recomendations please for the Elephant Rally

[sean]

ok, I'm looking at traveling with a couple of lads from the XRV forum in January to the elephant rally in southern germany where we will be camping for two nights. normally temp is between -2 and -15. now I have a good tent, and a good sleeping bag but i need some advice on a decent mat/bed (that can be carried on a motorbike!) and any other kit to keep me comfortable and warm at night. any suggestions as I really dont want to freeze my arse off...........

cheers sean

[Boris]

Therm-a-rest is the best compromise between cost, pack size, comfort and warmth in my book. The cheaper ones don't really cut it (with the exception of the outwell which is close). Therm-a-rest also do a large size mat which is a good bit bigger than the competition and you are less likely to roll off the thing. I use the Therm-a-rest Trail Lite 4.

If money is no object have a look at Exped Down Mats they are really good but but they don't pack up quite as small (but are close).

[Fidius]

to be honest if it were me i would take my best sleeping bag and my single 13.5 (min) tog duvet wack it in a compression sack and strap it on ya bike i know it might be bulky but theres no weight in it and its the warmest thing i use its great also i use a stove attachment as well so to convert into a heater cost about a fiver from towsure above all my concerns with cold weather camping keeping warm is top of the list i would rather take the above and cut down on other things and one last thing is my camp bed its 2.7kg comes in a bag uses 3 legs and keeps you off the cold floor and comfy as hell.

[trophydave]

I would take a roll mat as well as a self inflating airbed.Have a look on the thumper club website,there are a few folks on the forum who have been to the Elephant.

[Mike Wright]

The best I have used and bought now is the Exped Down DLX9 sleeping mat. Duckdown cambers stop any cold air and the new one has a built in pump. Packs small but at a premium. Definately the best money I ever spent!

Have a word with a friend of mine called Les....tell him Mike Wright said about them and he will give you A1 service!

Traveldri-Plus

You wont regret it!

[Mabels Old Man]

Another one for the exped down 9. Brilliant piece of kit.

[davsato]

i use a cheap airbed but they are not good insulation, so when its chilly i put one of those silver foil emergency blankets between it and me. works a treat but "chilly" is an understatement for the elephant rally, as you would expect in the eiffel mountains in january!
nearly every year gets a good frost and there was a couple of feet of snow last year or year before?

[Austin]

another vote for the exped down mats. Best thing ever - confy and warm.