I’ve been sitting on this Vango Aotrom Thermo Platinum review for quite a while because as much as I love camping, I couldn’t bring myself to brave the elements during the terrible winter we had.
(The 18 months to March 2024 ranks as the fourth wettest on record. Just terrible)
As soon as the skies cleared and the rain eased up a bit, though, I was itching to head out again to enjoy my well-deserved night under the stars. The temperature in February/March isn’t too warm, so I wanted to use a camping mat and sleeping bag that’s up for the challenge—hence why I opted for the Vango Aotrom Thermo Platinum.
The toastiest of Vango’s Aotrom range of sleeping mats, this lightweight wonder is as thin as it is warm and packs down super small, making it the ideal option for backpackers who prefer not to freeze into a solid block by the time they wake up in the morning in their backpacking tent.
Vango Aotrom Thermo Platinum review
Price and availability
Launched in 2023, the Vango Aotrom Thermo Platinum is available right now directly from Vango for the recommended retail price of £110 (approx. $138/ AU$212). Orders over £50 are shipped for free in the UK. Vango does sell its goods internationally, but not directly, only via an international distribution network.
Specifications
- Seasons: 4
- R-value: 4.2
- Weight: 610g/ 21.5 oz
- Length: 185 cm/ 72.8 inches
- Width: 55 cm/ 21.6 inches
- Height: 5 cm/ 2 inches
- Pack size: 23 cm x 13 cm/ 9 x 5 inches
- Fabric: 20D Nylon Ripstop Top Fabric
Design and features
As mentioned above, the Aotrom Thermo Platinum is Vango’s warmest lightweight camping mat and offers an incredible weight-to-warmth ratio. It weighs only 610 grams yet has an R-value of 4.2.
To achieve such a high R-value, Vango used its ThermoFlex Lite fabric, which has an aluminium reflective coating to retain heat in the body. Furthermore, the air-filled Welded Channels help increase the surface area and are said to mould to the contours of the ground and your body for a more comfortable sleep.
The pack size is 9 x 5 inches. It is a bit stubbier than a water bottle but roughly the same height. It is definitely small and light enough to fit in your backpack, though. Once inflated, the Aotrom Thermo Platinum has the height and width of your standard camping mat, which fits most bodies, although not all.
Vango does offer an XL version (retailer link) of the mat, which is more rectangular than the slightly tapered standard version.
Finally, the Aotrom Thermo Platinum uses a TPU fabric lamination, which is lighter and is said to be more environmentally friendly than traditional PVC constructions.
Performance and comfort
The Vango Aotrom Thermo Platinum is child’s play to inflate, as you’d expect. Ideally, you don’t want to blow directly into the hole to avoid saliva and bacteria festering inside the mat, so you’d better pack a small pump or my new favourite camping toy, the Zero Pump (retailer link).
The flush-fit TPU Airlock Valve allows for quick inflation, and the plug seems to do a fine job of keeping the mat inflated overnight. Deflation is equally as easy, which made folding away the mat super easy.
The Aotrom Thermo Platinum is thin but comfortable to sit on, and the ends don’t lift off the ground when you move around on it like thicker mats.
I’m a side sleeper and was initially concerned about the thickness, but I had a very pleasant night's sleep with ground temperatures hovering around 3-4 degrees Celsius. I didn’t feel cold at all, and despite being as tall as the mat, I managed to stay on it for most of the night.
Verdict
It’s extremely hard, if not impossible, to find any flaws in the Vango Aotrom Thermo Platinum. Sure, it isn't the lightest or warmest camping mat, but it’s an incredibly enticing proposition for the price nevertheless.
It offers four-season performance, a small pack size, and easier inflation and deflation than other high-end mats. There is an extra-large version, too, if you’re a wriggler in a tent. Plus, cheaper versions are available if you do not need all that heat retention on your camping trips.
The only downside is the international availability—it might be a bit tricky to get one in the US/AU. However, if you’re in the UK and need a reliable and toasty lightweight sleeping mat, the Vango Aotrom Thermo Platinum is for you.
Also consider
The only camping mats I can think of that have similar capabilities are the Thermarest NeoAir XLite, which is just ridiculously light and warm, and the Rab Ionosphere 5, which weighs a little bit less and is slightly warmer than the Aotrom Thermo Platinum. Both are more expensive than the Vango model, though.
