Alternatively, if you fold the mat instead of roll it, and keep the proportions roughly the same as your harness (Wildcat Gear Lion, in my case), you can secure the mat between your dry bag and the harness, allowing you a bit more space in you dry bag for clothes etc
Alternatively, if you fold the mat instead of roll it, and keep the proportions roughly the same as your harness (Wildcat Gear Lion, in my case), you can secure the mat between your dry bag and the harness, allowing you a bit more space in you dry bag for clothes etc
I thought about that but then it's a open to the elements and I tend to put it inside my bivy bag.
If it's folded to the same size as the harness it doesn't really see any dirt. The addition of the "tongue" on the Lion harness adds significantly to keeping dirt off the dry bag.
Hmmm....I wonder if I am one of the few who opt for finding squishy grass and ditching the thermarest altogether? Never really had an issue when I know I'm not going to be sleeping in a bothy with hard ground.
I tend to just ride until I find somewhere soft looking - sometimes carry a small amount of carry mat if I know it's going to be frozen/snowy under body. Not really had issues waking up cold either. RAB Neutrino 200 sleeping bag with Patagonia NanoPuff.
One of the few extras I'm considering for the Divide is a pad as it's long enough that my shoulders+hips will get sore after days sleeping on hard dirt.
I recall Shona and Rich adopt the same strategy. I've tried it, but I don't sleep well and suffer worse for it the next day (and the one after) than I do for the 400g on a nice mat.
You are right though, there are soft places to sleep.
I also like an enclosed bag / face to keep the rain off. I recall Shona laughing (just a bit) at me and asking why I don't just sleep face down if it rains.
GregMay wrote:Hmmm....I wonder if I am one of the few who opt for finding squishy grass and ditching the thermarest altogether? Never really had an issue when I know I'm not going to be sleeping in a bothy with hard ground.
I tend to just ride until I find somewhere soft looking - sometimes carry a small amount of carry mat if I know it's going to be frozen/snowy under body. Not really had issues waking up cold either. RAB Neutrino 200 sleeping bag with Patagonia NanoPuff.
One of the few extras I'm considering for the Divide is a pad as it's long enough that my shoulders+hips will get sore after days sleeping on hard dirt.
I cannot recommended the klimmit x frame enough. It would pack down to the size of a small packet of crisps, weighs about 250 grams. Suprisingly comfortable. And allows your down bag to work properly.
I cannot recommended the klimmit x frame enough. It would pack down to the size of a small packet of crisps, weighs about 250 grams. Suprisingly comfortable. And allows your down bag to work properly.
Interesting! How thick are they inflated? Do they really support you or do you sag through the holes?
I've an X-frame, it's fine for late spring to early autumn use but it's a bit cool for all year use. It inflates to about 20-30mm but there's no insulation inside in the way that the Exped synmats and downmats have for example. I remember reading that they are optimised for someone around 6ft tall so if you are significantly shorter/taller than this then the supporting areas may not match up with your shoulders, hips, etc.
I'd say it packs down to about the diameter of a pop can but a little bit longer in length.
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
My experience of these is that they are great for sleeping on your bag, but I couldn't get on with mine as a side sleeper. I'd happily drop off ony back and then wake up once I'd rolled onto my side as I couldn't get comfy. I ended up selling it and going back to a neoair for hat reason.
whitestone wrote:I've an X-frame, it's fine for late spring to early autumn use but it's a bit cool for all year use. It inflates to about 20-30mm but there's no insulation inside in the way that the Exped synmats and downmats have for example. I remember reading that they are optimised for someone around 6ft tall so if you are significantly shorter/taller than this then the supporting areas may not match up with your shoulders, hips, etc.
I'd say it packs down to about the diameter of a pop can but a little bit longer in length.
The holes in the frame allows your down bag to puff into them. Thus you don't need insulation. In theory.
I am a tummy sleeper. And once out cold don't budge.
For the TD it would be ideal. Tiny pack size. Blown up by mouth is adequate. Very light. Warm enough for there. Blows up fast. Robust. Packs away easy peasy. Good for someone six one at least.
I cannot recommended the klimmit x frame enough. It would pack down to the size of a small packet of crisps, weighs about 250 grams. Suprisingly comfortable. And allows your down bag to work properly.
Interesting! How thick are they inflated? Do they really support you or do you sag through the holes?
Fully Support you. As long as you blow it up pretty hard, which can be done by mouth. Don't need a pump. Down bag lofts between structure giving warmth below.
But they are like any equipment at the absolute extreme of compromise/innovation, they either do or don't work for you, and you won't know until you use it.
Remember it is fine put up by mouth. No pump needed. Drop a few grams. But the pack size is so much smaller even compared to the neoair xlite.
numplumz wrote:Is there a UK outlet for the klymit mats
Ultralight outdoor gear does them. But because you either love or hate them, they come up on ebay and group selling pages all the time. Sport persuits did them as well, but the light x frames sold out really quick as they were £50 short and £59 full length. Like mje25, there will be a handfull of people on this forum who probably have one and are either undecided or don't like them.
I tried a klimit mat. Didn't like it as I'm too wriggly! If you are a back or front sleeper and don't move about too much in your sleep then they would be great
I have the klymit static v and really like it. Had an ultralight multimat before but i found i wiggled off it and it became porous after a while.
Only issue with the klymit static v is no insulation, though they do do an insulated version, I've managed ok on the standard. The shaping of the pockets helps keep you on and I find it good as a side sleeper.
Can't remember where I got it, but was online in UK
I'm as mentioned above, had one of the short klymits and it was terrible. Ymmv.
Alpkit Numo weighs very little for the comfort it provides and if I don't need insulation I'll use it as it doesn't matter if it gets damp breath inside from inflation unlike my xtherm.
