Gram-counter Gear Featherweight Evazote Foam Mat Review - Trek Scotland
Posted by Trek Scotland on May 19, 2022
As the name suggests this is a superlight foam mat weighing in at an impressive 74 grams with a sizing of 150 cm x 50cm and a thickness of 3mm. It has a low profile which means it can easily be rolled or folded to fit within our pack. Rather than replacing a sleeping mat, we found it much more suitable as a footprint for a solo tent or bivy bag.
Protection from the ground is very important not only to keep your expensive equipment in great shape but also increased insulation from the cold ground beneath will result in a better performance from your sleeping bag or quilt. It’s also a handy backup for if your air mat has a puncture or valve issue that cannot be repaired on route.
The Evazote Foam Mat has no R-Value rating and at only 3mm in thickness don’t expect an overly noticeable boost in warmth, but it does offer better insulation than a regular fabric footprint with less weight carried. It’s also very versatile as when folded it can be used as a sit mat or to kneel on. Laid out it can be used to arrange kit free from dirt or coarse rock that may cause abrasion.
The sizing is slightly under that of a regular mat and it would have been handy to have an option of a longer version to offer full protection from the ground.
Our Verdict
The Featherweight Evazote Foam Mat is exactly as described. To use just this mat alone to sleep on you would need to be a fairly hardcore minimalist wild camper. For us, it was more of a versatile platform adding protection from the ground whilst adding a slight bit of insulation and comfort. With its size and weight of just 74 grams, it makes perfect sense to have this as an option over a regular footprint.
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Trek Scotland is a small family business based in the picturesque village of Tomintoul in the North East region of the Cairngorms National Park. They provide bespoke Mountain Guiding for Single Day Walks and Lightweight Multiday Trekking experiences, including wild camping, in the stunning Cairngorms wilderness and surrounding areas. Whether in the high mountains or lower valleys, their Multiday Treks are equipped with high quality, lightweight camping and trekking gear. They only work with small groups and, whatever your ability, pride themselves on designing your outdoor experience completely to your needs and with professional guidance and expertise. Adventure is waiting... |
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