The Vertex Mattress (which includes a pillow) at 450 grams, generously sized 74.8” x 22.8” with a reasonable R-rating for warmer weather of R 4.2 and an excellent price of US$39.99 (Feb 2020) would have to be good value. If you are shorter like Della and I are you could easily cut this down to 5’6″ (397 grams) or even 5′ (360 grams) to save some weight – yet you still have that generous extra 2.8″ of width. This would be good practice for other DIY heat sealing projects such as pillows and pack rafts. You even get a free fire starter! I cannot spot the height – looks to be about 2″. If you are on a budget this could be for you. In the colder months you could pair it with a cheap closed cell foam mat to add a couple of R-points. Lots of folks at the bottom of Vertex’s page seem happy with it. You might also match it with these cheap down sleeping bags and coats.
PS: You may be eligible for a 10% discount right now (Feb 2020).
This post continues a series about budget hiking. Here are some of the others:
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2019/11/30/best-5-spent-on-camping-gear-ever/
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2018/03/03/ultralight-hiking-on-a-budget/
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2018/03/24/budget-pack-mods/
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2019/09/07/60-diy-ultralight-hiker-ideas/
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2020/01/01/cheap-down/
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2020/01/12/how-good-is-this/
See Also:
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2017/01/02/new-diy-pack-raft/
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2016/09/09/modifyingshortening-hiking-mats/
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2019/06/12/thermoplastics-101/
PS: The pillow I made has become my favourite. I have slept on it every night since i made it around a year ago.
