Thread: Sleeping mats

Hi guys,

I purchased the Exped Synmat 9 last week and is the best mat i have ever used. It is -25 rated so will be perfectly warm enough for anything you are planning to do. Is easy to blow up and is extremely comfortable. I was talked out of the downmat because if it gets wet it is hard to dry out the down. Also the Synmat is $100 odd dollars cheaper.
Im 120Kg and dont feel the ground. I would go bigger, you will never regret going bigger but could def regret going small.

Originally Posted by mcche171

Hi guys,

I purchased the Exped Synmat 9 last week and is the best mat i have ever used. It is -25 rated so will be perfectly warm enough for anything you are planning to do. Is easy to blow up and is extremely comfortable. I was talked out of the downmat because if it gets wet it is hard to dry out the down. Also the Synmat is $100 odd dollars cheaper.
Im 120Kg and dont feel the ground. I would go bigger, you will never regret going bigger but could def regret going small.

Exactly what we did . You will find that out at Waikaremoana when they have one of those extraordinary storms when have full rain for 4 days continuous. Top product and no sore back.

My mate who is bony and sleeps on his side got one of those flash yellow new Thermarests - packs down to a 1.5L coke bottle size and inflates up to about 50mm thick but cost him about $250.
I've got a secondhand old Thermarest and bought a cheap chinese made knock-off on TardMe - a green coloured unit with the silly name of "Freedom Equipment Chunky Stealth" but at about $50 I don't care what it's called.
It inflates to about 30 mm thick which is all I need.
I store mine flat in a relaxed state and only roll them up tight when I head out bush.

It's kind of hard to explain to someone who has never used a self-inflating mat how good they are if they've never tried sleeping on one but suffice to say they are now as essential a piece of kit to me as a knife and rifle.