Choosing the best inflatable sleeping mat for your next camping adventure can be a tricky task. Check out our current favourites (and what makes them special) in our guide to the best inflatable backpacking sleeping pads.
There are countless different sleeping mat styles, sizes and designs for camping in the UK, but it all boils down to just three main sleeping mat categories:
In this guide, we’re going to be covering the best inflatable sleeping mats for UK camping. Not sure which is best for you? Check out our guide to choosing a camping sleeping mat.
Looking for the best sleeping mat in a hurry? Check out the roundup of all of the recommended picks below!
Founded in 1971, Therm-a-Rest has been at the forefront of creating top-quality sleep systems perfect for backpacking and lightweight camping. The iconic yellow sleeping mats are on countless wishlists and with some of the best-performing pads on the market, it’s easy to see why.
The Therma-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT already had the title of the brand’s best-selling sleeping mat. But the updated 2023 model improves on the already iconic reputation of the ever-popular lightweight sleeping pad.
The biggest gripe of the previous iteration was the amount of noise made when moving around on the pad. The latest edition is more than 6x quieter, eliminating more than 83% of the noise produced by the earlier model.
The mat thickness has also been tweaked with a 1.2cm increase translating to an R-value increase from 4.3 to 4.5. That makes the NeoAir Xlite NXT great for 3-season camping but might be a little too chilly in the colder winter months.
The pad is available in four different sizes (Regular Short, Regular, Regular Wide and Large). The R-value remains the same with each size, but the weight and packsize do increase with the larger sizes.
With the regular size offering a small packsize (23 x 10 cm) and lightweight design (354g), it’s clear why the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT has its near-cult following.
The iconic Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT is our top pick for ultralight camping and backpacking.
Perfect for lightweight adventures in the most challenging of environments, the Rab Ionosphere 5 is our top pick for the best lightweight sleeping mat available in the UK.
Founded in the attic of a small, terraced house in Sheffield – Rab has been at the forefront of sleep systems from its founding day back in 1981. Now, masters of the sleeping bag, it was only a matter of time before the down giant turned their attention to sleeping mats and what a job they’ve done.
The Ionosphere 5, launched as one of five initial mats, boasts not only the smallest packsize (23cm x 11cm), but the lowest weight (550g) of the bunch. The mummy shape saves precious size and weight, making this one of the best lightweight sleeping mats that we’ve had the pleasure of testing.
The mat is designed to reduce heat loss through both radiation and convection, giving it a fantastic warmth-to-weight ratio. With an R-value of 4.8, a weight starting at just 550g and an inflated thickness of 8cm, it’s a serious bit of kit that’ll guarantee both warmth and comfort.
Perfect for lightweight adventures, the Rab Ionosphere 5 Sleeping Mat offers an unrivalled warmth-to-weight ratio.
NEMO Equipment, the name inspired by both Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo and the idea of “New England Mountain Outfitters”, was founded in 2004 and quickly gathered steam (and awards). Based in Dover, New Hampshire, the team consistently creates high-quality camping gear that allows everyone to join in on the next adventure.
The Tensor ultralight sleeping pad is highly customisable. Where most sleeping mats have 2 to 3 different configurations, the Tensor sleeping pad offers 8 different options, allowing you to choose the perfect mat for your next adventure.
Options include choosing either a non-insulated (R-value of 2.5) or an insulated (R-value of 4.2) inflatable sleeping mat. The former is best for summer trips and the latter for three-season adventures. You’ll also be able to choose the fit and shape of the mat with regular, regular-wide, long-wide and regular mummy options available for each insulation option.
This level of customizability can be a lot to take in, but unless you have a specific trip/purpose in mind we’d recommend the regular insulated/regular set-up as a good allrounder. However, if you’re really hoping to save weight, the non-insulated mummy configuration comes with a pack weight of just 445g.
With eight different configurations available, the Nemo tensor Ultralight Sleeping Pad is our top pick for those that know exactly what they want.
The Rab Stratosphere 4 Sleeping Mat, also available as a 5.5 configuration for winter camping, is another fantastic offer from the Sheffield-based team.
The Stratosphere sleeping mats offer a slightly less-featured inflatable sleeping mat solution but at a fraction of the price of the ultra-lightweight alternative. The minimalist mummy shape is replaced by the (arguably more comfortable) rectangular configuration whilst the thickness and footprint dimensions remain the same.
The main differences between the series lie in the warmth and weight of the mat. The base weight of the Stratosphere 4 is 20% larger than that of the Ionosphere 5 whilst the R-value is dropped from 4.8 to 3.8. It’s still a great mat for lightweight 3-season camping, but you get a little less flexibility in terms of lightweight, 4-season adventures.
The Stratosphere is a top-tier all-around inflatable sleeping mat that hits the sweet spot of balancing maximum warmth with minimum weight. If you don’t need the barebones, ultra-lightweight and robust features of the Ionosphere series, the Stratosphere 4 offers a fantastic alternative.
Plus, if you’re hoping to complete cold weather camps, the 5.5 configuration (with the increased R-value) is a wonderful choice.
A fantastic all-around inflatable sleeping mat that balances maximum warmth with minimum weight. Great for those that don’t need to save every last gram on lightweight adventures.
Have a question about the best inflatable sleeping mats for UK camping? Check out our FAQ below where we aim to answer the most popular inflatable sleeping pad questions.
Inflatable sleeping mats are typically inflated in one of two ways. The first, used by the Therm-a-rest NeoAir Xlite NXT, is via a bite valve in the pad.
The second, used by the Rab Ionosphere and Stratosphere, is by a separate inflatable sack used to pump air into the pad.
The warmth of a sleeping pad is determined by the R-value and inflatable pads have some of the best on the market.
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