Name: Brad Krokosz

Age: 26

Gender: Male

Height: 6’1” (186 cm)

Weight: 180 Pounds (83 kg)

Email address: bradfordkrokosz@hotmail.com

City, State, Country: Mandurah, WA, Australia

Date: 27 June 2004

I started backpacking six years ago when I spent 6 months travelling throughout South-East Asia. More recently I have pursued short overnight hikes. The hiking I most commonly pursue is low altitude trail hiking. Other than some amateur photography I don’t pursue any other activities when hiking such as fishing or game hunting. I sleep mostly in my tent and although I keep my pack weight down to a minimum I would describe myself as a medium weight hiker. When time permits, I enjoy the chance to pursue extended hikes, most of which are along marked trails. I have completed several walking trails in Western Australia and Tasmania. This summer I will be travelling to Victoria to hike Wilsons Prom, The Grampians and the Victorian Alps. In July 2005 I hope to complete the Larapinta trail in the Northern Territory.

Product information (Manufacturer‘s details)

Manufacturer: Cascade Designs

Year of manufacture: 1999

The Therm-a-Rest GuideLite ¾ mattress is one of six mattresses in the 1999 Therm-a-Rest performance series. It is the middle of the three thickness available in this series. The lighter and thinner mattress is the UltraLite ¾ (15 oz , 430 g) , (1 in / 2.5 cm) and the heavier thicker mattress the CampLite ¾ (1 lbs 15 oz , 880 g) , (1.6 in , 4 cm). The performance series is characterised by the LiteFoam™ material which is designed to be lighter and more compact than other foam mattresses. The LiteFoam™ starts as a piece of foam smaller than the mattress. It is cut in such a way that it’s able to be stretched across the length and width of the mattress, effectively providing the same amount of comfort as a solid foam mattress. Covering the top of the mattress is Therm-a-Rest’s Staytek™ material. This rust coloured fabric is designed to increase the grip between the mattress and the sleeping bag. The underside of the mattress is made from a more durable nylon, designed to resist dampness, dirt and punctures. Therm-a-Rest use a high-flow valve, found in the top corner of the mattress. It has a free-spinning head that is designed to be jam-free and impact resistant. The valve contains groves in the plastic, put in place to assist opening and closing the valve when wearing gloves.

Warranty and repair: Limited lifetime warranty. Punctures and valve repairs can be done by the user or the mattress can be sent away to be repaired (details found on the web site).

Optional extras available: A variety of accessories are available including chair kits, couple kits, stuff sacks and replacement valves (details found on the web site).

Product Data

Test Results

I purchased the Therm-a-Rest Guidelite ¾ in 1999. In 2000 I slept on the mattress for several weeks when I backpacked around Australia and South-East Asia. Since this trip I have regularly slept on the mattress during short overnight trips and also week long hikes. My mattress is mostly used in a tent or a hut. On occasions I have used the mattress on rocky surfaces . I have experienced sleeping on the mattress in a variety of climates, ranging from 90 degree nights (32 degrees C) in the North of Australia to 32 degree nights (0 degrees C) in the snow covered highlands of Tasmania.

Standing 6’1” (185 cm) tall I have found the ¾ length mattress to be sufficiently long enough to support my shoulders, hips and knees. Although this length of mattress is comfortable enough for me to sleep on, the lack of insulation to the feet becomes an issue when sleeping in colder climates.

Width

Weighing 180 lbs (83 kg) with a medium frame, I have found the width sufficient. Laying in my sleeping bag I can lay on my back with my arms to my side and just fit on the mattress.

The firmness of the mattress can be varied quite significantly depending on the amount of air you add. I have found the mattress to be extremely comfortable when laying on sand or grass. The mattress reaches its limits of comfort when laying on a hard surface such as those found in huts or on rock. By further inflating the mattress on hard surfaces I am able to lay on my side and keep my hips from hitting the floor. However some comfort is lost because of the increased firmness of the mattress. If I was spending a lot of time sleeping in huts I would stay away from the thinner UltraLite mattresses.

Foam and insulationI have found the insulation of the mattress to be sufficient down to 32 degrees F (0 degrees C). Below this temperature I would like to have a closed cell foam mattress below the Therm-a-Rest mattress to increase the insulation, as the cold can be felt penetrating the mattress.

After 4 years of travelling extensively with my mattress I discovered the foam and the outer fabric separating on the top side of the mattress, referred to as delaminating. I reported this to the manufacturer and I was requested to send the mattress away for testing. Upon testing I was informed the mattress was to be replaced free of charge. Within two weeks of sending the mattress to the manufacturer the replacement mattress arrived.

Covering MaterialI have found the Staytek fabric to grip particularly well against the outer of a sleeping bag. This has made it easy to stay on the mattress when I roll over in my sleep. I have found the base of the mattress predominantly more slippery. This has not been a problem when sleeping in a tent, but it has become an issue when sleeping on the hard floor of a hut or on rock. This slipping around makes for a more restless sleep.

The Therm-a-Rest puncture repair kit, not included with the mattress, consists of hot bond adhesive and repair patches for the top and bottom of the mattress. Small pin-hole punctures can be repaired with just the adhesive while larger punctures require adhesive and a patch. It is reasonably easy to repair a Therm-a-Rest in the field providing you have access to boiling water and a solid flat surface. Since owning the mattress I have had to patch it only once. After reading the easy to follow instructions I was able to successfully patch my mattress in the field and sleep comfortably the next night.

Inflation valveThe inflation valve is found in the top left corner of the mattress. The valve works similar to a screw top. From its most compressed state the open valve allows a folded out mattress to inflate in approximately two minutes. More air can be added to the mattress through the valve which I have found easy to use. The well located valve can be used to controllably bleed the mattress of air while still lying in your sleeping bag. I have found the valve easy to grip, even with cold hands or while wearing gloves. Although replacement valves are available I have had no need to replace my valve after 5 years of use.

When fully deflated and rolled up the diameter of the roll is approx 2.7 in (7 cm). Alternatively I frequently fold my mattress lengthways and roll the mattress. In this case the width of the mattress is 10.6 in (27 cm) and the diameter is approx 4.3 in (11 cm). The mattress is not supplied with a bag or lanyard straps for holding the mattress in place. I have found a nylon strap useful for holding the rolled mattress together.

The mattress is best stored rolled out with the valve open. This extends the life of the foam. This information was passed on to me by a friend and was not mentioned on the label of the mattress when I purchased it.

I have found the GuideLite ¾ mattress for its weight and pack size to be quite comfortable on almost all surfaces. The mattress certainly serves its purpose well in warmer climates. I would purchase a full length mattress in cooler climates for increased insulation. The ease of inflating and deflating the mattress which is backed up by a lifetime warranty is worth the price tag.

1) Valve, ease of use.

2) Pack size and weight for a reasonably comfortable mattress

3) The ease of repairing punctures in the field

1) No bag or strapping for holding the deflated mattress when rolled.

2) Material on the base of the mattress is slippery on hard floors.

3) I had an experience of the mattress delaminating.