Inflatable or closed cell mat?

[Steffan]

All this talk about bed rolls has led me to the conclusion that my old highlander is three parts of knackered. Thermarests look very pricey to my mind - anyone tried their closed cell jobby. Is the blow up worth all those extra pounds?

Steffan

[Mart]

The beauty of the inflatables is the size they pack down to [roughly 5" x 10"with mine]. Some of the bigger more comfortable ones are as big as a normal carrymat when rolled for transportation but infinitely more comfortable and of course more expensive. It is all a trade off between comfort, price and portability, and therefore a personal choice. I've had my thermarest ten years plus now which seems quite cheap over that time period. Gelert do much cheaper versions but I have no experience of them.

[guest18]

I've used a half length thermarest for some years now and it's still in perfectly useable (grubby!) condition despite getting a pretty hard life. Well worth the money. Packs up tiny, nice and light, let's me sleep on a hard surface if need be without suffering sore bones  and it's warmer than almost any other mat I've tried.

It only seems expensive for half an hour when you're buying it 

[trophydave]

Steffan,if you want to try a self inflating mat I have an Artiach one going spare.It does occasionally self uninflate during the night.I cannot find a leak in it anywhere and think this may be due to me blowing extra air into it then the reasulting pressure when I put my lardy carcass on it proves too much for the valve.I have since bought another the same but do not blow any extra into it and have had no trouble.Too good to throw out but I am reluctant to sell it due to the occasional deflation.Yours for the price of the postage.

[trophydave]

Steffan has let me know that he does not want the kip mat so if anyone else is interested give me a shout.