Find the best sleeping mat for your next camping adventure!
Buying a sleeping mat (or similar) seems like a simple matter, doesn't it? But within the wide range of shapes, colours, designs and types, it is not so easy to make the right choice for you.
Many people therefore buy the wrong mat or try out different mats until they find the one that best meets their needs.
Everyone who travels has different requirements. Someone who loves backpacking and hiking long distances needs a product that is ultra-light and small. On the other hand, someone who travels to colder regions and plans expeditions over longer days there needs something more stable that keeps out the cold.
Basically, you can distinguish between 4 different types of camping mats:
- Foam mats or sleeping mats are super easy to use and durable, however they are quite bulky and not very comfortable.
- Self-inflating mats usually consist of a foam core and are quite robust and easy to use. They offer good thermal insulation, but are usually somewhat thinner than air beds.
- Insulated air mattresses offer a good combination of warmth and comfort. They are also light and easy to transport. However, they are also susceptible to damage, so you should always have a repair kit with you.
- Non-insulated air mattresses are perfect for adventure travellers who need a super lightweight option. They are very compact and flexible, but also not as warm as other mattresses.
These characteristics distinguish the different types of mats and mattresses from each other:
1. design and construction
This factor affects both the durability and the comfort of the mat. A thicker mat is usually more comfortable than a thinner one, but it must not be too soft either, otherwise your body weight will press on the floor and the comfort will be gone. 😉
Air mattresses have either longitudinal tubes or transverse tubes. However, longitudinal tubes are somewhat less comfortable. The most stable mats are those in which the chambers are arranged diagonally.
Inflatable mats without insulation simply inflate to provide a sleeping surface. They are extremely light and very compact, but offer neither warmth nor much comfort.
2. heat
As a specialist for heated outdoor equipment, we naturally place great value on the warmth factor.
All mats trap air to keep the temperature and accordingly the user warm. Insulated mats are always much warmer than non-insulated mats. This is due to a phenomenon called "convection", a flow of air that circulates between colder and warmer areas and transfers heat.
When you lie on the mat, your body heat warms the surface of the mat. However, because the ground is colder than your body, convection transfers heat from the top of the mat to the colder underside. To solve this problem, insulated mats have smaller air chambers filled with compressible insulation that minimise convection by reducing internal air movement. I.e. the cold of the floor does not penetrate and prevents the mat from cooling down.
But luckily there are other innovative products that make the camping experience more comfortable. For example, if you combine an ultra-light mat with a heatable blanket or a wireless heating pad, not only will you have a warm and cosy bed for the night, but you can opt for the lightweight version of a mat and also use your heat product around the campfire or when resting.
3. longevity
The most durable option is still the classic foam roll mat or sleeping mat. These mats are also versatile, making them the best-selling product among campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Their design is constantly evolving to improve cushioning and warmth, and manufacturers are always looking for new ways to compress them other than rolled up to reduce pack size.\
4. ease of use
After a long day of hiking, walking, mountain biking or any other outdoor activity, inflating the air mattress is an extra effort that no one really feels like doing. Also, the mat should be easy to deflate and pack up the next morning.
Foam mats therefore score points here too, as they are easy to roll up, while self-inflating or air mattresses are more difficult to pack and their ease of use often depends on the valve design. But you might also take the opportunity to check out our new sleeping mat, which falls into the air mattress category but also offers the flexibility of readiness for use and portability of an insulated mattress 😊
5. Weight and pack size
Weight and pack size are always important depending on the type of trip you are planning. A lightweight sleeping mat is easier to transport but offers less warmth and comfort, while sturdy 4-season mattresses tend to be heavier. Closed-cell foam mats are bulkier, but their durability means they remain the most popular choice for adventure travellers.
6. value
As with almost all other outdoor products, price is a decisive factor. Some people can sleep anywhere and on anything, while others have difficulties and need a more qualitative product. Of course, different people place individual value on their sleeping comfort.
In our experience, it is worth spending a little more money on a good quality mat that balances all the characteristics listed above. So that you have something durable and versatile that can be used all year round.
At Outchair we have recently developed a new sleeping mat that combines many of these advantages.
It is flexible, comfortable and easy to use while being durable and lightweight.
We have developed them as passionate campers and adventurers, keeping our customers and their wishes in mind.