On a hike every gram counts, but so does a decent night’s sleep. The Trekology UL80 tries to give you both: a full 10 cm off the ground for just 568 g, in a sack small enough to disappear in your pack.
We tested it to see whether it gives enough support on uneven ground, and how far its R-value of 1.6 takes you. If you like ultralight gear but hate waking up with a sore back, read on.
What’s in the box
An inflatable air mat, 191 × 57 cm and 10 cm thick, made from 40D nylon with a water-resistant coating. The sides are raised into a shallow cradle that keeps you from rolling off, and a large valve handles inflating and deflating.
It packs into a stuff sack of 18.5 × 12 cm. A Trekology pump sack comes with some versions and is sold separately with others, so check the listing before you buy.
What we like
- Light at 568 g
- Packs to 18.5 × 12 cm
- 10 cm of loft
- Curved sides stop you rolling off
- Big valve deflates fast
What we don’t
- Narrow at 57 cm
- R-value of 1.6: not for winter
- Pump sack not always included
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Trekology |
| Material | 40D nylonWater-resistant coating |
| Colour | Grey |
| Weight | 568 g |
| Size inflated | 191 × 57 × 10 cm |
| Packed size | 18.5 × 12 cm |
| R-value | 1.6 |
| Features | Curved sidesLarge valve |
First look
Out of its tiny stuff sack, the first thought is always: how does something this small become a full-size bed? Unrolled, the curved shape stands out. It isn’t a flat slab, and the raised sides form a shallow cradle.
The 40D nylon feels tough, without the slick, noisy feel some air mats have, and the large valve suggests a quick setup. A height of 10 cm is a lot for an ultralight mat, and I was keen to find out how comfortable that would be.
Materials & Build QualityMaterials & Build Quality
The 40D nylon with its water-resistant coating is a sensible choice for a hiking mat: a fair trade between tear resistance and weight, and tough enough for tent floors and groundsheets.
The seams are heat-welded, which matters for keeping air in over time, and the large valve is sturdy and firmly attached. For a mat built to be this light, it’s put together well.
Ergonomics & WeightErgonomics & Weight
The shape is what sets the UL80 apart from ordinary rectangular mats. Inflated to its full 10 cm, the curved sides hold you in place and stop the slide-off you sometimes get in the middle of the night. That helps side sleepers most, who often struggle to stay centred on a narrow mat.
And it is narrow: 57 cm fits well inside smaller camping tents, but broad sleepers may find it tight. The 10 cm of loft keeps hips and shoulders off the ground, and at 568 g you hardly notice it in the pack.
Performance & FeaturesPerformance & Features
Comfort is the main test, and the 10 cm of height delivers. It keeps you off cold, uneven ground and supports you from head to toe, and the curved sides keep you in the middle of the mat all night.
Blowing it up by mouth is quick thanks to the large valve, but a pump sack is better because it keeps the moisture from your breath out of the mat. Deflating is fast: open the valve fully and the air is out in seconds. With an R-value of 1.6 it’s a mat for summer and for spring and autumn nights that stay well above freezing; on colder nights you’d want a foam pad underneath or a warmer mat.
Vs other hiking mats
The Trekology UL80 is one of four mats we’ve tested that are light enough to carry in. The NEMO Tensor is lighter and warmer but costs about five times as much, the Mountain Designs Airlite 5.5 is a thinner insulated air mat with about twice the R-value for a little more money, and the Sea to Summit Camp Mat SI is a thin self-inflating mat with the highest R-value of the four. The UL80 is the thickest and the cheapest.
This one Trekology UL80 |  Airlite 5.5 |  NEMO Tensor |  Camp Mat SI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Air pad | Air pad | Air pad | Self-inflating |
| Thickness | 10 cm | 5.5 cm | 8.9 cm | 3.8 cm |
| R-value | 1.6 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 4.2 |
| Weight | 568 g | 600 g | 369 g | 780 g |
| Price | $74 | $100 | $370 | $140 |
| Our score | 8.7 | 8.8 | 9.2 | 9.4 |
Conclusion: Trekology UL80 Sleeping MatConclusion
The Trekology UL80 gives you real comfort at a low weight: 10 cm of loft for 568 g, packing down to 18.5 × 12 cm. The curved sides stop you rolling off and the 40D nylon feels tough. It’s narrow at 57 cm, the R-value of 1.6 keeps it to the warmer months and the pump sack isn’t always included. For hikers who want to cut bulk without losing sleep, it’s very good value.
Real comfort at a low weight, and very good value.
It gives 10 cm of loft at 568 g, packs to 18.5 × 12 cm and the curved sides stop you rolling off, in tough 40D nylon. It's narrow at 57 cm, the R-value of 1.6 keeps it to the warmer months and the pump sack isn't always included.
- Backpackers
- Hikers
- Ultralight
Yes. A 10 cm thick mat that weighs 568 g and packs tiny is a lot of comfort at low cost. It’s narrow at 57 cm and the R-value of 1.6 isn’t enough for winter.
