Sleeping mat recommendations please

[Tomwoodbury]

Hi everyone.

I’m looking for a mat circa £125 for summer camping with my family but also that will cover 3 season bikepacking and pack as small as possible.

There are so many options available I thought this was the place to ask. So any recommendations appreciated!

Cheers

[schmiken]

Thermarest NeoAir X. Brilliant.

[whitestone]

There's two camps (sic) on here - the Thermarest NeoAir mob and the Exped mob. Either will do for your requirements. Remember that unlike sleeping bags/quilts sleeping mats don't have an upper comfortable temperature so just get the most efficient insulator you can afford and that isn't too bulky.

[Retiredtester]

+1 for the neoair. I was sceptical about how much difference a well insulated mat would make (Vs eg alpkit numo), but having used my neoair down to about -5, it really is amazing - might be psychosomatic, but I swear I can feel the warmth reflecting back.

[Tomwoodbury]

Thanks all. Will check out the neoair

[Bearbonesnorm]

As Bob says, Neoair or Exped. You'll not go wrong with either, just a matter of finding one that matches budget really.

[Cheeky Monkey]

Exped for my money. Not that I've used a Thermarest in decades. So, sample set of 1 (brand)

Saying that I've used (and rapidly got rid of) Alpkit mats, including the sh1tty li-lo that manifests as a mat (yes, I'm looking at you Numo)

[Tomwoodbury]

Any particular models that are good bang for buck? The neoair ones are out of my price twange unfortunately

[Cheeky Monkey]

I have a downmat 7 and 9, which are both ludicrously warm. I'm not sure how I ended up with two However they're c.600 and 700 grams respectively (IIRCC).

Also have a Hyperlite (think it's been renamed the Ultra, maybe 1R or 2R) which is synthetic, much lighter (c.350g, IIRC), less bulky and has been great in 3 seasons. Stu's review: https://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/ ... as-a-rest/

I'm a quilt sleeper so tend to go for the best rated mat I can manage to carry. Others rave about hat used to be the regular Synmats which I think are the new Ultras but in the higher R numbers (so 5R and 7R). Frankly it's nearly as baffling as the old Outdry cag models

If I were to only have one it would be the Hyperlite (guessing new Ultra 3R) in mummy shape.

[Lazarus]

if you are not bothered about weight i have a sea to summit insulated one [ more comfortable than my thermarest but double the weight]
I would sell that cheapish [ like £50 ish]
I forget the weight but might be 6-800 g

[Tomwoodbury]

Thanks Lazarus what are the packed dimensions?

If you could also let me know exact weight please I could well be interested.

Otherwise exped ultra 5 looks like the best all round option as I also use a quilt sometimes.

Thanks for the input all.

[Lazarus]

705 g ( in its stuff sac )
765 g with pump sack
This one but rectangular
11 " long ( might compress go smaller but not much)
4" diameter (15 " circumference )

https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/com ... t-regular/

Comfy but used by my kids who no longer come with me . Reckon 10-15 days use ish . I have used it in winter and it's OK ( never gone below freezing but got close)
DM if interested

[Tomwoodbury]

Wonderful, Pm sent