Review: Quechua Forclaz A100 Self-Inflating Mat

When I decided to put together an ultralight kit, every gram became an issue. Although I already had a sleeping mat that could be considered ultralight, the fact that it was full length meant that there were weight savings to be made. The obvious choice for a 3/4 length mat was the 3/4 length version of the Trangoworld Skin Microlite, but unfortunately while waiting for the retailer to verify the weight, they whacked the price up beyond what I was prepared to pay. So, I went hunting......

After my usual extensive research, I settled on the Quechua Forclaz A100.

Photo courtesy of Quechua

The A100 self-inflating mat is a 3/4 length mat measuring 117 x 50cm, and with an advertised weight of 380g according to its stuff sack and 400g according to Quechua's website (mine actually weighed well over 400g, but whats new?), its probably the lightest self-inflating mat in this price range. Unfortunately, this diminutive weight isn't so much an achievement of technology and design as simply cutting back on materials- the A100 is only 20mm thick, making it one of the thinnest (if not the thinnest) self-inflating mats available. In addition, no R-value is given and I would expect the reduction in thickness to consequently give a reduction in R-value.

In use, the Quechua does self-inflate to some degree, but as is to be expected a few good blows are required to help it up. Despite its meager 20mm of loft, I have to say I didn't notice any discernible difference between this and my 30mm mat, and I personally found it much more comfortable than my 80mm air mattress, so don't let its thickness (or should that be thinness?) put you off.
Its thinner proportions also help mitigate the fact that its only a 3/4 length- you simply don't notice the drop where you legs hang off the end.

It was a pretty cold night when I tested the A100, despite being the middle of summer, but the mat and a one-season sleeping bag kept me nice and cozy. That said, I would generally revert back to my full-length mat for the colder months.

The outer material is typical of most self inflating mats, and while not particularly anti-slip, I didn't find myself sliding off it at all.

The mat packs away into its stuff sack without a fight, which is always a refreshing change, and down to a pretty compact size.

So is this the best budget self-inflating 3/4 length mattress? That's hard to say.
At the A100's sub-£25 price point, there is nothing to touch it in terms of cost-to-weight-to-comfort ratio, and if that is where your budget stops then this is the mat for you.
But for very little extra outlay, the Trangoworld Skin Micro Lite is 30mm longer, 50% thicker and 30g lighter, not to mention the extra technologies it incorporates such as its anti-slip covering - plus you know what you're getting in terms of thermal insulation because they state the R-value. So in that respect, the Trangoworld remains the one to beat, though the Quechua is still a cut above the rest.

2021 UPDATE: At some point in the last few years this got discontinued and Decathlon haven't produced an alternative. So, the Trangoworld is still the number one choice in this price bracket, and indeed many price brackets above.



Quechua Forclaz A100

Trangoworld Skin Micro Lite