Blog

Rab Sleeping Mat Technology Explained

Mar 28, 2024

Rab has slashed weight and volume wherever they can with the Ultrasphere, crafting the definitive sleep mat for when every gram counts. It uses innovative offset air chambers to disrupt the flow of convection currents inside and trap heat, keeping you warm on wild overnights without the need for bulky insulation. Combined with a soft, exceptionally lightweight fabric, its weight-saving constructio …
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Rab Sleeping Mat Guide

Mar 28, 2024

Rab's collection of inflatable sleeping mats are designed to insulate you from the chill and support you on all terrain, providing all the retreat you need from bitter conditions and plummeting temperatures. From compact, ultralight sleeping pads for fast and light missions, to robust self-inflating roll mats for regular camping use, to winter sleeping mats built to insulate you from the deep free …
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Big Agnes Sleeping Mat Buying Guide

Posted by Mark Richardson on Mar 18, 2024

In this post we look at the Big Agnes sleeping mats that we stock and tell you a bit about them. Big Agnes's sleeping mats start at around 400 grams, they tend not to make extremely lightweight pads, preferring to focus on comfort and high insulation value, their pads are light for the job that they do. Designed for ultralight backcountry adventures, the Zoom UL Insulated eliminates the …
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MSR's Lightweight Bikepacking Kit List

Posted by Lois Fife on Mar 01, 2024

Whether you are racing the length or breadth of the country or enjoying a scenic tour of coffee shops and stately homes, your basic needs for shelter, sleeping and making a brew won’t differ greatly so, here are a few items that are compact and lightweight enough to fit on the bike and not weigh you down, allowing you to enjoy your next adventure. The main characteristics of a bikepacking …
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Exped Sleeping Mats Explained

Posted by Mark Richardson on Feb 23, 2024

What's in a Name? Exped have named their mats in a way that identifies the key features of the mat. Some examples are dissected here. — The Ultra mats are the lightest series and are made using 20D recycled ripstop Polyester. The Dura mats are built to be durable (what else?) and use 75D Polyester on the top and 170D Polyester on the base, so they are much more puncture resistant than th …
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Nemo Equipment Sleeping Mat Ranges Explained

Posted by Mark Richardson on Feb 22, 2024

We stock the key ranges of Nemo sleeping mats, find out which they are and what they do here. — Improving on our original, best-selling Tensor line, Tensor™ Trail offers versatile warmth for three-season adventures where weight is the top priority. Designed to take you from spring to fall, it keeps nights restful and packs up light. The pad’s interior features NEMO’s proprietary Spacefra …
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Ultralight Outdoor Gear Awards 2023

Posted by Andy Neil on Dec 22, 2023

2023 was an excellent year for new ultralight equipment and clothing, and we wanted to highlight some of our favourite gear that hit the market this year. Some pieces, like the Montbell Plasma 1000, pushed the limits of what it means to be ultralight even further. Others, like the Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions sleeping pad, showed real innovation by raising their R-value to an industry-leading 8. …
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Rab Winter Sleep System

Posted by Andy Neil on Nov 30, 2023

Winter camping enthusiasts understand the importance of a good night's sleep in extreme conditions. When the temperatures drop and the elements become more challenging, having the right gear makes all the difference. This article explores the perfect winter camping sleep system that combines cutting-edge technology, lightweight design, and unparalleled warmth. The trifecta of the Neutrino 800 Down …
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Exped Winter Kit List

Posted by Andy Neil on Sep 19, 2023

As the nights are drawing in and the temperature is starting to dip, we are excited about the prospect of the upcoming winter camping season. Winter camping can be more challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Cosy nights curled up in the tents, crisp frosty mornings, and dark star-filled skies are all only a few months away. So, we have teamed up with our friends at EXPED to de …
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Exped Dura 5R M Sleeping Mat Review - "A very tough and dependable mat that should see out many years’ worth of adventure with little worry of punctures and failures''

Posted by Trek Scotland on Jul 20, 2023

Exped describes the Dura 5R M as a ‘durable, extra-warm mat for demanding adventures, including extended outings in alpine and polar regions, rugged paddling trips and overlanding.’ Compared to their Ultra range this is quite large in comparison with a weight of approx. 900 grams including the inflation bag and an R-value of 4.8. Having also been using the Exped Ultra 7R alon …
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Nemo's Ultralight Range

Jun 30, 2023

Built with the backcountry in mind, NEMO’s ultralight gear sheds every gram possible while maintaining peak performance and liveability. NEMO’s ultralight tents trim weight by relying heavily on stakes for tension and structure support. Fewer poles and more mesh panels net out to a lighter load — and the ability to pack down smaller! …
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Nemo Sleep System Review - "Perfect for 3 and 4-season use in the UK''

Posted by Lois Fife on May 25, 2023

As a cold sleeper, I find the combination of the Nemo Women’s Riff 15 Sleeping bag and the Tensor Insulated sleeping mat perfect for 3 and 4-season use in the UK. The spoon shaped Riff 15 has 825g of down in the Women’s (and 540g in the men’s) and 800 fill power in both versions giving a comfort limit of -9C for both men and women. As a side sleeper, I find the Riff has the ben …
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