Did you read that correctly? A pillow?
Well yes, you did. I have succumb to a soft and comfortable resting place for my head of a night. More on that later, first let’s look at the mat.
Superlite Air Mattress
Pack size excellent – Thats about 2 cans of Baked Beans to you and me
As with most equipment in the outdoor industry, there’s always the top dogs who dominate. With mats and pads arguably Cascade Designs and the Thermarest range has been the sleeping surface of choice for many for as long as I can remember. In the lightweight backpacking area, their NeoAir XLite (being the closest comparison) and now the new XTherm are usually the familiar, last item seen pulled out packs when setting up camp. They are great mats make no mistake. However, mats are one area where, in the last 3 or so years, we have seen big improvements in weight reduction, smaller pack size and better insulation. Also, there are now a host of companies offering alternatives to the monopoly, but can they compete?
With the big boys always comes the underdog. The underdog is always looking to change opinions, make its mark and grab a section of followers. With advancements in mat designs, weight and performance striding along in the last 3 years or so, the underdog needs to come up with something special. It’s that bloody annoying fly that keeps buzzing round your face when hiking that you can’t ignore and at some point have to do something about.
Enter the Multimat Supelite Air. One mother of a big bluebottle that caught my attention a few months ago. It performs, make no mistake, in all of the key areas – comfort, insulation, pack size, price and weight.
70mm (2.3/4″) of thickness squidginess was unthinkable until recently. Your body is so far off the ground that those with vertigo need to worry. It’s as near to a bed as I’ve ever slept on. The air chambers are aligned vertically along the length as opposed to horizontally across the width. The 1830mm length (large) is generous, in real measurements that’s a decent 6 feet pretty much bang on. The width of 490mm is around par for the course.
A generous 70mm / 2.3/4″ thickness as compared with my slightly battered water bottle
Pack size is good as well – 240mm X 60mm inside the included stuff sack, that’s about a 2 cans of baked beans to you and me. Incidentally, the pillow also comes with its own stuff sack but can be rolled up inside the mat and both will fit nicely in the mat sack.
Its made from a Ripstop 20D nylon fabric coated with a thermoplastic polyurethane – an improvement on earlier models. Multimat recommend you couple this with some form of ground protection which most campers will use anyway (tent ground sheet or perhaps a piece of Tyvek out under the stars). It’s a interesting red colour which means there’s little chance of leaving it behind, you’ll spot it a mile off.
It has a 3/4 season rating and Multimat claim it’s good down to -15C. I’d be a very suspect if its keeps you warm that low as there’s no internal synthetic fibre or similar for example to insulate. That said, I did spend a night in the tent at around freezing point and had no problems, I wouldn’t trust it colder than that though, there were cold spots. The warmth rating is a fair way below the NeoAir – 0.912 R Value US vs 3.2 R Value US which would lend it to a 3 season mat which is what Multimat claim. It would probably need coupling with a foam pad in really cold conditions. For a thru-hike in the US it would be perfect. Plus, at this sort of weight it is aimed at lightweight backpackers who demand less grams but are prepared to sacrifice a little comfort in return. As Multimat point out:
This range indicates the temperature tolerance of the components, ie they will function at those temperatures. The air tight membranes used across our self-inflating and inflatable ranges vary to meet the needs of each different user groups, in terms of budget, weight and the climates they are intended to be used in. The TPU membrane used in the Superlite Air will tolerate a range of -15oC to +50oC. Because the mat is used in conjunction with other products it is very difficult for us to set a “Human Comfort” temperature tolerance because so many other factors come into play, but I hope this offers some clarification.
The first big bonus is the weight, just 300g. Compare this to the equivalent NeoAir XLite and you’ll save yourself 50g. Doesn’t sound like much but equipment weights are now so light on many items that margins like this on a mat are hard to find. The stuff sack and repair kit weigh in around 20g.
The second bonus is the £60 price tag. Again, compared to the NeoAir you’ll save yourself upwards of £40. In fact, a quick google around and there were plenty of places selling for as low as £30 which makes it an absolute bargain.
There are a couple of minor niggles. It takes me 16 breaths to fill it up. Not a huge gripe admittedly. It’s the same argument as hikers demanding quicker stove boil times, I mean its not as if we’re in a hurry or something. Conversely, it’s take a while to get all of that air out as well. I usually open the valve whilst I’m still lying on it and roll around a little which gets rid of 80% of the contents. Then I do a quick roll to empty the rest and that leaves just a little hiss when I do the final pack roll.
The nylon is also a little slippery. Not a problem for me, I haven’t fallen of it yet but it has a tendency to move around on the tent floor, or Tyvek etc. Again, a minor issue which is simply solved by applying a few spots of Seamseal, or similar product, on the underside. I had no problems after doing this. Alternatively you can wedge your hiking shoes and / or camp shoes under each corner which has a similar effect. Incidentally, this can also solve the problem of inadvertently pitching on slightly sloping ground be levelling the mat out a little.
I hate to keep comparing it to the NeoAir but this is what most hikers carry. I’ve had 2 versions of the XLite, the first managing around 3000 miles of thru hiking, the second only 200 before a loss of air problem made me return it. Durability is an area I can’t comment on as I’ve spent only around 15 nights on the Multimat but ill report in due course. It does, however, feel durable.
So back to the original comparison with the NeoAir. Let’s just take a look at the main specs and see if the NeoAir X-Lite is truly dying, or at least suffering with a nasty decline.
Superlite dimensions (Inflated): 1830 mm x 490 mm x 70 mm inflated (72″ x 19.3″ x 2.76″)
NeoAir X-Lite dimensions (Inflated): (Size Regular being closest): 1830 mm x 510 mm x 63 mm (72″ x 20″ x 2.5″)
Superlite dimensions (packed): 240 mm x 60mm (9.4″ x 2.36″)
NeoAir X-Lite dimension (packed): 230mm x 100 mm x (9″ x 4″)
Superlite weight: 300 gr / 10.58 oz
NeoAir X-Lite weight: 350 gr / 12 oz
Superlite warmth: 1.6 Tog / 0.912 R Value (US)
NeoAir X-Lite warmth: 3.2 R Value (US)
(Multimat do not state the R Value on the specs, I suspect because the UK and US R Values are completely different).
Superlite price: RRP £60 ($90) but can be found for £30 ($45)
NeorAir X-Lite price: RRP £100 ($150) but also can be found for cheaper
The conclusion? The Superlite Air is slightly narrower but slightly thicker. It packs smaller, is lighter, way cheaper although not as warm.
With all the manufacturers constantly waging an improvement war, it mat not be long before a lighter version arrives. For the time being, however, I do not know of a similar sized and specced mat at such a low price.
| Range | Superlite |
| Type | Inflatable |
| Code | CMI-ARSL070L |
| Size | 1830x490x70mm (inflated) (L) |
| Weight | 300g |
| Season Rating | 3 |
| Tog Value | 1.6 |
| Compactness | 240x60mm |
| Colour | Chinese Red, MoD |
| Features |
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Size Guide
Multimat Superlite Pillow
OK, so here’s the problem. The tendency with hikers is to take one of the stuff sacs they already have in their pack (such as the mattress sac), then ram in some spare clothing to provide a pillow. In my experience this doesn’t work for 2 reasons. Firstly, I tend to try and save some weight on my sleeping bag so take one that would be a little low for the temperatures expected – ie not warm enough. I’d then make up the deficit by wearing some clothing. So, it’s rare that I ever have any clothing spare to use as a pillow. And besides, this method doesn’t work. As soon as your head has spent a couple of minutes on said sac padded with clothes, all the air is pushed out and there’s nothing left to rest your weary bonce on.
For those of you who suspect I’m just getting a little older and like a few creature comforts, well I won’t disagree with you.
The Superlite pillow measures 400 x 300 x 110mm once inflated. It is self inflating, as opposed to the mat, and a couple of breathes will top it up. It can either be placed on the Superlite mat, or whatever mat you’re using, or used on the ground. If on the mat at full inflation it’s pretty high but this is solved by releasing a little air to let the loft down. I found this placement doesn’t work so well as it tends to slip off the mat, both products being made from the same Ripstop nylon which is a little on the slippery side. Again, a few dobs of Seamseal should cure this problem, or buy some Velcro strips from that store where your aunty goes to buy her wool. Cut off 4 small strips perhaps a couple of inches long and it should stay in place. Multimat have included a velcro slip on one of there other pillows which attaches to some of the other mats with a receiving strip. It’s obviously been left off the Superlite pillow to save weight. It also benefits from a t-shirt or similar item wrapped over, it’s kinder than the nylon and keeps your cheek from sliding around.
The other option which I prefer is to take advantage of the 40mm thickness difference which the Pillow enjoys over the mat. Inflate the pillow fully and place on the ground at the end of the mat. The height is just right for me, it doesn’t slip on the mattress and you gain a little ‘extension’ in length as well.
Some of Multimats mattresses are self inflating. They are filled with high quality pieces of PU foam which suck in air when the valve is open causing the inflation process. The pillow uses the off cuts from the mats to provide the same effect. This is obviously necessary if you want a self inflating pillow (or mat) but I question whether its needed on the pillow. OK it saves time but I’ll point you back in the direction of my last comment – it’s not as if hikers are pushed for time that they can’t inflate it themselves. The Superlite mattress requires the user to inflate and I don’t know why Multimat haven’t carried this over to the pillow. If you look at the weights, the mattress is impressive no mistake. However, the pillow which obviously measure far less in dimensions is in fact more than half the weight, 155 grams and this is the fault of the foam inclusion. It it were left out the weight would be far less and more in keeping with its ‘lite’ claim. OK, it’s not heavy as such but I really don’t think the foam needs to be there.
It does, again, comes with a stuff sac and repair kit but these are not needed if used with the mattress, one repair kit will suffice for both and as mentioned, the pillow can be rolled inside the mat and will still fit inside the mat sac.
Just to push my pillow interest into the border line ‘unhealthy interest’ stage, I do wonder whether a mat incorporating a pillow in the actual construction would be a decent idea. No need for two separate items, no slipping about and a little lighter as it would be sharing the same construction material.
The proof of the pudding, albeit shared with the inclusion of a Mountain Laurel Designs Spirit Quilt, is in the sleeping. I don’t sleep too good in tents but now, my comfort levels are a whole lot better than in the past. I’m getting a good nights kip which is the whole point. It’s £20 well spent.
Oh crap. Next year I’ll be moaning that there’s no, soft, furry little section of fleece on the top of the pillow to snuggle me cheek up against . . .
| Range | Superlite |
| Code | PILLOW S/LITE |
| Size | 400x300x110mm |
| Weight | 155g |
| Colour | Chinese Red/Black, MoD/Black |
| Features |
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Stockists for both are readily available in the UK. For USA gear geeks there is an importer Multimat USA but as far as I can see they do not stock the Superlite, which is a little strange. English stockists should ship to the US no problem or shoot the US stockist an email and they may be able to help.
