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 quality of sleep in the field is determined by three things: tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad (mat). I have recently been spending more time on family camping than hiking

Under the starry sky, you can chat with your family and friends around a campfire before settling into your tent and going to bed. However, if the quality of your bed is poor, it can be difficult to get a good night's sleep. The next day, you may end up with pain somewhere in your body, which can affect your enjoyment of the activities you're enjoying

There was a time when I thought that as long as I had a high-spec sleeping bag, I could get by with a silver mat sold at a home improvement store as my sleeping pad. However, I learned that the padding on the back side of a sleeping bag collapses under its own weight, making it almost useless as an insulator, and since then I've become more conscious of the insulating properties of my sleeping pad

Of course, the quality of a sleeping pad cannot be measured by its insulation (heat retention) alone. That's why it's important to thoroughly research the various models offered by each manufacturer, each with its own unique features, and choose wisely the model that best suits your needs and purposes. So, for those of you struggling to choose a pad, we've compared and evaluated a variety of unique sleeping pads, including this season's latest models, so please take a look now

About the sleeping pads we compared this time

The sleeping pads compared this time are the following eight models

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

I am amazed at how high-spec modern sleeping pads have become, but there is still no mat that is perfect in every respect. No matter how expensive a sleeping pad is, it will always have its pros and cons. Also, the way you choose and the points you prioritize will vary depending on the field and environment in which you will be using it, and your preferences for comfort will also differ

For this reason, in this comparative review, rather than the usual rough ranking, I used each mat and evaluated them from various angles in six categories: insulation, storage, weight, comfort, ease of use, and durability. The overall rating is merely a recommendation index based on the author's own experience

1. Comfort: Not just good cushioning, but also the overall comfort of sleeping, including the ability for the body to stay in place
2. Insulation: How well it blocks the cold air from the ground
3. Weight and storage... People tend to focus on tents and sleeping bags, but the pad can also be a burden.
4. Usability: How stress-free it is to use, such as how easy it is to set up and fold
5. Durability: How little risk there is of it becoming unusable (particularly with inflatable types)

Test results and spec comparison table

Overall Review - Recommended Models by Type -

First of all, the one I fell most in love with overall in this comparison was the NEMO TENSOR 20 (the medium size was used for the test) . It had very high specs in terms of insulation, comfort, and storage. There was nothing particularly impressive about the comfort. There were some concerns about its durability, so I wouldn't recommend using it too hard, but even with that in mind, it was a sleeping pad I'd recommend. This series also includes an insulated type with PrimaLoft® laminated inside for dramatically improved warmth, so you can choose the model that's best suited to your situation.

The Evernew FPmat 125 also boasts excellent storage, weight, ease of use, and durability, making it a great value for the price. If you have the storage space in your backpack, this is one item you should definitely bring along. It can be used for short breaks on day hikes, as a pad under your main sleeping pad, when spreading out your gear inside your backpack, or, of course, as your main pad. Its versatility makes it a great choice for activities other than mountain climbing, too.

For the cold seasons from fall to winter, I recommend the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm . It not only insulates against cold air, but also provides a unique warmth that gradually builds up from your back. It might even be more accurate to say that it's more about heat retention than insulation. While it's the most expensive of the eight sleeping pads, I think you'll get a performance that's worth the price.

If comfort is a priority, we recommend an air-inflatable pad. The NEMO TENSOR 20M , as mentioned above. The klymit Insulated Static V Lite and Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mattresses have separate air chambers, so the entire mattress won't move when you turn over, providing stability. These two models also come in summer and winter versions, each with a different level of insulation, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

If you want to travel with as compact equipment as possible, we recommend the NEMO TENSOR 20(M) and the EVERNEW FPmat125 . Both are lightweight and highly packable. The NEMO TENSOR 20M is compact enough to fit in a large pocket such as a hard shell.

By the way, regarding the vertical size of the pad, if you are going to use it in the cold winter months, it is safer to have it exactly the same size as your height. The cold coming from the lower body can be quite a big deal. On the other hand, in other seasons, even if it is not the same size as your height, you can use spare gear for the lower body and still get by to some extent, which is what I found after comparing them this time. Another major benefit is that it can be made lighter and more compact. It is also a good idea to choose a short size mat with high specifications 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.

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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.

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