Gear Review
Therm-A-Rest Trail King SV Mat
Therm-A-Rest Trail King SV Mat
:: A self-inflating mat that promises comfort without bulk and weight reviewed for UKHillwalking.com ::
:: A self-inflating mat that promises comfort without bulk and weight reviewed for UKHillwalking.com ::
18th July 2017
- 110.00
- 183 x 51 x 6.3 cm
- 830g
- R-value 1.8
I reviewed the 2017 Therm-a-Rest Trail King SV Mat for UKHillwalking.com. A self-inflating mat that promises comfort without sacrificing weight or pack space. Worth the cost?
From the review:
This isn’t the lightest of mats on offer from the Therm-a-Rest range. The Regular length weighs 830g, so it sits very much at the pie-eating end of the scales. I’m not sure how much of this is down to the SpeedValve itself – the plastic buckles and thick edge on the drybag-style closure must add a substantial amount of weight. This is a very thick mat (6.3cm), so a little under twice as thick as the Prolite Regular and the extra material to wrap all of that must account for some of the rest of the bulk. Its depth also makes it very comfy, of course!
Out of the bag and unrolled on the floor it’s clear that the new valve has made a difference. You can see the mat expanding in seconds and it reaches equilibrium very quickly. Next you slightly open the two sides of the opening and blow into the void, increasing the internal pressure. The black rubber gasket prevents it all coming straight back out at you. With the SpeedValve closed in the same style as a drybag the mat is pretty much ready to go although the second, traditional valve can still be used to top it up.
A Mountain Leader with over a decade of experience across the UK and overseas, Richard is our Lead Instructor and a partner in Original Outdoors. He is a specialist in temperate wilderness skills and the wild foods of the British Isles, and also works as a consultant for various brands and organisations. Richard lives in North Wales.
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