Comparative review: Thinking about sleeping in the mountains. I tried sleeping on a sleeping pad (mat) that I'm interested in

There is no doubt that the three things that affect the quality of your sleep in the field: a tent, sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad (mat). Recently, I have been so devoted to family camping more than climbing mountains.

Under the starry sky, he chats with his family and friends, and goes to bed, talking to his family and friends. However, if the quality of your bed is poor, it can be difficult to get a good night's sleep. The next day, your body will feel pain, and it will affect your fun activities.

I also thought that as long as I used a high-spec sleeping bag, I could manage to get the sleeping pads from the silver mats sold at home improvement stores. However, at some point, I realized that the padding on the back (ground) side of the sleeping bag is crushed by its own weight, making it hardly useful for insulation, and since then I have become conscious of the insulation properties of the sleeping pad.

Of course, the quality and badness of sleeping pads cannot be measured by their insulation alone. That's why you should research models with various characteristics from each manufacturer until you are satisfied, and wisely choose the model that suits your purpose and purpose. So, for those of you who are struggling to choose a pad, we've compared and evaluated a range of unique sleeping pads, including the latest models of this season, so please take a look.

Sleeping pads compared this time

The following 8 sleeping pads compared this time are as follows.

• Klymit Insulated Static V Light
• NEMO TENSOR™ 20 (tested size M)
• NEMO ZOR™ 20 (tested in size M)
• Sea To Summit Ultra Light Insulated Mat
• Sea To Summit Ultra Light SI Mat
• Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm
• Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL
• Evernew FPmat 125

I am incredibly surprised by the modern sleeping pads, which are quite high specs, but even so, there is no perfect mat for every aspect. No matter how expensive a sleeping pad is, there are always advantages and disadvantages. Also, depending on the field and environment you use it in, the choice and the points you place importance on will vary, and your sleeping comfort preferences will also vary.

Therefore, this comparison review uses each mat and evaluates six items from a variety of angles: insulation, storage, weight, comfort, usability, and durability, rather than the common, rough rankings. The overall rating is merely a recommended index after the author has experienced it.

1. Comfort: Not only is the good cushioning, but also the overall comfort of sleeping, including the difficulty of the body slipping
2. Insulation: How much does it block out the cold air from the ground?
3. Weight, storage capacity: tents and sleeping bags tend to be a focus, but pads also become surprisingly packable.
4. Usability: How stress-free can you use it when using it, such as ease of setting and folding?
5. Durability: How little is there a risk of becoming unusable? (Especially pay attention to air injection types)

Test results and spec comparison table

Overall Review: Recommended models by type

First of all, in this comparison, the one that I fell in love with most was the NEMO TENSOR 20 (the one I tried in the test was the size M) . It was extremely high specs in terms of insulation, comfort and storage. There's nothing particularly to say about sleeping comfort. Well, I'm a bit worried about durability, so I don't recommend using it too hard, but even taking that into consideration, it was a sleeping pad that I would recommend. This series also comes in an insulated type with PrimaLoft® laminated inside to dramatically improve heat retention, so you can choose the more suitable model depending on the situation.

Additionally, the Evernew FPmat 125 has excellent storage, weight, ease of use and durability, making it a very cost-effective considering the price. This is one of the items you should definitely carry if you have enough storage space inside your backpack. It can be used for short breaks on day trips, under the main sleeping pad, or when spreading tools inside the backpack, or of course, it can be used as the main pad. It is attractive that it can be used in a variety of ways, and it will be very useful for activities other than mountain climbing.

We recommend the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm . After all, it not only insulates the cold air, but the warmth that slowly comes from the back is unique. It may now be more accurate to say that it is heat retention rather than insulation. Although it is the most expensive compared to the eight sleeping pads, you can experience performance that is worth the price.

If you are concerned about comfort, we recommend air-injected pads. Among them the NEMO TENSOR 20M is as mentioned above. The klymit insulated static V-light and Sea To Summit Ultralight insulated mat have independent air chambers, so the entire mat does not move when you roll over and it provides stability. These two models are also available for use in summer and winter due to their high insulation properties, so you can choose from the two models that suit your needs.

If you want to wear as compact as possible, the NEMO TENSOR 20(M) and the Evernew FPmat125 are recommended. Both are lightweight and extremely easy to store. The NEMO TENSOR 20M is compact enough to fit in a large pocket such as a hard shell.

By the way, the vertical size of the pads is, if you are using them during the cold winter season, it is safer to stay as tall as possible. The chills coming from the lower body are surprisingly not stupid. On the other hand, after comparing this time, I realized that even if you don't have the height, you can manage to do something to a certain extent by replacing your lower body with extra gear. Another major advantage is that it can be made lighter and more compact. You can also choose a shorter size with high spec mats to keep the price down.

Next page: Go to detailed reviews of each item

On the previous page, we introduced the evaluations and specs of each sleeping pad that we compared, as well as recommended models based on them. From here, we will explain what criteria were used to evaluate the evaluation and why it was evaluated in that way.

Detailed reviews of each item

Comfort

Is your preference for comfort the most different? When it comes to futons, I prefer stiffer than fluffy ones. the NEMO TENSOR 20 that captivated me .

It's not too soft or too hard, and is stable even when you turn over, and there's no fluffy, unstable feeling, but it feels like you're floating in the air, and everything is just right. Anyway, I want you to experience it. The key point is that the baffles on both sides are slightly higher to increase stability. Also, since it is about 8cm thick, I didn't notice any thrusts from below, and there was no rustling noise when I turned over, so it generally provided a comfortable sleeping experience.

Other aspects of stability when lying down were also great the klymit insulated static V light and the Sea To Summit ultra light insulated mat The air injector makes it thicker, but the independent air chamber minimizes unevenness, and the entire mat does not move when you sit or roll over, providing a natural, stable sleeping experience similar to sleeping on a bed. The flat floor with enough thickness on the Sea To Summit Ultra Light SI mat

Thermal insulation

The verification month was August and summer, so I couldn't test it on the snow, so after much deliberation, I placed the ice packs used in the cooler box lined up and laid a mat on top to test its insulation performance. I tried sleeping with just one underwear and tested it when I began to feel the cold air from the back.

the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm recorded outstanding insulation performance, as expected . Not only did the cold air not be able to convey at all, but my body temperature reflected and my back gradually warmed. The structure creates a layer of warm air inside the tube, with four heat reflectors stuck inside the mattress, so you can use it with confidence even in the middle of winter. I also agree with the published R value of 5.7.

the NEMO TENSOR 20 , whose R values ​​are not disclosed, had better insulation than I expected. Of course, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm , but perhaps because it was about 8cm thick, I didn't feel any cold air. It's a good match to compare it with the Klymit Insulated Static V-Light which has its R value

Conversely, the cold air felt right after the start was Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL and FPmat125 In particular, the FPmat125 began to feel cold right after the test began (about 2 minutes). Naturally, that may be the case, but since it is easy to store, weight, and ease of use, it is better not to expect heat insulation. Also, the Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat , and I felt that it was earlier than I expected to start to feel the cold air. After the test started, I felt a sense of cold air from my back in about 20 minutes, and it didn't recover much after that, and the R value of 3.3 felt a bit unreliable to use it safely during the cold season.

weight

This time I've tried out a slight variation in size, so I'm evaluating the weights by "weight per cm." As a result, the lightest the Evernew FPmat125 . It is said to be 125cm at 200g, but when you actually hold it in hand, it feels even lighter than that. With this lightness and high storage capacity, I think it's not only the main use, but also the main sleeping pad can be laid under the main sleeping pad to support insulation and durability.

the NEMO ZOR 20 which was not very noticeable in other items , suddenly showed a presence here. The key point seems to be that the material is hollowing out in two directions, making it extremely lightweight.

Conversely, the heaviest were the klymit insulated static V light and the Sea To Summit Ultra Light SI mat Klymit (although it is becoming lighter every year), it may be inevitable that it becomes heavier than usual, as it is packed with padding material and the structural surface area of ​​the V-shaped tube is larger. It's a shame because it's a comfortable sleeping experience.

Storageability

Regarding compactness when stored. the closed cell type Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL and the Evernew FPmat125 can be folded, but the Z Lite SOL cannot be compressed at all, so to be honest, it cannot be said to be highly storable. On the other hand, the FPmat125 is an extremely thin mat, so when folded it, it is overwhelmingly thin at just 5mm. the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL externally to a backpack, but I'm sure there are many people who have experienced hitting the ball against branches or rocks when they are externally attached. In comparison, the FPmat125 can be easily stored inside a backpack. What's more, a backpack with no back pads can also be used as a back pad, making it a great job.

Furthermore, since the air-injected type is air inside, all of them are extremely excellent in terms of storage capacity. The NEMO TENSOR 20(M) is compact, lightweight, and has three advantages, with no stress when storing. When the air is deflated, it becomes a light pliable, so all you have to do is roll it around. The included compression strap is also helpful. Other Klymit Insulated Static V Light and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm , and the Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat are also highly rated, as expected.

Easy to use

The closed cell type is generally not too much effort and can be used immediately, and it is a strong point that it can be used without worrying about durability. The FPmat 125 also extremely easy to use, as it can be used to lay it under your bottom when sitting on the field, even though it's not available for short breaks or until you go to sleep. It can be used in a variety of ways, such as using it as a back pad or cutting it to your preferred size. It's easy to overdo the price too.

Among the air-injected pads and self-inflation pads, two models of the Sea To Summit . The Sea To Summit valve has a backflow prevention valve, so there is no backflow when air is injected (especially at the end), and the valve has a large diameter when degassing, making it easy to use because the air can be removed all at once. Another attractive feature is that other models require you to hold the valve down with your finger or temporarily lock it when taking a breath, which saves you that much effort. Moreover the Sea To Summit Ultralight SI mat, it has the extremely useful feature that by inverting and replacing part of the valve, you can prevent air from flowing back into the mat. Thanks to this, air degassing was extremely easy.

the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xthermd and Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat came standard with an "Air Stream Pump Sack," which is convenient for air injection With this, the setting effort is huge, so you should definitely choose the one that comes standard, or if it's an option, if it's an option, you should get it.

Another thing I had particularly hard time storing the Sea To Summit Ultra Light SI mat . Self-inflate type often makes it difficult to store the urethane foam inside, so it is difficult to compress, but even if you degass it and roll it up, it can only fit just the very close to the storage bag. If you put a lot of effort into rolling it up, you'll have some space, but that struggle can still be stressful. was the Klymit insulated Static V-light in that it was difficult to let the air out The split box increases comfort while also increasing the stress when storing.

Durability

Being able to use it without worrying about tearing or holes on the field is stress-free and gives you a sense of security with your gear. The mat itself is not cheap, so it is one of the items to consider when choosing a gear.

It is obvious at a glance that the two closed cell pads are highly durable. particular, the Evernew Fpmat 125 is more than sufficiently strong, despite being only 5mm thick. Also, when comparing the fabric denier (D) of each mat, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm and Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mats are highly durable. In particular, the NeoAir Xtherm is made of 70D nylon material on the back, which shows that it is lightweight while maintaining durability.

Conversely, the NEMO TENSOR 20 and NEMO ZOR 20 are of concern. Both are lighter, but 20D polyester is not resistant to wear and so must be handled with care.

summary

As I mentioned at the beginning, there is no perfect sleeping pad for just one type. It's great if you can choose the right sleeping pad in the right place, depending on the usage environment and purpose. There may be some price variations, so you may be worried about it, but if you clarify the points you absolutely cannot compromise on and find the model that is closest to your climbing style, you will naturally be able to narrow down the mat that suits you.

We also recommend this article about sleeping pads.

• What to throw away and what to take? How to choose the best sleeping pad (mat) and 3 recommended pieces

TAC

Lives in Hokkaido. When it's a holiday, I can't stay still at home, so I do some kind of activity. I immerse myself in mountain climbing, fishing, camping in the summer, snowboarding and smelt fishing in the winter. I'm also a fan of this site and am looking forward to sharing the appeal of gear. We would like to review this from the perspective of not only mountain climbing, but also from a variety of activities.

Looking for reviewers

Outdoor Gearzine is always looking for members who love the outdoors and would like to write reviews about outdoor equipment. For more information, please this REVIEWERS page !