After a frankly disastrous night on my balloon bed I think I need a proper sleeping mat.

I was looking at the alpkit numo, expeds and the thermarest neoair xlite.

I think I've discounted the thermarest what with it being expensive, comparatively bulky packed and only similar weights. I like the look of either the exped synmat ul7 or hyperlite on balance and the smalls appear to be reasonable sizes. But it's hard to ignore the alpkit numo what with it being half the price.

Is there forum view on which is the best lightweight mat for a fidgety side sleeper?

I'm a long time user and fan of the Exped Synmat UL7. Most people who try one seem to become converts but as you say, the Numo is a fantastic price. For winter I'll stick with the Exped but after rummaging through the box of WRT prizes and discovering a Numo (which I had a good look at), I'm considering trying one this summer.

Sorry ... I realise that doesn't really help.

The Numo is virtually uninsulated whereas the exped mats are very warm indeed. I've got a downmat 5 lite (something like that), its so warm that in the summer I can't use it and take a cutdown foil backed foam mat (lighter than ultralight). It is VERY comfortable and warm enough for even the depths of winter, if you want a comfy inflatable mat, buy an exped.

The Numo is virtually uninsulated

I thought the Numo had insulation bonded to the inside?

Exped downmat lite for me too, love it.

Another plus for the Exped Down mat. As man like Ben say, so warm and comfy even in the depths of winter!
I have just got a Numo, will be be test driving it at WRT, I reckon it should do the biz! Super small pack size is a great bonus, could be going with a 5l Airlok Extra on the bars. That will be very good for me!!!

NeoAir X Therm for me. The one part of my kit I'd never look to change, it's just brilliant. Very warm, relatively light and very comfy.

I bought my girlfriend a thermarest neoair (the light yellow one). She loves it. When she's not using it I tend to borrow it. Its much much better than my multimat superlite. Bigger pack size, but its way more insulated!

It also feels very well made and should last the test of time.

Another vote for Exped Synmat UL7

Being a cheapskate (and having to kit out a few people rather than just myself) I have used a few similar mats to the numo - lilo type mats as I think of them!

All uninsulated - multimat superlightair and the slightly heavier multimat one (can't remember what it's called) and also a Ferrino version .

All worked ok . . . For a while but all with the exception of the slightly heavier multimat one started leaking air after (quite) a few uses. And not punctures but small leaks along the bonded edges.

So then I got myself an exped synmat ul7 - and it is so much better. Comfy more robust but the real selling point for me is the fact it inflates so fast with a shnozzle bag.

So whilst the heavier multimat has survived I think I will be getting the exped mats to replace the other mats I use for my kids too. Exped do a lilo type unisulated mat and if it's compatible with the schnozle I think I'd happily get one for the kids.

Exped do a lilo type unisulated mat and if it's compatible with the schnozle I think I'd happily get one for the kids.

Yes it is.

So the expeds seem to be fairly well received, any thoughts on whether the hyperlite compared to the ul, it's £5 more, 75g lighter but a mummy shape as opposed to the normal shape on the ul. Do the side tubes on the UL7 really help holding you on the mat?

Yep, the side tubes are great.

Original thermarest neoair here, large one

Two friends have now copied me it's so good

I also use the chair kit and the inflating sack which are pure luxury. I can now sit up in my bivy bag, brew up and have a cup of coffee first thing in the morning whilst looking at the world and still be inside my sleeping bag