Sleeping mat, comfort

My current sleeping mat is only 5cm thick. I am looking for something a bit thicker and more comfortable (I’m getting older). Its main use will be during a week long backpacking trip during the summer.

I dont really want a mummy shaped mat. I dont want any Alpkit mats as they have not been very good in the past.

I understand something thicker and not mummy shaped will be heavier. I have spent some considerable time looking, but any suggestions?

I have a Thermarest NeoAir Topo Luxe (amongst others). It is 10cm thick, has a lovely textured surface and is very comfortable, quiet and stable. It’s by far the most comfortable camping mattress I’ve ever used but it is, of course, heavier and bulkier than a super-lightweight mattress. But what price for a good night’s sleep?!

I’d highly recommend getting a FlexTail Tiny pump too. It will inflate these bigger mattresses in moments, several times over on one charge.

Any of the 7cm mats from Exped. I do think they’re best not “fully” inflated, though laying one down on cold ground does tend to soften it a bit after a while.

I would certainly agree with not fully inflating these mattresses. My technique is to put slightly more air in than I think I need, then I do the “sit test”. This involves sitting on the mattress with all of my weight through my backside. I then let some air out until my sit bones fully compress the mattress when I bounce slightly. ie, I feel my bum just about make contact with the ground. Transfer to laying down and the pressure is perfect.
Too much pressure and you don’t get the full comfort; too little and you roll off the sides (or get aching parts).

Worth trying to ‘under’ inflate your current mat?

I have a couple of Robens mats which are great – one a narrow mummy (HighCore?) and one a wider (Iceshield?)
Warm, not crinkly, comfy if you don’t fully inflate as others suggest.
Both 65mm thick.

Blatant sales pitch …but I’ve got an exped synmat 12 LXW . It’s the lighter version of their megamat , no longer available extra long and wide 12cm thick + great insulation .
Cost over £200 and used half a dozen times . Perfect condition, properly stored and only ever inflated with their schnozzel ? Bag to avoid breath bacteria internal contamination .
£80 posted .. mail in profile if interested.
Cheers
Bill

I bought an Antur sleeping mat, packs down to next to nothing, no insulation, and I pop my thermarest on top of it. Partial inflation so whichever boney bit is just and so off the ground and its great. Far cheaper than buying a thick mat and was dead comfy on 2 x 2 week camping trips last year on my motorsickle. I’m 52 don’t you know :D