Mattresses / sleeping pads

I was at the new CUM store @ Pavilion Durban today and they have stock of the klymit Insulated Static V (R=4.4) cost R1300 I think. Looks like it rolls up about twice the size of the klymit Static V (un-insulated R=1.3 cost R800) ie 2 litre vs 1 liter approx, and weighs 709g vs 514g. All stats from the klymit website.

The lighter the better I say. If you are a side sleeper try and get a 3/4 length. I am and it works well for me. The other thing that makes a big difference is to put your space blanket under you. It insulates against the cold..

I have the lighter Static V. It folds up very small, although it takes a while to blow up. It is much more comfortable than a self inflating mattress, although its R-value is much lower than a self inflating mattress.

I mentioned the Insulated Static V because of the talk earlier about insulated blow-up mattresses.

I'm not a big fan of conventional blow up camping lilo-type mattresses, they're either too hard or (more often) too soft and you bottom out somewhere, also all that air is cold. But I think the klymits with smaller air pockets will work better. Also like the idea of multi-tasking whatever kit I take, and since a space blanket is non-negotiable emergency kit, may as well put it to work. May even be worth using two, one as a tent footprint and one immediately under the sleeping mat since they are small and light.

On my very first Berg hike (Organ Pipes) I had an interesting experience. We slept on the top next I another group of hikers we met. We had the same tent and identical model sleeping bags but put space blankets under our mats.

They woke up and said that it was a really cold night for them - we said: was it cold?

PS. Backpacker US voted Xped the warmest and Thermarest Neoair Xlite the best all round cause it's only 12 oz.

I have the Klymit Inertia X-Frame Recon, really like it but it does fall short in some circumstances. Its been fine on the top of the berg in October (used it twice in October now) and warmth-wise I was fine. Comfort-wise its fine except on hard surfaces like cave floors. On grass etc its perfect.

I've recently bought the 5 R-value JR Gear mattress (I posted about it earlier in the thread), haven't had a chance to test its warmth yet, but I'm hopeful.

ASL wrote: PS. Backpacker US voted Xped the warmest and Thermarest Neoair Xlite the best all round cause it's only 12 oz.

I'm a little bit miffed that I missed out on the NeoAir XTherm at half price at the Ventures For Africa sale, oh well.

mmm.... I still have the old Thermarest Prolite at 448gm for a 3/4 length but it's pretty good = comfortable on any surface and insulates well enough although I just add a space blankie under to sort out any cold spots. It packs the size of a small cooking pot too. Only trouble is the new Thermarest kit is double the price I paid.

Good Afternoon everyone

someone on gumtree is selling a thermarest for R250 claiming the original price is R499, I have never heard of a R499 thermarest. Please see the image below, the seller does not know which model it is. Is anyone able to identify it from this image?




Thanks so much