This is the kind of honest review I like. Nobody ever mentions bottoming out on certain mats when you sit up etc. So for me the score will be... nil pointe
On the contrary, I can't sleep on a mat inflated to a "rock-hard" state. A mat that gives way when you sit on it becomes ergonomic when you lie down. Besides, at such pressure, there's less chance of damaging the mat with sudden stress. I have a Naturehike R-5.8.
I got the flex tail one for my birthday , I tell ya best mat I’ve ever used and I’ve been camping for over 35 years, it was a bit to warm in summer but this year even in frost you don’t feel the cold at all under ya. Great review I will definitely be avoiding this one.
I've bought 2 of the Flextail Zero R05 (mummy versions) in the past year, direct from Flextail's store on Ali for £50 each incl tax and delivery. And what a great mat it is. Comfortable, warm and doesn't bottom out. Weighs a little over 500g and packs well providing you use a pump to deflate. Considering they retail at £110, I couldn't resist purchasing an extra mat just in case one fails. I was so tempted to buy this NH one, but I'm glad you've put that temptation to rest. So, thanks.
One Cons for somebody is One Pros for somebody.. i don't want to sleep on a hard rock like pad.. A sleeping pad is designed for you to lay and sleep on it.. Not to sit down on it. Thanks for the honest review.. Now I'm thingking to get one..Anyway just got the Naturehike 5.8 with sidewalls..Hope you check it too. 👍
Thanks for another excellent review. I do have this mat and have used it on two camps in the Peak district. I did not have the issues you mentioned and found the mat comfortable but a little noisy and slippery. I have not used it in cold conditions so cant comment on the R value. Have had no problems with this mat. There are cheaper 2-3 season mats out there which are just as comfy but a 4 season mat would cost more. I hope this helps.
The thinner 5.8 version is actually really really good. The problem with thicker pads is the amount of air volume that has to be heated, I'm guessing with current tech there is a limit to thickness Vs warmth as there is a recurring trend if you look at a lot of pads overall . 3.5"/4" thickness - 4.5/7 r value seems to be the sweet spot for most just an observation I could very well be wrong haha😅
Totally agree, my findings also… too much sleeping pad exposed to the cold surroundings. We should actually use smaller mummy pads in winter rather than these oversized rectangular ones like in this case. All these pads with foil layers stay cold in all the areas that the body doesn’t cover.
I bought a Lighttour 7.5 recently and had to send it back, kept going down even with no pressure on. Spot of good luck I ordered another in sale for £58 and it's perfect :)
Been using a trekology UL140 for a few years now, it's huge and incredibly comfortable, has baffles along the side which are higher than the reast of the mat so you tend not to roll off. Not the warmest so i put a decathlon z fold mat underneath and it has worked a treat! think they cost about £50 off amazon, well worth checking out.
I don't know if I've just been lucky, but all 3 of my sleeping mats work great and they're all budget ones. The ubiquitous UL80 (super comfortable) An Origem one (big and wide for our car camping trips) and The Bestway Alpinelite (with a claimed 7.3 R vale. Highly unlikely, but it is still warm) I am however a bit of a skinny runt, even though I am over 6' so maybe don't have some of the issues that those of a larger stature may have 🤣
Until there is a cert I'll take that R rating with a pinch of salt. Also, bottoming out doesnt bode well for side sleepers ( I'm one) If it is bottoming out then what is insulating your hip? Ill stick with my expeds. As usual, an honest concise review. Cheers mate.
You could use it in the swimming pool on hols :) I use the Vango Aotrom Platinum and it is amazing, picked it up for £70 new. I never seen anyone plug or review it on TH-cam which is a shame, its a great mat at cheap price.
I've been using this mat through the New Zealand winter since May and it's not bad, though I am possibly of less portley disposition at 87kg. I have 3 different sizes of R5.8 and do prefer the comfort of the Light Tour R5.8 overall.... this thicker R8.8 mat has less lateral stability. It has plenty of mylar reflective layers so is warm, but possibly loses heat via increased sidewall area, hence I like to use thin foam/foil over top. The R5.8 is best pumped firm as possible as the fabric is flexy... snozzle bag gets better pressure than my flextail 2x. I have a few different thick Exped pads, 7r downmat etc, and this R8.8 is like them in that it is best inflated to about 60-70%... ideally bum should be on the ground when sitting up on it. Too inflated and I feel a bit sideways tippy on it.... I'd like to see an 8cm thick dimple pad with a separate higher pressure air chamber up each side and wide across the top to better support the body and pillow. That would be perfection.
I have this bag. First time overinflated and when lying down and moving about the plug popped out. My weight is 104 kgs. I also take a self inflatable with me as well if needed. Also with this pad, the insulation does not go as far as the outer baffle. Bought it now so, see how it performs on a long trip.
Please try the one-tigris obsidian! I saw a guy from a very small channel - Johnny Hayes Outdoors compare it to the 4.2 R nemo tensor. It looks like a great budget wide winter mat with 3 layers of reflective mylar going to the edges, comfortable, and if it's durable, at 60 or 80 bucks, it would be an excellent value.
Thanks for doing this, fellow side sleeper here and I like my Light tour 5.8, with the dimples, cos it cradles the hip and shoulder doesn't it? I also agree to pump it up alot, those people saying not to must have those silly horizontal or verticals!
My biggest problem is getting a wide enough one. 1st world side sleeping fat git problem 😁 Not worried about mat weight though or R value for that matter as I always bung an insulation mat under my sleeping mat or inflatable mattress. ( Bike and car camper)
Isn't that strange, i have the Naturehike R5.8 which is 7cm thick i think and im a heavy guy but i find is comfy even as a side sleeper. All very strange but thanks for the vid, you've saved me £100.
Just bought the lightour 7.5 and very impressive performance weight and pack size and surprised how quick the pump bag inflated the mattress. Shame about Naturehike.
Unless you're going to return it for a refund, I think it would be cool to open it up and see what, if anything is inside. Nemo's Tensor Extreme has 4 layers of metal film inside it to reach a similar R value to this and that costs x2.5 more. If it's bottoming out so easily then it might literally be a lilo with some dodgy marketing.
All I can say is that I've got an exped R rated 2.5 .I use a Roben fold mat underneath and it works OK..as I sleep without a mattress at home..comfort is irrelevant
Cheap mats are such a lottery, think I bought about 4/5 before just investing in a decent one. Buy cheap buy twice, or many times. That said, decathlon is probably the best bet for consistently good affordable kit.
I bought an XTherm a couple of years ago and couldn’t get in with it. Same with the Exped Ultra. The Light Tour was the most comfortable I’ve had with the same structure tire as this NatureHike one. Same as the Big Agnes mats too I think.
@ Mats seem to be very individual. I’ve had a couple of the sea to summit ones and they didn’t work for me but the rectangular Exped ones have been fantastic.
As a matter of interest, do you think the R rating is at all accurate, apologies if I missed you saying, but I can only recall you not liking it because of the “squishy” issue?
am i the only one who hates fully inflated mats?, not only for sleeping but for sitting up doing stuff, my ul80 when its properly inflated just tips you over if you lean over to pick something up, and you end up spending half your time trying to balance yourself while sitting on a balloon. i deflate it till it bottoms out when i sit on the edge and thats perfect for sleeping too.
@ Mountain Equipment Aerostat Down 7.0 Ultra is probably the last mat I’ll ever need for winter. Based on the top end ExPed model but ME have redesigned the internal baffles to keep all the down in place. It’s epic. And at £200+, still cheaper than buying multiple Chinese tat models.
This review is crap because it didn't really say much about the use! Was it warm? I'm not sure that it bottoming out when you sit up is an issue imho. How often do you sit up? For me its twice..getting in bed and getting out of bed. Just saying 'it's crap' because of that is unfair. I could say that about all of my sleep mats because I don't inflate them fully.
I can’t comment on the warmth if the cold comes through every time it bottoms out. I sit up for hours at this time of year when I’m in the tent for 14 hours plus. If it’s not something that’s an issue for you then that’s fine 🤷♂️
8.8R, sweet. That will go nicely with the 500,000 lumen rechargeable torch that I bought last week, for £15!
Outstanding review. That's why I like your channel totally honestly.
Always 🫡 Thanks for watching mate
This is the kind of honest review I like. Nobody ever mentions bottoming out on certain mats when you sit up etc. So for me the score will be... nil pointe
On the contrary, I can't sleep on a mat inflated to a "rock-hard" state. A mat that gives way when you sit on it becomes ergonomic when you lie down. Besides, at such pressure, there's less chance of damaging the mat with sudden stress. I have a Naturehike R-5.8.
Totally agree … heck my mat is barely inflated and I sleep pretty decent … pump it hard though and it’s like sleeping on a darn plank 😞
At last, a straight to the point honest review, subscribed.
Welcome aboard 🫡
I got the flex tail one for my birthday , I tell ya best mat I’ve ever used and I’ve been camping for over 35 years, it was a bit to warm in summer but this year even in frost you don’t feel the cold at all under ya. Great review I will definitely be avoiding this one.
I've bought 2 of the Flextail Zero R05 (mummy versions) in the past year, direct from Flextail's store on Ali for £50 each incl tax and delivery. And what a great mat it is. Comfortable, warm and doesn't bottom out. Weighs a little over 500g and packs well providing you use a pump to deflate. Considering they retail at £110, I couldn't resist purchasing an extra mat just in case one fails. I was so tempted to buy this NH one, but I'm glad you've put that temptation to rest. So, thanks.
One Cons for somebody is One Pros for somebody.. i don't want to sleep on a hard rock like pad.. A sleeping pad is designed for you to lay and sleep on it.. Not to sit down on it. Thanks for the honest review.. Now I'm thingking to get one..Anyway just got the Naturehike 5.8 with sidewalls..Hope you check it too. 👍
I just popped by for the Timelapse, so chuffed I wasn’t let down 🙏🏻😉
Cinematic 👌
Thanks for another excellent review.
I do have this mat and have used it on two camps in the Peak district. I did not have the issues you mentioned and found the mat comfortable but a little noisy and slippery. I have not used it in cold conditions so cant comment on the R value. Have had no problems with this mat.
There are cheaper 2-3 season mats out there which are just as comfy but a 4 season mat would cost more.
I hope this helps.
The thinner 5.8 version is actually really really good. The problem with thicker pads is the amount of air volume that has to be heated, I'm guessing with current tech there is a limit to thickness Vs warmth as there is a recurring trend if you look at a lot of pads overall . 3.5"/4" thickness - 4.5/7 r value seems to be the sweet spot for most just an observation I could very well be wrong haha😅
Totally agree, my findings also… too much sleeping pad exposed to the cold surroundings. We should actually use smaller mummy pads in winter rather than these oversized rectangular ones like in this case. All these pads with foil layers stay cold in all the areas that the body doesn’t cover.
I bought a Lighttour 7.5 recently and had to send it back, kept going down even with no pressure on. Spot of good luck I ordered another in sale for £58 and it's perfect :)
Been using a trekology UL140 for a few years now, it's huge and incredibly comfortable, has baffles along the side which are higher than the reast of the mat so you tend not to roll off. Not the warmest so i put a decathlon z fold mat underneath and it has worked a treat! think they cost about £50 off amazon, well worth checking out.
Well the matt might fail, but the watch still love it. And your still using yours too. Cheers Ben.
I don't know if I've just been lucky, but all 3 of my sleeping mats work great and they're all budget ones.
The ubiquitous UL80 (super comfortable) An Origem one (big and wide for our car camping trips) and The Bestway Alpinelite (with a claimed 7.3 R vale. Highly unlikely, but it is still warm)
I am however a bit of a skinny runt, even though I am over 6' so maybe don't have some of the issues that those of a larger stature may have 🤣
Until there is a cert I'll take that R rating with a pinch of salt. Also, bottoming out doesnt bode well for side sleepers ( I'm one) If it is bottoming out then what is insulating your hip?
Ill stick with my expeds.
As usual, an honest concise review. Cheers mate.
You could use it in the swimming pool on hols :)
I use the Vango Aotrom Platinum and it is amazing, picked it up for £70 new.
I never seen anyone plug or review it on TH-cam which is a shame, its a great mat at cheap price.
I've been using this mat through the New Zealand winter since May and it's not bad, though I am possibly of less portley disposition at 87kg. I have 3 different sizes of R5.8 and do prefer the comfort of the Light Tour R5.8 overall.... this thicker R8.8 mat has less lateral stability. It has plenty of mylar reflective layers so is warm, but possibly loses heat via increased sidewall area, hence I like to use thin foam/foil over top. The R5.8 is best pumped firm as possible as the fabric is flexy... snozzle bag gets better pressure than my flextail 2x. I have a few different thick Exped pads, 7r downmat etc, and this R8.8 is like them in that it is best inflated to about 60-70%... ideally bum should be on the ground when sitting up on it. Too inflated and I feel a bit sideways tippy on it.... I'd like to see an 8cm thick dimple pad with a separate higher pressure air chamber up each side and wide across the top to better support the body and pillow. That would be perfection.
That's a real shame...thanks for your honesty Daley.
B&S rather than bs!! 👍
I will stick with my lightour 7.5 comfy and warm 👍
Thx for the video. Just wondering which tent you are using there? Looks like a great setup
Naturehike Massif
Was it warm, did I miss that part?
Can’t really say. Cold came through every time it bottomed out.
Thanks for saying me money again. Was going to buy one
Hi mate,hope you are well.
Lite tour have a R7.5 mat.
I understand their 5.8 mat is a legitimate rating.
I believe both the 5.8 and 7.5 are properly certified
Good review Ben…. I was looking at this or the lite tour for next year… you’ve made up my mind for me Thanks 🙏 ATB Dave Mc
No problem 👍
I have this bag. First time overinflated and when lying down and moving about the plug popped out. My weight is 104 kgs. I also take a self inflatable with me as well if needed.
Also with this pad, the insulation does not go as far as the outer baffle.
Bought it now so, see how it performs on a long trip.
Was excited to try this pad out on a winter trip this week! ...until I watched your take on it :P
Haha you might love it to be fair. You look a lot lighter than me! Will be interesting to see what you think 🫡
Please try the one-tigris obsidian! I saw a guy from a very small channel - Johnny Hayes Outdoors compare it to the 4.2 R nemo tensor. It looks like a great budget wide winter mat with 3 layers of reflective mylar going to the edges, comfortable, and if it's durable, at 60 or 80 bucks, it would be an excellent value.
I would check out the Light Tour /Naturehike 7.5 pad. I don't believe Light Tour makes the 8.8 pad for Naturehike.
Hey Justin. what happened to the Hikenture 6.2 pad? Any plans for a long term review on that thing?
What do you think, is it because this sleeping mat has a more stretchy material of outer surface, rather than in Naturehike R5.8?
Thanks for doing this, fellow side sleeper here and I like my Light tour 5.8, with the dimples, cos it cradles the hip and shoulder doesn't it? I also agree to pump it up alot, those people saying not to must have those silly horizontal or verticals!
The dimples are great for side sleeping. I miss my light tour mat now 🥹
My biggest problem is getting a wide enough one. 1st world side sleeping fat git problem 😁 Not worried about mat weight though or R value for that matter as I always bung an insulation mat under my sleeping mat or inflatable mattress. ( Bike and car camper)
Looks great! Are you selling it?
Probably. Drop me an email 🫡
@@daleyoutdoors Sorry I was joking, not long binned a similar one after a rough nights sleep
@@pauledwards499 Damn it. Thought I was quids in then.
@@daleyoutdoors 😄😄😄
Isn't that strange, i have the Naturehike R5.8 which is 7cm thick i think and im a heavy guy but i find is comfy even as a side sleeper. All very strange but thanks for the vid, you've saved me £100.
Yeah the light tour 5.8 was good for me too.
Just bought the lightour 7.5 and very impressive performance weight and pack size and surprised how quick the pump bag inflated the mattress.
Shame about Naturehike.
Good to know. I’m gonna try that next I think 🫡
Purchased the same pad, I can't wait to try it out!
Disappointing but what about the warmth?
Hard to comment on it when I went cold every time I bottomed out on it
@@daleyoutdoors But did you bottomed down while sleeping?
Unless you're going to return it for a refund, I think it would be cool to open it up and see what, if anything is inside. Nemo's Tensor Extreme has 4 layers of metal film inside it to reach a similar R value to this and that costs x2.5 more. If it's bottoming out so easily then it might literally be a lilo with some dodgy marketing.
All I can say is that I've got an exped R rated 2.5 .I use a Roben fold mat underneath and it works OK..as I sleep without a mattress at home..comfort is irrelevant
I've just got a really fat bird that runs hot, she walks there, cleans up and then we go home
Which decathlon mat is that you refer to? Can't find it
It’s linked in the video description
@daleyoutdoors durrrrrrhhh.
Thank you!
Well done! Saved me well-earnt beer tokens.
Glad it helped 👍
Even buying anything from Aliexpress feels dodgy 😅😅😅 even though Beckham tried to do some adds for them
Maybe it will be more satisfying and suitable with your hammock, if you try again the camping hammock experience.
Cheap mats are such a lottery, think I bought about 4/5 before just investing in a decent one. Buy cheap buy twice, or many times. That said, decathlon is probably the best bet for consistently good affordable kit.
I bought an XTherm a couple of years ago and couldn’t get in with it. Same with the Exped Ultra. The Light Tour was the most comfortable I’ve had with the same structure tire as this NatureHike one. Same as the Big Agnes mats too I think.
@ Mats seem to be very individual. I’ve had a couple of the sea to summit ones and they didn’t work for me but the rectangular Exped ones have been fantastic.
@ I can’t cope with a vertical baffle…. #firstworldproblems
@ I’m baffled why not 😂 I never fully inflate my mats, maybe that’s why
As a matter of interest, do you think the R rating is at all accurate, apologies if I missed you saying, but I can only recall you not liking it because of the “squishy” issue?
It's hard to say as every time I moved and touched the floor I got cold. There's definitely insulation in there but I couldn't test it properly.
Best wishes from Germany Viola
am i the only one who hates fully inflated mats?, not only for sleeping but for sitting up doing stuff, my ul80 when its properly inflated just tips you over if you lean over to pick something up, and you end up spending half your time trying to balance yourself while sitting on a balloon. i deflate it till it bottoms out when i sit on the edge and thats perfect for sleeping too.
If you get an ExPed or Mountain Equipment Down mat, you won't need to look for the best mat anymore ;)
I've had two Exped mats.
@ Mountain Equipment Aerostat Down 7.0 Ultra is probably the last mat I’ll ever need for winter. Based on the top end ExPed model but ME have redesigned the internal baffles to keep all the down in place. It’s epic. And at £200+, still cheaper than buying multiple Chinese tat models.
Ugh, 😮 so sorry to hear that!! Chin up, nipples to the sky my dear, I'm sure the next one will be better!!😊
What’s making you not want to use the light tour mat?
I think I’ll try the 7.5R version. The 5.8 bust on me.
Thats poor it didn’t last long. I’m wanting a winter Matt but want to make sure it’s not going to let me down.
@@daleyoutdoorsWhat about trying the OEX flux 7
It's a shame that the sleeping mat is a disappointment. I've had that experience a few times too. I hope you find what you're looking for soon!
I hope so 🤞
It's so sad that "camping" and "wild camping" have become a designer gear/named brands pastime.....
There's no Rab over 'ere sunshine.
It's like laying on a rubber Jonny! 🤣
I wouldn’t know.
@daleyoutdoors sausage 🫡
I think I will just stick to my Exped
Good idea 👍
Too late 😢
Nooooo. Hopefully you have a different and better experience with it 👍
Hi mat without me scrolling through the replies was it warm me Duck?
Seems like it's a quite expensive li-lo...
B 'n' S
@@freeforester1717 sure dose especaly if its not warm enough
Yes, buy only overpriced big brands.
syyyy
Y’ok hun
This review is crap because it didn't really say much about the use! Was it warm? I'm not sure that it bottoming out when you sit up is an issue imho. How often do you sit up? For me its twice..getting in bed and getting out of bed. Just saying 'it's crap' because of that is unfair. I could say that about all of my sleep mats because I don't inflate them fully.
I can’t comment on the warmth if the cold comes through every time it bottoms out. I sit up for hours at this time of year when I’m in the tent for 14 hours plus. If it’s not something that’s an issue for you then that’s fine 🤷♂️