can tear if it is partly cut through.
I do like the OMM mats though. If you have an OMM sack you take the foam back pad out and replace with one of their 80cm long folding mats then add another in the sack itself. Makes the pack stiffer and stops hard objects poking into your back.
Normal foam mats can be loosely rolled within your sack and everything else packed inside it (apart from say water bottles and meths bottles perhaps). Works better with single compartment sacks. It gives it more rigidity which for the UL, frameless packs can be a good thing. Think alon the lines of early Osprey "straightjacket" designs. Or is that Gregory sacks? Katahdhin sacks I'm thinking of.