Recommend me a blow up sleep mat. Not exped though

Can't get a puncture in a Karrimat!

Can’t get a Karrimat in a pannier.

I popped over to our local Go Outdoors yesterday and the mats that pack smallest looked very vulnerable to damage but I guess I should take the realistic approach to potentially replacing my Exped and accept that this one lasted over 10 years which would more than see me out as far as camping is concerned.
 
Sad to report that my Megamat 10 has gone porous and partly deflates each night.

Going back to Thermarest as they're solid and not sold on hype.
Really? Weird, I’ve had mine a couple of years with no issues. Along with a Downmat 9LXW. I also have 2 Thermarest beds and a chair kit thing. Not had a problem with any of them so far. :nenau
 
This would be my choice if I was buying a new mat. As the blurb says, the best weight to R-Value ratio on the market.
It will easily fit in to a pannier and isn’t spiteful weight wise if hiking either.

 
This would be my choice if I was buying a new mat. As the blurb says, the best weight to R-Value ratio on the market.
It will easily fit in to a pannier and isn’t spiteful weight wise if hiking either.

That’s one of the Thermarest mats I have but I had the Wide version.
2 reasons for that is = 1. I’m a big lump. 2. Your arms don’t drop off the sides if you’re lying on your back onto the cold floor.
The pack / weight size between the two is minuscule.
 
That’s one of the Thermarest mats I have but I had the Wide version.
2 reasons for that is = 1. I’m a big lump. 2. Your arms don’t drop off the sides if you’re lying on your back onto the cold floor.
The pack / weight size between the two is minuscule.
I need the long and wide one too, the link has a picture of all the different sizes too.

Something else I learnt yesterday after years of owning a Thermarest. Sleep in the silver side for maximum warmth and the darker coloured side if you want to be a bit cooler.
I may even try that out when I’m in the Pyrenees over the next few weeks.
 
Really? Weird, I’ve had mine a couple of years with no issues. Along with a Downmat 9LXW. I also have 2 Thermarest beds and a chair kit thing. Not had a problem with any of them so far. :nenau
I'm not complaining as I have had it about 8 years, although it has been partially deflating for a couple of years now.
Just a bit frustrating when it looks mint with no holes or dodgy valves.
You don't mind chucking them out when you have wrecked them beyond repair.

I too have the Thermarest chair that I use with a 3/4 length Thermarest.
So folded in half and sat on, and then the dog sleeps on it.
Dates back to 2007 and still going strong.
 
I've had loads of different sleep systems over the years from cot beds, to thermarest and a Robens Sunstone mat. I'm a side sleeper so need something that is comfy. The cot bed worked well for a while but i was worried about the feet of the frame damaging the tent floor. The best and most comfy mat i had was the Robens Sunstone mat, like sleeping on your home matress..

However the down side to it was the pack size and the stupid bag it comes with. It's wide so i had to search to find a decent dry bag to put it in.

I then bought a cheap mat from Amazon (Trekology i think) as it packed down small but it was shit and had no defence from the cold seeping through.. Used it once and decided to buy something decent and bought a Sea to Summit Ether lite extreme mat, very comfortable but a little noisy when moving around and when packed down it takes up quite a bit of room in the pannier. I only use that now during colder months as it's very warm.

My most recent purchase is the Kilos Gear air sleep pad which is the same size as the Sea to Summit so should be as comfortable but packs down a lot smaller. Not used it yet but will be at the ABR in a few weeks...
 
Hi, looking for a new sleeping mat. How did the kilos fare? It looks top quality and good size. Did you get the one with the built in pillow? Any good / bad pointers? Appreciated Don
 
I have an Exped and it is both warm and comfortable, I think it is a Synmat 7. It is noisy though and the people near you will complain (or even ask you to sleep elsewhere).
If you and your neighbors don't mind the noise it is a great night's sleep and the most comfortable sleeping solution I've found.
Here's a link to the Exped site
 
Without any doubt, Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe 25X78 .......... Packs up the same size as my Thermarest NeoAir. Its the nearest to a proper bed you'll get. 4.7RV. Inflates within 90 seconds with the Fletail Lite.
 
Without any doubt, Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe 25X78 .......... Packs up the same size as my Thermarest NeoAir. Its the nearest to a proper bed you'll get. 4.7RV. Inflates within 90 seconds with the Fletail Lite.
Thanks. Its a lot more £ than the kilo and packs a few cm more too. Same weight. ish Kilo has a built in pillow and pump.
 
I have an Exped and it is both warm and comfortable, I think it is a Synmat 7. It is noisy though and the people near you will complain (or even ask you to sleep elsewhere).
If you and your neighbors don't mind the noise it is a great night's sleep and the most comfortable sleeping solution I've found.
Here's a link to the Exped site
Having seen the post above i think re 2 exped failures I'm not inclined to go exped
 
still like my thermarest... had it for ever so it's been really good value for money
 
To the OP. Have you gotten a mattress yet ? I have enough anxiety these days and now I am having trouble sleeping thinking your slumber under the stars in 100% comfort is in jeopardy. There are plenty of good ones out there. For the sake of our emotional health Pick one! PLEASE ! Just pick one! I wish you very good luck in your camp mattress selection :campingbnige
 
Last edited:


Back
Top Bottom