The mat is supplied with a small, drawcord stuff sack that minimises bulk. You’ll hardly notice it in your pack, unlike bigger and heavier mats. It’s ideal for going fast and light. Also, unlike some ultralight pads, which are let down by a bulky air valve, the flush fit air lock is also unobtrusive but works well, allowing for quick inflation/deflation.

Features

Unlike the usual transverse or longitudinal baffles that you see on most sleeping mats, the Aotrom utilises air-filled welded channels. These are designed to mould to the contours of the ground and your body for a more comfortable night’s sleep.

“The main benefits of the Aotrom are that it offers decent comfort in a very compact and lightweight package.”

The dimensions measure 185 x 55cm (72.8 x 21.6in, in old money), with an inflated thickness of 5cm or about 2 inches. When you first unroll the Aotrom, it looks surprisingly long, but as you inflate the mat, the air-filled cells expand, pulling in the fabric. The mat is slightly contoured but nowhere near as tapered as some sleeping mats, giving plenty of width from the shoulders right down to the knees.

It’s not the thickest mat around, and though we could lie on it without ‘bottoming out’, we’d still say it’s better suited for people who tend to sleep on their back or front rather than their sides.
The pack size is a tiny 15 x 8cm (6 x 3.1in), which is impressive – it’s even comparable to premium mats like the ThermaRest NeoAir Uberlite. Obviously, it’s not insulated like that mat, but it’s also around a third of the price. If you’re only going to be camping in summer season, this is a much cheaper alternative.

Obviously, the Aotrom’s major drawback is that as a non-insulated air mat, warmth is limited. But Vango are about to release an insulated version called the Aotrom Thermo, which might be well worth a look if you need a warmer air mat for three-season camping. Inevitably, it’s a little bulkier and heavier than the standard Aotrom though.

Conclusion

The main benefits of the Aotrom are that it offers decent comfort in a very compact and lightweight package, at a price point that won’t break the bank. As such, it has plenty to recommend it, especially if you’re planning some summer wild camping adventures or perhaps aiming to tackle a multi-day backpacking trail this year.

Tester’s Verdict

Our testing of this product is still underway. We’ll post the verdict here in the coming days.