Sleeping mat advise request

[wobbly]

Hi
I'm planning to move "up" from closed cell sleeping mat to a self inflating mat but I'm a tad concerned about durability or more specifcally holing it. I'd appreciate any opinions or advise either generally or specific to particular brands or models- especially which ones to avoid or which ones have seemed to last forever.

I think my priorites are
1. durability - resitistance to holing and ease of repair
2. weight and space- i'd probably go 3/4 or even smaller to cut down on these
3. comfort, they seem to come bumpy, thin or thick, does it make much of a difference?
4. cost

thanks
Peter

[flyfisher]

Hi Wobbly, I have an Exped downmat 7 and as it is still quite new I can't comment on its durability, but it is great to sleep being 70mm thick.
Not cheap though at around $225 in Hobart

Flyfisher

[Darren]

G'Day Wobbly
I have a thermarest prolite 4 short and a montbell ul 90.The prolite is a little thicker but the montbel is lighter more durable and has a great pillow that attaches to it. It is also available in a few lengths 90 is 90cm. Try prolite gear in the US. i have bought a lot from them and they have been very helpful and much cheaper than our local shops
Hope that helps
Darren

[Franco]

At the moment I am using either the Prolite 4 or an Insulmat Max Thermo but when it gets colder I go back to the Exped Downmat 7.
I have had 3 mats failing on me, one Artiac and two Thermarest , but all of them either testing them at home or after one or two uses. After that i have had no failures. So my point is test them before you go bush. BTW, I don't use them outside the tent. For summer use I am now waiting for the Thermarest Neo Air.
I always have some Sil Net and a small nylon patch with me.
Franco.

[shannan]

Thermorests are definitely worth the money. I've had mine for four years and have treated it shamefully badly but it's never let me down, even over 60 days of continuous use on the Bibulmum track (including use as a cushion at lunch times). I would however advocate getting a full length one, I've used the 3/4 ones and sure they're slightly lighter but I really noticed the the lack of cushioning on my knees (because you inevitably end up slipping down the mat over the night thanks to the nylon sleeping bags!)
You're hips and shoulders will be forever grateful for the investment!

[dee_legg]

You should have a look at the Trail Pro series by Thermarest- basically just a new range of thicker (5cm) and more durable thermarests that are still light weight. 910g for a full length, 5 cm thickness and with the 'tough skin' outer.
Have a look at the website for more details but i'd same most shops in Hobart that already stock thermarests should be able to get one in if you know what you want.

[mattanitah]

G'day
I use the Exped downmat 7 and I get a great nights sleep out of it, I have had mine for 6 months but have used it heaps and no troubles yet, but it is still relatively new so I cannot say how long it will last. It is a touch expensive, but I think if you can afford it, it is defiently worth getting the down filled mat really comfy and warm

Cheers

[norts]

I am an Exped 7 short convert. Best sleep I have had in the bush. I have had mine for about 18 months.
Now comes the rub - down started coming out of the valves . I have had to return it to supplier and am waiting for a decision. I have spoken to a couple of sales people at other shops as well and they have never heard of this happening before. Luckily this happened on the last morning of an 8 day walk. I was only just able to deflate the mat.

Roger

[I Am The Ant]

I have the Thermarest Prolite 4 (Women's Version) and it is ridiculously warm. I've only used it a couple of times, but in my opinion it works very well. Just this weekend I used it in my tent during extremely heavy rain, and I was actually too warm, and didn't need to use a sleeping bag at all. The Prolite series packs up small, weighs around 600g, and is self-inflating.

And I bought it from a supplier on eBay for a fraction of the RRP.

Ant..

[woka]

I've just bought a Pacific Outdoor Ether Thermo-6, the long version as I'm 6'2". I've only used it once, so it's a bit hard to comment.

I doubt it will insulate enough when it's *really* cold, but it's very comfortable. It's more durable than I thought it would be, I felt like I had to be a bit careful with it, but I didn't treat it with kid gloves by any means. It comes with a repair kit (maybe that's a bad omen!).

I love the way it packs down to virtually nothing and it only weighs 620gms.

[Darren]

One thing i forgot to mention. I also carry a piece of 1/8 latex foam that i use as a sit pad by day and it goes under my legs at night for warmth. I woud never use the prolite as a seat outside. My wife has a prolite 3 long and i used it las year and had 6" of snow and was toasty. I must admit it was heaps more comforatable than my set ups.
Check out viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1730 to see my regular setup
Darren

[loric]

G'day,

I have used the same Thermarest 'lite' for the last 13-14 years, never had a problem. (and i've used it as a sit mat around camp - rough coloured side down)
It's pretty thin, so only good for sleeping on your back.

I bought a 'normal' thickness Thermarest for the missus - she's used that for the last 5 years. But didn't find it particularly comfy as she sleeps on her side.
For the last year or so, she's been using an Exped Downmat7.
She likes that one the most. It's heavy however (full length version), but she reckons that the better night's sleep is worth it.

[Ciaran]

I,ve had a thermarest guidelite for many years now and never had a problem with it. I,m going to do the Mt. Anne circuit in late march so I thought I would treat myself to an upgrade ( seeing that I am getting a little older now), and popped into Snowy,s and got myself a downmat7. They priced in at $225.00 but got this one on sale and scored 20% off. ($180.00).

So Wobbly if you are keen on the downmat7 and you have a Snowy,s in your town, you can save yourself $45.00 and the cost will be much the same as any Thermarest mat.

[Ciaran]

.......by the way sale ends sunday 22nd febuary.

[wobbly]

Thanks for all the advice folks. I'd never even heard of the exped but they do sound very comfortable. I'll check them out - and the thermarests of course. Its good to hear that they are pretty tough.

cheers
Peter

[under10kg]

I have given up on the above style mats and gone for a light blow up big anes clear view mummi. I combine this with a thin insulating mat for extra insulation in Tasi and can sleep right through the night for the first time ever while walking. Super comfortable and I blow it up with a big agnes dry bag so not to get moisture in the mat. The mat rolls up to a very small bag.
Pretty cheap at $40 or so too. I have had no issues with punctures to date but carry some tape just in case.

[Speculator]

I have a DMH Hike-Lite. Next time I'm considering leaving it out and sleeping on some rocks instead. I'm sure I'll be more comfortable!

[rsser]

I bought one of the original Thermarests and it lasted for 25 years or more. Not sure whether they're still as durable.

Now I use an Exped Synmat which is thick enough to allow sleeping on my side. V. comfy. Cheaper and easier to inflate than a Downmat and close to a 7 in insulation IIRC. Drawback is that when you sit or squat on it you hit the ground. And when snow camping that's chilly.