Insul Mat Max-Lite
Women’s Edition
Long Term Report

Biography

Name:	Ashlee Gunter
Age:	27
Gender:	Female
Height:	5’ 1” (1.52 m)
Weight:	110 lb (50 kg)
Email Address:	n8trlvr76(at)yahoo(dot)com
City, State:	Baton Rouge (Denham Springs), LA
Date:	June 20, 2004

Backpacking Background

I have been backpacking and hiking in one form or another most of my life.  Actually, I was car camping before I was born.  While I was growing up, my father was a Scoutmaster.  He would load my sister and me up with packs, just like the guys, and take us along with him on their trips.  As I’ve grown, I’ve had the opportunity to hike and backpack in South Florida, Utah and Idaho, and now presently Louisiana and Mississippi.  I’ve hiked terrain from high desert to swamp.  I do not really have much experience or desire for winter mountaineering. I spent the majority of the past four years either pregnant or caring for a young child.  As a result, I have been limited to primarily day hiking for the past few years.  My son is now 3 and I have the opportunity to backpack again. It is really fun getting back into it and I wonder how I was satisfied with just day hiking the past few years.  Because of a busy life, my trips are still limited mostly to day or weekend trips.  My husband and son join me on most trips.  As a result of this, lightweight compact gear is essential, although I would not classify myself as strictly lightweight.  

Product Information

Manufacturer:	Pacific Outdoor Equipment
Website:	www.pacoutdoor.com
Model Year:	2004
Listed Weight:	26 oz (737g)
Actual Weight:	24 oz (680 g)
MSRP:	$54
Sleeping Pad Size:	Petite

 Test Locations

I tested the Insul Mat Max-Lite in the Kisatchie National Forest in Northern Louisiana.  This area has varied terrain with hills and sandstone rock.  This area does not have the wetness of the marshes and swamps typical to Louisiana. The Kisatchie National Forest varies in elevation from around 200 - 400+ ft (61 - 122+ m) above sea level. This is unusual as most of Louisiana is at or even below sea level. The temperatures during this test period ranged from around 85 F (29 C) to 25 F (-4 C). Humidity and condensation was prevalent.
 
Product Information

The Max-Lite is a women's specific, self inflating, sleeping pad. According to Pacific Outdoors’ website, the sleeping pad is filled with Die Cut Matrix foam under the body, high R-Value Basix foam under the feet and body supporting Dot foam under the hips.  In addition it is covered with Griptec, proprietary non-slip shell fabric, 150D air-textured poly that is supposed to keep the pad and sleeping bag in place.

Field Information

When I began this test, I was storing the Insul Mat Max-Lite unrolled and hanging it where I hung my sleeping bags.  Because it was taking up space, I decided to roll it and store it in the stuff sack it came in.  Although it is recommended by the manufacturer to store it unrolled, there are no noticeable problems from me storing it this way.  While backpacking, I carry the Max-Lite in my pack usually just above my sleeping bag.  I enjoy not having to strap a large roll to the outside of my pack.  In my Field Report, I mentioned that it was slow to inflate and that I had to blow in the valve to inflate it.  After a few more uses, this is still the case, but it has gotten better.  Now when I set up camp, I can lay it out and open the valve.  It will inflate most of the way within 15 minutes time.  I then blow in the valve to inflate it to the firmness I desire.  Throughout this test period, I have used the same sleeping set up.  I have a small, lightweight backpacking tent which my husband and son share with me and I use a 20 F poly fill sleeping bag. 

During the beginning of this test period, my three year old son was still sharing a sleeping bag with me.  While the Insul Mat provided comfort for both of us, I was not able to get a good feel for all the features until my son began sleeping in his own sleeping bag.  Finally having my sleeping pad and sleeping bag to my self again was a real treat.  I could stretch out a little bit and get a feel for what the Max-Lite had to offer.  I was surprised when I noticed I could actually feel the Dot foam under my hips.  Sometimes I hear about features like that, and they sound more like a gimmick than anything actually functional.  With this sleeping pad, I could feel the support in my hips.  Even with that little extra support, I still found myself waking up a little sore and stiff in the morning.  For me, the 1 in (2.54 cm) of padding was just not quite enough.  I would have appreciated a little more thickness.

I searched Insul Mat’s website to see if there was any information on what seasons the Max-Lite was designed for.  Unfortunately, I could not find that information.  Generally in Louisiana, the temperatures don’t drop much below 25 F (-4 C) during the winter.   Because of this, gear rated for three seasons is usually sufficient for four seasons here.  The Insul Mat does not appear to be marketed as a summer sleeping pad, so my assumption is that it is intended for at least three season use. I was curious about all of this because of the experience I had with the sleeping pad during the winter months.  The Max-Lite did a fine job insulating until the temperatures dropped below freezing.  At that point, I could feel the cold beneath me.  As the testing period progressed and temperatures began to warm to minimal temperatures of 60 F (16 C), I found the Max-Lite to be sufficient for Louisiana spring temperatures. 

I have had no problems with the durability of the Insul Mat Max-Lite.  It has spent quite a bit of time stuffed with no ill effects.  The Max-Lite has no scratches or abrasions.  At times the morning condensation has forced me to stuff the sleeping pad while still moist.  This has not seemed to cause a problem though I would not store it long term in that condition.

Summary

I found the Insul Mat Max-Lite to be a good sleeping pad for use in temperatures above the freezing point.  Although it is not quite as thick as I would like, the compactness of the sleeping pad is worth a little less padding.  I really appreciate being able to put the Max-Lite inside my pack, but even more, I value being able to do that at less of a cost than other sleeping pads of the same size. 

Things I Like

*  Compact and lightweight
*  Supportive foam
*  Durable

Things I Don’t Like

*  Does not insulate well below freezing
*  Slow to inflate