Gear tests?Product reviews

Hey Guys and Gals,

Just tried out my new sleeping mat last night and thought I'd share my thoughts.

I recently brought an Exped Synmat UL Winter M. Last night was forecast for fairly good frost so out I went on the back lawn armed with....

Huntech 2 man bivvy with floor
New sleeping mat
Kathmandu Pacesetter sleeping bag (about 10 years old, been hand washed once in bath after I stupidly slept in it on couch with massive fevers from swine flu

-23°C T Extreme
- 6°C T Limit
- 0°C T Comfort

T Extreme is a survival only rating for a "standard" adult woman. "In the risk range a strong sensation of cold has to be expected and there is a risk of health damage due to hypothermia". This is an extreme survival rating only and it is not advisable for consumers to rely on this rating for general use. The best guideline temperatures for purchase decisions are the T Comfort and T Limit ratings.

T Limit is based on the lowest temperature at which a "standard" adult male is deemed to be able to have a comfortable night's sleep.

T Comfort is based on a "standard" adult woman having a comfortable night's sleep.

And a silk liner.

Dressed in boxer shorts, work socks and cotton t-shirt, 2230 hrs, 1'C, the test was on. First found mat a bit too hard so let out a bit of air.

Found the warmth under my body was good but the sleeping bag was letting me down slightly when lying on my side I kept getting a cold arse as the down compressed in the tightness between knees and arse. Woke at 0230, -2'C, got out for a piss and back into sleeping bag with beanie put on now. Continued much the same for next 3 hours, another piss and decided to put on track pants and fleece jersey to try and get a bit warmer. Slept through till 0730 when dog came sniffing around and wife peering in asking if I was still alive. -3'C.

Overall pretty impressed with the new mat. Heavier than I wanted but price and warmth fitted with my requirements. Probably should have had the down jacket as back up to see if I could have Slept 'Warm' instead of what I would call not cold but 'Slightly uncomfortable'

Got mat at Bivouac on sale for $192, Sale finished now unfortunately. Best thing I did was go in store and test them all out then compare Price/weight/warmth ratings, AND NOISE.

SOME MATS ARE LIKE SLEEPING ON A CHIP PACKET.

Add your thoughts and advice on what you find good and bad about your gear.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RUMPY

Hey Guys and Gals,

Just tried out my new sleeping mat last night and thought I'd share my thoughts.

I recently brought an Exped Synmat UL Winter M. Last night was forecast for fairly good frost so out I went on the back lawn armed with....

Huntech 2 man bivvy with floor
New sleeping mat
Kathmandu Pacesetter sleeping bag (about 10 years old, been hand washed once in bath after I stupidly slept in it on couch with massive fevers from swine flu

-23°C T Extreme
- 6°C T Limit
- 0°C T Comfort

T Extreme is a survival only rating for a "standard" adult woman. "In the risk range a strong sensation of cold has to be expected and there is a risk of health damage due to hypothermia". This is an extreme survival rating only and it is not advisable for consumers to rely on this rating for general use. The best guideline temperatures for purchase decisions are the T Comfort and T Limit ratings.

T Limit is based on the lowest temperature at which a "standard" adult male is deemed to be able to have a comfortable night's sleep.

T Comfort is based on a "standard" adult woman having a comfortable night's sleep.

And a silk liner.

Dressed in boxer shorts, work socks and cotton t-shirt, 2230 hrs, 1'C, the test was on. First found mat a bit too hard so let out a bit of air.

Found the warmth under my body was good but the sleeping bag was letting me down slightly when lying on my side I kept getting a cold arse as the down compressed in the tightness between knees and arse. Woke at 0230, -2'C, got out for a piss and back into sleeping bag with beanie put on now. Continued much the same for next 3 hours, another piss and decided to put on track pants and fleece jersey to try and get a bit warmer. Slept through till 0730 when dog came sniffing around and wife peering in asking if I was still alive. -3'C.

Overall pretty impressed with the new mat. Heavier than I wanted but price and warmth fitted with my requirements. Probably should have had the down jacket as back up to see if I could have Slept 'Warm' instead of what I would call not cold but 'Slightly uncomfortable'

Got mat at Bivouac on sale for $192, Sale finished now unfortunately. Best thing I did was go in store and test them all out then compare Price/weight/warmth ratings, AND NOISE.

SOME MATS ARE LIKE SLEEPING ON A CHIP PACKET.

Add your thoughts and advice on what you find good and bad about your gear.

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Nothing like testing gear out before you have to use it. Can save a lot of grief.

Exactly, The wife thought I was crazy sleeping out in the frost when there was a warm bed, in a warm house, 5 metres away. Rather know my gear than get out in the hills for a couple of nights and freeze all night.

Excellent review.