Thermarest NeoAir Venture

We bought the thermarest neoair venture mats to use on a cycle touring holiday. We had previously used early thinner versions of self inflating mats and hoped the technology had moved on faster than our hips are deteriorating and we were not disappointed. These mats gave a very comfortable nights sleep. We used them for 16 nights, rolling up every day and were very confident with the durability - (although it would have been nice to have a repair kit included). We did use foam mats underneath as we have previously been given some camp pitches that were really hard standing for caravans. Following the video guides they are easy to roll up to the advetised size. Getting the chair frame included was a bonus. Again we had used this style of chair before and now find it an essential comfort at the end of a day in the saddle. We found inflating the mat half way works for the chair and then complete inflation for sleeping. The mats did not deflate at all overnight. Overall the mat and the chair weighed 1. 5 kg less than our previous combination of this type of equipment. As we were camping in very warm weather I made a sheet sleeve for each mat out of a single duvet cover. We could then sleep directly on the mat with or without an open sleeping bag as a duvet. This allows more freedom of movement (further reducing morning stiffness) and cool sleeping. The mats are fairly narrow but we were using a very small tent and they fit well in a minimal two man tent. A good night's sleep is priceless so these mats are not expensive.

Just used this for five straight nights on a canoeing trip in Scotland. The ground was often lumpy underneath the tent as we camped on river islands with not much choice of where to pitch. This thermarest coped very well and provided a good level of comfort and insulation and more so as I am 6ft tall and not the slimmest of builds. Recommend highly. Please remember this is the 5cm thick version so thick enough without being too heavy.

I used this for a week Camping. It was very comfortable and was strong/durable so you didn't have to worry when moving around the tent. I found the rectangular shape (rather than rounded style) easier to wake up and still actually be on the thermarest rather than slipping off! The valve is high quality and easier to blow up than previous thermarests I have used. The product also comes with a bag inflator which I have not used before and is useful if you don't want to use your mouth to blow it up (although it understandably takes more time (maybe I need more practice)). As for folding away, it is really simple and easily fits back in the holder bag if you fold into thirds across the width and then roll. Nice and small when folded if you are backpacking. Overall, it does exactly what I need it to do. I haven't used it enough to tell whether it will last years and years with decent care, but I am hoping it will and the quality suggests it should. A top tip I was once taught was to try and get most of the air out in a quick roll up, forcing it out. Then seal it the valve, unfold/roll it and then properly fold (for this one into thirds across the width) and roll properly, getting the final bit of air out by opening the valve at the end. (Maybe everyone knows this but thought I'd add it just in case! )