Insul Mat Max-Compact Mummy Air Mattress - Regular

Advantages: light , quick and easy to inflate/deflate, extremely comfortable
Disadvantages: initial outlay is a little expensive but not unreasonably so.

...This is a sleeping pad and is rather like an inflatable air mattress in many ways. We backpack in many places and our favourite way, when we have the time, is to hike for several days. When we do this we have to carry everything with us that we need and as you can imagine every ounce counts. I must admit that I do like a bit of comfort and the Big Agnes REM Air Core Pad does supply this (REM just stands for ‘rest easy mama). Big Agnes make 2 types of air core pad, the rectangular and the mummy. The mummy pad tapers at the ends and is a similar shape to a coffin. I prefer the rectangular mainly because I like the extra room at my head. We have had ours some time and now they make an insulated version of these pads. They have also made an upgrade kit for the air core which you can buy instead of having to buy the whole pad set up, which... Read review

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Advantages: Reasonable Price
Disadvantages: Rather large if backpacking

...Last summer I embarked on a 100 mile highland hike, carrying my equipment in a 75ltre capacity rucksack. We aimed to complete the expedition in 5 days. I felt that my current carry-mat was unsuitable as it was farily large and made from foam. I was recommended a thermarest by my friends, and tried theres before purchasing my own. I was impressed by the thermarest brand. They make really good quality equipment. I was faced with the choice of whether to go for the "ProLite" mattress from the "fast and light series" or the "Expedition" from "the trek and travel" series. I decided, that as I was on a student budet to go for the "Expedition". I bought the full length version as I am around 6ft. Perhaps going for regular would have been more advantageuous but if you really want to save on weight and size- chose "Prolite... Read review

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Advantages: Lightweight, comfortable, compact
Disadvantages: Can sometimes be a struggle to get it back in the bag

...Since buying one of these mats I would never go camping again without it. They are amazingly comfortable for the thickness of the mat and also provide insulation. They are the size of a standard camping mat but provide much more cushioning due to the self-inflating mechanism of the thermorest design which give it more of the comfort of an airbed. The mats also provide insulation against cold coming up from the ground which is a definite advantage when camping outside the summer season - or even within it at times in England! They are easy to strap to a rucksack and don't require any blowing up as that all happens automatically. The only slight struggle you might have with this product is rolling it up at the end of your trip as it can be hard to squeeze the air out at times in order to get it to pack down enough, but this is just... Read review

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