Vango Dreamer Self Inflating Mat

Vango Dreamer Review

Vango kindly sent us a couple of their Dreamer Self-Inflating Mats (SIMs) to test out while we try some non-car camping adventures, such as bike packing and backpacking.

These are the single Vango Dreamer SIMs that are 3cm thick and weigh less than a kilo (0.89kg, to be precise).

My backpack packed with the two Vango Dreamer SIMs attached

We’ve used these SIMs a number of times now, including by our daughter on her Duke of Edinburgh expedition, but I wanted to try them myself in what they were intended for: backpacking or bikepacking.

One thing you imediately notice from the photo above, is that although they are lightweight,  they are not small when rolled up, and take up a similar amount of space as a rolled up foam mat. OK, may be a little less, but they were two big to fit in my backpack.

This is the Dreamer SIM rolled up. It comes with two elastic straps and a bag, plus a repair kit.

Being such small self-inflating mats, I wasn’t expecting them to magically self-inflate. Very few mats that call themselves self-inflating actually inflate themselves we found.

Inflating the Vango Dreamer mats

The mats didn’t ‘self inflate’

After leaving the SIMs for a while, I blew air into them to get them properly inflated.

These use standard SIM valves, and not the large inflate/deflate valve that you can find on the massive Vango Shangri-La Grande sleeping mat.

Once inflated, the Vango Dreamer is about 3cm thick.

A thickness of 3cm may not sound a lot, but its about twice the amount you get on a foam roll mat. So, despite it taking a similar sort of space to carry, you do get a more comfortable sleeping mat.

Although this is firmer to lay on than the thicker sleeping mats, I didn’t find it too hard.

Vango state that the mat contains open cell foam insulation to provide additional warmth.

Verdict

Don’t expect a luxury mattress or a SIM that magically self-inflates. That’s near impossible in a mat that’s designed to be lightweight for backpacking.

What it is good is being lightweight, simple, and does the job. Yes, I’d like it a bit smaller when packed as I haven’t worked out how to fit it on the bike for bike-packing.

It also did well on the D of E, which is also what it’s designed for. So for that reason, we’re happy giving it the Thumbs Up award.