Fans of outdoor activities in field conditions have to take with them a huge number of things, from clothes to utensils. In particular, you should take care of your sleeping place in advance: for this, take a tent and a sleeping bag with you . But it is undesirable to put it directly on the ground in order to avoid hypothermia. Usually under the sleeping bag a special tourist rug is stitched. At the same time, not only large mats intended for bedding for a sleeping bag, but also compact seating mats are on sale.
What do the tourist rugs do?
Tourist rugs are made from various materials:
- polyethylene foam;
- polyurethane foam;
- microfiber;
- ethylene vinyl acetate.
The inflatable tourist rug is filled with air. It can be easily inflated: either with a separate pump (manual or foot) or with a mouth. However, such a procedure can take a very long time. To lower the air you need to twist the tourist rug into a tube.
The disadvantage of an inflatable rug is that in addition to itself it is necessary to take along a pump, which usually takes up a lot of space in the backpack.
It should be remembered that the operation of an inflatable mat is likely to puncture, so it is mandatory to have a repair kit with you.
Another significant disadvantage of the product is that when the ambient temperature decreases, the air volume in the carpet decreases. Therefore, if you use it for a night's sleep, it may be necessary to start pumping an inflatable mat at night. Otherwise, in the morning you can wake up on a blown rug almost lying on one land.
A travel mat is usually made of foam polyethylene. It has excellent thermal insulation properties. This mat has an elastic strap, which can be adjusted by the force of tension and length. Such a tourist's seat is taken with them to the road by mountaineers, kayakers, fishermen.
The most popular among travelers enjoys a tourist rug, called the popular foam, which is made of polyurethane foam. Due to its compact dimensions it is convenient to transport it in a twisted state, attaching it to the side straps of the backpack. As a result, the place inside the backpack is saved. Foam mat is of two types:
- single-layer;
- two-layered (all-season).
Two-layer mats are more bulky and durable, which can be used even at low ambient temperatures. While the single-layer mat is designed only for warm weather, it is less durable and more prone to damage. A foil-shaped tourist rug is available at an affordable price, light in weight. However, it can rightly be called a rug of one-off use, because as a result of its active use in bad weather conditions, aluminum film can peel off.
The filler of the tourist rug can be made of microfiber. This mat has two valves:
- for its inflation;
- for deflation.
The kit usually comes with a waterproof cover for a tourist rug, which can also be used as a pillow.
The mat of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) has not only good thermal insulation properties, but also features increased elasticity, without losing its shape under the influence of even low temperatures. This mat has a number of drawbacks:
- heavy weight: some models weigh more than one kilogram;
- in a folded form is large;
- as a result of the action of elevated temperatures (for example, during prolonged exposure to the sun) may deform.
Which tourist rug is better?
The most popular among tourists is a self-inflating tourist rug, made of polyurethane. It features low weight and compact dimensions, while maintaining high thermal insulation properties. Since it inflates automatically, it is easy and very convenient to use it in nature.
The main drawback of this rug is a fragile valve, which in time can leak out.
Also for hiking is perfectly suitable folding tourist mat, which has elastic and wear-resistant seams, takes up little space and has good thermal insulation.
How to choose a self-inflating polyurethane tourist mat?
When choosing a rug, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
- the weight;
- dimensions;
- the number of materials used (in some models, you can immediately see two layers of isomaterials);
- coloring: some manufacturers produce mats especially for children.
A tourist rug is an indispensable attribute of any hiking trip. Therefore, his choice should be approached especially carefully.