Self inflating mats..

[Sparks!]

Not paying silly money for a thermarest, just seem far too expensive for the amount of use it'd get.

Anyone got or have used one of these?

https://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk/Vango-Adventure-Self_dash_Inflating-Mat-Standard-3cm

Seems ideal, pack size isn't small but isn't massive, smaller than my tent at least. Last time I went touring I had a tesco roll mat and ended up binning it the next day because it was shit!! So now I'm off for 10 days I'd rather have something slightly comfortable!

Any ideas? need a quick response as I'll need to get it ordered up

Gonna get me one of these too

https://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk/Gelert-Inferno-PZ-Folding-Gas-Stove
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Sparks!]

Or this one


https://www.campingworld.co.uk/Models.aspx?ModelID=3434

Welcome to suggestions too as long as they are around about the same price.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[G]

I have a fat airic: https://www.alpkit.com/airic/

For normal sleeping bags I like having a bigger may so I'm less likely to roll off - and definitely like the thickness as it absorbs random bumps never mind my weight lying on the side much better.

Found Alpkit to be a generally good and helpful company to use.

Obviously the 'fat' version is a decent chunk bigger/heavier, but stuck to the outside of the bike it's not a big issue for me (and that's partly why I got a light bike - so I could take more stuff and still be well away from the weight of heavier fare ).

[barnhatter]

For space saving get a blow up reed type from Millets or Blacks for £9.99. Argos do similar too.
Blowing up is no problem, 5 min max. 9ins x 2 ins packed. Cheaper and easier to carry.
If cooking for one or two a trangia works well ans again packs up small.

[StevenF]

Even an air bed doesn't take up that much room when packet up properly. The only thing is you would have to add a cigarette lighter adapter thing to your bike (something I would like to do, handy for charging your phone etc...)
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My Project - Honda CBR 600 F2/FM

[stinkwheel]

Air beds are freezing and make you feel seasick when you sleep on them drunk. Not to mention the whole punctures issue (a therm-a-rest is still insulating if punctured and mine has a repair kit with it).

My proper therm-a-rest is still going strong after 11 years of sustained and regular use. It needs blowing up these days due to me not unpacking it between runs (you're supposed to store them unrolled with the valve open) but it's still as warm and comfortable as the day I got it. I've had to patch it once when someone stomped across it in cleated moto-x boots.

I did have a highlander one a few years back, it never did stay inflated very well from the day it was new. No obvious leaks but you'd be lying on the floor come morning.

I'll say this is one instance where if you buy expensive, you buy once.

EDIT:
A note on stoves. Those gas ones are ok for occasional use but make sure you have a mess tin with a lid on or (better) a kettle or stainless steel teapot nicked from a motorway service station. I've seen someone wait more than half an hour and still fail to get a rolling boil with an open rectangular mess tin on a gas stove.

Triangias are good if bulky, you do get little compact ones too though with a minimalist windshield.

However, if you want a serious camping stove, I can highly recommend the Coleman dual fuel ones. They are pricier at around £40 and heavier but take up about as much space as a gas stove plus a reasonable sized gas bottle. The main benefits are a massive and effective heat output and that they run on unleaded petrol, which you have a tankful of. The burner head glows bright red on a coleman dual fuel when it's on full blast.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Swim41]

[multijoy]

https://www.alpkit.com/airic/

Good quality n' reasonably priced.
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'11 CBF1000A, '99 C90, '98 CB500
silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

[Rhys]

I've got this self inflating vango one and it was well worth it for the pack down size. I had all camping stuff in my rucksack bungeed on the rear seat, and this just stuffed into the top bit of the rucksack which pulls over and clips to, with it being so small.

Pack down size of 32cm wide x 14cm. Saves the space because its 3/4 size, never found this a problem as you dont need it soft from the knees down

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VANGO-Self-Inflating-ULTRALITE-TREK-3-4-MAT-CAMPING-NEW_W0QQitemZ220576507089QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportingGoods_SleepingMats_Airbeds_CA?hash=item335b6264d1
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Current Bike: '94 RVF 400R
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[barnhatter]

Quite tempted by the small one, packs up small similar size to my blow up reed mat.
Has anyone had any experience of mats that are shorter than your body, does it makes much difference.

[stinkwheel]

[barnhatter]

Just ordered the wee alpkit mat, will be testing it in a months time I hope.

[c-m]

[Peirre oBollox]

Lidl have their camping special on, The 29th and self inflating mats are among the items on offer at £12.99 each
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I accept no responsibility for swearing, drinking, motorcycle riding or your pregnant teenage daughter.

[G]

I had an Aldi mat - was ok thought large, definitely not as good as the Alpkit, but still not bad. The foam seemed to seperate from the cover, but it was a big tear that stopped me using it.

[Grazoid]

Used all the options mentioned except an alpkit - but can honestly say that the Thermarest always does what it say on the tin.

Good quality kit for a fair price. Packs smaller than any others I have used - used it all year round and it's been warm and comfortable, dries quickly if it gets damp and can be turned into a seat with a couple of Rokstraps.

Also as far as I know they are the only company to do specifically designed kit for women so your other half can get one as well with extra padding at the hips etc.

[Clanger]

I have an exped down-filled air mattress...it has metallic bottom which pushes the cold air back down into the ground, and a non-slip top. It's the best thing I ever bought, it rolls up quite small, and is as light as a feather (ha ha pun not intended).

I've had it for 5 years now. And I use it constantly between April - October when camping at rallies and festivals and all year round when I stay in friends homes and the like.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Lone-Wolf]

[G]

[Charlie]

My parents have got one of these each, Exped Down Mat Pump. They say they are great to camp with, I have yet to give it a dry but it does look very warm. Although it costs a fair amount.
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Sparks!]

With the trip coming this weekend I had to go for something or other... in the end went for the Vango 3/4 length one as it packs down tiny and wasn't too expensive, will see how it goes I guess! Bought a new sleeping bag too as the microlite one I bought from tesco is uselessly cold (didn't realise it was a summer one )

Went for a standard campingaz cartridge stove in the end and the general mess tin set and knife/fork/spoon set so I'm pretty much all sorted to be honest. In two minds whether or not to buy a kettle or to just try boil in the mess tin, not sure.. guess for the sake of £6 I'll grab a kettle?
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[stinkwheel]

[Sparks!]

Well the sleeping bag turned up but the self inflating mat didnt.. luckily before I kicked off I checked the delivery note, apparantly out of stock so they refunded me the next day delivery so not too bad considering!!

I've now ordered a wee airic one, looks good for £20 delivered
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Wozza]

I'm gonna echo what some others have said - the Thermarest is good quality and worth the extra money as it will last, I think I saved a bit by getting mine on eBay, cost around £40 I think.

I've had various bits from Highlander and Gelert in the past and it has al been porr quality so they are both on my avoid list, I'd recommend staying away from them. I've not used a Vango inflatable mat before but their tents seem good quality.

In terms of stoves I use a little Colemans one that packs away tiny, think its a F1 Lite. Screws straight onto the cartridge rather than wasting space by housing the cartridge like some cheaper stoves, and boil time is not bad. But the daddy of stoves are the multi fuel ones - I've used the MSR one which is pricey but quality kit, runs on petrol, diesel, meths (I think), pretty much any flammable liquid so you don't have to rely on specific gas cartridges which may not be available where you are.

[Clanger]

I have the Alpine stove, it packs down small, and is the fastest thing for boiling a full 2-mug kettle! I think it cost around £24 a couple of years ago.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss