CAMPING GEAR | Hitrek Inflatable Sleeping Mat Elite 40D – Review

May 30, 2019 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

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What is it?

Hitrek Inflatable Sleeping Mat Elite 40D RRP: £29.99

Stockists

Features

Air cell technology
Made from Elite 40D Nylon
Light & durable fabric
High rip & tear resistance
Quiet with less crinkle sounds for a good nights sleep
Lightweight 0.5kg
Double waterproof TPU coating
Pack size 19cm x 8cm x 8cm
Inflated size 185cm x 59cm x 6cm

The verdict

Although I’m not short on space when I camp, I’d been looking for a lightweight air mattress aimed at backpackers as I’m hoping to do a spot of wild camping later this year.

As a dedicated glamper, all of my existing camping gear is far too bulky for wild camping and with my old back injury to take into account, comfort when camping is super important to me.

The Hitrek Inflatable Sleeping Mat cuts down on weight and bulk by using a honeycomb design of air cells, which also makes it really fast and easy to inflate by mouth.

Practicality

At just 0.5k it weighs next to nothing and fits into a tiny carry bag that measures just 19cm x 8cm x 8cm which makes it extremely packable and it fitted with ease into the side pocket of my 45L Thule Alltrail backpack.

To inflate, it’s easy enough to do it by mouth and takes about a minute to inflate the honeycomb cells. I was honestly dubious about how much padding it could possibly provide being so small and lightweight, so I lay straight down on it and was surprised to find it did offer a good level of comfort.

Once fully inflated the sleeping mat is about 4cm deep. Both of the SIMs I use on a regular basis are 7.5cm or more in depth and contain memory foam too, so I wanted to know how the diminutive Hitrek sleeping mat would perform in terms of comfort and warmth when camping in spring weather.

On the first night, I used the SIM on top of a folding camp bed, on the second night, I felt brave enough to use it directly on the floor of my tent.

I tend to run very cold most of the time and often struggle with cold coming up through the floor when I’m on an air mattress. Over the recent bank holiday weekend though the mat did manage to keep me warm and I didn’t wake up as uncomfortable and stiff as I’d feared.

The sleeping mat isn’t padded enough to allow me to sleep on my side which is my usual preference, and when turning over and moving around, it does make a bit of a crinkly sound, but less so than the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir that I’d tried previously.

Final say

Our Rating

Quality 4/5

Practicality 4/5

Comfort 2/5

Value 4/5

Overall Rating (4 / 5)

Although the mat doesn’t provide enough padding for side sleeping, for sleeping on my back it was adequate, and would certainly be good enough for a single night of wild camping.

It’s important to mention too that I used it on 2 nights running, and didn’t need to reinflate the mat for use on the second night.

Of course it doesn’t offer the same levels of comfort as my 10cm Vango Comfort 10 SIM or my 7.5cm Outwell Dreamboat SIM but size and weight wise, there’s just no comparison.

For wild camping it’s perfect. It’s also ideal for using on top of a folding canvas camp bed to provide an extra layer of padding and insulation.

My single existing SIM is enormous and totally unsuitable for wild camping or carrying for any real distance, so whilst the Hitrek isn’t something I’d use for my regular, longer camping trips, for wild camping it’s perfect.

It’s also ideal for using on top of a folding canvas camp bed to provide an extra layer of padding and insulation, and for the price, it seems like good value for money too.

Thank you to Hitrek who supplied the featured product. We were not paid to write this review.

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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