Blacks ultralite

[jimbo75]

Just got one of those Blacks own brand inflatable sleep mats. Only ended up costing me about 15 quid as I used an x mas voucher against the cost!
Its the Ultralite SI Compact model 120 x 50cm ish. Would have got the bigger one `but it was all they had left'.
Has anyone else got one?? If you have got one, is it any good (any good in the cold)?
Or have I wasted my money??
I know its not a thermaline one but thats a bit out of my price range...
p.s. Will be using it with an alpkit bivvy bag.

 

[rik_uk3]

If it keeps your bottom of a cold floor its fine. You can get a full length from Argos for £15 though

The Thermarest clones don't pack as small as the original, but often work well, the Argos one does, I've been using one for three years now.

 

[durulz]

Is it one of the self-inflating ones, or one you have to inflate yourself?
I have one of the blow-up ones - a 'hiker's mattress' they call it. Which I think is fantastic because it's more comfortable (that is, thicker once inflated) and smaller/lighter as well.
Never really liked the self-inflating ones - never that thick and, therefore, not that comfy. And pack weight/size is quite big.
120cm, you say? Seems an odd length. Is it made for hobbits?

 

[Aaron]

I have had one for a couple of years and have just chucked it as it no longer inflates properly - checked it in the bath for punctures but drew a blank I think the problem may be that I stored it rolled up, which compacts the foam,so make sure to store it unrolled and with the valve open as it will prolong its life. When I bought it Thermarests were incredibly expensive, the cheapest being around £70, but I replaced it with one of the new Trail Lite's which are much more affordable at about £30-40 and are still much better in their quality of manufacture and are more comfortable than the Blacks ones.