I've read so much about SI mats that when lidl had 5cm ones for £12.99 I bought one, and was quite impressed so bought another two. My children have been sleeping on them (but they'll sleep anywhere) and I hadn't tried mine out until last weekend.
I didn't get on at all well with it, I could not get comfortable whatever way I turned and the next day I felt sore especially my hips. My spine won't let me lie flat on my back so I sleep on my side, but I suspect that SI mats are better for people who either sleep on their back or on their front.
They are very bulky, I can get three 73cm camping gaz airbeds into the same space as one rolled up SI mat.
On the plus side, I prefer them in the sleeping pod as I can stack them during the day leaving more room to walk about, get changed etc. Also you could stand on them to get changed, whereas with an airbed you're skirting around it. Most sleeping pods are totally filled by an airbed leaving nowhere to stand.
I swear by those silver space blankets, put it under the sleeping bag (not under the mat). They do rustle though, so it may be better to cut off a piece and glue it to your thermarest or airbed. Or try one of those silver things that go on car windscreens to keep the frost off - they arent quite as long as an airbed but will keep most of you warm.
So which is smaller and lighter? I have an airbed for "normal" camping which I have no problem with (I seem to generate a lot of body heat) yet my other half seriously complained about being cold when we went camping in the short term heatwave last week.
I am a newcomer to "backpacking" and need all the advice I can get!
Quote: Originally posted by Magicman2 on 15/6/2010
I am a newcomer to "backpacking" and need all the advice I can get!
Steve
Hi
I think that some posters in this thread have forgotten that this is Backpacking and Lightweight forum.
I could not seriously imagine carting around all the addons suggested here that make an airbed "warm". After packing my airbed and fleecy blankets and picnic rugs and sheets and protectors and duvets and hair dryers into my rucksack, I'd then have to buy another rucksack for all the other vital gear. Like tent, food, sleeping bag, clothes, etc. And then I'd need an oxygen bottle and defibrillator once I'd made it from my front door to the pavement.
We have an array of airbeds plus all the associated clutter for family camping. But when I go away by myself, either camping from the car or with a rucksack, it's an SI mat every time. Tougher, lighter, less hassle, and and and.
But use a decent one. I know that some people like the Lidl bargain SI mats, but I could not imagine trying to stuff a rigid monster like those into a rucksack. Try going to a real outdoors shop and talk to some of the staff for advice. You don't need to pay the price for the Thermarest badge. There are plenty of others out there that are just as good, and less than half the price.
If you want really compact, you can buy SI mats that fold lengthwise before they roll up. There were budget ones round last year (Highlander? Karrimore?) and I'm sure Thermarest make them too.
Yes Val, Thermarest, Alpkit, Gelert and so on all make such mats. I have a Karrimor mat that will fold lengthways before rolling. IME it is only practical to fold like that if mat is:
a. no more than 1" (2.5cm) thick
b. a 3/4 length
You can fold the full length ones but they roll up quite fat. A lot of the time I just roll mine and strap them to the pack using the compression straps.
Something else that some people do is fold a 3/4 mat in thirds and stuff it down the back of a pack. You can get some lightweight packs with no back padding for this purpose.
If the SI mat isn't warm enough (and that typically means winter camping on frozen ground or snow), a closed-cell foam mat in addition to the SI mat can help. I have one cut down to 3/4 length and I use that in addition to a full-length SI mat on snow, etc.
When I think of airbeds for backpacking, I'd tend to think of the Thermarest NeoAir. Personally I can't justify the £80 for one - the weight is not much less than a 3/4 SI mat and the smaller pack size isn't an issue for me.
A lightweight and packable alternative to lining the sleeping bag with a blanket is to use a silk liner. Remarkably warm for the flimsiness of the material.
(Having written all that and looked back at the OP, I'm not sure the question was about backpacking, but somebody might be interested).
I have a Gelert self inflating mat which is quite thick, but for comfort I use a reeded airbed under it.
A bit of velcro works wonders, stopping the mat sliding off the airbed. Just get some decent Velcro, John Lewis sells different types, and it is fairly cheap for the amount you use.
For those who are interested, Gelert do what they call an emergency reflective mat,(sold by Amazon for a few quid) which is a fairly sturdy reflective mat and packs down ok. Put this on top of an airbed and it stops the cold from the airbed fairly effectively.
I use Exped downmat 7, thermorest and an airbed depending on my method of travel.
For me the VERY BEST sleep is a modestly inflated double airbed insulated on top by one or 2 cheap synthetic quilts (depending on the ambient temerature) and then topped with our normal feather and down quilt from home.
Double airbeds are reasonable prices as are synthetic quilts (and we use them at home) so if I have a vehicle it is a no brainer.
Thermorest are more comfortable than a foam mat, and Exped downmats are far more comfortable than Thermorest. The only reason I use these is weight and bulk in my rucksack.
In winter both the Exped and the Thermorest need an addtional winter grade (12mm) foam mat to be warm, together with a 4 season bag.
Looking at your other posts Moonmummy I see you do not have access a vehicle for camping. So my advice would be as others have said a foam mat on top of the airbed, both of which can be purchased at a reasonable price. Sadly sleeping bags and quilts are bulkier and heavier the warmer they are. That is unless they are the very best quality down items. Compression straps can reduce the volume of the quilts however if you are using a fishing trolley for transport.
On the size issue - been doing some SIM research for a more compact version of our airbeds and really drawn a blank. I can fold and roll our Coleman Comfort Maxi airbeds many ways and in all cases a double and a single seems to compact into a smaller space than shorter and narrower SIMS. Our tiny Kampa Whirlwind pump has them up and again deflates them flat in less time than a SIM inflates or rolls too - so the SIM doesn't seem to cut pfaff there. I guess SIMs are lighter as used for backpacking and possibly more robust (those with a closed cell bottom layer)(although not had a problem here with airbeds), which may be a consideration when not using a car. OK a fleecy mattress liner also adds a little more bulk for warmth, but also acts as a sheet. We don't feel cold with the airbed, fleecy mattress cover and good 3 season sleeping bag combination, although we don't camp in the winter (Nov-Mar)...
I see Alpkit have got a sale on at the moment, and their "Dozer" SIM is now down to £40 from £60. Although a bit big for backpacking, a few of their smaller SIMs are on offer too.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Air bed - cold to sleep on?
