Therm-A-Rest LuxuryMap Sleeping Pad Review

Bottom Line

The Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap XL is a wonderful tenting mattress for plush consolation with out the majority. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has spent greater than 30 nights on this mattress, and he loves the impressively low profile. It’s solely three inches thick, making this factor a terrific decide for again sleepers and stomach sleepers with tons of room to sprawl like a starfish.

We discovered the froth mapping design presents focused help with barely firmer foam and a extra supportive really feel at key strain factors. For us, this made for a superb night time of sleep. With an R-value of 6, we’ve comfortably slept on this mattress right down to 10°F, and it stored us toasty-warm. Inflation and deflation are easy-peasy because of user-friendly valves – together with a self-inflating design and an enormous dump valve. Plus, it rolls up neatly for straightforward packing. We love that this mannequin comes at a lower cost than the competitors, too, making it an impressive worth.

However, the LuxuryMap isn’t flawless, so that you would possibly contemplate different choices from our finest tenting mattresses information. The edges are barely tapered, which imply knees and elbows can backside out whereas shifting positions. Sensitive sleepers may even need to beware: its cloth generally is a bit noisy when transferring round, relying on the material of your sleeping bag or baselayer. The valves are extraordinarily sturdy and purposeful, however they stick out, which generally is a draw back in case you’re restricted on area.

Still, these are minor drawbacks. This mattress delivers a unbelievable stability of consolation, heat, and comfort for again and stomach sleepers with a watch on their price range.

Comfort

Drifting off on the LuxuryMap XL is simple because of its plush foam help. This mannequin is just 3 inches thick – an inch lower than a lot of the competitors on our greatest tenting mattresses information – however we barely observed, because of Therm-A-Rest’s foam mapping design. This sample offers focused cushioning and a bit extra help at key strain factors like the top, shoulders, hips, and ft. It could also be too thick for facet sleepers. However, it supplies wonderful help for again and stomach sleepers the place it issues most, and a barely softer really feel in every single place else.

Gear Analyst Ian Krammer loves this lower-profile design, particularly for sleeping in autos, on a cot, or in lower-ceiling tents. With a bit much less bulk, we weren’t as prone to bump our heads. Ian additionally appreciates that the slimmer design doesn’t sacrifice width. This factor has tons of room to unfold out. Its clean polyester knit floor is mushy sufficient to sleep on immediately. We all the time suggest the biggest model of those tenting mattresses merely for consolation. Although, this one additionally is available in barely smaller dimensions, together with an everyday and a big.

However, we’ve got two small gripes with this mattress. The LuxuryMap has tapered edges, which barely reduces the usable area. It’s additionally thinner on the edges, which suggests our knees and elbows often hit the bottom once we shifted too near the edges. Ian is an lively sleeper who flops between stomach, facet, and again all through the night time, and he discovered himself often bottoming out close to the perimeters all through the night time. This was a minor subject, but it surely’s one more reason to dimension up in case you’re in a position.

We additionally discovered the mattress is only a bit noisy. If you’re a lightweight sleeper, it takes some getting used to the slight crinkle when rolling over. Despite these quirks, the LuxuryMap nonetheless presents a superb mixture of help and softness for a restful night time open air.

Ease of Use

Setting up camp shouldn’t really feel like a chore, and the Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap XL makes positive it doesn’t. The self-inflating design takes a lot of the work out of setup. We unrolled it, opened the valve, and let the mattress do its factor. When it’s time to fine-tune firmness, a couple of breaths are all it takes to get the strain good. Our whole setup time? About 8 minutes – with lower than 60 seconds of precise effort.

Packing up is simply as easy, with a quick-release dump valve that lets air escape quick. The decrease profile additionally makes it simple to roll up or to suit contained in the carrying bag with none awkward maneuvering. Once deflated, it packs down effectively and is simple to stash away for the following journey.

That mentioned, the Luxury Map’s valves protrude off the tip of the mattress about an inch. This design is nice for inflation and deflation however will get in the best way when rolling it up or positioning inside a tent that’s already tight on area. It’s somewhat annoying in contrast with mattresses the place the valves sit flush with the sting of the pad.

Also, the LuxuryMap doesn’t include a pump sack for inflation. Even although it self-inflates virtually all the approach, it’s price noting that topping it off can take a bit of additional effort to seek out the best firmness for you.

Warmth

Cold nights at camp are not any match for the Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap XL. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has slept in frigid nights on this pad within the Utah and Arizona desert in February, the place temps hovered round an icy 10°F. Paired with a high quality sleeping bag, he slept like a child in these situations.

With a formidable R-value of 6, this mattress supplies dependable insulation towards very chilly floor temperatures. The three-inch foam core not solely presents consolation but additionally helps lure physique warmth, conserving us heat all through the night time. 

That mentioned, the thinner profile means it received’t maintain as a lot warmth as some thicker fashions. An R-Value of 6 remains to be excellent, however contemplating a lot of the competitors ranges upwards of 6.5 to 9.9, it’s technically on the decrease finish of heat. Don’t let that deter you, although. Unless you’re sleeping in excessive chilly, this mattress is greater than sufficient to maintain you feeling heat all night time lengthy.

Packed Size

The Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap XL packs as much as 31 by 10 inches. That’s barely bigger than common but principally in keeping with the tenting mattresses we’ve examined. 

We don’t thoughts the massive packed dimension because it’s so cozy and supportive, however this isn’t the smallest or most transportable tenting mattress on the market. At over 5 kilos, it takes up extra room than smaller and lighter options. Its foam core means it doesn’t  shrink down as a lot as an inflatable pad. Also, there aren’t compression straps to get it as small as potential. The huge dimensions additionally make it bulkier when rolled, which may very well be a problem if area within the trunk or gear closet is proscribed. 

 Luckily, the included stuff sack is roomy, so we weren’t wrestling with the mattress to get it in or out. The nylon shoulder strap makes the Luxury Map a breeze to hold.

Should You Buy the Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap?

Car campers, cot sleepers, and anybody who desires a snug basecamp will recognize the Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap XL for its mix of consolation, heat, and comfort. The self-inflating design takes minimal effort to arrange, and a dump valve helps it empty quick. The foam mapping design supplies additional help at strain factors, and it presents loads of heat for dependable insulation from the bottom year-round. Its decrease profile makes it a terrific match for folks sleeping in shelters with extra restricted headspace. And in case you’ve obtained a watch in the direction of price range, this is among the extra inexpensive choices on our listing. Our testing exhibits it might probably final for yr after yr of tough use, doubtlessly surviving canine nails, youngsters, and dozens of nights.

However, this mattress has tapered edges, so in case you’re a facet sleeper or transfer quite a bit within the night time, you could end up bottoming when rolling over near the sting. The mattress is a bit noisy, which could not work for delicate sleepers, and the valves stick out greater than we’d like. However, the LuxuryMap XL is true to its identify. It is a luxuriously comfy mattress. For campers who need a comfy, supportive, and simple to make use of mattress, this one is a good selection.

What Other Camping Mattresses Should You Consider?

Check out our finest tenting mattresses information to seek out options:

REI Campwell Review: The REI Campwell presents an identical degree of consolation and easy setup because the LuxuryMap. It’s a half-inch thinner, although, so it’s not our prime decide for facet sleepers, though it weighs much less and prices much less. 

REI Camp Dreamer Review: The Camp Dreamer matches the LuxuryMap’s value and simple setup. But, this one is an inch thicker, barely hotter, and over a pound heavier, providing a cushier however bulkier sleep expertise. 

Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe LW Review: Consider the Comfort Deluxe LW in case you’re searching for the identical help and quick setup because the LuxuryMap. It’s thicker, hotter, and extra sturdy, however you’ll pay way more for it.