Self inflating sleeping mats vs old style foam types

[weebirdie]

Hi All,

I'm doing the West Highland Way in early April, and I'm a bit on the skint side so I'm trying to budget as much as possible without making any stupid decisions.

I need a new sleeping mat but I'm a bit bewildered by the choice. Are the self-inflating mats really much better than the old style foam mats, or the ones with the reflective side? (I do tend to feel the cold and become a whiny bitch at night-time)

I'm not looking at the hugely expensive mats; but I've seen a number of own-brand mats, and ones by Gelert and Vango for around £25.00, but with varied reviews.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[WalkingDutchman]

Are the self-inflating mats really much better than the old style foam mats, or the ones with the reflective side?

In my opinion: yes. They tend to sleep softer and waremer, and roll up a lot smaller. That said: a sleeping mat is not something I would cut costs on. A good night's sleep means you are well rested for the next day, and a good sleeping mat goes a long way towards a good night's sleep. I use an Exped SynMat UL 7 LW, which is really light, packs incredibly small and very comfortable to sleep on, and keeps you warm down to -4 Celsius. It isn't cheap, but it's a real lower back saver (combined with an Ibuprofin tablet )

For regular (Car-) camping I also have a few of those self-inflating thingies, but I never use them anymore because I find my Exped so much more comfortable.

[Rudolph]

At that price I'd stick to the foam ones. The top of the range self inflating mats (air beds with an insulating filling essentially) are much more comfortable and very light and in my opinion are worth it. That said i always take a foam mat as well to go under the groundsheet. At the £25 price point the comfort is there but the weight and pack size are too much to be worth while in my opinion.

Foam mats weight very little and can be carried on the outside of the rucksack. If you are cold, use two!! That will still be lighter than a self inflating mat at that price point.

[weebirdie]

Thank you both for your input, it really is much appreciated.

[basscadet]

I use an exped synmat like already described. Dougie uses a thermarest neoair which is almost the same thing, but the thermarest has a stickier surface to stop you slipping off the mat if you have to pitch on a slight slope. The thermarest is also very noisy I find compared to the synmat. The synmat is made out of a material that is very easily stained however.. Just a wee bit of condensation or a wee tea spillage and it is stained forever We also usually use foam mats from October to May - partly for insulation, but mostly to help prevent condensation on the inside of the groundsheet - works rather well
At the beginning of April, I would definately want to take both..
I have a spare self inflating mat that I never use, just gathering dust and taking up valuable space in my tiny flat. I think it is just a 3/4 length one if I remember rightly, but used with a foam mat, would be rather good. If you want me to post it to you, just PM me your address

[BoyVertiginous]

That sounds like too good an offer to resist from basscadet.

Was going to suggest this hiGear one as a cheap alternative http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-ultralite-lightweight-sleeping-mat-p143703 .

Our kids use these when camping in Summer (the missus and I have nice, comfy ones made in Sweden ) but if camping in the hills, I take this. The reviews are mixed, though mainly favourable, I find it very comfortable and I can fold it in half and roll it up tightly. It then gets rolled inside my sleeping bag/liner and still fits into the sleeping bag compartment of my 65L rucksack.

[tenohfive]

I was going to suggest the Alpkit Airo - I've got the 120 (3/4 length) and whilst I bought it for wild camping I now just use it on campsites as well, it's more than good enough for my needs. Well worth getting a SIM over a foam mattress.

[mrssanta]

As I see it, foam ones give warmth but not very comfy, self inflating more comfy less warm (unless you pay a lot) if you put your cheap foam one under the groundsheet it will protect it and the inflating mat from punctures and dirt.

[Lightfoot2017]

TGO magazine did a fantastic compare-and-contrast product review of sleeping mats, covering a range of different types last year (July I think). Check it out online.

[SteveM57]

HI - I've used a Vango 3/4 length for the last 2 years which I got from Ebay for about £20 including postage. It's seen me ok for spring to autumn treks in the lower Cairngorm passes, but I'd probably not use it in winter or too high up. I'm an old fart and find the foam mats don't provide enough comfort these days. I've also used a cheap foam mat under the tent ground sheet for insulation + an inflatable and this works well. Even better a mug of hot chocolate and a flask of a good malt will, after a long walk, provide a very comfortable sleep

[weebirdie]

Thanks all!

Thanks to the wonderful basscadet I now have an inflatable sleeping mat! Thank you so much!

Ahh, yes, the good malt trick. I was wondering why one of my fellow walkers' essential list included tent, hip flask, sleeping bag, another hip flask, stove, another hip flask.....

[JanD]

Glad you're sorted.

For anyone else looking...I understand that Blacks have some rather nice inflatable ones by Hyerlite reduced from £80 to £25 at the moment. I intend having a wee look myself!

[weebirdie]

Ooh, thanks for the heads up Jan, two of my companions are still looking for inflatable mats.

I have resisted going 'Mwhahahahaha' in their faces. I'm nice like that.....

[aniaV]

hi there, its my post here and I thought I won't be starting a new thread.

I am just about to start my camping adventure with my 5 year old and looking for a bed. I was thinking about air mattress but they seem to deflate easily during the night , at least cheap ones. Is cheap ( £ 25 ) self inflating mat any better ? I am not going to camp when its cold. Would you recommend air mattress at all? Thank you in advance for reply;)

[tenohfive]

Even when it's isn't necessarily that cold, an air matress gives you zero insulation between you and the coldest thing around - the ground. Your sleeping bag etc won't do much to insulate beneath you either as the filling is compressed. So you need something to trap heat.

Personally I'd say go for a self inflating mattress - the foam inside them insulates you, and I find them more comfortable than airbeds. And even at £25 you should find something that'll do the job - if you aren't backpacking they don't need to be expensive (backpacking ones are usually pricey as mixing performance with a light weight means expensive materials and development etc.)

But if you do decide to use an airbed, take a foam roll up Karrimat type mat as well - I've just got back from camping with a friend (using an airbed) and after freezing for several days - in May temps - I got her a foam mat to add to the airbed and it made a world of difference.