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Subject Topic: Vango Trek Mat or Vango Ultralite Mat? Post Reply Post New Topic
Personthomaskerrya
11/6/2010 at 3:29pm
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I am comparing the standard length Vango Trek mat and Vango Ultralite mat (for DofE). There is not a lot between them other than about 250g weight and 0.5cm thickness. I've found them for £21 Amazon & £25 Ebay respectively. I really don't know which one would be better, as far as I can tell it's just a trade off between weight and comfort. Can anyone offer their advice, is there any significant comfort difference in 0.5cm thickness? Thanks.

Post last edited on 11/06/2010 16:12:44

Post last edited on 11/06/2010 18:52:20


Persongirlwomble
11/6/2010 at 9:50pm
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For carrying them I'd probably go for the lighter one. 250g doesn't sound much but on a long trip the lighter the load the better. I find that sometimes it's better to lose a bit of comfort for the sake of making my load lighter.


Personvealmike
15/6/2010 at 4:46pm
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250g is a lot over a few days hiking. If you are tired you will sleep comfortably on either.

I've not googled those mats. Are they 3/4 length? If not it might be worth considering one to drop the weight down.

Oh and saw the handle off your toothbrush, empty all your toiletries down the drain - carry only what you need. Bin that fancy washbag in favour of a plastic one from tesco's.


Personscrumble
15/6/2010 at 11:00pm
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Yup, I would certainly go for the Ultralite for backpacking. 250g is about 30% of the weight of the Trek mat, this a big saving for a single item. Keeping the weight down for leightweight camping is all about attention to the weight of everything you carry. It will also be  les bulky to pack.

The slight difference in thickness won't really matter. I have a well used simialr 3/4 length Thermarest Ultralite, not it isn't as comfy as my Fat Airic, but I still sleep fine on it.


Personsanhozay
16/6/2010 at 12:16am
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Vango Trek Standard length (180cm) is 860g. Did you mean the Vango Trek Short at 560g? Vango Ultralite is a 3/4 mat (120cm) and 430g.

Trek Short

Vango Ultralite

I use 3/4 length 2.5cm mats outside winter BTW, and they are fine. Feet can do without a mat unless it's cold.

-------------
Richard


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PersonMagicman2
16/6/2010 at 12:41pm
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 I don't think that there will be any difference in performance but the difference in weight is considerable, it's got to be the ultralite then the only question is what length ?

 

 Steve


Personthomaskerrya
16/6/2010 at 3:37pm
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Update: well after a lot of debating with my darling teenager, she has insisted she wants the thicker one despite the extra 250g weight (a block of butter, as she put it, is not heavy!) Consider this, she has all her DofE gear now but hasn't loaded up the backpack to see how heavy it is, never walks further than the half mile to school and back, won't 'break in' her walking boots and is insistent on what she 'wants' to take rather than what I think is best - so, boy is she in for a shock! But it's her back, and her feet, and her fault!!! I shall just have to have to bite my tongue when she gets back and have a warm bath ready for her to soak her aching everything in (the 'told you so's' will be soooo hard to hold back)!

I'll update this when she gets back from her first trial hike mid July!


Personsanhozay
19/6/2010 at 1:28pm
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I passed what looked like a DofE group near Nethermost Pike this week. There seemed to be two clear divisions: those at the front with what looked like reasonable amounts of kit, and those sweating and suffering at the back with whopping, bulging rucksacks adorned with mugs, pans and mats.

-------------
Richard


Personharpsgirl
11/6/2013 at 6:50pm
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Very old thread I know but what was the outcome? My daughter will be doing her DofE soon! Found practise really hard - any tips?


Personsavanne1
14/6/2013 at 10:15pm
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our daughter is doing her bronze d of e expedition tomorrow. We went for the vango ultralite. She has been wearing her walking boots out and about for a few weeks now. Shes sporty, goes to athletics twice a week. Backpack is loaded and shes raring to go.

-------------
Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug



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