The Great Outdoors – August 2019

The Great OutdoorsAugust 2019 77

CLOSED-CELL FOAM

• Durable


• Can’t be punctured


• Inexpensive


• Bulky


• Not as comfortable as infl atable mats

SELF-INFLATING FOAM

• Less effort to infl ate


• Warm


• Comfortable


• Reasonable cost


• Can be punctured

AIRBED

• Lightweight


• Low bulk


• Very comfortable


• Can be punctured


• Above-freezing temperatures only

INSULATED AIRBED

• Warm


• Very comfortable


• Can be punctured


• Expensive

Vango

Thermocore

£90 855g

warmth, cost

heavy, takes time to infl ate

Type: insulated airbed

Materials: ripstop nylon shell,

siliconised hollowfi bre core

Dimensions: 185x55cm

Thickness: 6.5cm

Rating: n/a

vango.co.uk

The Thermocore is a substantial mat with a

thick shell that should prove more resistant

to puncture than lighter ones. The penalty is

that it’s the heaviest mat reviewed. It does

pack down reasonably small, though. A fairly

hefty pump drybag comes with the mat. To

infl ate the mat you attach the drybag, open

it up to fi ll with air and then roll it to force

the air into the mat. The drybag is quite stiff

so it’s not easy to fi ll it more than half full;

Alpkit

Cloud Base

£45 409g

comfort, lightweight, cost

at this price nothing

Type: airbed

Materials: 20D nylon with TPU laminate shell

Dimensions: 189x56cm

Thickness: 5cm

Rating: n/a

alpkit.com

The Cloud Base is a light and comfortable

airbed for above-freezing conditions.

There’s no insulation, which keeps the weight

and packed bulk down. There’s no pump

either but blowing it up by mouth is quick and

easy as not that much air needed. Of course

this does mean moist air inevitably enters

the mat, which could mean mildew in the

long run.

With multiple air cells rather than tubes

the Cloud Base is a comfortable mat to sleep

infl ating the mat takes some time.

The Thermocore is a tapered mat with

a raised pillow section at the wide end. Like

other airbeds with horizontal tubes it’s most

comfortable a little less than fully infl ated to

avoid the feeling you might roll off it.

Vango doesn’t give an R-value or

temperature rating for the Thermocore.

As it’s fi lled with hollowfi bre it should be fi ne

for sleeping on snow. The cost is good for a

four-season insulated mat but it is heavy.

on. It’s not that thick though and putting

pressure on a specifi c point, with an elbow

say, will depress it to the ground. The fabrics

feel quite tough so it should last.

Outside of winter I think this is an

excellent mat. The price is excellent too.

Features

RECOMMENDED

NOTES: Companies rate mat warmth by
lowest temperature or R-value, sometimes
both. The R-value is a measure of heat
resistance; the higher it is the warmer the
mat. In practice this roughly means that
mats with R-values up to 2 are not very
warm and for summer only, between 2 and
3 are for 3-season use, and 3+ for winter.
Pump drybags are included in the
weight where supplied. For tapered
mats the width is at the head. I’m a front
sleeper so comfort is judged for this.

so it’s not easy to fi ll it more than half full;

comfort, lightweight, cost

at this price nothing

20D nylon with TPU laminate shell

The Cloud Base is a light and comfortable

airbed for above-freezing conditions.

four-season insulated mat but it is heavy.

RECOMMENDED

comparative review Gear

1. Size
   Some mats come in two or more lengths.
   Shorter mats are lighter and less bulky
   but in cold conditions other insulation
   such as spare clothing will be needed
   under the lower legs. Most mats are
   around 51cm wide. Some are tapered to
   save weight. Back sleepers with broad
   shoulders may prefer wider mats.


2. Thickness
   With mats, comfort is related to
   thickness. Thin ones can be quite hard.
   With infl atable mats the thickness
   and fi rmness can be adjusted for
   maximum comfort.


3. Warmth
   How much insulation a mat provides
   depends on the materials it’s made from
   as well as the thickness. Closed-cell foam,
   solid infl atable foam, synthetic fi ll and
   down fi ll all insulate well. Cored foam
   doesn’t insulate as well, unless the holes
   are offset, as heat can escape through
   them. Uninsulated airbeds are fi ne for
   warm weather but don’t provide much
   insulation.


4. Weight
   With infl atable mats weight is a balance
   between warmth and durability.