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I bought daughter an inexpensive self inflating mat today as part of the ongoing plan to reduce the volume of "stuff" we`re going to be taking in the car this year. Changing the packing list from a trailer tent to a dome tent is not easy!

Anyway, since Hubby, son and daughter all now have these mats, I think it`s about time I got one too. I like my airbed, but it`s a PIB for size, time, having to take extra insulation, sheet etc just for a weekend.

However I`ve been looking around the web and can`t see any that are wider than 50cm. (These mats are how tent manufacturers say that five people can fit in a five man pod, you see.) Well, I did see one at 60cm, but at £100+ it isn`t an option. Any cheaper, wider self inflating mats out there? I`m what`s euphamistically called a big girl, and a 50cm wide mat is going to be a bit of a squeeze!

Quote: Originally posted by dvisor on 06/04/2005

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That non-slip grippy rubber stuff between the mats and the groundheet should keep them together. 1getfit on ebay has single self-inflating mats at 55cm for about £9.00 plus £5 postage, and doubles at 120cm for £15 plus £5 postage. I've got both types, but found the double is pretty wide when rolled up, and its harder to completely deflate before rolling. I'd rather stick two singles together.

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I can`t locate this seller on Ebay search, dvisor.....have you got the name right?

I was hoping for a mat about 80cm wide, same as my sleeping bag, but I think I`d rather go for a double than two narrow ones together. I`ve got a handy space behnd the rear seat in the car where a long rolled up mat would fit just fine.

But on the other hand two mats or an unnecessarily wide one would be defeating the purpose of getting a mat...taking up less space. Hmmmm.......

Quote: Originally posted by wildie on 07/04/2005

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your bag maybe 80cm wide when flat but not when in use, hell if you was that wide you have to go sideways through doors

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Who knows? I might be.......

I was just using the sleeping bag as a width illustration, actually. The thing I don`t like about 50cm mats is that if you`re not very, very careful when you roll over, you end up on the ground. I don`t like rolling over like I was on a rotissere spit. I like my space.

Thanks for the links, dvisor...I`ll tag that seller for future reference.

I think what I`m going to do is try sleeping on one of the ones I`ve already got when we go away the weekend after next. The campsite is only a few miles away so I can come home for the airbed after the first night if  I hate the mat!  It`s not just the width that`s worrying me...it`s to see if my back can take sleeping on one. I`ve just got rid of a back problem that`s been niggling me for some years now, and I don`t want to set it off again, you see.

   We use the thermarest mattress and you can buy a coupling kit which stops them moving apart.There is even a little pocket in the mattress bag to keep them in.Use one for the top and one for the bottom.Can't remember exact cost but they weren't expensive

Lidl and Aldi do these, no doubt they will appear again as the summer gets nearer.

Jut used my Lidl on during this last week, its 67cm wide and cost £10.

A lot more bulky packed up than than a simple foam mat or an airbed.