Mattresses / sleeping pads

@JulieMK, I consider 755g to be fairly heavy for a mat too. Adding to what Riaang was saying it all depends on what dimensions you are talking about, and what R value you are getting with it (which unfortunately isn't supplied with this) - and where you will be using it. If you are only going to use in SA then you could go lighter for sure. Ultimately its also about how much you want to spend.

For most seasons in the Berg I use a Thermarest NeoAir X Lite which is 368g (not self-inflatable). I also have an old Thermarest Prolite 4 at about 680g, which is self-inflatable, I think about 3.5cm thick, can't remember what the R value is since the newer Prolites are not the same. It is a proper 4 season pad though and I use it for camping on snow in Canada and have also used it in the Himalayas at high altitudes. My wife has a Big Agnes Insulated Air Core (not self-inflatable) which is almost 6cm thick, with an R value of 4.1 and weighs around 650g I think. I use it myself for camping on snow in Canada and it is very comfortable. By far the most durable has been the ProLite 4 which is 12 years old now, used heavily but has never been punctured. The other two mats are 5 years old or less, and I have punctured both already!

Agreed, if that is what the X Lite is going for these days that is pretty steep.

The rustling of the reflective foil inside the light pads that Richard mentioned is definitely something to consider - I didn't leap at the earlier models because of that. They are starting to improve on this and mine doesn't bother me. The other issue is that they are so darn light that the material is not strong and you have to handle it carefully to avoid puncturing - sleeping directly on a dusty floor without a ground sheet for example is not a great idea. If ultra light gear is prime for you, then it really is awesome otherwise - starting to compete with the weight of the dense foam mats but more comfortable.