Ultralite Therm-a-rest
Quite possibly the lightest and most compact self-inflating mattress in the world. Made with nonslip Staytek fabric on the sleeping surface, with damp and dirt resistant durable nylon on the underside. OK well theres the sales pitch, so on with the review....
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Quite possibly the lightest and most compact self-inflating mattress in the world. Made with nonslip Staytek fabric on the sleeping surface, with damp and dirt resistant durable nylon on the underside. OK well theres the sales pitch, so on with the review....
The full length ultralite gives a warm and comfortable nights sleep when used in conjunction with a good sleeping bag. Many people advocate ... ...clothing or other softish materials. However I don't usually carry enough clothes to do that. This may be an option if you are 6 feet tall or less, but for anyone over that, I'd suggest the full length version.
The anti-slip treatment works very well and will keep all but the most restless insomniac in place. The firmness of the mat can be adjusted by adding a couple of extra breaths of air.
Quite possibly the lightest and most compact self-inflating mattress in the world. Made with nonslip Staytek fabric on the sleeping surface, with damp and dirt resistant durable nylon on the underside. OK well theres the sales pitch, so on with the review....
The full length ultralite gives a warm and comfortable nights sleep when used in conjunction with a good sleeping bag. Many people advocate using the 3/4 length and substituting the shorter length with clothing or other softish materials. However I don't usually carry enough clothes to do that. This may be an option if you are 6 feet tall or less, but for anyone over that, I'd suggest the full length version.
The anti-slip treatment works very well and will keep all but the most restless insomniac in place. The firmness of the mat can be adjusted by adding a couple of extra breaths of air.
The thermarest is also made by a quality company that will back up their gaurantee if any faults arise. However saying this punctures can easily be repaired with the handy repair kits that come with the mat or can be purchased seperately.
Weaknesses:
Although lighter than the standard version, it is considerably heavier than a foam mat. A lighter 3/4 length version is available, or if you're very weight conscious, use a z-rest.
Rolling the mat into it's stuff sack is quite a technique. As in its damn hard and takes alot of practice. Always funny asking the shop assistants to show you how it works and then watching them struggle to put it back in its packaging, hehe! :) not so funny when i used to be that shop assistant though :(
Anyway to do it properly I suggest you start by folding the mat over, squeezing out the air and then closing the valve. Unfold the mat, fold along it's length and start rolling it as tight as possible. Let out trapped air towards the end. You may have to repeat any of the processes a number of times, but it should fit into the stuff sack ok, especially if you rotate the mat as you insert it. Apparently it can puncture easily, but I've used one for 4 years without incident.
Overall:
Ditch that old foam mat and get a good nights sleep! The penalty of carrying extra weight is more than offset by getting a proper rest which will send you off with a little extra zip the next day. The mats are fairly expensive, but pay for themselves very quickly. Use the full length if you are very tall, the 3/4 length to save weight.
Advice:
A smal piece of advice would be, when not in use Thermarests should always be stored flat, with the valve open - Under a bed or behind a wardrobe is ideal!!!
Full length Weight 680g Rolled pack size 27 x 13 cm Mat size 51 x 183 x 2.5 cm Price: £55.95
3/4 length Weight 450g Rolled pack size: 27 x 11cm Mat size 51 x 119 x 2.5 cm Price: £47.95
Available from all good outdoor shops, Blacks, Field and Trek, YHA etc and many many internet sites.
Happy Camping, remeber when camping involves the use of a car always take a blow up matress with a duvet, far more pleasant time!
Advantages: Very comfortable, Lightweight, Small size when rolled up Disadvantages: Expensive
As a keen walker/backpacker/camper I had, until a year ago, used the traditional foam rollmat to sleep on. This was very uncomfortable, but then whats the point of camping if your not going to rough it a bit?
However, I went out and bought a Thermorest Ultra-Lite mat through a recommendation by my friend and couldnt believe what I had been missing out on?
Sleeping on one of these is better than my shoddy matress at Uni. First, you unroll your mat ... ...inflates. Inside the mat there are fibres which when the mat is filled with air, hold it to the correct thickness (about 3/4 of an inch). If you like sleeping on a firm surface, or if u are short of time, you can pump it up a bit more with your mouth but otherwise it can just be left with the valve open and will inflate within 10 minutes. Then close the valve again.
Then all you have to do is get in your sleeping bag and enjoy! I couldnt believe ...
stavroshamster 02.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Therm-a-Rest UltraLite Full Length Mat
...de la creme, and this Therm-a-rest is just that.
Its pack-size is amazing for what it is. No other mat can offer the same thickness (2.5cm fully inflated) for the smallest pack size of 28cmx15cm, which for a sleeping mat is tiny. Weighinhg in at 578grams is lightInflating is a ease by just opening the valve and blowing air into the valve slowly and in-frequently, as the mat should inflate itself after some time. Deflating is easy, all you do is ... ...are going to keep your therm-a-rest stuffed away for some time, take the mat out of the stuff sack, open the valve and store it somewhere, under the bed perhaps!
One negative though, is if you are in a 2 man tent on your own, you tend to have a lot of room, and by using a therm-a-rest with a sleeping bag, you can slide right off the therm-a-rest. The best use this mat can get is in a one man tent where the space is not so generous. Also, the cost ...
steveking5000 20.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Therm-a-Rest UltraLite Full Length Mat
Advantages: ultra comfort without a bed Disadvantages: punctures
...frequent camper and trekker the Therm-a-Rest Ultralite is the only choice for me. I have spent nights on cheap foam roll mats but if you are spending anything more than a few days on the ground, you'll find foam mats become as thin as paper in no time. The great thing about the Ultralite is that it is exactly what it says it is - light - and also takes up surprisingly little space. A good night's rest means a lot to me when I'm walking all day long ... ...off for a week's relaxation, then this really is worth it. It's not that cheap, when you compare it to a basic mat that you can pick up for about £7, but the Thermarest will last you for years if you look after it. Punctures can be a problem especially if you are in area prone to ground thorns, so do make sure you take a puncture repair kit, but apart from that, nothing beats it - worth every penny and cheaper than a night in a hotel! ...
cherylbick 05.02.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Therm-a-Rest UltraLite Full Length Mat
Advantages: Very Light, Very Comfortable Disadvantages: Hard to get back in its stuff sac
This was my second thermarest pad that i purchased after amazing usage of the first one. It is increadly light and very very small meaning that it can be packed inside your rucksack along with your sleeping bag, not lashed to the outside of your pack.
The pad is very very durable and is not very prone to holes and if i ever do get one i have the free repair kit included in the stuff sac.
The pad is exceptionally comfortable and provides an excellent ...
chriscookson 02.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Therm-a-Rest UltraLite Full Length Mat
