Mountain Designs Airlite Pump 6.5 Sleeping Mat: Tested
Ah, sleeping in the outdoors; how we love it! Well, we do when we’re sorted with the proper gear, such as a warm sleeping bag and comfy sleeping mat. As most of us will know, it’s hard to put a price on a quality sleep system in the outdoors and, as much as sleeping bags are a big focus, the sleeping mat is also key. There’s a constant internal debate on whether to go lightweight for ease of packing/carrying, or thick and comfy – especially for spring/summer/early autumn adventures, when the nights are mild. The Mountain Designs Airlite Pump 6.5 is designed to eliminate that debate, promising light weight with 6.5cm of thickness.
Design
The Mountain Designs Airlite Pump 6.5 is rectangular in shape and is constructed of recycled fabrics while featuring what Mountain Designs calls a diamond baffling system “for enhanced comfort and support”. The overall construction is burly, with heat-welded seams throughout. The top and base of the mat feature recycled micro-ripstop nylon fabric, with a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) coating, and combined with the robust seams, offers a mat that looks to be up for any accidental ‘rough’ treatment.
The mat offers 6.5cm of thickness, which is impressive considering many mats in this temp rating range are around 5cm. Believe us, that extra 1.5cm makes a difference to comfort. At 189cm in length, 57cm in width and the aforementioned 6.5cm in height, the mat weighs in at 500g. It has an R-Value of 1.7 (R-Value is a measure of how resistant insulation is to transferral of heat; the higher the R-Value, the more warmth is retained), so it’s suited to two/three-season use.
The mat is rectangular in shape, and we applaud Mountain Designs for sticking with the humble rectangle; offering optimum sleep space for a minimal increase in weight (compared to a tapered mat) is something we can certainly live with. Other features include a high-flow valve and a nifty inbuilt foot pump to aid in inflation. There’s also a pump sack (and stowage sack) plus a repair kit.
In the field
The Airlite Pump 6.5 has seen duty in a few different camping scenarios, ranging from family campsites, to hiking, and a couple of bikepacking overnighters. Each time, it has done the job it’s designed for. Pumping it up takes no time at all, and we haven’t copped any holes or air leaks, even when it was laid down on some rough patches of ground to be used as a temporary day lounge (don’t ask!).
The mat’s rectangular shape has been very welcome over the test period; larger/taller sleepers, plus those who favour sleeping on their side, have all commented on having that ‘bit more room’ compared to a tapered mat. We have mostly avoided cooler nights, so the mat’s warmth retention hasn’t been put to a serious test, but the past week or more has seen overnight temps drop and one tester used it in the cooler early-autumn conditions and was happy with its performance on a mild night.
The diamond baffle system does the job it’s designed for, keeping the air evenly distributed under the sleeper, while that high-flow valve is impressive – as is the foot pump. Finally, the fact the mat packs down small (and is light) has meant that it’s one of the first things loaded into the pack when heading out.
The final word on the Mountain Designs Airlite Pump 6.5
Sleeping mats are relatively basic things, but there are certain design tweaks that can make a difference to your end goal of a good night’s sleep in the outdoors, and that can make a product stand out in a crowded marketplace. The Mountain Designs Airlite Pump 6.5 is a good example of this. From the 6.5cm thickness and the clever baffle system that keeps the mat ‘even’ when you’re lying on it, through to the inflation system and compact packed size, it simply does its job.
So far, so good, is an easy summary of how the Airlite Pump 6.5 has performed. For those looking for a lightweight, comfy and robust outdoor sleep option, the Mountain Designs Airlite Pump 6.5 is a great option.
RRP $150 See Mountain Designs for more info.
