by Lophophaps » Wed 15 Nov, 2017 3:46 pm
After decades my sleeping mat has died and I need another. This is a three season mat; in snow I add a thin mat underneath, works a treat. Unsurprisingly, mats have become better, lighter and take up less packed volume in ther last 20 years. The Thermarest design of having foam inside to stop cold air circulating has been supplanted by mats with no foam, or a thin layer of foam. As this is for non-winter, I think I can get away with a lighter mat. In any case, I don't feel the cold much. This is what I have found.
Sea to Summit Ultralight small, 168 X 55 cm, 345 grams, $150
Sea to Summit Ultralight, 183 X 55 cm, 360 grams, $200
Thermarest Prolite Plus, 119 X 50 cm, 400 grams, $220
Nemo Tensor 20R, 183 x 51 cm, 360 grams, $200
I've used a short mat, 120 cm, forever, and can manage this. However, now that the longer mats have come down in weight and volume a longer mat is an option.
Advice about which of the above or any other mat is suitable would be valued. TIA