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Hi all,
Unfortunately my most recent trip was cut short when my mates fly suffered some broken cordage and my sleeping mat (bushbuck cumulus LT) blew away never to be seen again. Serves me right for trusting a fly in alpine environments in which I would usually use a tent. (Yes the sleeping mat and fly were both weighted down with rocks)
Anyway, I am after some recommendations for a new sleeping mat for three-four seasons. Any cost-benefit analysis would be appreciated.
Cheers 🍻
After 23 years (it had a pretty easy life) my old Thermarest guidelite finally failed so I looked into all the options. I ended up with a Rab Stratosphere 4 from Hyperride with 25% off boxing day sale, only just arrived today so it's only had a cursory try out. Seems luxurious and spacious compared to the Thermarest. My second choice would probably have been a Klymit Luxe but they don't come with an inflation bag, have an arguably lower R rating and are thinner denier material. I'm a bit taller and wider than average and I value a decent night's sleep so I don't mind a bit of extra weight on its occasional forays.
My daughter spotted me looking at a comparatively tiny Torpedo 7 one in the shop, I had ruled it out but bless her she thought it would be a great Xmas present. It's ok but a bit narrow and a bit too short and my shoulder blades can just feel the ground through it so it can be a spare or more likely hers to use.
I am sure the Thermarests are the benchmark, I just couldn't justify the outlay for something I'm only using a handful of times a year
I'm running an Exped synmat 7 winter. Fairly warm, about 600g, has inflation bag with it. Got mine on sale for $182 a couple of years ago.
I use an exped down mate. Dura 6R
https://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/campi...ping-mats.html
They were about $278 last week when a mate was looking after spring a leak over christmas.
Z
The Expeds are bloody awesome bang for your buck at the weight range. I have the Dura 6R for chopper trips when I want insane luxury- the standard Ultra series are bloody good- 5R is probably ideal for most of what we get upto in NZ really.
I also own both the XTherm and XLite- really damn good warmth to weight but a hefty price tag, harder to get comfy on as a side sleeper in comparison to the vertical baffles on the Expeds but not as uncomfortable as the Klymits for me personally.
I have a Nemo.
Look for fabric thickness
I also have a Nemo. It's thick and warm but it's a big unit, its more comfortablethan my own bed. I have the cosmo, I think there are more compact models.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chur Bay
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I have a few expeds and they have been great. I buy them from bivouac in Wellington when they are on sale. https://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/campi...ats/exped.html
Thermarest Xtherm is the best you can get warmth wise, heavy fabric underneath and lighter fabric on top.
They aren't the lightest but are pretty good weight wise, you won't regret spending the money on one.
I have a Exped, haven't used it a lot but it's pretty comfortable.
Bought a Exped synmat ul some years back, after using a thermarest for donkeys. First fly camp it was great. second time I used it was on flat grass..with a canvas ground sheet. Woke up flat on the grass...2 baffles blown...i'm 72kgs It was out of warranty by then. They offered to repair it but the thought of lugging it up a mountain & then it failing again when you really need it has put me off bothering.. I was very disappointed. This seems to be a common thing with the really light pads. Reviews of the big agnes rapide sl seam to be promising as to durabilty...many of them are slippery & noisy..google hard on reviews of your chosen first
I've got an exped downmat and really rate it. Light, v warm and comfortable.
Without wanting to jinx anything, I'm 94kg and it has lasted 5 years (I think) without rupture so far.
I have used the expeds, no problems.
Have old self inflating thermarests use on camp stretchers under mattress's now and they must be 30yrs plus.
Would recommend going to a wide mat for the bit extra weight more room and with quilt your arms are good if on your back.
Have a Sea to Summit XT also it is good.
You do need to look after them though, have good groundsheet and check for sharp shit etc.
Hey @flounderingaround,
I've been running the Sea To Summit Comfort Plus the last 4 yrs. Reasonably light and quiet, comfortable to sleep on (incl side), is insulated and the bag it comes in is used to inflate it.
No issues since I've had it, happy customer!
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Another vote for the Sea to Summit We have (3) Thermarests of different configurations but after trying them I have only use the STS for the past 3 years - simply more comfortable and the pillow lock system - basic as it is - works. My son tonight is up on tops above the Lower Windley and he took the STS mat - he agrees it is the most comfortable. It is the ultralight insulated model.
@Staffnurse41, on a side note how is the lower Windley block as far as hunting goes. Been thinking about heading up there for a few years now every time I come home for xmas.
Another vote for Exped. Got one reasonably recently, used it a couple of times - no complaints.
Won’t get an update on how the Lower Windley trip was until Sunday night
I spent a night in the LW hut last year and there wasn’t a lot of sign on the flat. Usual story up there deer don’t tend to come out until last 30 mins or so of light
New nxt is very quiet too sleep on aswelQuote:
Originally Posted by Sika 8
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Well my lad had a challenging trip got well up into the tops, only saw (3) reds on the trip. Saw sign in patches - probably more pig sign than he expected. Lots of wind fall and fairly recent he thought. Ended up with a Rippa blister for his troubles. He choose to leave the boots on and cross the Ōreti and the Windley - I personally prefer to take Crocs and keep the feet dry. No blisters in past 15years suits me. Had a good sleep on the Sea To Summit mat. Ended up doing 30kms in 24 hours with some good altitude gain.
I’ve beaten around the bush, and tried a few. Have finally bought a thermarest xtherm nxt after going through Klymit, sea to summit, and nemo mats. All have their merits in my opinion. My two cents below:
Klymit v-static, warm, packs smallish and has lasted 6 years but now requires two refills a night. Didn’t come with fill-sack so ended up quite mouldy inside. Not as good for side sleeping but good insulation. Used bikepacking mostly, where I roll it over my tent and slip in my handlebar bag. Was my fallback when I sold the sea to summit and nemo. Now semi-retired and replaced with thermarest.
Sea to summit women’s ether light, bit bulky but super super comfy as they’re quite think when inflated. Great fill sack too. Used on TA in South Island but found took up a lot of room in my smallish pack, Kuiu 4000. Replaced with nemo.
Nemo tensor, super light and super small. Brilliant for light and fast but I found I lost a fair bit of heat to the ground as I have an old three season sea to summit sleeping bag. Was quite slippery too but okay if you’ve got flat ground.
Thermarest Xtherm, bought on a bikepacking trip a few weeks ago when I got sick of reinflating my Klymit in the night. I feel the valve is a bit gimmicky, but I guess some people would appreciate it. Only used a couple of nights but seems to hit the sweet spot of low bulk and great insulation. I would have bought one earlier if not for the price.
I guess I’ve gone the hard/long way but it’ll be interesting to see how the thermarest handles a few more trips. I’ve kept my Klymit and will try repair as a backup.
I use the Treklite 6....6cm thick, weighs 735 grams, full length, and has a built in pump. I've got a surplus one, unused with stuff bag, $120 TYD.
Anyone used Alton goods out of Australia?
Their insulated mat looks decent. Not sure if the R value is legit but it looks to use the same value thermolite insulation sea to summit and others use.
Great stuff, unfortunate about the deer numbers though. Eyres seem to be as sparse as ever. Plus one vote for the crocs in crossings.
This was a mat I had a long time ago but I moved away from it. Nothing wrong with it at all, did the job, just not warm enough for what I do.
How’s the Rab mat going? They look pretty good for the price, albeit a bit heavier than some and maybe a bit narrow.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brakelie
Had the Thermarest Neo Air for going on 7 years. Had to get the seal around the valve repaired last year by the Distributor. Not bad going I thought. For most of the North Island the Neo Air is sufficient warmth wise, the XTherm is the standard for winter/high R value. Just got an Exped foam pad to add extra insulation for winter for the Neo, and comfort for older shoulders.
Only spent one night on it so far but what a treat, very comfortable, almost too warm but maybe it was just a warm night and plenty wide enough that my arms aren't falling off the sides. The material seems very durable and it's not at all noisy. I am happy to pack a few hundred more grams to have a comfortable and relaxed sleep.Quote:
Originally Posted by kimber08
Cheers. Thanks for the updateQuote:
Originally Posted by Brakelie