People who regularly go on hikes know that you need a travel mat to have fun. We learn what its features are, what are the characteristics and what to look for when choosing. We also consider models and major manufacturers of irreplaceable products for each tourist.
Why does a tourist need a rug?
Karemat (or sleeping bag) is an integral part of the equipment of every tourist. The material of a tourist rug can be the most diverse, each traveler chooses it depending on personal needs and preferences. The main thing is that it is light, comfortable, practical and warm. But there are other characteristics that you need to pay attention to when choosing. Today there are a variety of models from different manufacturers, they differ in price category.
Comfort above all
The comfort of a tourist camp is not only ease of use, but also ease of transportation. The mat should have different characteristics depending on the time of year. If a self-inflating tourist rug is used in the warm season, then it is worth giving preference to a breathable material that will ensure proper air circulation. Most often, it has a ribbed surface with elastic bends, which allows it to be conveniently folded into a backpack.
The comfort indicator also depends on the use of karemat during sleep. It should be soft and pleasant to the touch, but at the same time dense, as the surface may be uneven or rocky. The thickness of the mat depends on the filler, which directly affects a healthy and comfortable sleep.
Some rugs have a special pad, that is, one edge is more elevated for those who can not sleep on an exceptionally flat surface. There are also varieties of karemates depending on gender. It is believed that women are more fond of sleeping on their sides, so the surface of the rugs has a thickened middle part.
Types of rugs for tourists
All rugs for tourists can be divided into several groups:
- inflatable (light and easy to use, but can be pierced, and also easily ignited);
- self-inflating (it’s comfortable to sleep, but it’s hard to carry, since its weight is more than 3 kg, it does not withstand low temperatures, so in this case you have to inflate with a pump);
- insulated or made of foamed polyethylene (have good thermal insulation properties, lightweight, comfortable, durable, high-quality and inexpensive, not subject to temperature differences);
- tourist polyurethane rugs (karemat) - they are distinguished by good insulation, minimal weight, which is convenient for transportation, easy to clean.
Almost all the rugs that are on the market are colorful. They can be single or multi-layer, can be sold in rolls or as a separate product in a case.
Foam mat
The simplest and most common is a travel foam mat with closed cells. Foam is also called "Izhevsk" at the place of origin.
Advantages | disadvantages |
Easy to use and carry | Takes up a lot of space as it cannot be folded |
Not subject to mechanical stress | If the surface is uneven, then this is not the most comfortable option for sleeping |
Easy to clean | Not suitable for a winter hike, in this case you need to take several rugs with you for better thermal insulation |
Izhevsk rug is a budget option, it can be purchased both in specialized sports stores, and in household or construction outlets. Such a product is not very dirty and easy to clean. But due to the presence of fakes, it is important to check the goods before buying.
To check how good the mat is, you need to squeeze the corner for 30 seconds. After this, it does not take its original form for a long time, then it is a fake and it is worth looking for another tourist place.
Among the minuses of the Izhevsk rug, it is worth noting its voluminous appearance, it does not add up, it needs to be wrapped in a tube and mounted on top of a tourist backpack. Its standard width is only 8 mm, so for a winter hike you need to stock up on several rugs in order for the tourist to have a warm and comfortable rest at night.
Most often, this type of tourist equipment is chosen for short trips.
Inflatable mat
An air mattress (depending on the insulation inside) is considered the easiest type of tourist rug. It has high thermal insulation properties, it is convenient to fold it if necessary, it does not take up much space when folded.
Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting that this mat will have to be inflated independently or with a pump, and it is also subject to mechanical stress. Any sharp stick can easily pierce the inflatable karemat, after which it will be completely unusable.
Such inflatable options can be filled with fluff with many partitions inside, which prevents rapid cooling. As a result, the product has good thermal insulation properties.
Among the advantages can be noted a large thickness of the mat. For example, the Exped brand DownMat has a thickness of 9 cm, so you can use this mat even at an ambient temperature of -38 0 . Moreover, its weight when folded is only 670 g, and when unfolded - 970 g. can also be adjusted, it can not be inflated completely, then the berth will turn out to be soft and comfortable. Or inflate the mat completely, then it will be tight and the person lying on it will not feel the uneven surface.
Most often, special pumps go to the inflatable mats in the kit to facilitate the tourist process of inflation. The cost of such products is high, but they are considered the most convenient, technological, light and comfortable products for tourists, especially often such rugs are chosen by climbers because of their light weight and good thermal insulation properties.
Self-inflating mat
A self-inflating tourist mat is filled with perforated foam (similar to foam). Such a product has a so-called memory effect. It is enough to remove such a karemat from an airtight bag, that is, open a special valve, as it begins to open and take on the desired shape. Due to its ease of use and comfort, it is very popular.
For the first time such a design of the rug was made in 1942, and since then its properties only improve every year, that is, with the development and use of the latest technologies. This is a reliable product, as well as a comfortable and soft place for a tourist to sleep.
Among the minuses, weight can be noted; it is heavier than a regular karemat or an inflatable option. Also, he, like the inflatable model, is subject to mechanical stress, which can disrupt the entire structure.
This option is suitable for short hikes or spending the night on terrain with an uneven or rocky surface.
Area dimensions
All tourist rugs have certain standard sizes. This does not apply to those karemat sold in rolls. In this case, you can choose the length and cut the necessary piece individually. Usually all rugs for tourists go 180 cm long (maximum 200 cm), the width also varies from 50 cm to 60 cm. If the length of the product can be increased or decreased if necessary, then the width, as a rule, is standard and does not change.
The required rug length is selected not only depending on the size of the tourist, but also on the place where he will sleep. If you spend the night in tents, then their length (in most cases) is limited to 2 m, so taking a rug longer does not make sense. It just won't fit there.
The thickness of the karemat depends on the model, material of manufacture and features of the manufacturer. Usually it is up to 10 mm. Rugs with a larger width are chosen for a hike in the winter.
Karemat Weight
The greatest role in hiking is precisely the weight of all the tourist equipment, since most of the time you have to go on foot and carry a rather big burden. An inflatable travel mat, as noted earlier, is the lightest, most compact and convenient option. Rugs weighing over 1 kg are considered heavy for long trips.
The standard weight for the karemat varies from 350 g to 450 g. There are also more lightweight options weighing only 200-250 g. Developments to reduce the weight of the rug, but with all the thermal insulation properties being maintained, are ongoing. Most often, the internal structure is changing, so new products from manufacturing companies appear every year.
The mats with fluff inside are considered the warmest, which are designed for hiking in the winter, but the weight of such a standard product is 1.2 kg, which is quite heavy for a tourist. Many travelers take with them two carriages of different thicknesses made of different materials.
Criterias of choice
When choosing a tourist rug, it is important to consider the following parameters and characteristics of the product:
- Thermal insulation properties - depending on the time of the trip and the ambient temperature, a certain type of rugs is chosen, on which the tourist will not only be comfortable, but also sleep warmly.
- Weight - it should be minimal, since the tourist will have to walk all the time and bear the already significant burden.
- Comfort - it should be comfortable, comfortable and soft to sleep on the mat.
- Folded size - it should be minimal (there are such models that easily fit in a pocket when folded, and there are those that do not fold).
- Strength and reliability - usually an avid tourist chooses a karemat not for one trip, but for a long time.
- Price - Good, practical, and durable rugs cannot be cheap.
Thermal conductivity is one of the most important parameters of choice. It is also called R-value. The characteristic is indicated on the product by a numerical designation. The higher the number, the more the mat can withstand lower temperatures and retain heat. For example, mats with the number 1 are designed for hiking at a temperature of at least +9 degrees, 3 to -4 degrees, 5 to -18 degrees, 9 to -45 degrees.
Overview of rug manufacturers
The most popular and sought after companies producing rugs for tourists are constantly working to improve their lineup. That is why each company produces not a specific version of the rug, but works in several directions at once.
So, the companies RedFox and Tramp (Russia) produce several models, including folding tourist rugs and self-inflating, but in standard and specific sizes.
Other top companies include Therm-a-Rest, Mammut (Ajungilak), Big Agnes, Sea to Summit, Nemo and Exped. Their products have good heat-insulating properties, small size, both folded and unfolded, there are shortened models or unusual design solutions.