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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

My Exped is so Loud, squeaks when you roll over:eek3: & don't even think about sex if camped close to other people.:nono:
I am seriously thinking of going back to a thermarest !!!! (maybe not quite a good nite sleep but will improve my sex life):D

Cheers
Paul

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.

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"

Link

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.

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:
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.
_____
Paul

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

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

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... :thumbdown:

Yeah, you get a bit of RSI in the wrists pumping them up, but they do give you a very decent nights sleep on the road.

I think there are some quicker easier inflation solutions out there that I havent tried yet.

Deflation isn't an issue but Exped inflation systems are eccentric to say the least. My Down-Mat was the old type with the stuff sac inflator, it took a couple of minutes to blow up. My Syn-Mat has the new integral inflator and does take a while to inflate, it is a bit of a faff.

I'm far to impatient for all that. Thermarest XL it is :D

www.touringted.com

Bed
 

LOL You talkin about me Ted ????/

XL
 

Where is there a Thermarest XL ? I have looked and can't find any:( although they have a size chart that says they should but I can't see them !!!!
Ted ?????:helpsmilie:

They only do an XL in the comfort range of mats. You won't get one in a pro lite etc.

www.touringted.com

Standing up I pump it up with my bare foot. It doesn't take long.

I have used both Exped & Thermarests... here's my thoughts...

Exped - PROS : super comfy
CONS : time to inflate / eventually fail as all air beds do

Thermarest - PROS : Easy to inflate, unroll and leave to fill up
CONS : Not as comfy as an Exped

What makes exped so much more comfortable compares to the traditional thermarest is the thickness of it making you feel a bit like on a real mattress.

I use my exped mainly when i'm trailering the bike around on weekends because i find them way to bulky and rather heavy due to the insulation in them.

These guys below make mattresses with roughly the same dimensions but without the filling. That wont be great when its cold but you can inflate them with a few breaths. No mold and delaminating issues with these.

Sleeping Pads | Hyalite Equipment

The outer baffles on some are bigger so you don't roll off as quickly. I've got the peak elite which packs amazingly small. Bit smaller than a rain jacket.

10Omm deep self inflating mat
 

I bought one of these in UK Outwell elegance. Served me well until I gave it away in India to save weight and space. I was pretty happy with it as I have a dodgy back and in recent years painful hips too ... falling apart it seems.

I have another similar 100mmm thick self inflater in Australia which is 800mm wide and takes up too much space but is fairly comfortable.

Yes they are way too large but if you dont sleep whats the point?

I found a way to get more air out of them when packing, if you roll once, then open out, fold in half and roll again, you can get even smaller. Of course this all takes time and added to time for tent building put me off camping if I could get a cheap hotel.

Anyway, point I'm making, I liked the outwell one so much I want to get another. There are no agents for this in Australia so I'll get it next time Im nearer to home.

I'm also an Exped Synmat fan... best mattress I've ever slept on. My pillow doubles as a pump so inflation is about 2-3 minutes.

The latest thing on the market is Windcatcher with and inflation time of 10 SECONDS!!!
Seriously - watch the first video
Videos | Windcatcher

I think we have a winner. Great idea. Could be lighter and less bulky though.

This looks really good, I'm impressed with the innovation of some young guys and simple physics. Proof of the pudding and all that, how robust how cheap etc. They dont release until September but I will be keeping an eye on this. My wife will think I've really lost it if I buy another camping attachment :)

+1 on the Exped Synmat
No more pumping :smiliex: by hand (unless you really want to!)
I use my Cyclepump which I already have and a this wee gizmo

What exactly is the wee gizmo, Bertrand? I have the cycle pump and Exped Synmat but not sure if I have the gizmo in my bag of tricks.

If I go down the camping line. I take an old metal frame army camping bed. Packs small give's you a good night sleep. And your off the ground. Warm climate and you can get away with a fleece bag liner as a sleeping bag. Both easy to pack. That way you have done away with a ground mat, some kind of insulation from the ground and a sleeping bag. All take room.
John933

For Paulnomad
Ah! Le gizmo!
Dead simple. It's a spare tyre valve I had for my old r1200gs pushed through half of one of those tarp eyelet replacement kits then 'bottom bit' sanded down. :thumbup1:
Works a treat . Not the fastest filler on the block but it uses kit I already carry. You just have to hold it against the 'in' open valve bit on the mat.

Hey Ted,

the Exped 9 takes about 3-4 minutes to inflate, bout the same to deflate and roll away, the 7 being a bit thinner is a bit quicker. Best nights kip I've had in a tent - I used to use a Thermarest Prolite, then a NeoAir, now the Exped, I wont be going back to Thermarest anytime soon.

The Thermarest NeoAir is the loudest sleeping pad I've ever used - If I am turning over it wakes my buddies up in their tents! - but its also the most compact and lightweight pad around.

The warranty is slightly different for the Exped models, the 7's get a 2 year warranty, the 9's, being a tad thicker material (and a bit heavier) get a 5 year warranty.

I think you're online persona should be 'Inspector Gadget'

bier

Couldn't 'bear' it !! ;)
but hey, it works and costs peanuts and weighs but a few grams.
Walter should like this!

I've just bought the NeoAir Camper by Thermarest in XL.

That should be one comfy matress. It's going to be a big pack though. Still, It should be worth it. It cost me £100 delivered.

I was tempted by the Exped but they are a fair bit more cash and I really hate things which take time excessive time to set up or pack up.

Setting up and breaking down camp EVERY DAY for months can get really tiring and anything that adds to that routine will grate on my nerves.

I like to be able to pack up my whole kit in 20 minutes. Pretty much while my water is boiling for my brew :)

I'll be testing it out at Hagsbank and the Zen Cider Rally :)

I am a bit of a gear head and experimenter, haved owned an Exped Downmat 7 DLX, a Therm-a-rest Prolite 4, various older T.A.R.s, the original Neoair L, a Neoair All Season L, and now finally the Neoair Xtherm L.

It has an R-value of 5.7 which is equal to the Downmat 7, is thick enough so that you can sleep on your side without touching the ground, and it manages to do so while weighing only 570 grams in the generous L version and being about half packed size. Unlike the original Neoair I don't find it to be significantly louder than the Downmat either.

I use the clever Instaflator system to blow it up in about a minute with no effort, adds 50 grams of weight with minimal size.

Excellent Idea!
I will have a modified valve stem next trip.
I bought a 12 volt inflation device but it takes too much room for minimalist packing!

+1

The big aggie air core is ten times better than any thermarest on the market. It also comes with its own patch kit. 5 years of ownership, it has never let me down and I get a great sleep.

Well..

I bought the Thermarest Neoair camper XL..

Holey moley. I've been missing out all these years. Forget all this prolite crap.

I seriously sleep better in my tent than at home now. XL sleeping mat is where it 'IS AT'

And, it packs down to about 1l. Which is the same as my Large Pro-lite !! Go figure as the yanks say...

My only gripe is that it's not self inflating. I recorded that it takes about 20 good breaths to get it nice and full though. Hardly an effort.

So I recommend the Neo Air camper. Fantastic mattress for about £100

How is it in the cold? I'm used to a Downmat 9 DLX (or whatever the long and wide 9cm one is called), but it doesn't pack down to 1L as yours. Does it keep you warm when it's freezing?

I haven't tested it in the freezing cold but whole body is off the ground and well supported. It won't be as warm as a down lined mattress but that's what underwear is for :)

Ok, I will wait till I can try one out. Thanks :)

I don't think you'd be disappointed. XL mats are my new thing. They make such a difference to a good night sleep. You can roll about etc, not wake up on a stone or with stiff joints. Expeds are way too much faff for me with all that pumping etc.

I have a bag and adaptor, so instead of jumping up and down on the, what, 200cl, pump, I can do it quickly. And 9cm is very thick. In fact, I too sleep better on it than I do at home. However, it is overkill in the temperature department for what I do, but it's thick.

It's just that although it packs small for its temperature rating, I would like something that packs smaller, even if it isn't much use in -38 degrees centigrade (!!). I often sleep out in just under freezing, on the coast (windy and moist), so a reasonable amount of insulation is needed.

Well air is a great insulator and having an xl means you are on air and not touching the ground when asleep. It packs to the size of a 1l nalgene water bottle. Probably a little longer but not much. Very compact for the size and comfort.

Not that I want to discuss it, but only air that isn't moving is a (somewhat) good insulator. That's why people don't sleep directly on uninsulated cots when it's cold, and that the hammock guys have had to come up with under-hammock down duvets.

I carry two Thermorest pads, when there are two of us I cover the entire tent floor! when there is just me, I double them up. They are light and fit my kit well

Big Agnes also makes a half length aircore and I own both. The half length cuts off just below the knees. It supports just what's needed to be supported and packs 1/2 smaller than the regular aircore. About the size of a can of soda. And since you camp in warm areas, also purchase the Big Agnes Nampa bag. It packs down to the size of a gatoraide bottle and will keep you warm to 40F.