Mattresses / sleeping pads

It scored very highly on a lot of the reviews i read.
People are very happy using it in snow and north american winters etc

Serious tribe wrote: I recently purchaced an Exped 7M, which is a down filled mattress which removes the need for the gapper pad. This brand is not available in SA, but check to see if there is a similar product. Happy shopping!

@Sabine I see that you also have a exped down mattress now. I also saw from the link that it has a bag inflating system called a schnozzel. This is a great enhancement, and fortunately for me, I can get the bag and the adjustment valve needed to help pump my integrated pump system, so that is great news.

Hi JW
I've used a thermarest for >10 yrs in the Berg - cave sleeping not tenting, so exposed to sharp stuff - with no punctures ever. I don't ever take a puncture kit.
I did use the thermarest once in Namibia, near Spitzkoppe and clocked up more than 15 punctures which spelled the end of that particular thermarest. But Berg = no worries in my experience.

Centenary Hut put a hole in mine. But I had used mine on cave floors with just a space blanket on many occasions without any trouble.

You can always use both a foam mat and a self inflating together - that way punctures won't be an issue.

I would go for an air mattress without foam rather than a self inflating. They aren't as warm, but are marginally lighter, much more comfortable and fold up much smaller.

Contemplating getting xtherm mattress, which comes in choice of two sizes: 168cm or 183cm, with negligible (20g) difference in weight. Also contemplating xped air pillow. Air pillow probably best on top of mattress, rather than on ground. I'm a massive 168cm, same size as smaller mattress. Therefore, thinking 183cm mattress is better, to avoid feet on ground. Any views?

relevitt wrote: Contemplating getting xtherm mattress, which comes in choice of two sizes: 168cm or 183cm, with negligible (20g) difference in weight. Also contemplating xped air pillow. Air pillow probably best on top of mattress, rather than on ground. I'm a massive 168cm, same size as smaller mattress. Therefore, thinking 183cm mattress is better, to avoid feet on ground. Any views?

For 20g, I'd get the bigger pad

The latest Go! Magazine has a small 2-page section on sleeping bags and pads. The K-Way Extreme Lite and Ice Breaker got good reviews
Of more interest to me, they have a review of the JR Gear Insulated Traverse Core Mummy sleeping pad, which is sold at Drifters for R800 according to the magazine. The pad has an R-value of 5, which is pretty high, and weighs 570g. Interestingly, it has a PrimaLoft filling, similar to the Exped Downmat's filling of down. To compare, the ThermaRest NeoAir XTherm has an R-value of 5.7 and weighs 425g but costs between USD150-220 depending on size. The Exped DownMat UL 7 has an R-value of 5.9, weighs between 500-850g, and costs USD239-269 depending on size.

I'm pretty sure an R-value of 5 would be good enough for 'Berg winters? Any ideas?

I'd love to know what the R-value for my FA UltraLight is. The ThermaRest ProLite, which I think is similar to the FA UltraLight has an R-value of 2 only.

That JR gear mattress sounds amazing and its 8cm thick. You just need to be careful not to puncture it. An R value of 5 means you won't feel any cold through the mattress, anything higher than 5 actually warms you (I stand under correction, but that is how I understand it).

I have an exped 7 down, 183cm long and its great, weighs 570g, but was very expensive!! If I had waited, I would definitely buy the JR gear mattress.

Thanks for your thoughts
I think I'm gonna go have a look at it this weekend.