21/06/2024
Forclaz inflatable air mattress (MT500 AIR L)
This sleeping mat is available from for £44.99. I picked this up following a trip up to The Lake District where a friend of mine had one, as soon as I saw the quality of it I just had to get one.
Weight is 510g and the pack size is reasonable. It does include a bag which I don’t use routinely as it’s just another set to setting up or collapsing camp.
This mat is 180cm long by 52 cm wide. There is a larger version (the XL) which is 195cm by 60cm and this is around £5 dearer.
The mat is made from a strong polyester and polyurethane. It feels strong to the touch and not flimsy like some others I’ve tried. This mat provides a generous cushion to the ground (around 5cm) and allows for both back and side sleeping. Whilst the mat does only feature an R rating of 1.5 meaning it’s preferably used in temperature above 8 degrees, I never felt any heat loss in temperature below this. If this is an issue you can pair it with a thermal sheet if required.
Inflation and deflation is simple. There are 2 valves (one for air in and one for air out) there is a bit of a knack to getting this mat rolled up but after a few practice runs in the living room I had it sorted.
The MT500 AIR L has a far more premium feel to it than the price would suggest, yes it isn’t as ultra light as the sea to summit mats or Thermarest however it is a fraction of the price. Ultimately if your mat breaks £50 or £200 feels the same when it’s deflated below you in the night!
If you treat this well, proper maintenance and making sure not to set it down on sharp rocks and other rough ground I’m sure it’ll last. As a beginner sleep mat I recommend this to everyone.