Thread: 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