Im in the market for a new sleeping mat. Not bought a proper MAT for years so was a bit surprised at the cost of the NeoAir's. This got me thinking about the balance between Cost, weight and packed size.
Have been looking around at some options

For example

Quechua: Self Inflating Ultralight mat
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/self-inflati ... 29334.html
Cost £24.99, Weight 380gm makes Pence per gm = 6.57p
Pack Size 25cm x 13cm

Thermarest: Neoair Xlite Small
http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN4096
Cost £79.99, Weight 230gm makes Pence per gm = 34.78p
Pack Size 23cm x 9cm

Comparing these two examples
- a couple of cm difference in pack size
- usefull in similar applications
- Cheapest £50 saving for 150gm more
- Thermarest: over 5 times more expensice (pance per Gm)

You could but 3 of the cheapies for the price, is this false economy
Would you? Other Options or is the alure of Thermarest big brand name just too strong??

'Tis a very interesting point and one which I'm sure gets mulled over quite a bit by many.

One thing to consider with the mats is, you're not comparing like for like ... the difference in comfort between the two will be pretty big. Also, do you know what the R ratings of both mats are? In my mind that would help me decide.

The last thing I'd say is - Exped SynMat 7UL

have a look at this one:

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/karrimor-x- ... ess-782143

very pleased with mine for the money - not as good as an Exped one I'm sure but great for £30

Do you not find the X-lite a touch cold now winter's coming Steve?

You could check out Alpkit as they're always pretty reasonable.

I've got a POE Peak Elite AC which is light, comfy and a small pack size. Got it for £45 through Sport Pursuit I think.
Not sure how it will be now the weather's turning. Could be a little cold. Might invest in foam mat for some secondary insualtion. Maybe something like the Multimat Adventure and cut it down to the same shape at the Peak Elite.

Stu - Its not ideal and I do have a thicker inflatable multimat for when its really cold but for 3 season use I think its great. I did try it with my KIMM sac closed cell back under it - that worked really well and is still a lot lighter than some of the other options.
Saying that - I probably wouldn't used it in an annexe near Nant Y Moch at -10 (or whatever Matt says it was!)

s8tannorm wrote:Do you not find the X-lite a touch cold now winter's coming Steve?

i've not found mine cold (yet!) but am hoping it'll get some use this weekend (it's forecast to be hovering around zero) and so will report back.

i've also got a Mammut 'Comfort Plus' (or something like that) which was expensive, is heavy and massive!!!

:?

but.....it's literally the comfiest thing i've ever camped on - ever! it's like carrying your own mattress around with you and makes any/every piece of random soil as snug as home (but just to re-emphasise: it is expensive, heavy and massive!).

If it's comfort and weight you're after, this is the mat I use for car camping - 10cm thick and 3.2kg!!!

http://www.gelert.com/products/adventur ... s#tab_spec

Mart wrote: Comparing these two examples
- a couple of cm difference in pack size
- usefull in similar applications
- Cheapest £50 saving for 150gm more
- Thermarest: over 5 times more expensice (pance per Gm)

You could but 3 of the cheapies for the price, is this false economy
Would you? Other Options or is the alure of Thermarest big brand name just too strong??

I think that weight is only part of it.
I had a very comfortable short Exped Downmat which was excellent for warmth and comfort when I used panniers but otherwise too bulky to carry. I bought the short Neoair for bike packing because its comfort is similar to the Downmat but it is only 1.4 litres rolled. The Decathlon item is 3.3 litres making it twice as big when rolled.
You could say that the Neoair gives you half the volume at only 2.7 times the price. With it being undoubtably warmer than the Decathlon version that's a bargain to my mind :)

Thanks for the comments, all useful food for thought
Have seen the R ratings quoted, some quite tog and other just don't have at all which doesn't help.

Buying the wrong thing will just mean spending again, hence the decision process I'm going through
Suppose its ultimately the cost of a good nights sleep at stake

I've got one of the karrimor mats too, gonna try laying 80g of foil covered foam mat over the top of it in december and hope that makes it warmer??

it's very comfy though, cheap and pretty light

..oh and a nice colour green

I sometimes use a foil and foam car widescreen cover as extra insulation but I do sleep very cold :)