The iceshield also stood on test for its great quality – the outer fabric is tough yet comfortable and the mat keeps its shape once inflated and feels like it’ll withstand years of sleeping under the stars. The lower layer of air chambers can absorb only so much unevenness before it becomes noticeable, so if you lay it on very bumpy terrain (not always avoidable) then you will tend to feel the lumps more than with the other premium mats in this review. We have however comfortably slept out on a couple of Scottish winter nights in sub-zero conditions, and more recently a high level spring camp where the temperature wasn't far above freezing and the wind relentless. Given its floppy feel the warmth on offer is perhaps something of a surprise, an R-value of 5 making this the third-best-insulating model on review. The lightest mat on test and also the second warmest, the NEOAir Xtherm would be a superb choice for anyone looking for a UK winter, alpine or expedition-worthy insulated mat with the lowest possible weight.

If you leave the pump bag at home and rely on lung power all the way, it takes at least 25 hefty breaths - enough to leave you a little dizzy even at sea level.New: A brand-new, unused, unopened and undamaged item in original retail packaging (where packaging . The weight of down in Exped mats shouldn't be thought of in the "traditional" sense that we do in a sleeping bag or jacket. We packed our backpacks for camping trips ranging from wild camping in northern Scotland to glamping on the Cornish coast to test out these camping mats. Its oblong shape gives you more sleeping space than a mummy-shaped mat, which is great for car camping, basecamp use, a larger person or indeed anyone who tends to roll about in their sleep.

Also it only weighs 350g (regular) which is just insane so not only will you be able to put it anywhere in your pack, you won’t even notice it being there! They can be difficult to roll properly and, at only 8mm thick, a light sleeper like myself is going to struggle to settle adequately. We have used it for a snowy bivvy during the Beast From the East, where minus-double-figures night time temperatures were exacerbated by a considerable wind chill: our reviewer was oblivious to the cold and enjoyed a happy night's sleep.The Flux 3 has an R value of 3, which means that it provides insulation suitable for 3 seasons, meaning it's suitable to use most of the year but not in temperatures below freezing. From a backpacking and ‘overnighter’ point of view, I would rather having a sleeping mat that’s more compact in its size. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. When you feel what it is made from you would think that it would rip easily but you can drag it to hell and back and it would survive as it’s such a great piece of kit. The only thing we would say is that if you do really “feel” the cold then this mat might not be best for you.

The Downmat inflates/deflates via a single valve, a robust and effective system that Exped have used for years (we've always liked it). It's worth pointing out that the pump bag that comes with this mat weighs 55g, which will nudge your overall weight just over 500g all-in. Broadly, an R-value below two is best for summer use, two to four will suit three-season use, and winter campers should look for four or above. The surface of the pad is firm yet supportive, and we found this mat provides excellent insulation even in cold weather, with an R-value of 4. This makes it a good choice for multi-day hikes, when you don’t want to add too much weight to your backpack but also need a comfy mat to ensure you’re well rested on your adventures.All such claims should be treated with a small pinch of salt, but we are certainly not in a position to question it. While it is thick enough for happy camping on fairly flat ground, close-cropped turf for instance, the Airo 180 is still a lot thinner than the other inflatable mats in this test, and you'll soon find its comfort limits on uneven ground.