sleeping mat

[cavegorilla]

Cruising around REI's website and found the Big Agnes sleeping mat was on sale.  I highly recommend it.  It folds up small, light and after you sleep on it, you'll want to throw away that old 1/2 thick pad you've used for years.  Here's a couple of links.

www.rei.com/outlet/product/785354    -   This is the one I have.  I use it for my backpacking also.
www.rei.com/outlet/product/785352   -   If your just going to use it off the bike, I recommend this one.

I like the Big Anges because they seem to be able to take some abuse.  I have the 4 foot version also when I go caving.  No issues with any of them.

[mnnden]

They look good and a nice price, I have been using a closed cell, and although I can't rave about it, it is OK, Den

[TUFFGONG]

hey cave do you have any pics of it all packed up..... they do not have any specs on it ....

[cavegorilla]

Dave, I'll try to post something tomorrow.  On duty right now.  When packed, it is slightly larger than a quart nalgene water bottle.

[TUFFGONG]

that would be great CAVE.. i used to love when my dad was on duty then i could come home when ever i wanted .....

[Harley Phil]

Thermarest came out with a new one in Feb, it is starting to show up in stores now, super light super compact but plenty big enough, not cheap.
I saw it at the OR show in Salt Lake it looked about 1 1/2 inch thick when aired up.


http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/fast-and-light/neoair/product

[cavegorilla]

About time they jumped in with one. 

[walstib]

Hey Now,

I have been using an Exped Synmat for a couple of years. Same type - air mattress with synthetic insulation. Folds up small and lightweight, good for cold, cold nights. 3" thick. No more Thermarests for me.

[Milt]

Cruising around REI's website and found the Big Agnes sleeping mat was on sale.  I highly recommend it.  It folds up small, light and after you sleep on it, you'll want to throw away that old 1/2 thick pad you've used for years.  Here's a couple of links.

www.rei.com/outlet/product/785354    -   This is the one I have.  I use it for my backpacking also.
www.rei.com/outlet/product/785352   -   If your just going to use it off the bike, I recommend this one.

I like the Big Anges because they seem to be able to take some abuse.  I have the 4 foot version also when I go caving.  No issues with any of them.

love my "Big Agnes."   

[NomadGal]

Got the Alps 3" thick, 30" wide, huge, but comfortable!

[PonchoV]

When I use a pad I use no more that 4 ft in length.  Space is limited for me on 2 wheels.  Don't need a pad from the knees down.

[Bigdog57]

I've had bad luck with the "self deflators"....  I'll stick with my inflatable air matress - a few years old and still works fine!   Folds very compact.

[spiderman]

I've had bad luck with the "self deflators"....  I'll stick with my inflatable air matress - a few years old and still works fine!   Folds very compact.

I miss my old inflatable.  It finally bit the dust and I haven't been able to find another one that's durable.  The self inflatable type suck in my opinion - and they don't fold up compactly. 

[buzzardco]

I like the old insulated military air mattress,kept the chill off by being insulated, just a little hard to blow up above 10000 feet.

[PonchoV]

I've had bad luck with the "self deflators"....  I'll stick with my inflatable air matress - a few years old and still works fine!   Folds very compact.
[/quote

I just look into the mirror.....................

[gunny]

I've had a 3/4 thermarest for the past 8 years and love it, used it from -50 all the way up to 105, j very let me down yet

sent from my G'zOne  commando, the KLR phone.

[wardensworry]

Just picked up a closed cell at EMS. $15 haven't used it yet though.

[Bigdog57]

For inflating the air-mattress, I use my Slime pump, and it takes just long enough to get my small tent erected - gotta love "multi-tasking"!   
Sometimes if time allows,  I just sit in my camp chair and take my time puffing the mattress up.  No reason to hurry......   
I do like to use a GI closed cell 1/2" pad under it if the weather is cold.

[ardyjay]

Just bought the deluxe xl thermarest from mec.ca
Longer wider and 3" thick. After buying 4 different pads this one did the trick for my 6' 220lb carcass. Slept like a baby 2 nights last weekend.

[ardyjay]

 ^^^ Up date, seeing it's nearly the season again.

We did a 10 day trip in Sept. and I slept on that sucker so well I couldn't believe it. I could roll around and not fall off and there were zero pressure points, etc.

It was bloody hot, and I decided I needed to find a sheet and sleep directly on the thermorest, with the sleeping bag opened up on top.

At the campsite by Lytton B.C. I announced to my buddy I wanted to buy a sheet when we went for eats.

We weren't optimistic that sheets would be a commonly available item in Lytton but decided to look anyway.

We stopped at the grocery / second hand store at Jade Springs (on the highway) and I s--- you not, there were about 500 DND surplus sheets for less than $5 each. Racks were piled with them.

We were kinda stunned.  Even more stunned when I realized it exactly fit over my new xl deluxe Thermarest!
With that setup, I slept as good as in my own bed for the whole trip.

So, if you do decide on one of these mattresses, and want a sheet too, I'll bet the store at Jade Springs still has at least 450 left.




 
 

[swjohnsey]

I did a little shake down on my new pad Thermarest Neoair Xlite short. It is light (8 oz) and compact (9 x 3.5) rolled up. Has an R value of 3.2 and is 2 1/2 inches thick when inflated.

I carried it from Georgia to Maine, slept it about 100 nights. It is surprisingly tough. No leaks or punctures. I have had several punctures/leaks with my old Thermarest pads over the years. This is now the go to pad on the motorcycle not because it is light but because it is so compact. Only downside is price.