Camping Mat: Which one?

[nelly]

I'm after a mat upgrade. I currently have a cheapo foam mat. Is it worth getting a self inflating one or a fancy reflective mat?)

If yes, which one? Cheaper the better :O)

[ZEbbEDY]

alpkit do some reasonably priced self inflating ones

[BareThrills]

ive had cheap mats for years and as a side sleeper I always woke up with sore hip syndrome. Just got me an exped mat with some birthday dosh and its stunning. Not cheap but i will sleep like the dead on it

[Vindaloo Beast]

We have a couple of 25mm thickness Alpkit mats and think they are very good for the money - iirc they were £25 each or 2 for £40.

We've had them for maybe 3 or 4 years now and have found them to be pretty comfy, small and lightweight packsize with good insulation.

One of the mats developed a fault near the valve area and Alpkit replaced it straight away, I just had to email a photo of the area and they sent a replacement out, no hassle, was very impressed.

[tartanferret]

These can be had quite cheaply...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRITISH-AR...#ht_500wt_1287

If its the same as mine then bear in mind its quite small

[stormcloud]

+1 Alpkit we have the Fat Airic. They are very comfortable, wipe clean and pack down easy.

[treadlightly]

I have the Alpkit's fat airic and wee airic. Both have seen some hard use over the last three years or so and both are still going strong.

[nelly]

Thanks for the info, I like the look of the Alpkit mats

[knifefan]

After having tried loads over the years, I would'nt get rid of my exped downmat for anything. Not cheap, but worth every penny !!

[Native Nathan]

As kinfefan said

An Exped downmat 7 Pump, will give you the best nights sleep outdoors period.....
But you don't get much change from £120

But there again what price do you put on a great nights sleep?

[kiltedpict]

Another for the Exped Downmat 7 DX... If it died tomorrow, I'd replace it with another without a second thought! (just glad I can afford it as they ain't cheap, but well worth it IMHO)

ATB

KP

[Kepis]

Ive got one of the AlpKit Base 120's, works well for ground or tree dwelling, packs down nice and small and doesnt weigh a great deal either, always found it to be very comfortable, also have a Fat Airic, but the outer most green nylon covering is coming away and bubble up, but it's still usable, not worth bothering Alpkit about it though, as ive had the mat for a couple years or so now, although it's not been used much in preference to the Wee Airics we also have.

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?...ategory_id=289

[bushwacker bob]

Self inflating can also be self deflating. These mats can go up or down.http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88111

judging from the number of replies that suggest ways to repair them, it is not uncommon.

[kiltedpict]

Your quite correct. I've had to repair 1 leak with the supplied repair kit and I thought I'd another leak on Wed night out in the Cairngorms- woke up at 4am with a flat mat- just as well I was camped on moss! Anyway- t'was user error- I hadn't closed the valve properly .... Ooops!....

[bushwacker bob]

I have used the same Karrimat since 1979 and it still works and I have a decent nights sleep on it. It probably weighs less than a self inflating one and It cost a lot less.

[PDA1]

Is a self-inflating pad an "upgrade"? Depends on your type of camping imo. Long distance/ major elevation change backpacking in the summer and a super light short zlite may be "perfect". Esp. so if you are short of cash. Plutocrat car campers can afford on every count (weight, price) to have expeds. Here's a good article on how to choose:
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/arti...ckpacking.html
REI is a coop (of which I am a member) type retailer in the US. Hundreds of really well done articles about camping, hiking and climbing equipment.

[forestwalker]

Don't forget the famous Rudolph brand mat. Puncture proof, 100% biodegradable, very warm and quite soft. The shedding just adds character to your kit.

[Steve M]

I use a thermarest prolite 4 and have been out in -10 on the ground with it. It's great for its size and weight.