UKC

How do people rate these for a warm yet light mat for all year round wild camping and bivi trips in the UK? By this also including winter insulation.

Is there a better Alpkit alternative?

Had an Alpkit mat before (I can't remember the model) and it got big faults in terms of massive inflation and bubbles in parts of the mat and so I am slightly cautious.

please advice me folks.

AT

In reply to An Triubhas:
I used the Airo in autumn in Glen Etive down to maybe minus 3 and it was great, no issues whatsoever.

In reply to crustypunkuk:

what type / season of bag did you have? did you have a liner?

was the grip of the mat ok against your bag and the tent base?

In reply to An Triubhas: gave up with alpkit mats after lots of delaminations. They always replaced them quickly and without fuss but when the last one went I didn't bother returning it at bought another brand instead which has been reliable.

In reply to jezb1:

Ditto. Their other kit is fantastic though, so don't let any comments on sleeping mats put you off Alpkit.

In reply to NottsRich:

can anyone recommend a sleeping mat that is a good insulator but compact and lightweight?

In reply to An Triubhas:

It does not answer your questions for compact and lightweight recommedations, but thought I'd share this one with the readers.

http://www.mckinley.eu/hardware-mats-travel-m-38-p828

I recently bought one, and I've been impressed with it. Three weeks ago I was in mid France and using it in a tent with an oat of -12C. Worked a treat. Last week I was in Spain camping just below the snowline, with an unexpected small river running below my tent, again it worked a treat. For general use when small and light are not an issue it would be good.

In reply to An Triubhas:

The Neoair Xtherm is toasty warm (according to my buddy who has one)
http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN4094

I have the Exped UL Synmat, which I also consider toasty warm
http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/exped_synmat_7_ultralight.html

Exped also do the UL Downmat which has the same thermal insulation value as the Neoair, but is a bit heavier.
http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/exped_downmat_ultralight_7_m.html

Any of them are very comfy to sleep on, but have the achilles heel of 'li-lo' mats, that if they pop and you can't repair it in the field, you're in for a cold night, whereas the foam mats still give you some insulation, even if uninflated.