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The sort that roll up and you put your sleeping bag on top of them.
Is there a particular brand that people liked? I've been looking at the Roman Moon Mats brand self-inflating mats. Small, compact & light-weight – but I've seen just regular blue foam ones that you can buy from any camping store/BCF – only they're pretty bulky (even if they are light-weight)
What I'd like to know (from people's personal experience – not just what the company says) about the Roman (or similar brand) self-inflating mats are: 1) how easy are they to pack up – can you do it in a hurry if need be and 2) how sturdy – wear & tear wise are they? No point in getting one if they get holes in it easily – I don't imagine you could just pull out an 'instant repair/puncture kit while you are trekking…
http://www.roman.com.au/website17.aspx?pro…;midparent=1582
Fluppy,
I have used for many years, a 3/4 length Thermarest ( the original manufacturer of this type of hiking accessory and often used as a generic term for this type of mattress)) self inflating mattress which I have always found excellent apart from the occasional puncture which did in fact occur during our Kokoda crossing in August 2007. Had to endure 3 nights without an inflated mattress. Locating puncture point can be difficult, particularly when out hiking. A repair kit does not take up much room in your pack though.
I have found this type of mattress much more comfortable than the solid foam (usually blue in colour) type and can be folded and rolled to take up less space than the solid foam roll.
Again, Best wishes with your continuing preparation.Geoff Hardie
Hi fluppy – last time I went I took one of these http://www.gogogear.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=1829 – quite comfortable and came with a repair kit. Packs down to around the size of a coke can.
Next time I will simply take my Hennessy Hammock and leave the mat.
A couple of questions Jaffa ( or anyone else who has used this product) re the Ether Thermo 6 sleeping mat… from your link in this forum. How difficult is it to blow up without a pump? And also to pack up into it's stuff sack again? the sales lady at GoGoGear says it packs down to about 25cm x 13cm. Not quite the size of a can of coke. I like the look of it mainly because it's 6cm deep!!!! Most other compact mats are around the 2.5 – 3cm in depth. Would appreciate any comments and advice on what other trekkers have found works well. Cheers
No – it's about the size of two cans end to end (I pulled mine out to take a look). You only need blow them half way up as that is the most comfortable with regards to hardness. It only takes maybe 15 good breaths and is as easy as a balloon.
No problems with getting them back into the stuff sack. Personally if I where to get one again I would get the longest one I could as I am 6 foot and it was a little tight. The width is pretty much the same as any other brand. They are light and very well built although I have been checking out my gear recently and had to patch a couple of pin pricks with the supplied glue.
Thanks Jafa. The sales lady said they had done a roaring trade of late… most probably due to your posted link here! Shows just how popular this forum is. Cheers
Hi
I also used the GOGoGear blow up mattress and found it ideal and very easy to blow up and if folded up the way the manufacturer suggests was easy to do so.
I found blowing mine up about 50-60% was ideal any higher for me the mattress started to become uncomfortable and I feel one may tend to roll off it if blown right up.
I have never used one before myself was very pleased that I did particularly as it was quite light and took up little space in my pack.
If you get one I suggest like any gear you take with you that you use it before you go seeing how little you have to blow it up and to see how to remove the air and fold it up the following morning.
Brian
Great – thanks Brian and Jafa. I'm sold… i like the weight ( about 600grams), good thickness and compactability. As this will probably be a one off for me I feel buying a thermarest is overkill – $$$ wise. Have a good day.
Hi all.
I bought a self inflating mattress from Katmandoo at one of there 50% off sales.Ive found it ok,,its not like my bed at home but it does the job.Similar to geoff I have both a 3/4 and a full length thermarest. i took the 3/4 to kokoda and it was great as usual. buying and using quality stuff rewards you with a good nights sleep and you certainly look forward to that at the end of the day. I have used thermarest over many years and they do take about the same space as a foam bedroll but the comfort is so much better.
Pete DowlingThe GoGoGear blow up mattress, mentioned in earlier posts with this thread was excellent. I slept soundly for 10 hours every night during my trek….. well, this could have had something to do with the amount of physical exertion during the day, but still, it was extremely comfortable, easy to blow up, light weight and packed away well. Also a good price – I didnt' want to lash our huge $$$'s on a thermarest, that may never get used again. Only one other lady in our group bought anything else along ( a thermarest) to use with our issued 'yoga mats'…. and we were the envy of all I can tell you.
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