Self-inflating travel mats: features and choices

The invention of a lightweight portable bed is an old dream of all those who spend the night in the field. Now it is hard to imagine that once travelers were forced to carry with them a whole heap of skins, mattresses and other heavy and uncomfortable belongings, just to provide themselves with minimal comfort at night. Lighter wadded mattresses are no exception, they are also quite bulky.

Only in the second half of the 20th century, with the development of polymer production, was it possible to create an almost weightless foam, which became an indispensable attribute of a hiking trip. Further development of polymeric materials in combination with a number of other modern technologies made it possible to make a self-inflating tourist rug that has already proven itself, combining the properties of a regular tourist "foam" and an air mattress.

Any inventory for tourism, first of all, must meet the following simple requirements:

• ease;
• functionality;
• reliability.

It was to satisfy this simple and logical set of parameters that the travel mat was invented, which made it possible to make autonomous hiking trips and expeditions more comfortable. A self-inflating mat is an optional thing on a hike, but very useful.And it's not just about its exceptional properties, such as the ability to insulate from cold ground and retain body heat. This portable bed can greatly facilitate the overnight stay.

If it takes a long time to inflate an ordinary air mattress, as its name implies, then a self-inflating mat will do everything by itself. You need to use it in accordance with the following simple algorithm:

• expand the product;
• open the air valve;
• leave the rug for a few minutes until the filler is filled with air (at this time, you can do a lot of other useful things for arranging an overnight stay);
• close the valve when the mat has enough air.

On this bed you need to place a sleeping bag, and that's it - the bed is ready. When it will be necessary to roll the rug, all operations are performed in reverse order:

• open valve;
• tightly rolling the product into a roll, expel air from it;
• close the valve.

The main advantage of self-inflating mats is, of course, excellent thermal insulation, which is created by a rather thick layer of air. For the same reason, a feeling of comfort is created even in rather ascetic conditions. Despite this, they are not without some drawbacks. Primarily, this is the need for very careful and accurate handling, so as not to accidentally pierce the shell of the rug.

Some tourists indicate as a drawback a rather sharp rustling sound produced by the filler when moving. The development of this tourist accessory is far from being completed, different manufacturers are searching for their own unique manufacturing technology for such products, trying to minimize all its shortcomings.

But in order for this equipment to fully meet the requirements for it, you need to follow such simple rules as:

• store in a dry and warm place;
• storage is best placed unfolded;
• ensure the safety of the shell from fire and sharp objects.

Subject to these simple requirements, such a rug can serve for a very long time and will be a reliable companion on hikes.

Among the manufacturers of self-inflating tourist mats, of course, some differentiation has occurred over time. Companies specializing in products with increased requirements for quality and functionality, producing the most reliable and at the same time, of course, the most expensive inventory, have stood out, for example, Aleksika, Term-A-Rest, Alpine and some others. By purchasing goods from any of these companies, you can secure your travels for at least 10 years. However, you will have to pay for this pleasure within 20 thousand rubles.

Acquisition of company products Tramp or Wanderlust may be much cheaper. And although these rugs are unlikely to cause envious glances of tourist companions, their functionality will not make you regret the money spent.

Some products may have two valves: one for air intake, the second for opening when folded. Russian company Helios offers quite competitive mid-price mats with a single flap. Most models are supplied with a repair kit.

Numerous products offered by Chinese manufacturers are not necessarily a cause for disappointment. It should be noted that the history of these companies is not yet long enough to judge the durability of their products. There are models on sale that fully meet the requirements, and we must not forget that the production of many reputable European or American brands is also concentrated in China.

The choice of camping equipment is not an easy task. There are many factors to consider, not the least of which is price. The quality of the product is the most important selection criterion. When choosing a camping self-inflating mat, it is necessary to carefully inspect the product for quality workmanship, especially if it is produced by a little-known company. We must not forget about the existence of cheap fakes of expensive equipment. Not bad, of course, to inflate the product before buying it. This will help identify valve malfunctions or filler problems, if any.

An important selection criterion may be the weight of the product. It is clear that on a hiking trip, every kilogram of extra weight of a backpack will directly affect the quality of the impressions received from the trip. So-called a light mat can weigh from 0.5 to 1 kg. Heavy, providing the greatest comfort mats can weigh up to 3 kg.

But the greatest weight will have a double mat, which, of course, will provide maximum comfort in the event of a family or romantic trip, but it is absolutely not suitable for extreme hiking.The weight of the product is also greatly influenced by perforation - holes of various shapes in the filler, which are necessary, among other things, to reduce weight, but also perform the function of additional thermal insulation. The frequency and shape of perforation can be easily guessed in the inflated state of the product.

The weight will certainly be affected by the thickness, which can vary from 2 to 5 cm. It is clear that the thicker the product, the greater its weight. However, for a winter hike, the thickness of the rug can be a decisive factor. When choosing a rug, you must also consider your height. An extra 20 cm of bed length will add several tens of grams of useless load. If the equipment is purchased for a tent, of course, you need to take into account the dimensions of the tent. An inflated rug will be very difficult to fit under a portable house if its size is larger.

It should be noted that for lovers of autoexpeditions there are mats comparable in their characteristics to an air mattress. The filler of such a product, along with polyurethane, is fluff, while the thickness can be more than 7 cm.

Due to the design features, the operation of a self-inflating mat requires quite close attention. Even expensive models are very sensitive to mechanical or thermal stress. In view of this, the use of mats for other than their intended purpose is unacceptable. They are not recommended for swimming, it is better to keep them away from open fire, and not to use as a tablecloth during halts.

The equipment is able to perform its functions, provided that the inlet-outlet valve is operating normally.Of course, metal valves are more reliable, but most mid-range rugs have plastic valves. These structural elements are not designed for high forces.

By purchasing this equipment, you also need to get a special repair kit, consisting of patches and glue.

To extend the life of a self-inflating mat, it is advisable to follow the following simple rules:

• during transitions, always place the mat in the backpack;
• do not fold the mat with the valve closed when inflated, this may cause the formation of an air bubble, which will gradually make the mat unusable;
• it is better to store the mat in an inflated and straightened state in a room at room temperature.

In the next video, you will find a review and test of Greenell Comfort self-inflating mats on a Baikal trip.