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advice needed on sleeping mats advice needed on sleeping mats
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Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon




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  #1  
Old 18 Apr 2009
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advice needed on sleeping mats
Hi all

You may remember a long thread on the night I slept in my conservatory and was COLD !

Well have decided to bin the air bed and go for a 4 leg bed (which is very comfy) but looking at sleeping mats and I dont know where to start....
there just seems so many !!

Ive searched threads n been to various shops to try out and Im still non the wiser

So advice please on best self inflating mats

Cheers
Geordie
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  #2  
Old 18 Apr 2009
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Thermarest.

Not the cheapest by any means but effective and dependable.

Other brands exists (eg alpkit, exped) but I can't comment on their quality.

I expect them to be decent and Exped the better of the two...

Just my guess, though...
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  #3  
Old 18 Apr 2009
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The Thermarest Prolite 4 worked fine for me over 2 long trips.
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Old 18 Apr 2009
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Exped Downmat is the one for me.
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Old 18 Apr 2009
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Thermarest for me, and I'd even consider ditching the camp bed if I were you, isn't it a bit bulky? In the past I've used my thermarest with a foil backed foam camping mat and it's always been warm as toast and comfortable after about the third day. And packs small enough and you can sit on the foil camping mat when the ground's wet.
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Old 19 Apr 2009
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Try this.
Buy 4 Leg Camp Bed. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for .

I dont use anything else.
Cheers
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  #7  
Old 19 Apr 2009
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I have used several self inflating foam mats - one was really excellent and cost £12.00 from aldi is really roomy fairly thick and very warm and comfortable, but its a quite bulky, I still have it now, I also have one of the smaller thermarest types pack up quite small and are reasonably warm and comfortable however the Exped down mat is far superior to any of the above (I camp in Arctic areas a lot and its here where it really makes a difference) as Its an air matress it gives a good degree of comfort, the down gives warmth and it packs down as small as a thermarest. The latest Exped mats have a built in pump (not the older pump bag) and far better none slip material than the original. Once again with most things you have to pay a bit more - The warranty and service is excellent and is for 5 yrs. I have just had mine replaced free of charge after 5yrs (for the newer one described above) after the valve started to leak the valve sytem has been changed slightly so maybe this was a fault on the first run of these mats. Dont know what they cost now but mine was about £60 -£70 - 5yrs ago. If your buying gear - buy the best gear once, it works out cheaper in the long run.
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Old 20 Apr 2009
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Sleeping Mats
I slept on a THERMAREST PROLITE for 3 months, touring Europe, camping 99% of the time. Packed away small, and was comfortable. Ride Free Ron&Rocket
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Old 20 Apr 2009
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You can't beat a thermarest.....

Simples !
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Old 21 Apr 2009
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Exped all the way...

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Old 23 Apr 2009
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If you have a THERMAREST or similar, invest in a small pump, it weighs ounces, but trust me on this...... blowing it up to "firm it" with your lungs will introduce water vapour............ which will in turn make you colder.

Use a pump. your warm body will thank you for it!
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  #12  
Old 23 Apr 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adventure950 View Post
I have used several self inflating foam mats - one was really excellent and cost £12.00 from aldi is really roomy fairly thick and very warm and comfortable, but its a quite bulky, I still have it now, I also have one of the smaller thermarest types pack up quite small and are reasonably warm and comfortable however the Exped down mat is far superior to any of the above (I camp in Arctic areas a lot and its here where it really makes a difference) as Its an air matress it gives a good degree of comfort, the down gives warmth and it packs down as small as a thermarest. The latest Exped mats have a built in pump (not the older pump bag) and far better none slip material than the original. Once again with most things you have to pay a bit more - The warranty and service is excellent and is for 5 yrs. I have just had mine replaced free of charge after 5yrs (for the newer one described above) after the valve started to leak the valve sytem has been changed slightly so maybe this was a fault on the first run of these mats. Dont know what they cost now but mine was about £60 -£70 - 5yrs ago. If your buying gear - buy the best gear once, it works out cheaper in the long run.
+1 The built in pump downmat is the best I have used for weight, bulk, warmth and comfort.
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Old 24 Apr 2009
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Hi All

Just a quick update

Bought a Gelert one (£18) went to the lakes on wed night and was comfy (using it on top of my 4 legged bed) and very warm

So thanks for all the advice, going to stick it out with this one for now

Cheers
Geordie
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  #14  
Old 24 Apr 2009
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Downmat puncture?
My downmat now has a really slow puncture, after 10 nıghts use ın a tent. Usually on grass.
A frıend of mıne has had the same problem wıth the Exped Downmat.

Anyone else?
Chances of Exped gıvıng a hoot? I`ll try and emaıl them.
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  #15  
Old 25 Apr 2009
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Baron - Re Exped mat, as I stated earlier they replaced mine after 5 yrs without any question - and the service was beyond anything that I have recieved from an importer anywhere ever. ( e.mail daily to let me know they recieved it, another that they were testing it and another with test results followed by one stating replacement sent and all postage details thereon and a huge apology for the inconvienience and failure of the product) - exceptional !. you need to to contact the importer at Dent Cumbria -through the dealer you bought from - also make sure the puncture is not your own doing and is a fault before wasting yours and there time.
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