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Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

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


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca




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  #1  
Old 19 May 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
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What's the smallest packed BIG camping mattress !!

That's it !! I need a comfy mattress. My 7 year old Thermarest Prolite just isn't giving me a good night sleep.

I need something thicker and wider...

I'm looking at Thermarest again as they have never let me down. I love them.

However, the pack sizes for a XL (30" wide) are crazy..

[url=http://cascadedesigns.com/en/therm-a-rest/mattresses/camp-and-comfort/basecamp/product]Therm-a-Rest
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Last edited by *Touring Ted*; 20 May 2013 at 08:01.
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  #2  
Old 20 May 2013
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One of the Big Agnes Air Core matresses? They aren't self inflating butbdo pack smaller than thermorests.
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  #3  
Old 20 May 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BryceB View Post
One of the Big Agnes Air Core matresses? They aren't self inflating butbdo pack smaller than thermorests.
Alas, I think their widest mat is 20" which is the same as a thermarest Regular.

Thermarest Large are 25" wide while their XL is 30"....

Size matters :P
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Old 20 May 2013
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Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
Size matters :P
Hello
Same for me, as I get older the bigger the mattress.
With a foam core there wan't be much options.
Maybe look for the down filled Exped:
DownMat 9 Pump LW
Size: 197 x 65 x 9 cm (77.5 x 26 x 3.5 inches)
Exped Downmat Down-Filled Camping Mats inc Integrated Pump
close to 30"
never slept on one....
sushi
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  #5  
Old 20 May 2013
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Exped are soooo comfortable, better than many conventional beds. I have the 9cm thick Downmat (9LW) which is extra wide so you are less likely to roll off in the night, see Sleeping Mats - Traveldri Plus

Most of your heat loss is to the ground so a down-insulated mat really helps. I end up not needing the warmth of a sleeping bag beneath me, so I open it up and use it more as a duvet.

Exped do a lightweight range as well but I'd steer clear as they are not so hard wearing, the glue on the baffles between the tubes can fail.
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  #6  
Old 20 May 2013
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I used an Exped Down-Mat but found it too hot most of the time, I'm not into camping in Arctic conditions. I now have an Exped Syn-Mat which whilst still being warm is not as warm as the Down-Mat.
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Old 20 May 2013
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Agree with sushi ... older you get, the more your back likes a good mattress.

I recently switched to the exped 9 down - wideboy edition.

It sure isnt small, as you requested, but I do like it.

Last edited by colebatch; 20 May 2013 at 16:17.
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  #8  
Old 20 May 2013
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My Exped is so Loud, squeaks when you roll over & don't even think about sex if camped close to other people.
I am seriously thinking of going back to a thermarest !!!! (maybe not quite a good nite sleep but will improve my sex life)

Cheers
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Old 20 May 2013
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Warmth doesn't concern me at all. I rarely travel in cold places !

Why would you ?? LOL

My biggest problem is width. I'm a restless sleeper and keep rolling off my mattress.
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Old 20 May 2013
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Why not try a Neo Air Camper? The XL version of that packs down to 4" * 17.5", OK so not exactly small, but smaller than the base camp at 5" * 31", The Neo Air is thicker than the base camp too, 3" compared to 2"

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Old 20 May 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steved1969 View Post
Why not try a Neo Air Camper? The XL version of that packs down to 4" * 17.5", OK so not exactly small, but smaller than the base camp at 5" * 31", The Neo Air is thicker than the base camp too, 3" compared to 2"

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Yup..

That's exactly the one I've settled on now.

Great minds think alike

If nothing else can beat it on packsize, I'll be getting one.
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Old 21 May 2013
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Like many others, I too have moved to an Exped, bought my Exped SynMat 7LW for the up coming trip. The wide version is what I wanted so I can have more to lay on. At 7cm thick, I'll need a ladder to climb out of bed in the morning.

PaulD wrote:
Quote:
My Exped is so Loud, squeaks when you roll over & don't even think about sex if camped close to other people.
I am seriously thinking of going back to a thermarest !!!! (maybe not quite a good nite sleep but will improve my sex life)
That is one thing I noticed right off, the Exped is quieter than my thermarest, so not sure what's happening there for you, maybe you're doing it all wrong. :confused1:

I tried the Exped out here at home when it arrived and almost fell asleep in ten minutes, which can only be a good sign. Also, the integrated pump means no vapour gets inside the mat from trying to breathe air in, another plus.

I'll be giving my thermarest away, I thought it was good, but I have been enlightened.
_____
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Old 21 May 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
Exped are soooo comfortable, better than many conventional beds. I have the 9cm thick Downmat (9LW) which is extra wide so you are less likely to roll off in the night, see Sleeping Mats - Traveldri Plus

Most of your heat loss is to the ground so a down-insulated mat really helps. I end up not needing the warmth of a sleeping bag beneath me, so I open it up and use it more as a duvet.

Exped do a lightweight range as well but I'd steer clear as they are not so hard wearing, the glue on the baffles between the tubes can fail.
Hi TEd I agree with Tim & Walter, I have the Exped 7 down, im 5ft 5 good enough for me I liked them so much I brought a second one for when if I have a pillion, (now a GF) lol
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Old 21 May 2013
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Yeah, exped for me too - 7DLX. I leant early that a good nights sleep can make or break a trip. I tried loads of matts until I went with the exped. I think they pack down quite small if you pack it properly and make sure you squeeze all the air out. Certainly smaller than most other matt I've seen. If the warmth is an issue I believe they do make one without insulation. If noise is an issue you can get a thermarest fitted sheet, fits perfectly, no noise, very comfy and stops slippage. It also means it can be used with the thermarest Ventra (duvet/comforter) or Tech blankets. Easy to inflate too, easy to wipe down to clean and very strong. No problems, even for a fat git like me.

Sleep System: Exped 7DLX Down Mattress, Thermarest Ventra Down Comforter & Fitted Sheet | Adventure Vagabond
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Old 21 May 2013
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Looks exped is getting some serious HUBB love here..


I have no experience with them, however, I've seen people pump them up.

Don't they take 10 mins to inflate ??? And another 10 mins to deflate ??

That would drive me crazy...
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