The (fat) cat sat (slept) on the....?

[gairym]

.....that's right, it's another 'what mat?' thread

I'm about to begin a year long, full-time, high-end cabinet makers course and it's far enough away from home that I plan to spend two nights a week there to cut down on travel time and expense.

I'll also have far fewer opportunities to ride/bivi as my remaining time will be almost entirely eaten up with family gubbins.

So I'm hoping to apply the 'two birds, one stone' approach and bivi out as much as possible in the area around where I'll be studying (between Annecy and Aix-les-Bains and so not exactly a terrible location).

But.....I need to be arriving back at the workshop bright, early and FULLY RESTED ready for a day of hard graft and I always sleep crappily when camping so am looking for the world's most comfy, luxurious, Gairy-sized, light weight sleeping mat.....that's also cheap???

Anything other than Exped I should be looking at?

I'm considering taking the hit on weight and going for the 'SYNMAT 7 LW' but maybe that's overkill and I'll be just as happy with the 'SYNMAT UL LW' - anyone got real world experience of the two?

Owt else I should be considering?

As usual any/all advice and intel very much appreciated.

Cheers, Gairy.

[whitestone]

Gairy, I've got the Synmat Winterlite and my wife has the Synmat HL (Hyperlite?) - I think it's the mummy shaped version of the UL. She's used it in the Arctic at -16C and not moaned about the cold so I presume it's OK. That was with a 3 season bag with a 2 season quilt as wrapper so not using a full super-duper sleeping bag.

I think you'll be fine with the Synmat UL.

[In Reverse]

What a truly horrible life you lead Gairy.

[gairym]

Gairy, I've got the Synmat Winterlite and my wife has the Synmat HL (Hyperlite?) - I think it's the mummy shaped version of the UL. She's used it in the Arctic at -16C and not moaned about the cold so I presume it's OK. That was with a 3 season bag with a 2 season quilt as wrapper so not using a full super-duper sleeping bag.

I think you'll be fine with the Synmat UL.

Thanks, that's a good sign of it's insulation capabilities

What a truly horrible life you lead Gairy.

Hey, hey, hey! It's going to be a really tough year and I'm going to be knackered!

But ok, I see know what you mean - I'm muchly looking forward to it

[In Reverse]

You around next Saturday? Might be passing through Les H. Going to try the TBM/Haute Route combo again.

[BigdummySteve]

I normally use exped MW pads as I’m quite broad shouldered, when I got my thermarest überlite I had to get a long wife as they don’t do a medium.
Although I don’t need the time extra length at 5’7” it really adds to the comfort.

The comfiest pad I ever used was a thermarest neoair dream, as nice as my home bed but unfortunately it weighs 4kg and is the size of a pack raft

The synmat’s are nice I find the trick is not to over inflate, if I sit up my arse touches the floor

[gairym]

You around next Saturday? Might be passing through Les H. Going to try the TBM/Haute Route combo again.

A week tomorrow?

If so then yes, fancy having two pints more than you should before setting off?

You're welcome to camp here or crash on the sofa too.

PM/email me if you like and we can discuss. Be nice if I could join you for a couple of hours of riding but not sure I'll be able to.

[gairym]

I normally use exped MW pads as I’m quite broad shouldered, when I got my thermarest überlite I had to get a long wife as they don’t do a medium.
Although I don’t need the time extra length at 5’7” it really adds to the comfort.

Wow, you got a new wife because you couldn't get the mat you wanted in your size - that's dedication!

[BigdummySteve]

Sometimes auto correct reveals my inner most desires, spooky

[Al]

I’ve had quite a few sleeping mats including the exped ul lw. Have used it through the winter with no issues. It’s big enough your arms don’t fall off the sides and your pillow doesn’t go wandering in the night. Not the smallest but definitely my most comfortable sleep out doors option.

[gairym]

.....definitely my most comfortable sleep out doors option.

That's good to hear.

[gairym]

Sometimes auto correct reveals my inner most desires, spooky

[FLV]

I've had too many syn mats fail now. They keep detaching on the inner webs and and just end up rolling me off the mat.

I currently have a vaude mat for when I want to be comfy. I dont know which one as the label was in finnish (synmat failed as I said). But its a little heavy but really comfy.

Also have an alpkit cloud base, which is ok for one night.

[gairym]

I've had too many syn mats fail now. They keep detaching on the inner webs and and just end up rolling me off the mat.

That's interesting, not really heard of any fails with them until now.

I've got a Cloud Base which is fine and pleasantly light but it's just too small for me stay on and I end up waking up a lot!

And once awake it's the getting back to sleep that takes a big chunk of time and sucks my will to live (ok, camp).

Hmmm.....

[Mariner]

Not much to add but good luck with the course.
A friend of mine did similar in UK. He slept in his car which happened to be a MURVI.
Do you have a plan for over the winter months or still bivvying out?

[gairym]

Thanks, looking forward to taking my work to the next level!

And no, no plan. I'll keep doing it as long as it's working.

I've got cold weather gear and fatbike/29+ options so it's all possible but I might not have the time/energy and might not return rested enough for it to work in the winter, we'll see...

[FLV]

I've had too many syn mats fail now. They keep detaching on the inner webs and and just end up rolling me off the mat.

That's interesting, not really heard of any fails with them until now.

3 in total. all the same failure mode. Internal baffle gives way, giant sausage follows rolling me off the mat.

Wont have another.

[ScotRoutes]

I've heard of that failure. Some reports suggest that it's caused by over-inflation, possibly not helped by suddenly applying a point load (like sitting down too sharply). I had the baffle go on one of the Exped pillows in exactly that manner. As it happens, they are comfier if not over-inflated anyway.

[whitestone]

My first Synmat failed in that way, replaced on warranty.

As Colin says it seems to be full inflation combined with a sudden point loading - dropping to your knees on it for example - that means the air can't move around and the RF welded seams can't cope. I now fully inflate then let a little air out, maybe a couple of seconds pushing the valve in, and then just take care.

[FLV]

I've heard of that failure. Some reports suggest that it's caused by over-inflation, possibly not helped by suddenly applying a point load (like sitting down too sharply). I had the baffle go on one of the Exped pillows in exactly that manner. As it happens, they are comfier if not over-inflated anyway.

Yup, read the same. I like a soft matt so not the cause for me.

[gairym]

Getting nervous now after pressing 'go' on the 'UL LW' version.



I'll be sure not over-inflate it or jump and down on it.

[gairym]

Getting nervous now after pressing 'go' on the 'UL LW' version.



I'll be sure not to over-inflate or jump and down on it.