Me and my better half take a big inflatable bed and a down king size duvet when we go camping, but... we`re looking at getting a smaller tent for poor weather situations and we`re also looking at getting into fair weather wild camping.
So, I`m looking for guidance as to what to look for in mats and sleeping bags. 3 season would be plenty I think.
In both cases, packs small and as light as possible but still comfortable.
Basic choice is self-inflating mats (e.g. Alpkit Airo) or hi-tech lilo (e.g. Thermarest NeoAir, Ether Elite). Traditional closed-cell "scout" mats are not that comfortable, although very light.
You may be able to get on with a 3/4 SI mat in summer when your feet don't need insulation. In any case, go for thinner widths and thicknesses, not the mats designed for car camping. A 3cm thick, 50cm wide SI mat, in either full or 3/4 length should be OK. About 450g for the 3/4 and about 650g for the full length.
For pack size and weight, down sleeping bags are the best. You can find 2-3 season ones at relatively cheap prices if you scout around. Tesco had a 900g, 3*C down bag in last year for £37 RRP and less in the end if summer sale.
Synthetic is heavier and bulkier but easier to care for long term I suppose. Mummy shape is, of course, lighter and smaller than a square bag.
For the last six years I have been using a ThermaRest ProLite 3 Regular mat along with a SnugPack Merlin Softie sleeping bag, for additional comfort I added the Expanda Panel to the Merlin Softee, a couple of years back, great kit not over expensive, and pack real small, but most of all reliable, main use is for when I go cycle camping or backpacking.
Down bag sounds like the one. Are the mats comfy? as im used to an aerobed with plenty of thickness, not a matt that looks like a piece of cardboard ripped off a big box!
For pack size and weight, down sleeping bags are the best. You can find 2-3 season ones at relatively cheap prices if you scout around. Tesco had a 900g, 3*C down bag in last year for £37 RRP and less in the end if summer sale.
I picked up a pair of these bags earlier in the year based on Richard's recommendation. Very pleased with them in the outings they have had so far. Got lucky and payed 19GBP/bag - well chuffed
I have always been happy enough with a 3/4 thermarest SI mat when travelling light. If you have a decent outdoors store near by you can usually try before you buy
Hi alan+sarah.
If your wild camp adventures involve carrying your gear for miles, weight is paramount. Self inflating mats are something of a trade off, lightweight but no airbed.
The cheap ones are not worth bothering with.
I use a Vango trek mat, they pack small and are about 700g.
Standard Thermarests are thicker (heavier/comfier) Thermarest nanos seem good very light and quite thick.
Don't even try the foam mat things.
As for bags, down ones weigh half the weight of a similar spec synthetic. They also pack down smaller. But down needs specialist cleaning.
Just don't pay Cotswold prices. They just charge the RRP for everything. Always a much better deal online - even Amazon sometimes offer great prices on good camping gear. Have a look at how little they're asking for a POE Ether Thermo 6! (which could be a good choice of mat)
Recently spent a miserable night in Rothimurceus Forest Aviemore trying to sleep using a premium foam multimat.Ended up going into town next day and bought a Blacks self inflating mattress in the sale for £24.99..was £39.99 previous day.. slept like a log that night. Not the lightest mat out there but just giving an example of the benefits of self inflating mats IMHO.....
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Depends what you want and how much room you have in the car. For leisure camping from the car and a medium budget then look at the mid range mats...the narrow £15 ones are fine for kids but the thicker, wider mats from Vango are better for adults, or you can pay the higher costs of a Thermorest or Alpkit.
For sleeping bags do you want lightweight ones to carry or once again, from the car? Other people know more about mountain and walking kit than me but if you're camping from a car and don't mind slightly bulkier kit, then start by thinking whether you want mummy bags, square bags, a double bag or two you can zip together if you want. I'd recommend bags with hoods and shoulder baffles, whatever other features you want. Once again Vango do a huge range of bags...if you want good medium range ones then look at the Vango Nitestar range.
Bit of an indulgence but I got rid of 2 thermorests (though they were all good) and just have my new Exped down 7 DLX. Nothing like it for comfort and warmth. Pricey though it be.!!
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Topic: Mats and sleeping bags
