Help Choosing a Comfortable Mat

[DanShell]

As the title suggests I need help choosing a comfortable sleeping mat.

In the past I have used a local brand self inflating mat that weighed a tonne. And more recently we have Thermarest Prolite 4's. They weigh around 650g and have an R value of about 3.2.

I am not warm enough or comfortable enough with the Thermarest so I need to change to something warmer and thicker. I am happy to carry some extra weight if it means Ill have a better sleep but it appears as though I may not need too.

I have done quite a bit of research on here and on other sites and I think I have narrowed it down to a few choices.

Exped Syn 9 (R Value 6) 695g. 3.5" Thick
Exped Down 7 UL (R Value 5.9) 580g. 2.8" Thick

Thermarest Neoair Xtherm (R Value 5.7) 425g 2.5" Thick
Thermarest All Season (R Value 4.9) 538g 2.5" Thick

I didn't think there are any others that are easily available that come near these specs. Yes the new S2S mats seem nice but are on the heavy side to get the same ratings. Big Angus may make a few but its not like they are in shops.

So I guess what I am asking is for people who use any of the mats in my short list to give me some feedback as to their real world warmth, comfort and what did you use prior to buying your current mat. Or I am open to suggestions to others I may have missed that come close to these specs.

My only concerns with these style mats is that one thing I have learnt in life is when using air mattresses you can be certain they will go flat during the night at some stage! I have heard they are really noisy and you tend to fall off the sides of them?

Thanks for any advice.

[Empty]

I have the neoair Xtherm. Very warm and light but I find it very uncomfortable. Others swear by it so it is personal I guess. Also have the S2S comfort plus which is a bit heavy as you say but very warm and comfortable. Has the advantage of 2 skins so it is unlikely both will go flat at the same time. Also have a couple of ultralight thermarests but way too thin for the ageing bod.

My Exped SIM 5 is far and away the most comfortable but still a bit heavy. Another Exped Synmat may be on the list in the never ending quest for a good nights sleep.

[slparker]

What about this one?
https://www.fruugoaustralia.com/exped-s ... VbKA.12333

[GPSGuided]

I am not warm enough or comfortable enough with the Thermarest so I need to change to something warmer and thicker.

Not warm enough? Not because of the thermal rating of the bag? Were you on snow?

Impressed with the R rating of the Thermarest Neoair Xtherm and for that weight. One pays I guess. I like the slightly raised sides of my Exped pad, keeps me in the middle and feeling secure and comfortable. I am not too fussy though.

[Strider]

The noise and falling off the sides concerns are generally limited to Neoairs. As they lack any kind of side baffles the shoulders of the mat just collapse when loaded with any weight whatsoever. The taller side baffles on the Expeds are much better. The noise stems from their use of Mylar foil instead of bonded synthetic insulation or down and is often compared to "sleeping on a chip packet". Some claim it isn't an issue, but I found it incredibly annoying during the one night I slept on my Neoair before selling it on.

I now use a Downmat UL7 and have found it very comfortable and of course lovely and warm. I was actually after a Synmat UL7 when I was purchasing, but Mainpeak had one of their 30% sales on at the time only had the Downmats left. Yes it does lose a bit of air through the night as the temp cools down, but this isn't really an issue in real world usage. If I was buying another mat today I would get another Exped for sure, though I do like the valve design on the new S2S models.

[gayet]

+1 for Exped DownMat UL7.

I also have a neoair, regular yellow chip packet. But the Exped wins hands down. Warmer, thicker,more comfortable and quieter, if heavier.

I haven't used the Exped anywhere but Tas so it could be too warm for warmer climes. If so I'll return to the neoair and learn to sleep with the chip packet racket.

[GPSGuided]

Anyone tried using a $5 mylar sheet (first aid space blanket) underneath their lower-R rated mats? Would it generate a significant benefit?

[Moondog55]

Anyone tried using a $5 mylar sheet (first aid space blanket) underneath their lower-R rated mats? Would it generate a significant benefit?

None that I ever noticed, no air-gap for the radiation effect to take place, I also tried [ once] that bubble wrap type of reflective windscreen shields and I noticed no benefit there either

[kitty]

I went from Thermarest Prolite (non plus version) to Exped Down Mat UL 7 - what luxury! Very comfortable and warm. The schnozzle makes it easy to inflate as well. I have no experience with other mats sorry.

[walkerchris77]

I have the chip packet but id sleep through a cyclone so the noise doesn't bother me. Personal choice i guess.

[Strider]

I should also say the reason I wanted a Synmat over a Downmat is because the DM cannot be inflated by mouth due to the moisture in your breath. The Synmat UL9 would be my current pick for sure.

[DanShell]

Again this place is full of all the info I need, thanks everyone.

I am leaning towards the Synmat and the one in the link slparker supplied seems like a great price??

I wear ear plugs when I sleep (unless Im in the bush on my own and Im scared of the boogy monster getting me) so noise isn't a big issue but I didn't want to feel like I am dropping off the edge.

GPS, nah not on snow (but a frozen wet ground so may as well been) and my quilt may play a part in my lack of warmth below zero but generally I can lay there and feel the cold through the mat. I use a piece of CC foam to sit on etc, so one night I put that under my mat and It made quite a noticeable difference..........for about 20 minutes and then the cold was coming through that as well

I am not normally fussy about my mat and for an overnighter or even a couple of nights I can tolerate a bad night but I am looking at some more multi day walks in the near future so I want to be comfortable and I didn't want winter to stop me walking.

[simonm]

I am liking the specs on the Synmat Winterlite - http://www.exped.com/australia/en/produ ... nterlite-m

Temperature:
-17 °C
R-Value:
4.90
Thickness:
9 cm
Length:
183 cm
Shoulder Width:
52 cm
Foot Width:
35 cm
Weight Mat:
405 g
Weight Packsack:
13 g
Packed height:
21 cm
Packed diameter:
11 cm
Pack volume:
2 l

[DanShell]

I am liking the specs on the Synmat Winterlite - http://www.exped.com/australia/en/produ ... nterlite-m

Temperature:
-17 °C
R-Value:
4.90
Thickness:
9 cm
Length:
183 cm
Shoulder Width:
52 cm
Foot Width:
35 cm
Weight Mat:
405 g
Weight Packsack:
13 g
Packed height:
21 cm
Packed diameter:
11 cm
Pack volume:
2 l

Im not a fan of the shape Simon in fact I was debating over getting the large mat but I have decided against it due to weight.

I just looked on main peak and if I buy the membership discount I can get 2 X Synmat UL 9's for $300 delivered. I think thats pretty reasonable.

Ill procrastinate over it for a day or two but I can't think of a reason not to buy them???

[simonm]

Yep that seems a decent price Dan.

I think I might splurge on the Winterlite and see how it goes, when I get some spare cash.

[GPSGuided]

Go to a shop and lie on a few and see.

[DanShell]

Done deal. Im pretty confident its going to be a lot better than my thin thermarest I have now and obviously its warmer so hopefully Ill like it.

http://www.mainpeak.com.au/exped-synmat-ul-9-m/

$144 each.

Now for a better pillow.....I will go and try a few different pillows before I buy, I am very fussy about a pillow.

[Strider]

Now for a better pillow.....I will go and try a few different pillows before I buy, I am very fussy about a pillow.

I've got a Nemo Fillo which I love, but apparently this cheapy from BCF is possibly even better.

http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/prod ... mendations

[corvus]

G'day Dan ,
How often will you use it in very cold conditions especially with a Quilt ? I use a Prolite 4 in all conditions in Tas in a Scarp Tent with a Tyvek ground sheet and a "Proper Down sleeping bag" and have worn my Down Jacket and fleece pants when it on rare occasions gets down to really cold on the snow but never considered replacing it for the amount of times it would be used.
Also think a Mylar Space Blanket from your First Aid Kit would help as previously suggested however Quilts whilst being suitable on the warmer "big Island" areas IMHO are not suitable for Colder Tassie conditions.
Camping on Platforms can be a lot colder than on ground owing to Air circulation depending on your ground sheet base /mat that may have caused some of your discomfort.

[Strider]

Quilts whilst being suitable on the warmer "big Island" areas IMHO are not suitable for Colder Tassie conditions.

Interesting claim. Have you ever used a quilt? There is no reason a quilt cannot insulate as effectively as a sleeping bag if sized as used correctly. I would even say a quilt can insulate more effectively, as it is possible to have far more insulation available for the same weight.

[GPSGuided]

Depending on the specific design of the quilt perhaps?

[icefest]

I'll be the freak that loves his xtherm to bits (the extra large one for winter). I find that most tents will be louder than the mat during all but the most windless nights. I also suspect it's a tad more holeproof than the synmat ul.

As far as quilts go, they're great. I have one that I'll use down to zero, I've used it in Tassie without issues.

The Mylar would probably help more if you put it between your sleeping bag and yourself. Air gap, and vapour barrier etc.

[axcarmil]

Now for a better pillow.....I will go and try a few different pillows before I buy, I am very fussy about a pillow.

I have a thermarest compression pillow. I tried a lot in the shops and this was the one I preferred. However, although it works well for one and two consecutive nights, after three or more nights of consecutive use it seems to compress and flatten out more during the night (or I notice it more). I am planning on adding some foam to it to see if helps.

The exped is a good choice. I really like it.

[Empty]

pillow? S2s large. Not sure what the model is but inflatable, green one side grey the other. Tiny package and very comfy.


For the record, the grey neoairs are not chip packet noisy. The yellow Doritos coloured ones hold the title for that.

Arnold

[GPSGuided]

I find that most tents will be louder than the mat during all but the most windless nights.

Do you think this find could have been influenced by your cuben experiences? I understand that they can be 'crispy'.

[DanShell]

G'day Dan ,
How often will you use it in very cold conditions especially with a Quilt ? I use a Prolite 4 in all conditions in Tas in a Scarp Tent with a Tyvek ground sheet and a "Proper Down sleeping bag" and have worn my Down Jacket and fleece pants when it on rare occasions gets down to really cold on the snow but never considered replacing it for the amount of times it would be used.
Also think a Mylar Space Blanket from your First Aid Kit would help as previously suggested however Quilts whilst being suitable on the warmer "big Island" areas IMHO are not suitable for Colder Tassie conditions.
Camping on Platforms can be a lot colder than on ground owing to Air circulation depending on your ground sheet base /mat that may have caused some of your discomfort.

Gday Mate
I use the quilt all year round its my only 'sub zero' sleeping system. I have been talking to EE in regards to my findings with its ratings and they have very generously offered to sort it out for me.

The prolite 4 is ok and has been ok even below zero but I have had to wear quite a bit of clothing to top up the warmth (mainly due to the quilt IMHO). Im just looking for more comfort (thickness) and I may as well go warmer while I am at it. The good thing I have found with the quilt is you can easily allow air in for warmer conditions. I used the same quilt on the simpson desert.....sleeping on it instead of under it was quit nice

My coldest nights have always been on the wet ground. I have been lucky on platforms, the weather has always been over zero. I also spent a cold night in Junction Lake hut when I think it must have got down around zero. I admit it has taken me a little while to work out how best to use the quilt straps.

[icefest]

Do you think this find could have been influenced by your cuben experiences? I understand that they can be 'crispy'.

What's a few decibels here or there....?

To be honest I don't find Cuben that much louder. It's just loud at a different pitch - not the low flack-flack of normal tents but rather a crisp click.

[JohnStrider]

FWIW I bought a S2S Ultralight Large mat from one of the good folk on here. Absolutely love it. The RV rating might not be what you are after, but it is very comfortable.

http://www.seatosummit.com.au/sleepingm ... ltra-light

[Joomy]

I was also going to suggest an Exped Winterlite. I personally am going to get a Hyperlite soon to replace my old UL 7. I personally love the shape, I found that the rectangular LW was just too wide at the bottom for a tapered tent. That said, I would probably prefer if the Hyperlite weren't quite so tapered, but having tried it I think it will be fine.

[simonm]

Here you go Dan not very compact or light but it's free. I found this on a walk I did today, along with a heap of other rubbish.

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