Bed Roll / Sleeping Mat. Suggestions and experiances

Hi All.
In the pursuit of reducing weight and volume in my pack plus wanting something more comfortable and warmer.
I have had a standard full length Thermorest mat since the early 1990's, 2 sided and aprox 25mm thick.

Starting to look around and like the idea of something more comfortable & warmer as I have on occasion felt the cold coming through.

Use is short trips typically 1-2 nights north island plus possibly 3-4 night fly in south island.
Don't expect to be sleeping on snow but can expect good frosts and cold ground.

Been looking around but getting confused and blown away by the prices. Looking for some suggestions and recommendations as to what others are using.
Zq

There are a few good suggestions over on this recent thread...

Some bloody good mats mentioned if you've got the budget for it. Personally I don't, so I rate the Torpedo7 one I have. Not quite as light as the Thermarest / Klymit or as warm as the Exped, but way cheaper. A bloody sight better than what you're used to (I also used a 3/4 Thermarest Classic and a Thermarest Prolite up until recently).

Sold out online at the mo, wait for a sale if you can because I picked mine up for half the RRP.

Given your usage you don't need the lightest as you're not carrying it multiple days on end. How warm you need it to be will depend on you - coming from Whangarei you might need a bit more insulation when you venture south ;)

I've got one of those Xped ones with down in it and the little pump thing that looks like a whoopee cushion - it's been great so far but I'm always cautious to look out for anything sharp where I bed down
Was on sale at around $180 IIRC?

The new Thermarest neoair Xtherm is a lot better than the old neoair Xlite that I had in the past more warmth in the snow.

I have an Exped Hyperlite (under 400g) and rate it. Once I spent the money on an Exped I couldn't believe I'd stuck it out on foam rolls for so many years.

With a good mat you can also get away with using a lighter sleeping bag because you are losing so much less heat to the ground.

I liked my exped downmat, it was the original, but not being able to blow it up by mouth (moisture stuffing the down) i am glad i switched to a thermarest neo air (i think) which is synthetic, super warm, crazy small but beware the noise.

Yeah the down/moisture issue is part of the reason I got the synth version of the Exped hyperlite - I had a downmat first which I keep as a spare now, its bulkier and heavier too at ~650g but it was good enough to convert me.

They're a truckload faster to inflate if you get the schnozzlebag instead of using the little pump.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topic...t-sleeping-pad

The neoair xtherm is what I use, it’s luxury compared to anything else I’ve tried. Before that I used a klymit inertia x-frame which is packs down to the size of a coke can, works well but I leave that at home these days.

all these fancy neo/super/ultralight/makes you toast and coffee mats are a have in my opinion, I have had an Exped airmat basic (simple and light) for a few seasons now and its still going, I have also had a Thermarest Neo-air Xtherm which is supposed to be the cats pyjamas, I did not feel any warmer than using my basic mat, it drove me up the wall because it was nosiy as anything to sleep on, and it got a hole in it the first time I used it which actually ripped, its like theyre made out of tinfoil or something. I now have a Neo-air Venture which is a great mat, light enough, and really comfy. If youre willing to spend money for a warmer sleep I really think its better put towards a better bag and/or bag liner

I was in the same position still have an inch thick thermarest must be over 20 years old relegated to going under camp stretcher mattress when camping, mid winter etc keeps you warm.
I bought a exped one about the same size for the wife so she doesn't feel left out.
Used to use closed cell foam previously to provide that insulation layer.
I went with an Exped https://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/campi...ul-winter.html
Waited until they had a sale and bought a large (read wide) one for $200 delivered.
Light enough and comfortable.

Grab a blow up pillow if you don't already have one, good investment for a good sleep.

Thanks guys.
Now I feel dim. Missed that other thread on mats.
I even tried using the forum search function looking for "Bed Roll", "Sleep mat", "mat". As nothing everyone finds more boring than someone asking the same question that they just answered last week.

Those Exped mats look to be good valve. Like the idea of having some Down inside it rather than foil. Also the fatter edge tube makes sense.
Would rather carry an extra 1-200 grams than have it leak on me.
Zq

Let us know how you find it when you get to test it, I'm always keen to learn something.

I got told at the time I bought it one tip - if you leave it in your tent during the day when you go out hunting it can heat up in the sunshine and expand with possible bursting results

I don't know how true this is but I just let a bit of air out when I am away in the morning

im in the same boat, im due for replacment after i threw mine on the fire in anger
now I know the goodies im waiting for a sale in Nz or Ill get one in from aliexpress

yea $450+ for a inflatable mat is eye watering

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 308

I got told at the time I bought it one tip - if you leave it in your tent during the day when you go out hunting it can heat up in the sunshine and expand with possible bursting results

I don't know how true this is but I just let a bit of air out when I am away in the morning

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yeah thats getting a bit tricky

i got nemo and its been great so far.

I got an exped ultralight, got the large as was trying to compromise weight and comfort etc but wish id got xl, shoulders are off edges of large so feels like falling off and hard to roll over, not too bad on short trips but when in southwestland weathering a storm for a few days you really wish there was a bit more width and the weight difference is minimal, couple of extra sips from water bottle and wejght difference is mitigated

Thermarest xlite for warmer trips and Thermarest xtherm for cold weather. Big difference between the 2 and not many products on the market comes close to the all round performance these provide.

leaning towards the Exped Downmat 7. seen on TM for 242 ex UK or localy 270 ish.
started looking at the 5 but thought the extra thickness would be good.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

all these fancy neo/super/ultralight/makes you toast and coffee mats are a have in my opinion, I have had an Exped airmat basic (simple and light) for a few seasons now and its still going, I have also had a Thermarest Neo-air Xtherm which is supposed to be the cats pyjamas, I did not feel any warmer than using my basic mat, it drove me up the wall because it was nosiy as anything to sleep on, and it got a hole in it the first time I used it which actually ripped, its like theyre made out of tinfoil or something. I now have a Neo-air Venture which is a great mat, light enough, and really comfy. If youre willing to spend money for a warmer sleep I really think its better put towards a better bag and/or bag liner

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@Ryan_Songhurst what rating sleeping bag would you recommend going with neo air venture, don't plan on sleeping on the snow in the southern alps . Currently looking at the halo -10 or halo light -3. only reason is i can walk in to local and get bag and mat.
95% use north island but are coming down south in march fly/tent but might come a regular thing.

I just got a neo air but have not used it yet. I saw that hunting and fishing was selling a Colman mat for 50$. Not as flash and 800 grammes but for those on a budget that could be a viable option to consider

I've been using a Klymit Static V insulated and am happy with it. They are pretty lightweight, aren't too expensive and seem to go on sale pretty regularly. They only change I made to mine was adding some small dabs of silicone to keep my bag from sliding off. I sleep on my back and side without issues.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigbear

@Ryan_Songhurst what rating sleeping bag would you recommend going with neo air venture, don't plan on sleeping on the snow in the southern alps . Currently looking at the halo -10 or halo light -3. only reason is i can walk in to local and get bag and mat.
95% use north island but are coming down south in march fly/tent but might come a regular thing.

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I use a Macpac Lattitude 500xp which is a -6 bag from memory and its done everything I need including freezing cold Tahr blocks etc, I always use a Sea to Summit liner also

Is no one using the old fashioned non-inflatable mats?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MightyBoosh

Is no one using the old fashioned non-inflatable mats?

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Guess not then :D

like the old foam mat type? for me i want a mat thats light,compact and has some r value but have no fricken idea about them:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigbear

@Ryan_Songhurst what rating sleeping bag would you recommend going with neo air venture, don't plan on sleeping on the snow in the southern alps . Currently looking at the halo -10 or halo light -3. only reason is i can walk in to local and get bag and mat.
95% use north island but are coming down south in march fly/tent but might come a regular thing.

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I got the Domex superlite awesome bag for all but middle of winter I got the XL and heaps of room I'm using it on a Neo air xtreme

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by MightyBoosh

Is no one using the old fashioned non-inflatable mats?

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I have had one back in the past and to be honest the new ones are lighter , warmer and more comfortable and take up less space

You could hunt with a flintlock too and some people do but most don't, y'know?

Exped synmat over the down mat. Ive got 2, awesome mats and good value here. Equivelent specs to the thermarest but cheaper and less noisey.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigbear

@Ryan_Songhurst what rating sleeping bag would you recommend going with neo air venture, don't plan on sleeping on the snow in the southern alps . Currently looking at the halo -10 or halo light -3. only reason is i can walk in to local and get bag and mat.
95% use north island but are coming down south in march fly/tent but might come a regular thing.

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-10 man. Ive had -5 in the in the kaimanawas in march. If you only get the one then go for the warmer option for sure

+1 for Exped. I've had the synmat 9 LW for years and it's been awesome. Yes it is a lot heavier than some other mats but I prefer to get a warm and comfortable night sleep after a long day or days out. The extra 400gr tbh is fk all in the grand scheme of things compared to being tired or sore from a bad/cold night sleep.

Also this is a very warm mat and in my experience you are far better off with a decent mat than sleeping bag. You will loss all your heat through a sh*t mat regardless of how good/temp rating your bag has.

hi, my 2c.
if you wanta great night sleep the Xpeds 9 is a ripper!! however- if it is lightest weight you want then the Xped does take up a little room (mine being Long X Wide) thick model, an weighs around 1.1kg........ but is -20 odd rated and warm an comfy as you could expect.

i should proberly look into those neo air, light as buggery skinny things which would just make my pack a little lighter and more spacious--
now ive used thexped alot i couldnt imagine not having it in the tent though, ideally a vehicle based or short trek mat, whereas the other brands thinner models are the go for long pack full treks.

cheers

Hey, the Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad is the device that I use, its superfluity contrasted with whatever else I've attempted. It was the first, I am happy to use that which is engineered, overly warm, insane small or lightweight and durable but be careful the commotion.

I use the thermarest neo air. Blardy good apart from the leaking nozzle. Goes down about bang on 3:30am every morning so I give her a bit of cpr and it last another 5 hours. The leaking nozzle ive seen on two other thermarest neo airs ,buggered if i know. They good though .

I seem to recall reading that if your mat has a insulation or R value of less than 5 it is a heat sink and you will drag warmth away from your body. Ok in summer but not when it gets really cold.

Recently bought a mat for a older macpac bag that uses the mat to insulate the bottom of the bay and down just on the top of you. Good test for a pad!

Sea to summit have some light comfy pads that have good R values. A bit over $200 here if I remember correctly.


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Thermarest Xtherm (square model) is good, I rate it.

Also Klymit are great and a lot cheaper.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 308

I got told at the time I bought it one tip - if you leave it in your tent during the day when you go out hunting it can heat up in the sunshine and expand with possible bursting results

I don't know how true this is but I just let a bit of air out when I am away in the morning

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Yep definitely true! If summer hunting make sure you deflate your matt before you leave for the day.

https://www.outdooraction.co.nz/prod...SABEgJiLPD_BwE
This is good if you like minimalist travel. I’ve used it all seasons bar winter.