Thermarest Trail Scout Large Self Inflating Mat

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A three-season pad ideal for new campers who want comfort and durability. 

Thermarest says

Looking for a first pad or a step up in comfort from closed cell foam? Look no further than the 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick, self-inflating Trail Scout. Its 3.1 R-Value will give users three-season warmth, while the premium foam core wrapped in woven-fabric is the same fundamental construction of some of our most durable and high-performance designs. Fitted with our one-way WingLock™ Valve [tech pop] to minimize inflation and deflations time so more time is spent enjoying the great outdoors. This pad is compact enough for forays into the backcountry and thick enough for next-level comfort for those car-camping weekends. Like all Therm-a-Rest pads, the Trail Scout is made in market to minimize the environmental impact of the manufacturing cycle and to ensure the Therm-a-Rest standard of quality that has been the foundation for thousands of rejuvenating nights under the stars. Comes with a compact stuff sack.

Our Verdict

Therm-a-Rest’s Trail Scout Self Inflating Mat is the ideal first mat for someone just getting in to camping. It’s warm as it’s filled with insulating foam. So it’s perfect for throwing down anywhere in the UK. It’s also using tougher fabrics than the really lightweight mats, which is ideal for those who are just figuring out how to look after their kit.

The pack sizes are not the smallest but this is often the case for self inflating mats. However, with the reduced depth of foam they are good for anyone starting out with backpacking, looking for a great value mat for base camps or if you are heading of for six months travelling you may want the reliability of something like this mat. We also like the shape as well, it’s mid way between a mummy and a full rectangular mat, which is a good compromise if your legs tend to come off a mummy shaped mat but you still want to trim a bit of weight at the corners. Foam mats of this type are not as comfortable as airbeds but they are far superior than the ground or closed cell foam mats – and they are forgiving when it comes to durability and rough use.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Discover More Outdoors: Provides the essential durability and comfort needed to take you more places at an exceptional price.
• Legendary Comfort: Featuring the same fundamental premium foam core and woven fabric construction as some of our most enduring designs.
• Portable: Packs down small into the included stuff sack so you can take it anywhere you want to go.
• Lightweight: At just 1 pound 7 ounces (650 g), the Trail Scout keeps your pack light and you moving.
• Self-Inflating: Open cell foam core self-inflates when valve is open—top off with just a few breaths for personalized firmness.
• WingLock Valve: Our intuitive and dependable valve features one-way inflation and 3x the airflow of the classic valve for quick inflation and rapid deflation.
• Stuff sack included.

Specifications

• Weight: 900g
• Dimensions: 64 x 196cm / 25 x 77in
• Thickness: 2.5cm / 1in
• Packed size: 33 x 20cm / 13 x 8in
• ASTM R-Value: 3.1
• Fabric: 75D Polyester

ASTM R-Value:

From 2020, there is a new industry standard for measuring the R-value (level of insulation) of sleeping mats – ASTM F3340-18. This new standard is the sleeping mat equivalent to the EN rating for sleeping bags.

You can now directly compare the R-value of mats rated using the ASTM F3340-18 with confidence that is a fair and accurate comparison between mats. In simple terms, the higher the R-value, the warmer the mat.

In general terms, an R-value below 2.0 is for summer use, 2.0 to 4.0 is for cooler 3 season use and 4.0+ is for winter temperatures. This will be also be dependent on your sleeping bag, how cold you sleep etc. Please contact our customer service team if you need advice on choosing the right mat for your activity.

Help and advice:

• The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Ultralight Sleeping Mat
• Time-Saver Guide to Choosing a Sleeping Mat
• R-Value Explained
• Thermarest Mat Summary
• Thermarest Made In Ireland