Hi there, I currently have 2 different type of alpkit mats, one of the Far Airic and the other is their standard one. I bought them both from the first line of mats a few years ago now. The Fat Airic is on it's way to camping mat heaven and so I am thinking of replacing it.
I sleep on my side, I'm a girl (5ft 2) and quite chunky. I don't tend to move a lot when I sleep but I find my hips ache really badly on the thinner Alpkit mat after day 2.
So I'm trying to decide whether to get a cot or a mat.
The pack size of the cot appeals to me as I would use it as music festivals and I often have to carry all my gear for miles along with my son who weighs over 20lb!
But we do go car camping a lot and my boyfriend thinks I should go for the more comfortable option.
But will the Thermarest be uncomfortable? Especially if I use my thin Aplkit pad on the top?
I bought the Thermarest Ultralite cot last year.
I weigh in at 100Kg and I guess you could call me a side sleeper.
The cot is definitely more comfortable than using a mat although you should bear in mind it's only got a one season rating, which is why I splashed out another £35 for the matching cot warmer for this year. Haven't tried it yet but have to say it packs really small, in fact almost as small as a guy's large handkerchief.
As I tour by motorcycle, the cot suits me just fine because it fits in a pannier, although I might just try it with a mat sometime, but I expect the mat will distort quite a bit on the cot under my weight.
I have no idea about the cot I can only tell you that the exped megamat is the most comfortable thing I have slept on ever, worth every penny and every bit of space it takes up in the car