New Range of Alpkit Self Inflating Mattresses

Some time ago we reviewed the Alpkit range of Airic self inflating mats, which we loved, so we were delighted when Alpkit asked us to take a new at their brand new range. These sleeping mattress use clever technology to be self inflating, yet easy to pack away, ideal for campers.

An airbed is heavy and takes an age to inflate. A balloon bed packs down small but like an airbed can be cold because there is nothing to stop the air circulating around the inflated chambers. Whilst closed cell foam mats are light, can't be punctured and prevent heat loss into the ground, they don't offer a great deal of comfort. Self-inflating mats aim to combine the best properties of all without the need to carry a foot pump

A self-inflating mat is basically a layer of compressable foam sandwiched inside an airtight envelope of fabric with a sealable valve. When you open the valve the foam expands, sucks air into the mat and after a couple of minutes the mat will be semi-firm. You'll then need to add a few breaths of air to make the mat firm enough to sleep on. The foam provides the insulation and a built in pump, the sealed fabric in combination with the foam provides comfort and the whole mat squeezed flat for compact storage.

There are various different mats in the range, depending on your requirements, below are details of the new range.

Dozer

Base

Sometimes the most expensive product is not always the best, it is really a question of suitability for purpose. Although Base is cheaper than Airo you would be foolish to discount it as an inferior camping mat on this basis alone. Yes Base does use heavier fabrics, a simpler construction and non die-cut foam, it is heavier and packs down larger than Airo but it is also warmer and the polyester fabric will be more hardwearing than the lightweight fabrics used on the Airo. So if you are after a good solid workhorse of a sleeping mat to accompany you on your adventures then Base is well worth a look. Available in two sizes.

Base 120 Fatness: 2.5cm Length: 120cm Width: 50cm Weight: 520g
Base 180 Fatness: 2.5cm Length: 180cm Width: 50cm Weight: 870g

Airo

If your big adventure demands the lightest equipment to succeed then you should be looking at the two Airo sleeping mats. They have used a lightweight 33D ripstop nylon bonded to a die-cut foam core. A PU coating on the inside of the mat bonds the mat together, this has a much higher melting point than a TPU laminate which reduces the risk of a de-lamination in extreme conditions such as inside a hot Landy or on your approach to Kili. If you are going solo and you still can't fit the water filter in your pack you should consider their 120cm length Airo, it will keep your core warm and you can use your rucksack under your feet..

Airo 120 Fatness: 2.5cm Length: 120cm Width: 50cm Weight: 399g
Airo 180 Fatness: 2.5cm Length: 180cm Width: 50cm Weight: 582g

Wedge

There are more appropriate mats to choose from if you are going to be carrying your kit around on your back, but if your adventure involves some form of transport such as rafting, canoeing, horse-back riding or even something with an engine you may well be lucky enough to have the extra luggage space for a bigger and more comfortable camping mat. The Wedge is an option here thanks to its clever tapered design which starts at a fat 5cm under the head sliming down to 2.5 cm at the feet. This means you get the insulation where you need it and benefit from a much reduced pack size. Wedge has die-cut foam to further reduce the weight and speed up inflation time.

Fatness: 5 - 2.5cm Length: 190cm Width: 64cm Weight: 1kg

Little Kippa

Dirtbag

Dirtbag is a sleeping mat which is hard to ignore especially if comfort is way up there on your list of priorities. Comfort inevitably comes with a weight penalty, but with Dirtbag you have a sleeping mat that is designed to minimise the hit as much as possible. If you are travelling for an extended period and sleeping primarily on the ground then carrying a few more grams in your pack could be worth the effort. Strap it to your camel for star-gazing in the Sahara, chuck it on the floor of your old pals house in downtown Sydney for a few days. Perhaps take it down Mexico way, or back up along the Pacific Coast Highway. Travel, life.

Fatness: 5cm Length: 180cm Width: 50cm Weight: 888g

What did we think?

We were supplied with a couple of mats to test and upon arrival they were neatly packed away in their bags, strapped tight with good heavy duty straps. Each comes complete with a puncture repair kit. The straps are a simple quick release which meant they were open and rolled out in a matter of seconds. As with any brand new self inflating mat, the first time used they did not fully self inflate and were helped along with a few puffs of breath to get them going.  This was required until the mat was fully inflated.

After a very comfortable nights sleep, we packed the mats away and headed off to the next campsite.  Upon arrival at the next site, this time the mats had some give in them and started to inflate themselves.  Some blowing was required, but not much. The third and subsequent uses of the Alpkit range found that the mats went up much easier with just removing the valves, and we found that only a few puffs at the end got them to the required hardness.

Deflating is quite simple, rolling them up expelled the air, and we were able to get them strapped up and back in their carry bags with only minimal effort. Having said that, the young kids in our camp did struggle to get them small enough to fit back in the bags, we had to help, but it's just a knack really.

The different options should make finding the perfect one for you easy, it's just a case of considering how you want to transport them and the level of comfort you ( or your other half ) demand! The lightweight ones are ideal for backpackers who want to maintain a good level of comfort, whilst the slightly heavier, bulkier ones are superb for those packing them in a car.

These are a great self inflating mat and not once did I wake after an uncomfortable night, or suffering with back aches etc, in fact I woke most refreshed. After using the Alpkit mats for a while now, we couldn't go back to pump up airbeds, these mats are now an essential part of our camping kit, indeed they often get used at home if visiting friends, or family where a quick bed is required!

Where can I get them from?

The entire range is available from Alpkit. Click here to see full details of all the available self inflating mattresses, and to buy securely online