Hello, everybody,
I want to buy a mat for camping. Camping is planned in a tent camp where I come on my car, so no real wilderness. The ground will not be very rough- no stones, fallen tree branches or roots, covered with grass. Which one would you recommend, self-inflating or just ordinary mat? Or, basically, mat of this type http://www.backcountrystore.com/store/CAS0237.html?cat_id=3&subcat_id=17
or of this type http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/camping-equipment/unbranded-camping-leisure-mat.asp ?
I am not sure if self-inflating mat would be better than ordinary because I used to have inflating mat before about 4 inch thick and I really hated to sleep on it because it was either too soft or too hard to sleep on. But ordinary mat seems to be a bit too thin to sleep comfortably.
And what recommendations would you give to select sefl-inflating mat or ordinary mat? How many would you recommend to use, what thickness and do you recommend to use something else in combination with them, except sleeping bag?
Regards,

Get a ThermARest, from Cascade Designs (widely available from REI, CampMor, etc.) They're the gold standard for sleeping pads. Here's a link to their web page.

I've got a 3/4 length Standard, & a CampRest. My preference is for the CampRest, in whatever incarnation it currently is--mine is more than 10 yrs old & still going strong. The newer ones have a more non-slip surface, but I keep my sleeping bag in place by using the rubberized mesh designed to be placed between floors & area rugs to keep the rugs in place between the bag & pad.

I've never had a bad night's sleep on either of my ThermaRest pads, but the CampRest is definitely better. I carry it with me whenever I travel, in case a hotel matress is made of plywood. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

David

I got a slumberjack self inflating bed roll from Sams Club. I was worried about the bulk and wieght, but since I camp like you, it is perfect. I have never slept better in the field and I will never go out without it again.

I havent seen them at Sams in a while but you may be able to get them at www.samsclub.com or something.

Good Luck,

Garrett

We use the full-length therm-a-rests and they are great.

I have mats of both types. They are both adequately comfortable. Both are about 1/2 " thick. The foam mat is a little more comfortable than the selfinflating one. The foam mat is more robust and makes less noise but it´s considerably bulkier. The foam mat can also be stored in a packed state which makes it possible to leave it in a vehicle. I usually use my foam mat when bulk is no issue. If bulk is not important I´d go for the foam mat.
I also have a 5 mm aluminium covered foam mat. This one is not very comfortable but it keeps the moisture away. I keep it on my motorcycle as first aid supply.

Another vote for the Ther-a-rest from cascade designs... They make a bed of rocks feel like your own bed, and they're tough as nails.

Just store them inflated, not rolled in a damp place, though.

Cheers,

David

If you're going in your car, get a full length, full width, full thickness one. Or if you have the car space for it, just go to a mattress store and get a foam folding futon, and save yourself the nuisance of inflating things and fixing punctures, as well as saving some cash.

Even for backpacking, I prefer the full length versions of these mattresses to the 3/4 length ones where your feet hang over the end. I had the Ultralight one for a while and it was ok, but it got lost somehow, so I got the standard (thicker) one, which is somewhat more comfortable, though heavier and bulkier. I've had it for 5+ years now, and I store it rolled up in its stuff sack, which is considered incorrect but I do it anyway because it's more convenient. Perhaps because of that, it no longer self-inflates and I have to inflate it by breath, but that works ok.

Inflating air mattresses by breath is not recommended because of the moisture content in your exhaled breath.

In your case, there's probably not much you can do, because I doubt anyone makes a pump for a self-inflating mattress; but for others, let it be an object lesson on the importance of storing your gear properly <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

If you want to be comfortable in a wide range of conditions and if you are going to carry it, get a ThermaRest.

I've got 2 standard Therma Rest pads that I bought in late 1982 or early 1983. I converted the valves from the old metal style to the "new" plastic style years ago and patched a pinhole in one about 3-4 years ago (in the field - the kit actually works). They are what we continue to use, many times a year, for both short and long trips, hiking or car camping. Mine has literally been around the world and used in environments ranging from equatorial desert to rain forest to wintertime above the arctic circle; my wife's has been used all over North America. In extreme cold (-40 and below) I find them a little thin for all-night insulation from the ground and in those conditions they benefit enormously from the addition of a 1/4" to 3/8" thick closed cell foam pad (above or below does not matter). FWIW, I think the new models are better than these slick oldies, but I haven't worn these out yet, so...

My second choice has been, and remains, a 3/8" thick full-length ensolite pad - heavier than eva or other light-weight closed cell foams, but more comfortable as far as I am concerned. A couple of my kids lug around 1/2" thick pads, but man, are they ever bulky!

For long term camping in one place in cool to hot weather it is hard to beat a good quality rubberized canvas air mattress. There are a lot of junky ones out there. The only problems I've ever had with air matresses involved foolish pranks with crampons... anyway, we have those and they are fine, but they generally only get used once a year. Too heavy and a PITA to inflate daily; not my preference for carry, although I did for a few years.

Various family members have experimented with the big bulky self-inflating matresses by Slumberjack, Coleman, and Wentzle in various climates and conditions. My wife likes one of them as long as she doesn't have to carry it more than 500m (Slumberjack, I think, but maybe one of the others). None of the rest of us care for those things, but YMMV.

You could also get a couple of inexpensive closed-cell foam pads and stack them atop each other for this trip - a couple of 3/8" pads like surplus US military ones are cheap, versitile, and will do the job for certain, plus you can use just one when you have to pack everything along with you.

But I'll stick with my ThermaRest.

Tom