ALPS Mountaineering  Outback Mat Sleeping Pad

Having known we had a cold weather trip planned, I knew I needed a new pad. This was great due mainly to the R rating but also the name. The XL is pretty good sized. I’m 6’1” and the large probably would have been too short. I used it on a cot, it hung over the edge by 3” or so but worked perfectly. My mummy bag never slipped off the pad as I’ve had with previous pads. The pad itself was thick, warm, and easy to inflate. The “auto” inflation piece doesn’t really work well and I found myself blowing into the pad more than expected. When breaking it down, the valve was opened, and I rolled the pad pushing the air out with my knees, pretty simple. Not a backpacking product, but more for car camping, glamping, or whatever. The overnight temp when used was low 30’s on a lake.

I love this thing. I'm incredibly hard to please when it comes to sleeping, especially on the ground. I sleep better on this than I do in my bed at home. Seriously. With the hybrid air/foam style I can really dial in the right air pressure. It loses air pressure some, but it stabilizes if it's inflated multiple nights in a row (temperature changes withstanding). I take it when I visit family because it's inevitably going to be more comfortable than anyone's guest bed, haha. The valve does seem a little delicate. It's not hard to work if you're attentive, but it does seem like the first thing that will fail.

2 years later - I love this pad! Bulky to pack for a group trip to the degree it is almost embarrasing, but so worth it. Only suited for car camping. I love this thing. Now I am spoiled by being so comfortable in a tent - won't want to use backpacking pads any more. Not sure what people mean regarding valve issues - faulty valves or user error? Not sure. It has been a breeze for me. Self inflates, holds air, easy to deflate, easy to roll, easy into the bag. People have borrowed it, plus I have taken it on 40-50 camping trips. Sturdy.

It is a nice thick mat. So far, I have used it for an extra mattress when friends visit. Perfectly comfortable on a hardwood floor, it would be luxurious out in the woods. Rolling it up requires you to roll it up, shut the valve, unroll it, open the valve, and roll it up again. With that, it fits in the cover, no problem. I like that you don't need to pump it up. Definitely a camping mat, not a backpacking mat. I have the XL.

A luxurious addition to my car camping set up! This pad is so thick and comfortable, it feels like a mattress. It's large when folded up but worth it if you have the storage space, and ultimately it's not that big, more like the size of a tent. I have not had any issues with the inflate/deflate value and it self-inflates almost all the way. It's easy to deflate and pack up as well.

I can’t tell what the pad is like because it never stayed inflated. Inflation and deflation requires spinning around a loose plastic valve piece that broke upon first use. The cap alone will not resist air leakage. The valve and whatever flimsy o-rings seal it will inevitably come out completely making this entire pad useless. Pretty bad design.

Just picked this up tonight and thought I’d give it a shot prior to camping next weekend. There are no instructions, just a QR code to a YouTube video. Video didn’t fully explain, nor show in close-up detail, I ripped off the yellow valve instead of ‘flipping’ the valve. I’m old (hence this heavy, but thick bag — more car camping these days than backpacking). Please give us old geezers instructions that we can take our time to read. Even if it’s via a QR code. Do it like IKEA!

This Would be my favorite mattress if it would last a night. Go to bed loving it, wake up few hours later and have to reinflate. No matter what I do, the valve just doesn't seal.

I have had this mattress on wildland fire assignments for countless nights for work and for at friends houses in addition to general xamping. I cannot recommend enough. The valve is tricky but worth the hassle. Mine is now failing and thanks for the discount because I feel sore after working and need the extra support after years of using a basic pad.

I have only used it for two nights so far but I'm very impressed with the comfort level. I've never had a camp pad with this style valve before but it worked well. I needed to add a little air to it but not much.