Inflatable mats & pillow users

[ged]

I've used a Thermarest 3/4 length somethingorother for decades. Never had a puncture nor any other problem with it but I'm always very careful to avoid thorns and broken glass on the ground. I do find it slippery and often enough wake up looking for it. It packs down to about the size of a litre bottle, which is the main reason I'm still using it. Recently when I was camping with a group one of the guys took ill and I had to take some of his kit home with me. He has a much newer Thermarest than mine. I unpacked it to store for a couple of weeks and I was very impressed with it. Compared to mine it seemed much thicker for the packed volume, and the surface seemed as if it would probably not be so slippery although I didn't actually use it. It did however take a lot longer to inflate itself than mine does. Still, now I think it might not be long before I upgrade my sleep mat to the 21st century.

Having said that, even my 25-year-old Thermarest is a lot more comfortable than one of the CCF mats. I use them now and again but I can't say I really look forward to it. A couple of wool blankets is better if you can take the weight and bulk.

As for pillows, I'm probably not the best person to ask. I had a neck injury in a cycling accident about 30 years ago and since then I've never used a pillow, I just use something like a big sock stuffed with clothing under my neck. I don't know how much that's just because now it's what I'm used to. For a few years after the injury using a pillow caused a lot of pain but I don't have any trouble with the injury any more and I still don't want a pillow.

One thing I'd recommend against is blowing with your mouth into any inflatable mat. You'll pump a lot of moisture and organic particles into it that way, and probably start all sorts of moulds growing in there.

 

[Beardy]

True, coughing and spluttering into the mats innards probably didn't help it's life expectancy, but it was so frustrating trying to get it to self-inflate. It seemed that even after 10 mins it had only half inflated, do you find this with other manufacturers mats too? I once tried letting it do its thing, then sealing it, lying/rolling on it to try and get the insides to 'open up' more, then opening the valve to let in a bit more, and it helped a little but was a lot of faff. Having a little push-valve thingy on the mat sounds the best idea.

Ged, have you tried the inner bag from a box of wine as a sort of pillow? Perhaps half inflated and folded in half again it'd be more like the 'neck rest' you describe than it's usual pillowy state. Myself, I have a couple of little red inflatable pillows that are handed out on night trains with Norwegian state railways. Surprisingly handy, and free. I'm sure other train/airlines must do something similar too.

 

[oakhill_wanderer]

I use the Exped 7DLX too (in a hammock, and on the ground), and absolutely love it. I had a Thermarest Trail Light Regular prior to that and, although it was light, was very uncomfortable (and a little slippy...).

For a pillow I made myself a small traditional style pillow case out of waterproof ripstop nylon (stops any sweat getting my clothes wet) but with a piece of Microfleece sewn onto one side for a little extra comfort (although I am quite particular about what I place my noggin on). I just fold a jumper and shirt up, and place it inside. It sounds a little 'pedantic', but if you are used to sleeping with a normal pillow, then so far, this is the closest I've got. The key is to fold your clothes flat, so you get volume as well as evenness. It weighs a grand total of...wait for it...66g

Another avenue I'm thinking of trying out is a zip up cushion cover - no escapes that way (but if you sweat you may end up with wet clothes...).

 

[ged]

... It seemed that even after 10 mins it had only half inflated, do you find this with other manufacturers mats too?...

Yup. I try to unroll the mat to start it inflating first thing after setting up the shelter, whatever it is. Then it can get on with it while I cook, brew and generally faff about getting ready for bed. As I said, my old 3/4 Thermarest is a lot quicker than my friend's new full-length mat, but it still isn't what you'd call quick. After it's been rolled up in my pack for half a day it needs a good 20 minutes to be reasonably well inflated. When not in use I store it fully inflated.

Ged, have you tried the inner bag from a box of wine as a sort of pillow? ... I have a couple of little red inflatable pillows that are handed out on night trains with Norwegian state railways ...

The trouble with anything inflatable for me is that i sweat a lot, and the pillow tends to be a cold spot so it would collect moisture and just make that worse. I don't need anything bulky, so something as simple as a jumper rolled up into one of its own sleeves is fine for me.

 

[beamdune]

I'm a side sleeper so really miss having a couple of proper pillows when camping. I used an inflatable pillow from Decathlon add extra height to a jumper in a stuffsack. Only a fiver and folds down to nothing. I think the depression in the middle makes it better most of the other cheapies.

 

[udamiano]

+1 for the exped 9