Self inflating mat recommendations

[CapnGusBloodbeard]

Hi there,

Brand new to the forum, and hoping for some equipment advice. My fiance and I are both travelling overseas for a few months next year, and we'll be doing the Inca Trail.

Because my fiance has a back injury, we're looking at getting her a self inflating mat (they only supply us with foam mats on the trail), we figure it'll just make quite a bit of difference (no substitute for a mattress, I know).

So far I haven't come across any real recommendations on google - most sites seem to come up with the full size self-inflating mattresses that people are throwing in their cars; we need something small and light.

Any recommendations?

[vagrom]

Thermarest: 3/4,thin. So light, so small, good name. Start from there and work upwards.

[wildernesswanderer]

Personally I prefer the Therm-a-rest Neoairs, my wife has the large All-Seasons, (she liked the extra width) and I have a regular X-Therm, (I want to go snow hiking)

They are easy to pump up and are very comfortable

[nq111]

Any reason you are looking specifically at self-inflating?

The new-generation insulated airmats (like the thermarest neoairs and exped down and synmats) are going to be lighter and more comfortable than the best self-inflating mats.

[CapnGusBloodbeard]

Cheers. I've since found another thread on here, everybody says to only look at Thermarest.

Why the 3/4 length? Not longer ones so I'm fully covered (as opposed to having feet on the ground)?

Hard work trying to work out what's what in their range, guess I'll just have to try them out...I'm guessing it's probably a Prolite I want, everything else seems too heavy for extended carry.

No particular reason for self inflating, just thought they were the way to go - why are insulated airmats better than self-inflating? Geeze, the NeoAir Xlite ones are steep though!!!

[nq111]

why are insulated airmats better than self-inflating? Geeze, the NeoAir Xlite ones are steep though!!!

Lighter, thicker (so don't feel the rocks and roots coming through), pack smaller, insulate as well or better.

Search for Exped Synmat UL - they are available at good prices within Australia (unlike many overseas brands that sell at 200% once landed in Aus).

[CapnGusBloodbeard]

Will do Seem to be around $150ish, only a little over the cheaper ones, so not too far over budget I guess

Thanks for the advice so far

[roysta]

The Synmat UL is a good suggestion, your girl will appreciate that 7cm mattress under her.

[Onestepmore]

Here's an Exped flow chart - may (or may not!) assist you in your choice
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7135&p=90936&hilit=comparison+chart#p90936

I often find this site useful when trying to compare different manufacturer's gear
Here's a comparison chart for regular/full lenghth sleeping mats
http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... gular.html
If you go to 'categories', you can find more specific sub options, eg women's specific sleeping mats
http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... _mats.html

I personally have a Thermarest prolite plus women's model, and recently got a a NeoAir Xlite women's for where weight is going to more of an issue, as I intend on doing some short multiday hikes
I'm a cold sleeper so appreciate the extra R rating
I like the full length models beacuse I hate the feeling of my feet falling off the mat. I tried 3/4 ones and really dislike them, despite being lighter.
Hubby, however, has no problems with a 3/4 mat

[Strider]

EXPED EXPED EXPED!!!!!

[DonQx]

Cheers. I've since found another thread on here, everybody says to only look at Thermarest.

Why the 3/4 length? Not longer ones so I'm fully covered (as opposed to having feet on the ground)?

Hard work trying to work out what's what in their range, guess I'll just have to try them out...I'm guessing it's probably a Prolite I want, everything else seems too heavy for extended carry.

No particular reason for self inflating, just thought they were the way to go - why are insulated airmats better than self-inflating? Geeze, the NeoAir Xlite ones are steep though!!!

G'Moaning,

"only look at Thermarest" ... not the world's best advice, there are several good brands out there, design & specs of the mat are more important than brand.

"Why the 3/4 length?" ... generally lighter, but maybe not as good with a back issue. Need to decide which is more important.

"Prolite" ... for real good back comfort on all sorts of grounds I'd say you need at least 5cm thickness better 6cm+. I've got a Prolite & an Exped Synmat Basic 7.5. In terms of back comfort there's no comparison between them. 7.5 cm thickness wins by a big margin. Happens to be the warmer mat in winter too.

"why are insulated airmats better than self-inflating?" ... (1) thicker, therefore more comfort & (2) relatively lighter for any given thickness. Self-inflation relies on the mat being fully filled with foam which is heavy. Insulated airmats are relatively lighter coz they either have only just enuf foam to provide the needed warmth (insulation value of R4 is more than enuf for any conditions other than sleeping on ice or snow) or use down.

If it was me I'd go for Exped Synmat Basic 7.5 (if you can find a supplier, they are not that common), otherwise Exped Symat 7 (has built in pumping mechanism, a little heavier). The Basic 7.5 could cost as little as $75 on special including postage, the 7 maybe less than $150.

Happy mat hunting.

dq.

[Mano]

After following the recommendations from posts on this forum I bought two new Exped UL Synmats before Christmas for my wife and me to supplement two aging original Thermarests - which now have been given to the kids. I can't fault them for price, weight, packed size or comfort however I do question their durability/reliability. On my fifth night out with my mat my worst fears were realised. About 2am in the morning I awoke on a freezing night in the Snowy Mountains just after Christmas to find my mat was half deflated. I couldn't find any obvious hole so I reinflated it and spent the rest of the night with repeating that same sinking feeling! Over the weekend I pumped it up and put it in the bath and discovered the tiniest of holes. Whilst it should be easy to repair I have now lost a little confidence in the equipment. I've had my original Thermarest for 24 years with no issue in some really harsh situations including camping caves with no ground sheet. I've even sat around the fire on it. My Exped failed on the fifth night only having been used in tents with a good floor and footprint! Maybe I was just unlucky but I am thinking about finding something a bit tougher. Without a bath full of water there was no way I could have found that hole so on an extended trip it would have been very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. As it was disaster struck on our second last night out. I may have just been unlucky as other posters report 100s of nights out without experiencing similar problems.

[frenchy_84]

If it was me I'd go for Exped Synmat Basic 7.5 (if you can find a supplier, they are not that common), otherwise Exped Symat 7 (has built in pumping mechanism, a little heavier). The Basic 7.5 could cost as little as $75 on special including postage, the 7 maybe less than $150.

AMazon sells the Airmat 7.5 Basic UL. I have one of those and a Synmat Pump 7, The basic has next to no insulation value but it packus up very small, is light and cheap. While the Synmat is considerably heavier (bought before they released the UL Synmat) but better insulation and comfort. If i was buying a mat for someone with a bad back, I would be looking at the UL Synmat or UL Downmat in a full size and take the weight penalty for the extra comfort.

[nq111]

A I can't fault them for price, weight, packed size or comfort however I do question their durability/reliability. On my fifth night out with my mat my worst fears were realised. About 2am in the morning I awoke on a freezing night in the Snowy Mountains just after Christmas to find my mat was half deflated.

If durability is a major concern the standard synmat (or downmat), not the UL would be better. Just a bit of a weight penalty with the heavier material.

I holed my Synmat UL too (kiddy jumped on it whilst still inflated on some grass with lots of prickles ). I agree that finding the hole is a real bugger - took me ages in the bath. Would be near impossible in the field for such a small puncture. Once found it was very easily fixed however and has held up fine.

[Onestepmore]

I holed my Synmat UL too (kiddy jumped on it whilst still inflated on some grass with lots of prickles

There is life after small children
Isn't there some unwritten bushwalker's rule that mats should only be inflated inside a tent, or rolled up in a deflated state?

[nq111]

There is life after small children
Isn't there some unwritten bushwalker's rule that mats should only be inflated inside a tent, or rolled up in a deflated state?

Thanks - glad to hear

Probably are such rules - but in my case they go out the door when two little bounders are trying to help

[roysta]

I may have just been unlucky as other posters report 100s of nights out without experiencing similar problems.

It really is a lottery with mats.
I've had a couple that have gone down on me at night for no apparent reason.
At least you found the cause I didn't.
I currently have three mats that I use.
1. Exped Downmat 7S
2. Exped Synmat UL 7S
3. Thermarest Xtherm regular
Frankly I think I have best of choices here.
Previously I've had the Torsolites and Prolites but have come to the conclusion that a good night's sleep is better gained on 5cms plus.

[Mano]

I currently have three mats that I use.
1. Exped Downmat 7S
2. Exped Synmat UL 7S
3. Thermarest Xtherm regular

What factors would make you decide between 1 and 3? Comfort/weight as I assume the R values are pretty similar?

[wildernesswanderer]

I looked at the Exped Downmat and ended up with the Xtherm. weight was one of the factors but also I prefer the baffles to be across the mat not going length ways. Just felt more comfortable and I can't complain, love the Xtherm, then again I'vce heard others prefer the way Exped do the baffles. But the weight alone killed the Exped for me. My old mat was 700g and I didn't want a new one that weighed more or wouldn't pack as small either.

[DonQx]

If it was me I'd go for Exped Synmat Basic 7.5 (if you can find a supplier, they are not that common), otherwise Exped Symat 7 (has built in pumping mechanism, a little heavier). The Basic 7.5 could cost as little as $75 on special including postage, the 7 maybe less than $150.

AMazon sells the Airmat 7.5 Basic UL. I have one of those and a Synmat Pump 7, The basic has next to no insulation value but it packus up very small, is light and cheap. While the Synmat is considerably heavier (bought before they released the UL Synmat) but better insulation and comfort. If i was buying a mat for someone with a bad back, I would be looking at the UL Synmat or UL Downmat in a full size and take the weight penalty for the extra comfort.

I'm talking about the "Basic 7.5" without the UL.

@ Exped here: http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_na.nsf/0/E2D03269A0340EC8C12576B900821855?opendocument

The specs on the page say:

SynMat Basic 7.5 S
Size: 163x50 cm / 64x20“
Thickness: 7.5 cm / 3.0“
Weight: 625 g / 22 oz
Packed: 21x12 cm / 8.3x4.7“
Temperature: -11°C / +12°F
R-Value: 4.0

SynMat Basic 7.5 M
Size: 183x50 cm / 72 x 20“
Thickness: 7.5 cm / 3.0“
Weight: 720 g / 25.4 oz
Packed: 24x11 cm / 9.4x4.3“
Temperature: -11°C / +12°F
R-Value: 4.0

SynMat Basic 7.5 LW
Size: 190x65 cm / 75x26“
Thickness: 7.5 cm / 3.0“
Weight: 940 g / 33.2 oz
Packed: 25x14.5 cm / 9.8x5.7“
Temperature: -11°C / +12°F
R-Value: 4.0

I wouldn't say that R4 / "comfort to -11°C" is next to no insulation value . In my experience that is ample. Including quite a few Tassie winter trips, snowed in & all that.

AFAIK comfort (other than warmth) is determined mostly by thickness & baffle design. Not so much by filling, ie. no difference between more or less insulation material or different types of insulation.

Just spotted a review with good pics @ http://backcountrypost.com/forum/index.php?threads/exped-synmat-basic-7-5.227/.

Basic 7.5 M currently for sale for $89.96 @ http://www.summitgear.com.au.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Any reason you are looking specifically at self-inflating?

The new-generation insulated airmats (like the thermarest neoairs and exped down and synmats) are going to be lighter and more comfortable than the best self-inflating mats.

Yeh, I have to agree. I own a old thermarest self inflating mat, It's got to be at least 15 years old. My new NeoAir xLite feels more comfy to lay on by a long shot and it's the same thickness as my old self inflating mattress.

[Mano]

then again I'vce heard others prefer the way Exped do the baffles.

I'd read on here that some preferred the Exped vertical baffles because they stop you rolling off the mat which was a problem with narrower mats with horizontal baffles like the new Thermarests. I found this to be true of my Exped however the downside was because it is made of such slippery material I tended to slide down the mat if I was on a sloping tent site. I assume this wouldn't happen so much with horizonal baffles.

[ULWalkingPhil]

then again I'vce heard others prefer the way Exped do the baffles.

I'd read on here that some preferred the Exped vertical baffles because they stop you rolling off the mat which was a problem with narrower mats with horizontal baffles like the new Thermarests. I found this to be true of my Exped however the downside was because it is made of such slippery material I tended to slide down the mat if I was on a sloping tent site. I assume this wouldn't happen so much with horizonal baffles.

Yep, just what I found, I own a Downmat 9 and I slide of the thing if it's not level, I now also own a NeoAir xLite and to be honest to me so far it feels better to lay on than the Downmat. I much prefer the horizontal baffles.

[Strider]

I wouldn't say that R4 / "comfort to -11°C" is next to no insulation value . In my experience that is ample. Including quite a few Tassie winter trips, snowed in & all that.

Wrong mat. Try:

AirMat Basic UL 7.5 S
Size 163 x 50 x 7.5 cm
Weight 320 g, Packsack 12 g
Packed 21 x 7 cm
Temperature 11ºC
R-Value 0.7

AirMat Basic UL 7.5 M
Size 183 x 50 x 7.5 cm
Weight 350 g, Packsack 13 g
Packed 21 x 7.5 cm
Temperature 11º C
R-Value 0.7

AirMat Basic UL 7.5 LW
Size 190 x 65 x 7.5 cm
Weight 440 g, Packsack 15 g
Packed 25 x 10cm
Temperature 11º C
R-Value 0.7

[ULWalkingPhil]

The Downmat 9 of mine, Way to heavy to be carting around on my back for me and to be honest my NeoAir xLite feels more comfy, go figure. You would think with the thickness of the downmat, it would be more comfy. Not always the case.

My downmat has been on a few very cold trips. Not realising how cold it is outside till I have to do a bathroom break outside in the middle of the night. Perfect for car camping, but than I usually take one of those huge air matress for car camping, so my downmat get's very little use. Last time taken on a overnight camp was a year ago, just after receiving it from the states. Never seen my pack since.

Those Airmat basics are a good weight. Might look into those one day.

[magichat]

Our Synmat UL burst on the first night out too, easy to fix though no biggie. A tiny bit of water will find the hole.
Just check the tent floor for any little sharp thingy. Sure thats an extra thing to check but its very nice having that light mat in your pack too...

One thing I found was that I just couldnt sleep comfortably on the Synmat. Something about the vertical ridges made me fall off it. Sounds silly, but i dont have that issue with the Thermarest Xtherm I subsequently bought (horizontal ridges). So my daughter gets the Exped now. Other than that both are great mats - very light, warm and comfortable.

One other thing is that the exped pump (seperate purchase) works really well (8yo daughter can work it really easily). The Neo air comes in a stuffsack that is supposed to be a pump as well, but for the life of me I cant make it work so I just blow it up by mouth. Thats meant to be not so good because of moisture, but I havent had any issues.

[Mano]

Thats meant to be not so good because of moisture, but I havent had any issues.

As I've said previously on another post, I've managed to get moisture in my Synmat using the pump so I've given up. It must have been to do with humidity and condensation.

[Spartan]

Hi,

Long-term lurker, first-time poster.
There are plenty of 'self-inflating' pads out there, from the truly attrocious to the truly excellent. Given the importance of sleep to both morale and performance when hiking in the bush over several days, I believe that scrimping on a cheap pad/sleeping system is false economy; it pays to invest in quality items from reputable manufacturers. Over the past couple of decades I've gone from the Army-issued uninsulated air matress (which was a bit grim, but as it was issued it was free), to closed cell foam pads, through the 'self-inflating', nylon bonded open-cell pads, to the point of utter contentment: the insulated air matress. My own preference in the latter is for the 'Nemo Astro Insulated'. This has served me well when sleeping below the treeline, and above the treeline when used in tandem with a closed cell foam pad.
I favour the horizontal baffles and the width of the 'Astro' over several of its competitors; the fact that it's reasonably quiet by comparison is also a plus. I own and continue to use pads of the earlier sort that I mentioned, choosing which depends on the activity and the environment I'll be in. But when it comes to non-work related time spent in the bush, the insulated air matress is de rigueur.
In closing the pad remains but one part of a sleeping ensemble. You'll also need a quality sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner and tent in order to be completely comfortable.

All the best,

Ian

[Strider]

Thats meant to be not so good because of moisture, but I havent had any issues.

As I've said previously on another post, I've managed to get moisture in my Synmat using the pump so I've given up. It must have been to do with humidity and condensation.

Moisture isn't a problem with Synmats, hence why they offer them as an alternative to the Downmat.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Thats meant to be not so good because of moisture, but I havent had any issues.

As I've said previously on another post, I've managed to get moisture in my Synmat using the pump so I've given up. It must have been to do with humidity and condensation.

I did not say that.