Therm-a-Rest Explorer Full Length Mat

Advantages: Cheap Thermarest Mat, Very Comfortable
Disadvantages: Size

Thermarest mats have been at the top of any kit list for keen campers such as myself. I spent about 5 years sleeping on those terrible closed cell foam mats. It was during a 5 day long expedition that i woke up with a bad neck and said "Im getting a thermarest." I searched the market for a thermarest pad that suited my needs. The first mat i purchased was my Luxury Edition Camprest mat which was about £100. This is a great mat, and when ever there ...
...pack this. I then purchased a Perforance Series Ultralight mat. This is used when im climbing high in the mountains where a massive mat lashed to the side of your bag just doesent help your performance. Finally i decided to try one of the discovery series mats, mats that i had outcast earlier. To my amazement i was introduced to a mat that could be used in any situation for an affordable price. I paid about £50 online for this from snow and rock. ... Read review

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 ...
...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"! The Expedition is also available in small. The "Expedition", Large weighs in at 1330g compared to the "ProLite4" large that ways ... Read review

Advantages: Comfort & warmth in a field!!
Disadvantages: About 10x price of cheap mat but worth it!

In a word, Thermarest! These are the best invention since someone clever though "ooh why don't I put something soft between me & this rock I'm sleeping on!!) I've had one for 4 years now & they are just the best - loads of friends have bought them on my recommendation!! They cost about 50 quid now - not bad seeing as I've had hundreds of what would have otherwise been uncomfortable nights on mine!! Something you might not know: the more you have ...
...ground just leeches the heat from you - these things make all the difference!! Now available in lots of sizes as well as a super lightweight & luxury version (for those lushes amongst us!), they also come in full length & three quarters. Newer versions have a special non slip coating on one side to stop you sliding down that slope you pitched your tent on (or so you know you're not moving when the whirling pits close in!!). Top tip, don't blow em ... Read review

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 ...
...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 a matter of a bit of patience and perseverence. I would recommend anyone going camping regularly invest in one of these ... Read review