Gear

Hi, just wondering if anyone has an Airic (specifically the Wee Airic or the standard Airic).

Any problems with them so far?
I've never bothered with thermarests because I think they are heavier than I can be bothered to carry, but seeing the price here im very tempted. Do they really improve your comfort? Im thinking specifically for taking to Switzerland in the summer (one week, not carrying other than for the journey to and from england).

Does anyone use a short-length sleeping mat? Would you rather the full length or does the weight save make it worth it. Any problems with only having 3/4 length?
What do you guys reckon?

I just had a look around just now (i'll be buying a mat for summer camping)the Wee airic looks a real steal. Low price decent spec and pretty low weight @480g.. Thats probabaly what i'll go for unless someone says stay clear.. The thermarests are starting at £35....

Got a wee airic, and it's quite a good weight for the price. Equivelent thermarest is only about 100g lighter for about 3-4 times the price. Agree with you Muzza, it'a an absolute bargain for £15.

Not tested it properly yet though.

I haven't got an airic but i do use a 3/4 length thermarest which i picked up cheap. I find it makes a big difference to comfort and warmth. If you're going in summer a 3/4 length one would probably be fine. In winter though, a full length one would be better as your feet can get really cold. The alpkit mats seem like a really good alternative. I'm thinking of getting an airic myself.

i need full length mats cos i'm not vertically challenged and with that comes slightly heavier wieght.

I'm using a TR lite-long and never had any problems with it. As and when i get an irrepairable puncture i'll certainly consider the Airec as value v's G's is always a good combination.

drew

To answer part of your question - yes, self inflating mattresses are a lot more comfortable than sleeping on a roll mat. Mine's a full length Thermarest Prolite 4 and at 680 grammes it weighs a shade more than 2 roll mats but is at least 10 times more comfortable. I would never go back to a roll mat.

I have an Airic and a Wee Airic. Brilliant for the price. The Airic is far comfier than a roll mat, but the biggest difference is the insulation. I can sleep through discomfort but not through cold!

Thanks for the responses, just a few more questions:

How much (approx) does a normal £5 foam roll mat weigh then? I always thought they felt much much lighter than a thermarest.

I'll have to take another look at thermarest (I can probably get a prolite 3 reg for £40) but it seems that the Airics win on price really. It's a shame Alpkit havent got a prolite regular length equivelant. I just dont think I can carry the 1kg extra for the Airic.

Ben,

I've never used the alpkit range of mats, but from thier site I can tell that the 'Fat Airac' is a luxury mat. The "standard Airac" is about the same spec as a thermarest trail 4", but a little wider.

I have the thermarest trail 4 and have found it excellent. I have looked at the prolite 3 and 4 range in shops, but they just dont fit my rather large frame.

this may sound a little weird, but I would suggest going to a decent store that will allow you to inflate and lay down on a thermarest of the model you choose. Close your eyes, forget where you are, concentrate on if it's long/wide/comfy enough. You'll be better prepared to judge what you want after such an experiment. The store wont mind either. If they are half decent then they will understand the need for such testing, and encourage it.

It would seem you are suffering from the age old gear dilemma...weight v price v comfort = headache.

I can try thermarests at work no problem, I've just never really bothered because they seem so heavy compared to a foam mat and I rarely have a problem with a mat up in the mountains. The extra comfort would be welcomed though for a week on a fairly rocky campsite this summer.

Cara-Lyn: Is it possible to fold the wee-Airic in half (like the thermarests do) so I can get it into my pack rather than strap it to the outside?

I think for the price I might as well give it a go. It'll cost me at least double for the Thermarest Prolite 3 and im not gonna be too anal about the extra 100g. Still, how heavy is a foam mat?

Not sure about folding it. It comes with a little bag, but it's not that long when rolled because it's narrower than the bigger mats.
email jim (jim@alpkit.com) and ask him. He'll be happy to chat to you about it :)

Snow & rock have got some thermarests on offer at the moment if your interested

You may want to check out InsulMat Max-Thermo Self Inflating Mattress.

They've been discussed on the forum before and are said to be very comfy. They work out at about £40 including postage. That doesn't allow for any duty/taxes that may be added. I ordered one about a week ago but it hasn't arrived yet.

Ben, I asked Alpkit that very question at the Outdoors Show. I was told 'Yes, you can fold it in half'.
I'm yet to buy one but when I do that's what I'll be doing.

You should be able to fold it in half, I can do that with my old full size Thermarest.

My (full size) Karrimat foam mat weighs 380gm by the way.

Steve

Go for the max thermo insul mat - weighs about the same as a prolite 3 but hugely more comfortable.

I've been camping regularly for 10 years and this is my single biggest improvement to camp life in that time. They make side sleeping a possibility without dead arm syndrome and pack down really small. Best £40 I've ever spent on outdoor gear.

Ok, cheers guys, think I'm sorted.

Had a look on the Snow and Rock website and yes, they are doing the lite 3 short for about £24 (down from £40) which is nice, but it's still a little heavier than a wee airic and isnt any thicker and is still short, so I think the wee airic just (and only just) beats it.

I could get the prolite 3 short, which is 370g, but even with discount it'd cost me £30 or more so I think I might as well go for the Wee Airic, and if it's good I'll buy a second one for my girlfriend to use.

If it folds in half that'd be great, though it wont fit in its own bag then... I'll just have to give it a go!

Just got a 4 season self inflating from Decathlon for £14.95 on offer. 178cm long, not sure of the weight though!

Apologies for using this thread to promote my sales on E Bay but have a look at My Insulmat X Lite Compact.Item no 7229825364.Auction ends on Sunday.

Sorry for incorrect info in my last post.The auction for my mat ends today(Saturday) 21:43:23.