Sleeping Mat Buying Guide
Why Do You Need a Sleeping Mat?
A sleeping mat does much more than make the ground more comfortable.
When you sleep outdoors, the ground can draw heat away from your body. Although your sleeping bag provides insulation around you, the insulation underneath your body becomes compressed by your weight and is therefore less effective.
A sleeping mat provides an additional insulating barrier between you and the ground while also providing cushioning and comfort.
Choosing the right mat means balancing several factors, including insulation, comfort, weight, packed size and durability.
The Main Types of Sleeping Mat
Most camping sleeping mats fall into three broad categories:
- inflatable sleeping mats
- foam sleeping mats
- self-inflating sleeping mats
Each has advantages and disadvantages, so the best choice depends on how and where you intend to use it.
Inflatable Sleeping Mats
Modern inflatable sleeping mats can provide a high level of comfort while packing down remarkably small.
Unlike traditional camping airbeds, lightweight outdoor sleeping mats use technical fabrics and internal constructions designed specifically for camping and backpacking.
Depending on the design, some inflatable mats also incorporate insulation or internal structures intended to reduce heat loss.
Advantages of Inflatable Mats
Inflatable mats can offer:
- excellent comfort for their packed size
- a small pack size
- relatively low weight
- adjustable firmness
- substantial thickness compared with many foam mats
This makes them particularly attractive to backpackers who want a comfortable sleeping system without carrying a bulky mat.
Disadvantages of Inflatable Mats
The main consideration is puncture damage.
Although modern fabrics can be extremely durable, sharp stones, thorns or other objects can potentially puncture an inflatable mat.
Take care when choosing where to place your mat and consider carrying an appropriate repair kit on longer or more remote trips.
They also need to be inflated before use, although modern valve systems have made inflation and deflation considerably easier.
Foam Sleeping Mats
Foam sleeping mats are among the simplest outdoor sleeping mats available.
They are normally manufactured from closed-cell foam containing many small pockets of trapped air. These help provide insulation from the ground while also offering some cushioning.
Advantages of Foam Mats
Their simplicity gives them several benefits:
- lightweight construction
- no inflation required
- rapid deployment
- good durability
- no risk of becoming unusable because of a puncture
- relatively simple maintenance
For trips where reliability and simplicity are more important than maximum comfort or minimum packed size, a foam mat can be an excellent option.
Disadvantages of Foam Mats
The main disadvantage is bulk.
Foam mats generally don't compress particularly small, so they are often carried strapped to the outside of a rucksack rather than inside it.
They may also provide less cushioning than thicker inflatable alternatives.
Self-Inflating Sleeping Mats
Self-inflating mats combine elements of foam and inflatable sleeping mats.
Inside the mat is a compressible foam core surrounded by an airtight outer fabric.
When the mat is unrolled and its valve opened, the compressed foam begins expanding. As it expands, it draws air into the mat. The user can normally add additional air afterwards to achieve their preferred firmness.
To pack the mat away, the valve is opened and the mat is rolled or folded to compress the foam and force the air out.
Advantages of Self-Inflating Mats
Depending on their design, they can provide a good balance of:
- comfort
- insulation
- ease of use
- durability
- adjustable firmness
Different constructions allow manufacturers to produce everything from relatively lightweight trekking mats to thicker, more heavily insulated camping mats.
Disadvantages of Self-Inflating Mats
They can be heavier and bulkier than some lightweight inflatable mats.
Because the outer shell needs to remain airtight, they can also be punctured, although suitable damage can often be repaired.
Understanding Sleeping Mat R-Values
When comparing sleeping mats, you may see an R-value listed in the product specification.
R-value is a measure of thermal resistance. In simple terms, it indicates how effectively the mat resists heat passing through it.
The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating performance of the mat.
This is particularly important in colder conditions because the temperature of the ground can have a significant effect on your overall sleeping system.
Don't assume that a thick mat is automatically warmer than a thinner one. Internal construction and insulation can make a substantial difference to thermal performance.
Where an R-value is provided, use the manufacturer's specification when comparing mats.
Weight and Packed Size
If you're travelling by car and camping close to your vehicle, weight and packed size may be relatively unimportant.
For backpacking, trekking or cycle touring, they can become major considerations because everything needs to be carried.
Lightweight inflatable mats often provide an attractive combination of comfort and small packed size.
Foam mats can be extremely light but considerably bulkier.
Self-inflating mats occupy a broad middle ground, with models ranging from relatively compact trekking designs to much thicker camping mats.
Comfort and Thickness
Comfort is personal.
Some people can sleep comfortably on a relatively thin mat, while others prefer considerably more cushioning.
Your normal sleeping position can also influence your choice. Side sleepers, for example, may appreciate additional depth because more pressure is concentrated around the hips and shoulders.
Remember that maximum thickness isn't the only consideration. The internal construction, shape and stability of the mat can also affect how comfortable it feels.
Durability and Puncture Protection
Foam mats have a major advantage when it comes to punctures: there is no air chamber to damage.
Inflatable and self-inflating mats require a little more care.
Before putting one down, remove sharp stones, sticks, thorns or other objects from the sleeping area. Using the mat inside a tent with a suitable groundsheet also provides additional protection.
If you're travelling somewhere remote, carrying the appropriate repair materials for your mat is sensible.
Which Sleeping Mat Is Best for Camping?
For campsite use where you're not carrying your equipment very far, comfort may be more important than minimising every gram.
A thicker self-inflating or inflatable mat can provide considerably more cushioning, while the additional packed size or weight may be relatively unimportant if you're travelling by vehicle.
Which Sleeping Mat Is Best for Backpacking?
Backpackers normally need to balance three competing requirements:
weight, packed size and comfort.
Lightweight inflatable mats are popular because they can provide substantial cushioning from a relatively small package.
Foam mats remain attractive where simplicity, low weight and reliability are priorities.
Self-inflating trekking mats provide another option for people looking for a balance between insulation, comfort and convenience.
Choosing a Mat for Cold Conditions
In colder weather, insulation becomes increasingly important.
Rather than selecting a mat purely according to thickness or comfort, check its stated thermal performance and whether the manufacturer recommends it for the conditions you expect to encounter.
A warm sleeping bag cannot completely compensate for inadequate insulation underneath you.
For cold-weather camping, think of your sleeping bag and sleeping mat as parts of the same sleeping system.
Sleeping Mats and Sleeping Bags Work Together
Your sleeping bag primarily helps reduce heat loss to the surrounding air, while your sleeping mat provides important insulation from the ground.
Both therefore contribute to how warm you remain during the night.
When planning for colder conditions, don't concentrate solely on buying a warmer sleeping bag while overlooking the mat underneath it.
A suitable sleeping bag, appropriately insulated sleeping mat and dry sleeping clothing all work together to create a more effective sleep system.
Choosing the Right Sleeping Mat
Before buying a sleeping mat, ask yourself:
- Where will I use it?
- What temperatures am I likely to encounter?
- Will I carry it in a rucksack?
- How important are weight and packed size?
- How much cushioning do I prefer?
- Is puncture resistance particularly important?
- What R-value or insulation level do I need?
There isn't one type of sleeping mat that is best for everyone.
A car camper looking for maximum comfort has very different requirements from a backpacker carrying everything for several days. Understanding those priorities makes it much easier to choose the right mat.