Size when rolled up

Traditional backpacking involved making a choice – luxury versus weight. The last decade has seen dramatic improvements in fabrics and technology which have illuminated the fact that luxury and weight are not contradicting philosophies after all. Enter the Kooka Bay LuxLite Airmat.

Valve detail

The Kooka Bay LuxLite Airmat is an inflatable, two-season sleeping pad with vertical baffles. It is 2.5 inches thick when inflated and designed for comfort on lightweight or ultralight adventures. The LuxLite Airmat comes in a variety of sizes and shapes. Kooka Bay makes the Airmat in both rectangular and mummy shaped pads coming in lengths of 72 inches, 60 inches, and 46 inches (available in rectangular only). The pads range in weight from 9.6 oz to 14.9 oz. When rolled up and store the LuxLite Airmat is slightly larger than a 12 fl oz soda pop can.

The Kooka Bay LuxLite Airmat is not insulated and therefore not designed for colder temperatures. It has a single valve at the top. The LuxLite is not self-inflating and, as such, does require some effort to blow it up but overall it doesn’t kill me to blow it up. Once inflated, the Kooka Bay LuxLite is one of the most comfortable pads to sleep on. I typically toss and turn a lot while sleeping in the backcountry and usually end up rotating between sleeping on my back and side. The Kooka Bay LuxLite is a great pad for both of my sleeping styles. I don’t feel the ground while lying on the pad. The only time I do feel the ground under the pad is when I kneel directly on the pad which focuses all my weight to one or two single points.

Vertical baffles and regular length

I’ve used the Kooka Bay LuxLite Airmat a lot this year. I used it in the Russian Wilderness, the Marble Mountain Wilderness, on the PCT in Northern California, in Lassen Volcanic National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Lava Beds National Monument, just outside St. George, Utah and in both Klamath and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. I’ve never had any issue with leaks in the LuxLite material or at the valve. I have taken care of the Luxlite though. I’ve only used it on a tent floor or Tyvek ground cloth. I do not put it on the bare earth because I like it and want it to last a long time.

In use on PCT at Paradise Lake

The Kooka Bay LuxLite Airmat is a great choice for cutting down on weight while maintaining comfort in the backcountry. There are sizes and styles to fit just about anyone so it’s worth looking into for anyone who sleeps outside. With its combination of lightweight, comfort and durability I foresee this staying in my summer backpacking collection for a while.