Looking to buy a thermarest, but there's so many I'm not sure which one to choose.

I run pretty cold and have a nice Rab down filled bag.

I don't expect to use it in the depths of winter, but never say never.

Is is worth buying a women's one? Anyone have any experiece of both?

Or, is there something better on the market. I don't want to spend hundreds of pounds though...

Thanks for any help!

I've just bought a Prolite 4, even though I'm not sure I need something that light. I wanted to ask if its still necessary to use a foam mat underneath.

I've used a thermarest lite 3 which is only 2.5cm thick and found it easily warm enough for 3 season use, never needed to use another mat as well. Just ordered the pro-lite 4 for winter use as its a bit thicker at 4cm but lighter than the Lite 3 which is good as ill have more to carry in the winter! The pro-lite 4 is going for about 68 quid in Gear-Zone, i personally dont think i'll need any thing thicker or better than the pro-lite4.

I've been using a Prolite 4 short for just over a year. Can't fault it at all, and I even use it for car based camps now inpreference to my original T-A-R. The non slip base really works, it's lightweight, more body shaped, takes up less pack and tent space and insulates well. The only downside is the cost if you don't have relatives in the USA.

I've tried the range of Thermarests and just can't sleep on them - my hips stick through into the ground. I read great things about the Insul Mat Max-Mtn, which is another inflatable mattress but said to be much comfier for women, but I'm afraid that didn't work for me either.

However, I've found what I think must be the comfiest mattress in the world, and I can finally sleep in the tent. It's the Exped Down Air Mattress. They're heavier and bulkier than the T-rests, but not *that* much heavier or bulkier. I use mine for backpacking. If you can sleep comfortably on a thinner, lighter mattress, I don't think the weight would be worthwhile, unless you run particularly cold in which case the extra warmth might justify it for you. It depends on what suits you. Mine cost £80 from the Climbers Shop in Ambleside, which is about £10 more than a T-rest.

There's a thread around today started by ecco, about the Insul Mat Max-Thermo, which is smaller and lighter than the Exped, and also less expensive, but uses Primaloft for insulation rather than down. That might be worth a look.

Finally, I noticed at the weekend that T-rest have just brought out a new Women's mattress. It's a cool shade of pink, and seems to be made on the same principle as the Max-Mtn i.e. additional padding around the hip area. That might work for you, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't work for me.

Good luck - there's lots of stuff available :-)

Pink, your joking, why ruin a good idea with such a patronising choice of colour?

I have a prolite 4 and I love it, very warm and comfy.Only worth spending the money if you need a light one, if camping out of the car then go for a cheaper heavyer but thicker one I think.

Decathlon do a range of self-inflating mats for about half the price of T-A-R and simliar weights.
If car camping look at the one in Aldi this week.
Alpkit, who do a wicked headtorch for only a Fiver, are supposed to be bringing out some mats soon. They had the prototypes at the NEC show and they looked good. Smallest one was only £15 and dead light. I'll definitely be looking out for them.

Hi everyone

Aldi have got some great deals coming up from 9th june

family tent under £70

airbeds from £5.99

self inflating mat £8.99

air pump £5.99

sleeping bag liner £2.99 sleeping bag £4.99

and other goodies

Don't know if thats much help but bag liner might be worth a try.

Happy Sopping

i have the robens 5 cm mat.great for car camping and good quality.only cost 35 pounds. gonna get the 4 cm next week for wild camping,it packs down a lot smaller but i dont think its as light as the tars,only 22 pounds though from gooutdoors. i think tars are overpriced nowadays

lightweight gear overpriced....surely not.

I don't actually see the colour of the pink T-rest as patronising. I felt it was actually quite a nice shade of pink, and I found the idea of a pink one for women rather amusing. It seemed to me to suggest a sense of humour on the part of the T-rest people. If I was looking for an inflatable mattress then I'd be tempted by it :)

Well I guess I just dont like pink.

I've used a prolite 3 for the last year or so and found it fine Feb to Nov and suspect that it wouldn't be too bad all year round. And it packs down so small as well.

If you are like me(an ounce counter) you should check out the z-lite or the ridge rest. I have used it alone for about 3 years now slept on everything from granite to long grass and been fine and cozy.

I have the Exped down mattress. It's more like a traditional airbed but filled with down.

Very warm and much more comfortable than a T-A-R. The weight is reasonable considering the advantages. Not much more £££ either.

http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/Outdoor/ProductDetails.aspx?language=en-GB&product=1177601

those do look cool for base camp type trips.

yeah, the exped dam is wonderful, bed-like comfort. Bitch to inflate though. You have to use the stuff sack to inflate it, as your breath lets moisture in the down. Oh, and I used the exped down to -15 and it was still warm.
In the summer I use the insul mat max thermo. Almost as comfy but considerably lighter.

Richie S - where did you get your Insul Mat Max-Thermo?

Richie S - another question! How much less bulky is the Insul Mat than the Exped (assuming you have the thicker Exped, as I do)?

Hi Peewiglet. I'm living in the US at the mo, so I got it over here at REI. It's $57, but I think I got mine on sale for $45. At that price, and if you ship it fairly slow, even if they charge you duty, it won't come to much. Way less than the cost of a new Thermarest.

It's about 1lb less overall, and packs up tiny, and even comes with a repair kit. It's way more comfy than my old Thermarest UL.