The InsulMat Max-Thermo isn't self-inflating, John, but I used to have an Insul-Mat Max-Mtn and I think that was (well, as much as a T-Rest is).

If it's the Max-Thermo you're looking at, you blow into it like a lilo. It doesn't take long to fill up the full length one.

nobody has mentioned the torsolite pads yet, are they any good?

as seen here:

http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product101.asp

again abit pricey. but alot lighter than the thermorest prolite 3 short.

I got a Torsolite earlier this year, and used it on a 2-night backpacking trip in Feb and a 3-nighter in April so far. It's as warm as a T'rest Prolite 3, and beautifully small and light in the pack, but it is very small. It's the tapering width rather than the length that I found takes most getting used to. And of course you really do need to use your pack under your legs, which is fine if your pack is dry but a bit of a hassle if it isn't.

So yes, they're very good if you want to go minimalist but I'm not sure I'd use mine on every trip, especially longer ones*. It definitely does find a place with me as an emergency bivi mat in winter though.


*That said, I'm pretty sure Andy Howells used one on his TGO Challenge crossing this year and got on fine with it.


PS. I'm using a down sleeping bag with mine, always have done, and with my T'rest Ultralite 3/4 beforehand, and i've not had any problems with wet at the foot of the bag. I put pack, clothes, sitmat, whatever I have really at the foot end. i've never wrapped the foot in my waterproof either, I'd rather it was open to the air to let moisture out easily.

Cheers PW, the Insulmat on ebay is the compact not the thermo, the few reviews I have read give the impression that it doesn't insulate very well, any one had any experience of this?