Self-inflating camping mat - any thoughts?

[MonkeyBusiness]

Bujinkhal said:

Had a Alpkit cloudbase (summer kit) and Alpkit Dumo (winter kit) for a while now. Both excellent, though I don't much like the inflation mechanism on the Dumo, once it's up though it's amazingly comfortable. I've not had a self inflating one for a while as I find them either too bulky or not comfortable enough depending on thickness.

They have a 15% off sale starting on Friday I believe too.

Bugger...this always happens to me. Took a punt on a Cloudbase. Seems have decent reviews. If it doesn't work out its not a complete disaster.

[The_Nugget]

MonkeyBusiness said:

The thread that keeps coming back.

I am on the lookout for a new camping mat after my Alpkit Numo sprung a leak. Its been a good buy - packs down very small, lightweight, and comfy.
I could buy another (although out of stock as I type) but quite fancy an Airo 120.

Or should I just get a Thermarest Pro Lite? I like my lightweight wildcamping.

I had a prolite for a while, but as a side sleeper found my hip dug in the ground and hurt. Very small and light though.

I then had an exped synmat but found it akin to sleeping on a lilo, but no hip issue. Just too rock and roll.

I’ve now got a thermarest trail pro which is excellent.

[Bill]

MonkeyBusiness said:

The thread that keeps coming back.

I am on the lookout for a new camping mat after my Alpkit Numo sprung a leak. Its been a good buy - packs down very small, lightweight, and comfy.
I could buy another (although out of stock as I type) but quite fancy an Airo 120.

Or should I just get a Thermarest Pro Lite? I like my lightweight wildcamping.

Can't you just patch it? My 30 year old thermarest has a few.

[MonkeyBusiness]

Bill said:

Can't you just patch it? My 30 year old thermarest has a few.

Can't find the hole despite submerging it in the bath.

[Aerate]

I have a very lightweight thermarest which would be great for backpacking, but is too thin for real comfort - but it has lasted 15 years so far. Last year I bought a Coleman for about £20 for my son which is okay. This year I bought a 5cm Vango for my daughter for about £32 and it is really excellent - the ‘cyclone’ valve is a brilliant bit of kit which makes ‘topping up’ and deflation/packing a doddle. The vango also has a textured surface so your sleeping back doesn’t slide about everywhere, which I didn’t see as an issue until I found that my daughter was where I put her the previous evening when I woke up, rather than at the lowest point of the tent / under her brother / mother / myself. I didn’t really research it - but I got a bit of kit that really performs. Oh, and the sack opens down the side rather than the end so it is supereasy to pack.

[Bill]

MonkeyBusiness said:

Can't find the hole despite submerging it in the bath.

Bugger. Did you get in the bath with it to apply pressure?