Thread: Value sleeping mats (for the budget constrained hunters)

yes I’ve searched and read the threads about what are great mats, but budget doesn’t stretch to the highly recommended Thermarest Neo Air, Exped etc.
However some lower cost options were also mentioned and currently there's deals on them. If budget is a major factor which of these would be your pick?

Macpac Insulated 6cm 510gms $112
https://www.macpac.co.nz/equipment/s...gs-mats_liners

Macpac Insulated 9cm 710gms $142
https://www.macpac.co.nz/equipment/s...gs-mats_liners

Torpedo7 insukated 6cm 665gm $120 (can buy a second for ½ price)
https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/...e-sleeping-mat

Bushbuck insulated 7.5cm 660gm + 60gm bag/pump $120
https://bushbuckoutdoors.com/collect...t-tpu-roll-mat

Or Aliexpress? If via Ali, which one?
6.5cm 420gm $51. Don't think it's insulated though.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3298...a5972e0eCpb7Do
I’m ok waiting a few weeks for shipping if it's a good buy. In a way I’m quite tempted by Ali as could use the extra to get camping pots etc. Already have a T7 jetboil clone.

I'd recommend going for a foam mat rather than blow up, I still use my old foam one when I know it won't be too cold or there are lots of spiky things on the ground.

One major drawback is the space they take up, ideally on the outside of pack.

Thought of that but 51 now and sleep shit on 10mm of foam! Even tried stacking 3 and still uncomfortable.

Originally Posted by uk_exile

Thought of that but 51 now and sleep shit on 10mm of foam! Even tried stacking 3 and still uncomfortable.

Fair enough, you do get a lot more comfort (till you wake up on the ground at 3am due to a slow leak)

Originally Posted by uk_exile

Thought of that but 51 now and sleep shit on 10mm of foam! Even tried stacking 3 and still uncomfortable.

Have you ever tried digging out a wee hole for your hip to fit in then putting sleeping mat on top? Sometimes I'll do one for my shoulder too. A trick an old scout leader showed me when I was a kid.
Make it maybe 150mm across and around 50mm deep?

No help on your original question sorry.

last duck shooting opening weekend I had to eat humble pie...I had my elcheapho inflatable matress and the other 3 folk had stretchers....my mattress popped on friday evening,so it was my polarfleece coat and pine needles for me for two nights....
I do still use the foam poofter pads but good wife bought me a cheap exped inflatable...so far it has held up and I do sleep great....... I will be using a stretcher when possible from here on though....you just sleep so much better....like you the older I get the more I value a good nights sleep,funny how we can fall asleep and have great half hour or so snooze in the most awkward places during the day,but at night the softer the better.4" foam mattressess are just the shit for me...put one in rear of terrano and I sleep like a baby.

I waited for a good sale and bought an Exped for the price of a cheaper mat (though I guess you can get cheaper mats on sale even cheaper).

Can get Coleman inflatables for $39:99 ( or could). Google Equip Outdoors. I’ve used one and it’s not bad for the money.


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Torpedo 7 have a really good inflatable. I compared a mates one to my Thermorest and the inflatable is better and packs down better. $62 when they run a special - I now have a surplus Thermorest.

Bivouac are meant to be having a sale starting friday.
Their mats are not when on sale.
I have exped and like them.

Yeah I paid less 120 for both my exped mats. Mass drop often has deals on the klymit mats which have decent review and are pretty cost effective.

You can import a Thermarest NeoAir XLite from Amazon USA for around $230 NZD shipped and landed including your GST payment. That's definitely budget prices compared to buying new here in NZ.

My Exped was sub $180 to my door.


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Have a look at these
https://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/campi...ping-mats.html

Got the exped ul7 poofer pad which I've have had for about 5-6 years and it's been great and around 400gms. Just went and brought a winter exped mat for a bit more insulation, but yeah could never go back to a foam mat these days as my bones get older.