Sit Mat
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
Sit Mat
So, anybody use a sit mat? Any recommendations?
Want to get one for times on the bike when I stop for lunch, things like that. Also for use hiking/walking generally out and about. Fairly light would be nice, but don't want an air inflated one just cos it seems unnecessary? Needs enough insulation that I don't get a cold arse when sitting on a rock in winter, so anything like a bit of groundsheet or blanket is out. Small packability would be nice (to go in frame bag, fork leg etc.), as would reasonable price.
Apologies if I've breached any TLS code, but this is for a bit of everything and some comfort on gentle stopping rides.
Ta!
Want to get one for times on the bike when I stop for lunch, things like that. Also for use hiking/walking generally out and about. Fairly light would be nice, but don't want an air inflated one just cos it seems unnecessary? Needs enough insulation that I don't get a cold arse when sitting on a rock in winter, so anything like a bit of groundsheet or blanket is out. Small packability would be nice (to go in frame bag, fork leg etc.), as would reasonable price.
Apologies if I've breached any TLS code, but this is for a bit of everything and some comfort on gentle stopping rides.
Ta!
- TheBrownDog
- Posts: 2108
- Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:46 pm
- Location: Chilterns
Re: Sit Mat
I use one made from a old cut up closed cell foam sleeping mat. It's the exact size of my kitchen cutting board, which is what I used as the template for it. Weights nothing and, when I use it, I roll it into my sleeping kit which goes into my bar harness. I find them very useful when kneeling to conduct camp site faffage. I've got a few bits of it remaining if you want one. PM me your address etc, drop £2 into a Help for Heroes charity tin, and I'll stick one in the post.
I'm just going outside ...
Re: Sit Mat
I carry a square of closed cell foam mat (in fact it was a freeby with a walking mag about 30 years ago!) when I'm walking. It slides down inside the back of my rucksack. Surprisingly I don't take it with me bikepacking, no idea why because I would certainly use it
We go out into the hills to lose ourselves, not to get lost. You are only lost if you need to be somewhere else and if you really need to be somewhere else then you're probably in the wrong place to begin with.
- Bearlegged
- Posts: 2398
- Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:00 pm
Re: Sit Mat
I've got a foam folding one like this:
Bit bulky, I carry it in my rucksack.
I've also had a lot of success using the foil backed bubble-wrap stuff, akin to what Stu sells for pot cozies. Probably not as effective for long stops, but just for a quick snack/tea break it does the job. Cut to size, not bulky, tends to get more compliant/fold/stuffable with use.
Bit bulky, I carry it in my rucksack.
I've also had a lot of success using the foil backed bubble-wrap stuff, akin to what Stu sells for pot cozies. Probably not as effective for long stops, but just for a quick snack/tea break it does the job. Cut to size, not bulky, tends to get more compliant/fold/stuffable with use.
- Bearbonesnorm
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- Location: my own little world
Re: Sit Mat
A bit of laminate floor underlay? Maybe two pieces glued together?
May the bridges you burn light your way
- Cheeky Monkey
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Re: Sit Mat
At the risk of veering wildly off course, Alpkit drybagsacs used to be built so you could pull out the back stiffening panel and use as you've described. Karrimor sacs also used to have this but I haven't had one of theirs for a long, long time and this is going back 30+ years .
In a TLS-fashion, I find laminated maps to be pretty handy for this sort of stuff too.
Edit - their Gourdon range:
In a TLS-fashion, I find laminated maps to be pretty handy for this sort of stuff too.
Edit - their Gourdon range:
Last edited by Cheeky Monkey on Thu Sep 01, 2022 2:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Sit Mat
blow up a dry bag and sit on that ?EDIT: Blow up pillow would work as well - TLS and all that
Never tired i as i either ride or sleep [ or lie down whimpering]
Never tired i as i either ride or sleep [ or lie down whimpering]
Re: Sit Mat
Thanks for the responses so far
@thebrowndog - sounds a good way to use that material! Thanks kindly for the offer, i'm not decided what size i'd like yet
@cheeky monkey - I have an old karrimor sabre 30 with one in! It's non-folding though, but I might take a look to see if it can be cut down...?
I do have a pillow which could double up, but this would mainly be used when not bikepacking or for more touring excursions, so not too worried about complete minimalism. Sounds precious, but I don't really want to get the pillow dirty or wet. I'd still like something fairly comfy and insulating, so currently erring on the side of thick-ish foam or self-inflating.
@thebrowndog - sounds a good way to use that material! Thanks kindly for the offer, i'm not decided what size i'd like yet
@cheeky monkey - I have an old karrimor sabre 30 with one in! It's non-folding though, but I might take a look to see if it can be cut down...?
I do have a pillow which could double up, but this would mainly be used when not bikepacking or for more touring excursions, so not too worried about complete minimalism. Sounds precious, but I don't really want to get the pillow dirty or wet. I'd still like something fairly comfy and insulating, so currently erring on the side of thick-ish foam or self-inflating.
Re: Sit Mat
Just waiting for the extollers of the lightweight camp chair to come along now....
[I was going to post a picture of one but Blimey! can't believe the price of them now ]
[I was going to post a picture of one but Blimey! can't believe the price of them now ]
We go out into the hills to lose ourselves, not to get lost. You are only lost if you need to be somewhere else and if you really need to be somewhere else then you're probably in the wrong place to begin with.
Re: Sit Mat
I use a Klymit V seat
https://klymit.com/products/v-seat
I've never trusted a pillow to be durable enough to sit on. I've also got a square of groundsheet material (80 g/sq m) about 400mm x 400mm which adds another 12g which can go under it to keep it dry if necessary. The groundsheet material per-dates the mat and it's what I use to stand/kneel on when sorting kit, getting into my bivi et.
I now use a 3/4 length sleeping mat and I stuff the sit mat inside the footbox of my quilt to keep my feet off the geound so dual use and the overall weight is less than a full length sleeping mat.
https://klymit.com/products/v-seat
I've never trusted a pillow to be durable enough to sit on. I've also got a square of groundsheet material (80 g/sq m) about 400mm x 400mm which adds another 12g which can go under it to keep it dry if necessary. The groundsheet material per-dates the mat and it's what I use to stand/kneel on when sorting kit, getting into my bivi et.
I now use a 3/4 length sleeping mat and I stuff the sit mat inside the footbox of my quilt to keep my feet off the geound so dual use and the overall weight is less than a full length sleeping mat.
Adventure without risk is Disneyland - Bikemonger
Re: Sit Mat
I use a piece of 1" closed cell foam that sits in the bottom of my top-loader bar bag and stiffens it up / protects the stuff in the bag from vibration on the rack. It does mean that it only gets used in camp generally but it gets used for everything from being used as a windbreak for the stove to scraping twigs and pinecones from my chosen tent spot. And sometimes I sit on it too. 7" x 13" , 30g
- UnderTheRadars
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:12 pm
- Location: Stourbridge/North Col of North Worcestershire Alps
Re: Sit Mat
I’ve got a multimat folding closed cell mat and keep it in my cycling pack.
It’s also handy for bikepacking/camping in the doorway of the tent so you’ve got somewhere dry to put your feet while you get your footwear on/off.
Less than 3 quid : https://www.outdooraction.co.uk/multima ... 070/s24023
It’s also handy for bikepacking/camping in the doorway of the tent so you’ve got somewhere dry to put your feet while you get your footwear on/off.
Less than 3 quid : https://www.outdooraction.co.uk/multima ... 070/s24023
- TheBrownDog
- Posts: 2108
- Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:46 pm
- Location: Chilterns
Re: Sit Mat
If I'm not hammocking I take my chair, a Helinox Chair Zero. It's light and very comfortable and only £20 more now than I paid for it about 7 years ago ... still, yes crazy expensive but for me well worth it. My back and knees are so ruined, I can't be relying on finding fallen trees and stumps to get a decent seat. Horses fer courses of course.
I'm just going outside ...
- Bearbonesnorm
- Posts: 24037
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- Location: my own little world
Re: Sit Mat
Surprised no one's tried one of these yet. I've no idea how heavy they are but I can't imagine they weigh 'that' much ... as long as you leave the woman adorning it at home.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Sit Mat
Salutes your commitment to TLS - nifty dual use weight saving solutionI now use a 3/4 length sleeping mat and I stuff the sit mat inside the footbox of my quilt to keep my feet off the ground so dual use and the overall weight is less than a full length sleeping mat.
Re: Sit Mat
Pain in the arse to inflate, and weigh a lot more than you'd expect as there's multiple baffles and inner bags inside it.Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 5:17 pm Surprised no one's tried one of these yet. I've no idea how heavy they are but I can't imagine they weigh 'that' much ... as long as you leave the woman adorning it at home.
Re: Sit Mat
I tend to sit on my bar harness, which has a bit of padding in it. But it's a pain to remove and refit.
Re: Sit Mat
I have some similar ones for beach/ back garden use. Inflation is easy with a breeze. They aren't that heavy as there is nowt to them. Just a nylon bag with an inner plastic bag. Both quite thin. Surprisingly comfy.Pain in the arse to inflate, and weigh a lot more than you'd expect as there's multiple baffles and inner bags inside it.
- Bearbonesnorm
- Posts: 24037
- Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
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Re: Sit Mat
Pain in the arse to inflate, and weigh a lot more than you'd expect as there's multiple baffles and inner bags inside it.
That's what I'd assumed they were, so maybe different types then?have some similar ones for beach/ back garden use. Inflation is easy with a breeze. They aren't that heavy as there is nowt to them. Just a nylon bag with an inner plastic bag. Both quite thin. Surprisingly comfy.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Sit Mat
Now the little Barneys are a bit older I just use one of their old baby changing mats from a carry bag.
It's waterproof, has a bit of padding and can easily be rolled up.
It's waterproof, has a bit of padding and can easily be rolled up.
Wait for me...
Re: Sit Mat
I’ve used a multimat folding sit mat for many years now. Always bring one on a trip, whether it’s bikepacking or on foot. Used for sitting and also for getting changed or standing on when I’m getting into my bivvy. Weighs very little and is amazingly useful.
I have a range of different types but my favourite is the multimat one. Have had homemade ones, self inflating ones and the bubbly looking one above
I have a range of different types but my favourite is the multimat one. Have had homemade ones, self inflating ones and the bubbly looking one above
Re: Sit Mat
That silver backed bubble wrap is very light, cheap and pretty durable. Keeps your bum warm too!
Re: Sit Mat
Probably. Ours is a cheap n nasty. I just assumed they were all cheap n nasty.Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 6:59 pmPain in the arse to inflate, and weigh a lot more than you'd expect as there's multiple baffles and inner bags inside it.That's what I'd assumed they were, so maybe different types then?have some similar ones for beach/ back garden use. Inflation is easy with a breeze. They aren't that heavy as there is nowt to them. Just a nylon bag with an inner plastic bag. Both quite thin. Surprisingly comfy.
- Cheeky Monkey
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Re: Sit Mat
My experience was same as yours - awkward to inflate, relatively heavy and bulky too.ootini wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 10:42 pmProbably. Ours is a cheap n nasty. I just assumed they were all cheap n nasty.Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 6:59 pmPain in the arse to inflate, and weigh a lot more than you'd expect as there's multiple baffles and inner bags inside it.That's what I'd assumed they were, so maybe different types then?have some similar ones for beach/ back garden use. Inflation is easy with a breeze. They aren't that heavy as there is nowt to them. Just a nylon bag with an inner plastic bag. Both quite thin. Surprisingly comfy.
Kids enjoyed it though