@@outdoorsummiteer399 No Just directly from Kilos Gear.. I don't think they take too long as a friend ordered one of the chairs and it came pretty quickly.. Tom
First, great to see you doing well. YT just not showing me your vids. Have been thinking of you of late so I found this. Good review. The pads do look really good for my aching bones and my titanium knee. Haha. The fill bag appears better than anyother I have seen. The pillow looks even better. All good Tom. I'll search you recent vids. Interested in best four season pad. All good. Next time
Great, honest review of the pad. They only thing that you get with the likes of Thermarest & Sea to Summot is exceptional customer service. I’ve had mats that have been a good few years old that have failed that they have replaced no questions asked.
Yes I totally understand that.. My communication with Kilos gear is probably the best I have had from any company.. They Immediately respond to email and I get in depth technical replies which are very helpful.. This would point towards very good customer service too.. Best wishes Tom
Hey Tom. Great review of a really interesting entrant to the ul pad market. The stats are great for this pad and the fact you have verified the weight is good. Only question mark for me is the claimed R value and how it translates in real world conditions. That said the BA one is notoriously cold and sleeps nowhere near its r value. Even if it’s 1 r less it’s good for into 3 season so will suit it’s intended use well I suppose. Other thing is warranty and thermarest in particular is excellent. But at this price point I would definitely give this pad a try, I genuinely really like the look of it. Incidentally how could you forget my old favourite the uberlite 🤷♂️😢
Hi Gary thank you for the really detailed comment.. As you say the stats are excellent regarding this pad.. Comfort and support are fantastic and it's well put together.. It has foil insulation so should be fine warmth wise for 3 seasons.. I left out the Uber lite as it looks like it is now discontinued on the Thermarest website.... Once again thank you for sharing your thoughts 💭 and experience.. Very much appreciated. best wishes Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 If I catch you at Meelmore I'll show you mine (Ant - NIWildCamping). So far really impressed with the pillow. Pump however I'm looking to do a warranty claim as the battery no longer holds a charge
I was expecting a much lower r-value. Along with some reflective foil, foam mat, maybe a bag liner.. I could easily use that on my sub zero mountain top camps! This means year round versatility, which I'm all about with my gear. Great price point, and the weight is also very competitive. Regular I think is sufficient for me too. I sleep on my side, so feet aren't a consideration 😊
Hi thank you for your reply...yes the R Value is decent and I actually felt some warmth from the pad... like you say additional mods can be made to make yourself warmer but its hard to make a pad more comfortable. The price point is fantastic as I am fed up paying mad money for the more known brands... best wishes and happy camping... Tom
These will shake the marketplace up for 3 season pads on price and comfort alone. If the R value is really a 'thing' for worried well 3 season campers, a reflective under mat will work wonders, for a very few pounds more and can be folded flat into the back of a pack easily enough.
Hi, thank you for watching and taking the time to leave me this comment... Yes this pad really shakes up the market and its about time too as the big name pads are just insanely expensive...You cant really make a pad more comfortable but you an boost its R Value if needed by doing what you say so definitely worth considering ... best wishes and than you for your thoughtful comment.. Tom
I have just bought the forclaz mt900 from decathlon, just because I could see it in the shop and try it out.. This pad looks really good, maybe I made the wrong choice. Time will tell I guess. Thank you for the video, I always really love your content so insightful.
Hey Arran, thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.. The Forclaz looks pretty good so I don't think you will be far away.. In hindsight it's maybe one I should have compared here... I wish you many happy camps with it.. Tom
Great review as always Tom. They tic a lot of boxes indeed especially at that price point and it looks good too which always helps with the ambiance especially when we have to live under the dismal grey cloud base for most of the year. I wish it had a double use pump sack. I love the Nemo pump sack which is identical but i just wish it could be used as a pack liner as a double use product only because i am not into taking an electric pump but when you factor in the weight of the pump sack theres not much in it other than not having to carry something else that needs to be charged up. Totally agree with general quality issues which often can just come down to bad luck but as long as the companies back up the products with good customer service/warranty then whats not to like about these ...i will put one on my list 😉
Hi Olan, hey I really appreciate your response.. Gear that can be doubled up is awesome.. I used a nice Big Agnes one that could be doubled up but it didn't come as standard and was a little on the thin side for durability... Best wishes and happy camping.. Tom
Hi Craig the Nemo pads are nice and very well made.. I do find this one a little more supportive.. Thank you for sharing what one you use.. Always interested to hear others choices of gear.... Best wishes Tom
Great video. I have a question about mat length. I am 5' 11/180cm tall. Would you think the Regular or the Large would be the best length? Is there much difference? (obviously one is longer, but does this really matter) Thanks for all the information and observations!
I think you would be fine on the regular.. The large is slightly more supportive for your feet but it obviously is heavier and takes up a little more space in your tent... Hope this helps.. It's hard for me to give advice regarding personal preference and I did demonstrate and show the length difference and mentioned my height of 6 1. Best wishes Tom
Its not all about the statistics or lab tests IMO as I state in the video.. The only aspect that could be in question here is the R Value as far as I am aware. If this is so important then go for a proven four season pad that has a reputation for warmth such as Thermarest. Different people also sleep warm and cold... best wishes and thank you for the time to watch and comment... Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 At least the laboratory test is the most fair, as in addition to the sleeping pad, there are also the effects of the sleeping bag and the temperature of the day.
@@TOMHEANEY100 Thanks Tom, I'll look into them as like yourself I have a Nemo tensor but I just don't like it, it's so uncomfortable and slippery and need to find a new one. 🙏
Hi Tom, I hope you're well. I've just received my UL yellow pad after previously loving the elite one. I'm really disappointed in it and was wondering if yours is any different. The problem is the mylar is loose so whichever way up you have the pad it just flops down to the bottom. This is no better than sitting a cheap Halfords airbed on top of a cheap space blanket. How does yours look? Atb
Hi, thank you for your comment... I raised this issue with Kilos gear as mine is the same ... this is their response... "We didn’t fix the foil insulation to the top layer because there isn’t a cotton or similar intermediary layer that would securely hold it in place like our AeroCloud Sleeping Pad Elite (the blue one). The materials we use for the top layer of this UL sleeping pad are lightweight and flexible to ensure comfort and ease of use. If we tried to bond the foil directly to these materials, it would require a complex process that could weaken the pad over time. This might cause issues like the pad delaminating or cracking, especially with repeated inflation, deflation, and folding. By not fixing the foil insulation, we’ve also been able to streamline the manufacturing process, which helps reduce potential defects that could come from a more complicated bonding method. This way, we ensure that every pad meets our high-quality standards and provides consistent insulation. While not fixing the foil might slightly affect the R-value, in real-world use-especially in a 3-season pad-the difference is likely minimal. The insulation still plays an important role in keeping you warm and offers better thermal performance than pads that rely solely on air. When designing an ultralight sleeping pad, every decision involves trade-offs. We know that even a small increase in weight can impact how competitive the product is in the ultralight market. But we believe that the added warmth and comfort you get in various conditions make this a trade-off worth making. In short, our decision to keep the foil insulation unfixed was made to balance comfort, thermal efficiency, and durability. While we believe this approach offers the best overall performance for most users, we understand that there’s always room for improvement. We genuinely value your feedback and are committed to continuously refining our products" Very comprehensive IMO. If this was claimed to be a 4 season pad then I would be concerned but as a 3 season pad I am not.. I have also personally tested this pad in this video down to 5 degrees centigrade in high winds in a drafty tent.. I hope this helps.. best wishes Tom
@TOMHEANEY100 Thanks for the comprehensive reply. I sent photos of my pad to Kilos and am waiting for a reply from their technical department. It's good that you found it usable to 5°c but I'm not sure I'm buying their explanation regarding suspending the mylar (or not). I guess only time will tell, but I think there's a very good reason why neoairs and Tensors have multiple suspended layers and still only claim 3 point something r value which this pad is never going to match. I'm backpacking with it and wild camping around the Lakes next week so it'll be getting a good test. Atb, Rob
@GraemeNiimi Even if the r value is correct, that test doesn't show real-world warmth as different construction methods work differently for plate testing (r value method) and a body lying on a pad. I own these pads and believe the r value test scores are broadly true but find them a bit cooler than that would suggest just because a body is quite a small object in comparison to the overall size of these pads and has a hard time warming that volume of air. A thermarest style baffled pad works mainly by reflection and feels warmer subsequently. Actual real-world knowledge and experience, not keyboard-warrior-tw@ttery.
@@rbreiff73 Hey thank you for sharing your experience I do appreciate it no worries at all. Yes I agree that it has to be harder to warm up a larger pad and none of the manufactures whether right or wrong state any R value difference between different sizes of the same pad... BUT this is not a claimed 4 season pad so it will be fine for 3 season use and I never wanted the review to be about R Values.. best wishes Tom
Definitely the best you tube presenter
Hey thank you so much for the comment and watching the video.. I try hard... 😂😂
@TOMHEANEY100 on a different level to the rest.
A question on the pads , do you have to order them from America?
Thanks pal
@@outdoorsummiteer399 No Just directly from Kilos Gear.. I don't think they take too long as a friend ordered one of the chairs and it came pretty quickly.. Tom
First, great to see you doing well. YT just not showing me your vids. Have been thinking of you of late so I found this. Good review. The pads do look really good for my aching bones and my titanium knee. Haha. The fill bag appears better than anyother I have seen. The pillow looks even better. All good Tom. I'll search you recent vids. Interested in best four season pad. All good. Next time
Hey Sam thanks for your comment and sharing your thoughts... These pads are definitely amazing value and I am loving testing them.. best wishes Tom
Great, honest review of the pad. They only thing that you get with the likes of Thermarest & Sea to Summot is exceptional customer service. I’ve had mats that have been a good few years old that have failed that they have replaced no questions asked.
Yes I totally understand that.. My communication with Kilos gear is probably the best I have had from any company.. They Immediately respond to email and I get in depth technical replies which are very helpful.. This would point towards very good customer service too.. Best wishes Tom
Hey Tom. Great review of a really interesting entrant to the ul pad market. The stats are great for this pad and the fact you have verified the weight is good. Only question mark for me is the claimed R value and how it translates in real world conditions. That said the BA one is notoriously cold and sleeps nowhere near its r value. Even if it’s 1 r less it’s good for into 3 season so will suit it’s intended use well I suppose. Other thing is warranty and thermarest in particular is excellent. But at this price point I would definitely give this pad a try, I genuinely really like the look of it. Incidentally how could you forget my old favourite the uberlite 🤷♂️😢
Hi Gary thank you for the really detailed comment.. As you say the stats are excellent regarding this pad.. Comfort and support are fantastic and it's well put together.. It has foil insulation so should be fine warmth wise for 3 seasons.. I left out the Uber lite as it looks like it is now discontinued on the Thermarest website.... Once again thank you for sharing your thoughts 💭 and experience.. Very much appreciated. best wishes Tom
Nice video, thanks! For pillows, give the Flextail Zero a try. It's my favorite pillow and I have some that are decidedly more expensive.
Hey thank you for the top tip.. I like their pumps so I must look up the pillow.. best wishes Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 If I catch you at Meelmore I'll show you mine (Ant - NIWildCamping). So far really impressed with the pillow. Pump however I'm looking to do a warranty claim as the battery no longer holds a charge
I was expecting a much lower r-value. Along with some reflective foil, foam mat, maybe a bag liner.. I could easily use that on my sub zero mountain top camps! This means year round versatility, which I'm all about with my gear.
Great price point, and the weight is also very competitive.
Regular I think is sufficient for me too. I sleep on my side, so feet aren't a consideration 😊
Hi thank you for your reply...yes the R Value is decent and I actually felt some warmth from the pad... like you say additional mods can be made to make yourself warmer but its hard to make a pad more comfortable. The price point is fantastic as I am fed up paying mad money for the more known brands... best wishes and happy camping... Tom
These will shake the marketplace up for 3 season pads on price and comfort alone.
If the R value is really a 'thing' for worried well 3 season campers, a reflective under mat will work wonders, for a very few pounds more and can be folded flat into the back of a pack easily enough.
Hi, thank you for watching and taking the time to leave me this comment... Yes this pad really shakes up the market and its about time too as the big name pads are just insanely expensive...You cant really make a pad more comfortable but you an boost its R Value if needed by doing what you say so definitely worth considering ... best wishes and than you for your thoughtful comment.. Tom
I have just bought the forclaz mt900 from decathlon, just because I could see it in the shop and try it out.. This pad looks really good, maybe I made the wrong choice. Time will tell I guess.
Thank you for the video, I always really love your content so insightful.
Hey Arran, thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.. The Forclaz looks pretty good so I don't think you will be far away.. In hindsight it's maybe one I should have compared here... I wish you many happy camps with it.. Tom
Great review as always Tom. They tic a lot of boxes indeed especially at that price point and it looks good too which always helps with the ambiance especially when we have to live under the dismal grey cloud base for most of the year. I wish it had a double use pump sack. I love the Nemo pump sack which is identical but i just wish it could be used as a pack liner as a double use product only because i am not into taking an electric pump but when you factor in the weight of the pump sack theres not much in it other than not having to carry something else that needs to be charged up. Totally agree with general quality issues which often can just come down to bad luck but as long as the companies back up the products with good customer service/warranty then whats not to like about these ...i will put one on my list 😉
Hi Olan, hey I really appreciate your response.. Gear that can be doubled up is awesome.. I used a nice Big Agnes one that could be doubled up but it didn't come as standard and was a little on the thin side for durability... Best wishes and happy camping.. Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 I always like to watch your reviews Tom 👌ATVB to you too
@@Olan... Great to hear thank you... Tom
Some also use the Sack as a pillow.
Looks a great pad I’ve got the nemo tensor but that definitely looks comfy
Hi Craig the Nemo pads are nice and very well made.. I do find this one a little more supportive.. Thank you for sharing what one you use.. Always interested to hear others choices of gear.... Best wishes Tom
Great video. I have a question about mat length. I am 5' 11/180cm tall. Would you think the Regular or the Large would be the best length? Is there much difference? (obviously one is longer, but does this really matter) Thanks for all the information and observations!
I think you would be fine on the regular.. The large is slightly more supportive for your feet but it obviously is heavier and takes up a little more space in your tent... Hope this helps.. It's hard for me to give advice regarding personal preference and I did demonstrate and show the length difference and mentioned my height of 6 1. Best wishes Tom
I rarely see brands show authoritative tests.
Its not all about the statistics or lab tests IMO as I state in the video.. The only aspect that could be in question here is the R Value as far as I am aware. If this is so important then go for a proven four season pad that has a reputation for warmth such as Thermarest. Different people also sleep warm and cold... best wishes and thank you for the time to watch and comment... Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 At least the laboratory test is the most fair, as in addition to the sleeping pad, there are also the effects of the sleeping bag and the temperature of the day.
Great review again Tom, just wondering how noisy and slippery is it,
Slippy enough but not an issue.. It's pretty quiet though.. I really like these pads as they offer so much at insane value... Best wishes Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 Thanks Tom, I'll look into them as like yourself I have a Nemo tensor but I just don't like it, it's so uncomfortable and slippery and need to find a new one. 🙏
Best reviews full stop
Hey Simon, thank you for your feedback.. it is always great to hear comments like this... best wishes Tom
Hi Tom, I hope you're well. I've just received my UL yellow pad after previously loving the elite one. I'm really disappointed in it and was wondering if yours is any different. The problem is the mylar is loose so whichever way up you have the pad it just flops down to the bottom. This is no better than sitting a cheap Halfords airbed on top of a cheap space blanket. How does yours look? Atb
Hi, thank you for your comment... I raised this issue with Kilos gear as mine is the same ... this is their response...
"We didn’t fix the foil insulation to the top layer because there isn’t a cotton or similar intermediary layer that would securely hold it in place like our AeroCloud Sleeping Pad Elite (the blue one).
The materials we use for the top layer of this UL sleeping pad are lightweight and flexible to ensure comfort and ease of use. If we tried to bond the foil directly to these materials, it would require a complex process that could weaken the pad over time. This might cause issues like the pad delaminating or cracking, especially with repeated inflation, deflation, and folding.
By not fixing the foil insulation, we’ve also been able to streamline the manufacturing process, which helps reduce potential defects that could come from a more complicated bonding method. This way, we ensure that every pad meets our high-quality standards and provides consistent insulation.
While not fixing the foil might slightly affect the R-value, in real-world use-especially in a 3-season pad-the difference is likely minimal. The insulation still plays an important role in keeping you warm and offers better thermal performance than pads that rely solely on air.
When designing an ultralight sleeping pad, every decision involves trade-offs. We know that even a small increase in weight can impact how competitive the product is in the ultralight market. But we believe that the added warmth and comfort you get in various conditions make this a trade-off worth making.
In short, our decision to keep the foil insulation unfixed was made to balance comfort, thermal efficiency, and durability. While we believe this approach offers the best overall performance for most users, we understand that there’s always room for improvement. We genuinely value your feedback and are committed to continuously refining our products"
Very comprehensive IMO. If this was claimed to be a 4 season pad then I would be concerned but as a 3 season pad I am not.. I have also personally tested this pad in this video down to 5 degrees centigrade in high winds in a drafty tent..
I hope this helps..
best wishes Tom
@TOMHEANEY100 Thanks for the comprehensive reply. I sent photos of my pad to Kilos and am waiting for a reply from their technical department. It's good that you found it usable to 5°c but I'm not sure I'm buying their explanation regarding suspending the mylar (or not). I guess only time will tell, but I think there's a very good reason why neoairs and Tensors have multiple suspended layers and still only claim 3 point something r value which this pad is never going to match.
I'm backpacking with it and wild camping around the Lakes next week so it'll be getting a good test.
Atb, Rob
What pump would you recommend instead of the air sack?
I use the Flextail tiny pump 2x which also works as a lantern...Tom
Do you happen to know the weight of the regular including the stuff sack and inflation bag? Thanks
Hello, its about 560g... Best wishes Tom
Please show the test R value report, ok? If not, it is basically false advertising.
Hi Graeme, thank you for sharing your thoughts....Best wishes Tom
@GraemeNiimi Even if the r value is correct, that test doesn't show real-world warmth as different construction methods work differently for plate testing (r value method) and a body lying on a pad. I own these pads and believe the r value test scores are broadly true but find them a bit cooler than that would suggest just because a body is quite a small object in comparison to the overall size of these pads and has a hard time warming that volume of air.
A thermarest style baffled pad works mainly by reflection and feels warmer subsequently.
Actual real-world knowledge and experience, not keyboard-warrior-tw@ttery.
@@rbreiff73 Hey thank you for sharing your experience I do appreciate it no worries at all. Yes I agree that it has to be harder to warm up a larger pad and none of the manufactures whether right or wrong state any R value difference between different sizes of the same pad... BUT this is not a claimed 4 season pad so it will be fine for 3 season use and I never wanted the review to be about R Values.. best wishes Tom
@@rbreiff73 Stop talking so much nonsense and show me your report.