From hardy foam pads to cutting-edge inflatable tech, learn the best sleeping mat (and why) for your next camping adventure.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the lush, spongy comfort that’s the most important factor of a camping sleeping mat, but rather the insulation it provides against the cold ground.
We all know the feeling of sitting on a rock with a snack and a drink on a chilly day. How the warmth drains away from your body and into your surroundings. The same happens at night – only with the full length of the body on the ground beneath our tent.
A suitable sleeping bag is important, but can only provide limited insulation, especially as the down filling is flattened beneath us as we snooze. The insulation becomes thin and compromised and the cold creeps in. It’s the sleeping mat that acts as the main barrier against downward heat loss, preventing the cold from biting its way into our bag.
We know that a good sleeping mat is important for camping (and that it’s one of the best ways to stay warm), but what are the different types and how do you choose the best sleeping mat for your next adventure?
Although there’s an array of different styles, sizes and designs, there are just three main types of sleeping mats used for camping in the UK.
The most basic type of sleeping mat is the closed-cell foam mat. These are the old-school sleeping mats that you imagine when backpacking in the ‘80s. The mats are non-inflatable and rolled up to transport, meaning that they’re bulky and cumbersome. They are, however, a durable, lightweight inexpensive camping mat solution.
Self-inflating mats are some of the most popular mats on the campsite. These mats typically use a foam core for integral strength and are both reasonably durable and warm. Although referred to as self-inflating, these mats will require a couple of lungfuls of air to reach that optimum firmness.
These mats offer a great middle ground between a closed-cell mat and an inflatable mat.
Inflatable mats, also known as airbeds, are the third main type of sleeping mat and are often the best performers of the three. These mats utilise manually inflated pockets of trapped air to achieve good comfort and warmth. But it’s the packsize that steals the show with inflatable mats taking up the least amount of space in a camping rucksack.
The inflatable mats are, however, the least robust form of sleeping mat and carry the risk of picking up a puncture. Most inflatable mats are sold with a puncture repair kit. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with repairing a mat before you need to to avoid any cold, sleepless nights.
The differences between a basic closed-cell foam mat and a cutting-edge inflatable sleeping mat are staggering. But what are the most important features to consider before investing in a new sleep system?
Sleeping mats provide a thermal barrier between the ground and the user, but the level of insulation differs from mat to mat.
This measure of thermal resistance is known as an R-value. A standard test, known as ASTM F3340-18, is used to ensure all sleeping mats are given comparable numbers. That means you can accurately compare a sleeping mat from Therm-a-Rest with a similar one from Nemo Equipment.
As a general rule, a sleeping mat with an R-rating of R1-R2 is best for summer use, R2-R4 can be used for 3-season camping, and R4-R6 is suitable for winter use. Sleeping mats designed for extreme cold-weather camping will have an R-value of R6+.
For the majority of users, a sleeping mat within the R2-R4 range will be the best all-rounder.
Sleeping mat stacking is a common method of increasing the R-value of your sleep system without investing in additional gear.
A closed-cell sleeping mat with an R-value of 2 can be laid beneath an inflatable or self-inflating mat with an R-value of 4 to reach an estimated value of 6. It’s not an exact science, but if you’re caught in a pinch and are hoping to keep the costs down, it’s better to bring two than one.
Some of the top-rated sleeping mats are offered in a small number of different sizes with regular, wide and large options often available.
The key is to find a sleeping mat that will comfortably fit your body shape. A regular sleeping mat is designed to suit the majority of users but can prove too small – in either length or width – for some. A wide sleeping mat will typically offer a 20% wider area, although the regular length will be unchanged.
A large sleeping mat will typically offer a 10% longer length but may also include the additional width offered by the wide model. The product listings at your store of choice should accurately detail the sizing, such as with the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT below.
| Regular | Wide | Large | |
| Weight | 0.44 kg | 0.55 kg | 0.57 kg |
| Width | 51 cm | 64 cm | 64 cm |
| Length | 183 cm | 183 cm | 196 cm |
| Height | 7.6 cm | 7.6 cm | 7.6 cm |
| Thickness | 7.6 cm | 7.6 cm | 7.6 cm |
| Packed dimension | 23 cm x 11 cm | 28 cm x 13 cm | 28 cm x 13 cm |
Table: Differences between the regular, wide and large sizes of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT
The goal is to find the perfect sleeping mat size that comfortably fits your body type. Too large and you’ll be lugging around extra weight for no reason. Too small and you risk a cold and uncomfortable sleep.
Similar to sleeping bags, sleeping mats are typically offered in two different shapes, a rectangular and mummy.
A rectangular mat offers improved levels of comfort and allows you to shift around whilst you’re sleeping without slipping a leg or an arm onto the cool ground. These mats are, however, pack larger, are heavier and take up more floor space than mummy mats.
Mummy sleeping mats taper towards the feet, mimicking the shape of the body for a smaller footprint, great if you’re sleeping in a small one or two-person tent. These sleeping mats are often the preferred choice for backpacking and wild camping not only thanks to their smaller footprint but also due to their lightweight design and compact packsize.
Whether it’s a car camping adventure or a wild camping expedition that’s next up in your diary – check out our recommendations for the top sleeping pad choice for your next adventure.
| Activity | Type of mat |
| Car camping | Self-inflating sleeping mat or inflatable air bed |
| Wild camping/backpacking | Inflatable air bed or lightweight self-inflating sleeping mat |
| Ultralight backpacking | Closed-cell foam sleeping mat |
| Winter Camping | Well-insulated (R6+) air pad or self-inflating mat |
Table: The different types of sleeping mats you should use on your next adventure
Have a question about choosing your next camping sleeping mat? Check out our FAQ where we aim to answer the most popular sleeping pad questions.
A self-inflating camping mat should really be called a semi-self-inflating camping mat.
Once the sleeping mat has been unravelled, open the valve to let the air in. Leave the mat for a few minutes to “self-inflate”. If you’re still lacking a little desired firmness, blow into the valve until you’ve reached the perfect comfort level.
For wild camping, it’s the smaller and lightweight sleeping mats that prove the most popular.
If you have a one-man tent or are sharing a two-man tent, it’s best to opt for a lightweight inflatable or self-inflating camping mat with a mummy shape. If you’ve got a two-man tent to yourself or are sharing a three-man tent, a lightweight rectangular inflatable or self-inflating camping mat is the best option.
When car camping, you’re unrestricted by the weight factor that more plush camping mats tend to fall back on. A thick, rectangular self-inflating or inflatable sleeping mat with a suitable R-value will offer the best night’s sleep.
Yes, sleeping mats can be stacked to increase the R-value. Although it’s not an exact science, two sleeping mats can be used in replacement of a high R-value pad. We would, however, recommend investing in a sleeping mat with a minimum R-value of 6 when frequently camping in winter.
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