https://www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-self ... rce=others
Not for the neowotsits crowd perhaps, but has its uses.
I got one so if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.
Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
How small does it pack down?
Maybe I'm being thick, but how does it self inflate, and how deep is it when it's inflated?
Maybe I'm being thick, but how does it self inflate, and how deep is it when it's inflated?
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
It self inflates like all those things do - though you do have to give it a helping hand with a bit of puff. As you do with then all.
Although it comes in a long bag that makes it appear as if, packed, it is very similar to a rolled fam mat it will pack smaller, a bit bigger than my thermarest but then it is thicker and I would say more comfortable.
To get it into a smaller bag you use the tried and tested thermarest system. Fold it in half lengthways, then roll slowly expelling air. Do this two or even three times to get as much air as possible out.
When I have a mo, am up to struggling (even with the thermarest it's a struggle I will give some measurements on the compressed size.
Am well pleased.
Better hope it doesn't bust soon though as, self checking it out I forgot to take the receipt -maybe subconsciously thought I was getting a few groceries.
Oh - depth when inflated is in the specs on the Tesco link - thicker than my Thermarest I would say.
Although it comes in a long bag that makes it appear as if, packed, it is very similar to a rolled fam mat it will pack smaller, a bit bigger than my thermarest but then it is thicker and I would say more comfortable.
To get it into a smaller bag you use the tried and tested thermarest system. Fold it in half lengthways, then roll slowly expelling air. Do this two or even three times to get as much air as possible out.
When I have a mo, am up to struggling (even with the thermarest it's a struggle I will give some measurements on the compressed size.
Am well pleased.
Better hope it doesn't bust soon though as, self checking it out I forgot to take the receipt -maybe subconsciously thought I was getting a few groceries.
Oh - depth when inflated is in the specs on the Tesco link - thicker than my Thermarest I would say.
Sweep
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
the trouble with cheap mats is the material wont stand up to being creased and therefore develops leaks. Had one from Amazon just like that and that one cost £15. My Thermarest Mondo King is made from almost textile type material. it cost alot but gives me the comfort I need.
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
The other important that thing a sleeping mat must provide, is insulation.
It can be as thick and "comfortable" as you can see, but becomes useless if cannot prevent the cold from the ground to reach your body
It can be as thick and "comfortable" as you can see, but becomes useless if cannot prevent the cold from the ground to reach your body
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best,
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
Well with regard to that mat gatto, that remains to be seen/felt - no one knows as yet.
Can i ask what mat you use?
Can i ask what mat you use?
Sweep
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
I use a NeoAir Xlite, as my road camping setup is by using two Carradice bags (Nelson and Junior) so I need low pack volume and weight.
It's expensive, but when you can sleep warm over frozen ground, you know it's money well spend!
If I was going to music festivals, won't doubt to use something like this £6 from Tesco for peace of mind
It's expensive, but when you can sleep warm over frozen ground, you know it's money well spend!
If I was going to music festivals, won't doubt to use something like this £6 from Tesco for peace of mind
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best,
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
Gattonero wrote:I use a NeoAir Xlite, as my road camping setup is by using two Carradice bags (Nelson and Junior) so I need low pack volume and weight.
It's expensive, but when you can sleep warm over frozen ground, you know it's money well spend!
If I was going to music festivals, won't doubt to use something like this £6 from Tesco for peace of mind
You mean you would be worried about the neoair getting damaged?
Or stolen?
Sweep
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
stolen I would have thought
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
Both!
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best,
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
Ah gatto, thanks - you have confirmed my strong reservations about those superlight condom like mats. Nothing rougher than bare ground through a deflated mat.
And to be honest I have the idea that they were primarily designed for backpackers, but have been adopted by the lightweight cycling crowd.
And to be honest I have the idea that they were primarily designed for backpackers, but have been adopted by the lightweight cycling crowd.
Sweep
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
We all sleep in a fairly similar way, I suppose? 
On a bicycle one may carry more stuff than by just having a backpack, but I am tend to bring "less" not "more", there it goes an insulated mat and a fairly simple quilt instead of a more expensive sleeping bag.
Being almost narcoleptic helps in not being too fussy when it's about sleep, and after a day on the saddle and a good dinner it's a matter of minutes before switching off
But those things come with their trade-off, such light weight makes those sleeping mats a bit delicate. I'll probably get one of those cheap self-inflating for when I go to the park with friends, surely more comfortable than a simple piece of tarp to sit on!
On a bicycle one may carry more stuff than by just having a backpack, but I am tend to bring "less" not "more", there it goes an insulated mat and a fairly simple quilt instead of a more expensive sleeping bag.
Being almost narcoleptic helps in not being too fussy when it's about sleep, and after a day on the saddle and a good dinner it's a matter of minutes before switching off
But those things come with their trade-off, such light weight makes those sleeping mats a bit delicate. I'll probably get one of those cheap self-inflating for when I go to the park with friends, surely more comfortable than a simple piece of tarp to sit on!
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best,
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
Gattonero wrote:We all sleep in a fairly similar way, I suppose?
On a bicycle one may carry more stuff than by just having a backpack, but I am tend to bring "less" not "more", there it goes an insulated mat and a fairly simple quilt instead of a more expensive sleeping bag.
Being almost narcoleptic helps in not being too fussy when it's about sleep, and after a day on the saddle and a good dinner it's a matter of minutes before switching off
But those things come with their trade-off, such light weight makes those sleeping mats a bit delicate. I'll probably get one of those cheap self-inflating for when I go to the park with friends, surely more comfortable than a simple piece of tarp to sit on!
one of the reasona I bought a cheap hammock - plenty of trees in Streatham Common that are suitable
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
Trees may not be that common... in the "common". And I have one or two friends who aren't able to hop on a hammock.
It's a good idea, tho.
It's a good idea, tho.
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best,
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
Thus you remember them as they actually are...
Re: Self inflating camping mat, £6, Tesco
Sweep wrote:https://www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-self-inflating-mat/753-6267.prd?source=others
I got one so if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.
Don't forget to give us an update next year.
(by which point it will no longer be available, but data points on cheap self inflating mats can be useful for judging future offers)