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The fact that you have managed to burst the vango at least twice would suggest that you should pick a better place to lay down, we have 2 thermarests had them over 10 years and neitner have had a puncture.
 
I prefer to use a foam mat and have done so for years and have no problems at all sleeping on one, either on my back on my side or on my stomach, i don’t always wake up in the same position as I nod off anyway and roll around a bit in sleep. They are light/reliable/cheap/and you can cut them down to the size you prefer and they never need repair. They are used to provide insulation not comfort (though they are comfortable enough for me) and come in different thicknesses to cater for different temperatures, or ‘seasons’ as its called but you can just double two up as well for that. I tie a short piece of cord through one end of the mat to tie it to something or peg it down so you don’t lose it in the wind (especially if using it underneath just a bivy bag). Some sleeping Bags have less filling on the bottom than the top, they say its because you compress it when you lie on it so its not needed, but I say its just to cut costs and it is needed, when sitting upright in bag the insulation is not compressed around your top half at all anyway and sometimes the ‘top’ can become the ‘bottom’ with rolling around and when opened out quilt style one side is thicker than other with differential filled bags. It’s a shame the original ‘karri-mat’ is no longer available as they were very good, I still have a very old one. --- PS, there is also the fold up ''ridge-rest'' as well as an option.
 
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Joonsy said:
I prefer to use a foam mat and have done so for years and have no problems at all sleeping on one, either on my back on my side or on my stomach, i don’t always wake up in the same position as I nod off anyway and roll around a bit in sleep. They are light/reliable/cheap/and you can cut them down to the size you prefer and they never need repair. They are used to provide insulation not comfort (though they are comfortable enough for me) and come in different thicknesses to cater for different temperatures, or ‘seasons’ as its called but you can just double two up as well for that. I tie a short piece of cord through one end of the mat to tie it to something or peg it down so you don’t lose it in the wind (especially if using it underneath just a bivy bag). Some sleeping Bags have less filling on the bottom than the top, they say its because you compress it when you lie on it so its not needed, but I say its just to cut costs and it is needed, when sitting upright in bag the insulation is not compressed around your top half at all anyway and sometimes the ‘top’ can become the ‘bottom’ with rolling around and when opened out quilt style one side is thicker than other with differential filled bags. It’s a shame the original ‘karri-mat’ is no longer available as they were very good, I still have a very old one. --- PS, there is also the fold up ''ridge-rest'' as well as an option.
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Having not had any experience with foam or inflating mats, I find myself making the presumption that foam would be more comfortable just because of the material. Surely an inflatable mat would just feel like lying on a bit of light weight plastic? And foam would be spongier? I don't know about either anyway, but that's why I'm going to try http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=455344027&pf_rd_i=468294 for a start.
 
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THOaken said:
Having not had any experience with foam or inflating mats, I find myself making the presumption that foam would be more comfortable just because of the material. Surely an inflatable mat would just feel like lying on a bit of light weight plastic? And foam would be spongier? I don't know about either anyway, but that's why I'm going to try http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=455344027&pf_rd_i=468294 for a start.
Click to expand...

Inflatable mats are much more comfortable than just plain foam, with increased thickness providing more comfort. For example a Exped 9cm thick mat is massively more comfortable than a 1/4" foam pad.

Very much personal choice though Taylor
 
Most people find inflatable mats more comfy as there is a layer of air between you and the floor, even the ones with foam in them are much comfier than a solid foam mat. why not look at the second-hand thermarests on ebay
 
Hmm... A few reccomendations for Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest. So many options. A few off you have said that all I really need is the £5 Yellowstone Eva mat, and I was set on that, but what about this foam, the RidgeRest? It's not too expensive. I'm only willing to go up in price as much as the RidgeRest here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Therm---Res...8&qid=1395658916&sr=1-5&keywords=Therm-a-Rest. Is this the correct one?

I would try inflating, but all the inflating mats are far too expensive, and I'm sure foam isn't too bad. A lot of people here seem to find foam just fine.

You buggers are tempting me! I was set on the £5 one :)
 
It doesn't have to be any more technical than foam. If your sat round a fire on your mat, and either a gust of wind or someone putting a big log on; sends sparks and embers all over the place, what would you rather be sat on? What type would still work for it's primary function after a spot of ember damage?

The £5.27 mat is the kiddy
 
I would just get the eva mat to try. If you don`t get along with it you can always repurpose it (cut out squares to sit on etc) and get another one, only having "wasted" 5 pounds. I can let you know how I get along with the eva mat I have ordered, although it may be a while before I get an outing on it.
 
THOaken said:
I know it's a lot of discussion, but I'm still not set on the sleeping bag. I don't really trust that it's £30 odd and it has no reviews... I'll have to look into some more sleeping bags.

I haven't made this many purchases in a long while and I'm just trying to get the right stuff.

Edit: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Karrimor-Li...id=1395660694&sr=1-1&keywords=karrimor+x+lite

It looks too narrow to fit a mat in...
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The mat goes on the ground (sheet, or straight on the ground if it's dry), the sleeping bag goes on top of the mat.

Get to a shop and and try them out for yourself.

You don't want anything too light, but you don't want anything too heavy and bulky either.

Many bags come sized these days, this is the one I bought a couple of years back in the "long" size, the regular is £10 cheaper.

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/mountain-hardwear-lamina-20-long-sleeping-bag-82410121?id_colour=108

Over budget I'd think but a good bench mark by which to make physical comparison.
 
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Uilleachan said:
The mat goes on the ground (sheet, or straight on the ground if it's dry), the sleeping bag goes on top of the mat.
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Well, I've heard a lot of people use the mat inside the bivvy and under the sleeping bag. That's what Uncle Mears does too.

Edit: It stops you from slipping off the mat in the night.
 
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THOaken said:
Well, I've heard a lot of people use the mat inside the bivvy and under the sleeping bag. That's what Uncle Mears does too.

Edit: It stops you from slipping off the mat in the night.
Click to expand...

That makes sense, I got the impression you planned to stick the mat in the sleeping bag, sorry about that.

I prefer the mat under the bivvi bag, in case I damage the bivvy bag material on the ground. But if one was in a situation where there were no sharps, a snow hole etc, the mat in the bivvi bag would work well.
 
THOaken said:
Well, I've heard a lot of people use the mat inside the bivvy and under the sleeping bag. That's what Uncle Mears does too.

Edit: It stops you from slipping off the mat in the night.
Click to expand...

It makes the bag to tight for comfort if you are "generously" built though :(
 
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