Comparison Review: Thinking about sleeping in the mountains. I tried out some interesting sleeping pads (mats)

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Klymit , Comparison , EVERNEW , Sea to Summit , NEMO , THERM-A-REST , Sleeping Pad

Written by TAC

On the previous page, we introduced the ratings and specs of each sleeping pad we compared, and recommended models based on that. From here, we will explain the criteria used in the ratings and why we came to those ratings

table of contents

Detailed review of each item
summary
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Detailed review of each item

Comfort

Sleeping comfort is probably the most divisive aspect of sleep. I personally prefer a firmer mattress over a soft one. However, the NEMO TENSOR 20 .

It's neither too soft nor too hard, and it remains stable even when you toss and turn. It doesn't feel fluffy or unstable, but it feels like you're floating in the air. Everything is just right. I definitely recommend you try it for yourself. The key point is that the baffles on both sides are slightly higher, which increases the sense of stability. Also, because it's about 8cm thick, I didn't feel any pressure from below, and there was no rustling noise when I tossed and turned. Overall, it provided a comfortable sleep

In terms of stability when lying down, the Klymit Insulated Static V Lite and the Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mattress were also excellent. While the air-inflated design provides thickness, the independent air chambers minimize unevenness, preventing the entire mattress from moving when you sit or turn over, providing a natural, stable sleeping experience similar to that of sleeping on a bed. The Sea To Summit Ultralight SI Mattress 's sufficiently thick, flat surface is also not bad.

Thermal insulation

As the test was conducted in August, a summer month, it was not possible to test it on snow, and after much deliberation, we decided to test the insulation performance by placing ice packs used in coolers side by side and then placing a mat on top of them.The writer slept in just his underwear and tested the time when he first began to feel cold air coming from his back

the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm recorded outstanding insulation performance . Not only did it not transmit any cold air, but my body heat was reflected back and gradually warmed my back. The mattress is designed with four heat-reflecting plates sandwiched inside, which create a layer of warm air within the separated tubes, so you can use it with confidence even in the middle of winter. The advertised R-value of 5.7 is no surprise.

the NEMO TENSOR 20 , which doesn't have an R-value published, provided better insulation than I expected. Naturally, it the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm , but perhaps because it's about 8cm thick, I didn't feel any cold air. It's the Klymit Insulated Static V Lite (4.4), which does have an R-value published. While this is purely my own judgment, I felt it might have an R-value of 4.0.

Conversely, the closed-cell Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL and FPmat125 were The FPmat125 , in particular, started to feel the chill immediately after the test began (about two minutes). While this may be a natural result, given its packability, weight, and ease of use, it's best not to expect much insulated insulation. Perhaps my the Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat , too, as I began to feel the chill sooner than I expected. About 20 minutes into the test, I felt the chill on my back, and it didn't improve much after that, so I felt that the R-value of 3.3 was a little unreliable for safe use in the bitter cold.

weight

This time, we tried a few different sizes, so we compared the weights based on "weight per cm." The lightest was the Evernew FPmat 125. 's said to weigh 200g for 125cm, but when you actually hold it in your hand, it feels even lighter. With such lightness and packability, I think it's perfectly suitable not only for use as your main sleeping pad, but also as a support for insulation and durability when placed under your main sleeping pad.

On the other hand, self-inflating types are difficult to make lightweight, but the NEMO ZOR 20 , which didn't stand out much in the other categories, suddenly made its presence known here. The key to this is that it has been made as lightweight as possible by removing weight in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

On the other hand, the heaviest mattresses the Klymit Insulated Static V Lite and the Sea To Summit Ultralight SI Mat . The Klymit is heavy (even though it's getting lighter every year) due to the padding and the increased surface area of the V-tube structure. It's a shame, as the sleeping comfort is appealing.

Storage capacity

From left: Sea To Summit Ultralight SI Mat, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm, Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat, Klymit, Nemo TENSOR 20M, FPmat 125

Regarding compactness when stored, both the closed-cell Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL and the Evernew FPmat125 can be folded, but the Z Lite SOL cannot be compressed at all, so honestly, it's not particularly easy to store. On the other hand, the FPmat125 is an extremely thin mat to begin with, folding up to just 5mm. the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL to their backpacks, but many of you may have experienced it hitting a branch or rock when attached. In contrast, the FPmat125 can be easily stored inside the backpack. What's more, if your backpack doesn't have a back pad, it can even serve as a back pad, which is quite impressive.

Additionally, since inflatable packs are filled with air, they all offer excellent packability. The NEMO TENSOR 20(M) hits all three boxes: compact, lightweight, and hassle-free to store. It's very thin when deflated, so all you have to do is roll it up. The built-in compression straps are also useful. Other items that received the Klymit Insulated Static V Lite , Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm , and the Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat .

Ease of use

The advantages of closed-cell mattresses are that they are generally hassle-free and can be used immediately, and you can use them as much as you like without worrying about durability. The FPmat 125 is also extremely versatile, and can be used as a pad under your bottom when you're taking a short break or sitting on the field, although not enough to sleep on. It can be used in a variety of ways, such as as a back pad or cut to your desired size. The price is also reasonable.

Furthermore, among the air-inflatable and self-inflating pads, the two Sea To Summit models were the easiest to inflate and deflate. The Sea To Summit valve is equipped with a backflow prevention valve, preventing backflow when inflating (especially towards the end of the ride). The large valve diameter also made deflation easy, allowing air to escape all at once. Other models require you to hold the valve with your finger or temporarily lock it when taking a breath, so this eliminates the need for that effort, which is another attractive feature. What's more, the Sea To Summit Ultralight SI Mat has a very convenient feature: when deflating, you can prevent air from re-entering the mat by flipping and replacing part of the valve. This made deflation extremely easy.

The valve on the left is from Sea To Summit. It is much easier to use than the conventional valves (Therm-a-Rest in the middle, Nemo on the right)

As for the inflatable type, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xthermd and the Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat both come standard with an Airstream Pump Sack, which is convenient for inflation. Having this makes a huge difference in the amount of effort required for setup, so it's best to choose one that comes standard, or get it if it's an option.

Another item that was particularly difficult to store the Sea To Summit Ultralight SI Mat . Self-inflating mattresses often have a hard time storing them because the urethane foam inside is difficult to compress, but even after deflation and rolling it up, it still barely fit in the storage bag. You can make more space by rolling it up with a lot of force, but the effort is still stressful. The Klymit Insulated Static V Lite was also difficult to store because it was difficult to deflate. While the divided box increases comfort, it also increases stress when storing it.

durability

Being able to use your gear without worrying about it getting ripped or torn on the field is stress-free and gives you peace of mind. The mat itself is not cheap gear, so it's something you should consider when choosing one

It's clear at a glance that the two closed-cell pads are extremely durable. The Evernew Fpmat 125, in particular, is more than strong enough despite being only 5mm thick. Also, comparing the fabric denier (D) of each mat, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm and Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat are both extremely durable. The NeoAir Xtherm, in particular, has a 70D nylon backing, which helps reduce weight while maintaining durability.

the NEMO TENSOR 20 and NEMO ZOR 20 are of concern . While both are lightweight, the 20D polyester is not resistant to abrasion and should be handled with care.

summary

As mentioned at the beginning, there is no one perfect sleeping pad. It would be best if you could choose a sleeping pad that is right for you, based on your environment and purpose. Prices vary widely, so it can be difficult to decide, but if you clarify the points you absolutely cannot compromise on and look for the model that best suits your climbing style, you will naturally narrow down the mattress that is right for you

We also recommend this article about sleeping pads

What to throw away and what to keep? How to choose the best sleeping pad (mat) and our three recommendations

TAC

I live in Hokkaido. On my days off, I can't stay still at home and am always doing some kind of activity. In the summer, I enjoy mountain climbing, fishing, and camping, and in the winter, I enjoy snowboarding and smelt fishing. I'm a fan of this site, and I joined because I was excited to share the appeal of the gear. I hope to review not only mountain climbing, but also a variety of other activities

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