• Seit 1999 online
  • Powered by 350 Bergsportler
  • Am Puls der Berge
Good night's sleep under the stars

Sleeping pads & mats: Buyer’s Guide

6 minutes read
Why a sleeping pad? Simple: The better your bedding, the better you will sleep. Our Buyer's guide helps you choose the right one.

Sleeping pad functions

The modern sleeping pad has been designed to satisfy a wide range of a particular demands:

  • insulation from the cold ground
  • lightweight
  • small pack size
  • protection from pointy rocks, branches, etc.
  • sufficient cushioning

As with all high-end products, the ideal universal sleeping pad does not exist. In practice, one is constantly forced to make compromises, choosing certain functions and advantages at the expense of others.

Shock-absorption, insulation, pack size and weight - these are the key points to look for in a sleeping mat. | Photo: Therm-a-rest
Shock absorption, insulation, pack size and weight – are the key points to look for in a sleeping mat. | Photo: Therm-a-rest

Sleeping pad R-value

Besides providing comfortable padding, a sleeping pad primarily functions as an insulating layer between you and cold ground. Multiple factors influence the amount of insulation a sleeping pad provides: The foundation upon which it is placed, its thickness, its outer material, and the design of the pad’s interior. When choosing a place to sleep, leaves or grass are best since these can trap Air and provide additional insulation. The sleeping pad’s qualities are, of course, important as well and reasonably straightforward. As a general rule, thicker pads are warmer than thin ones. The pad’s surface also influences how much warmth it provides and its durability. Foam, grid-like interior structures of inflatable pads, e.g. the Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest, provide extra insulation.

TIP: R-value

A sleeping pad’s R-value measures its insulation, indicating how well the pad conducts heat.

The higher a sleeping pad’s R-value is, the better it will insulate your body from the cold ground below. A good sleeping pad also means better heat retention in your sleeping bag.

Reference points for R-values (Source: Therm-a-Rest):

  • R = 1: min. +7 °C; for 3 seasons, warm nights
  • R = 2: min. +2 °C; for 3 seasons, temperate nights
  • R = 3: min. -5 °C; for 3-4 seasons, cool nights
  • R = 4: min. -11 °C; for 4 seasons, suited for winter use
  • R = 5: min. -17 °C; for high-alpine winter camping
  • R = 6: min. -24 °C; for extended winter camping and expedition use

When you have to carry all your gear, e.g. while backpacking, it pays to find a compromise between the pad’s weight and the comfort it provides, as with ratings for sleeping bags, the R-value is only a guideline; not everyone has the same sensitivity to cold, something one should always bear when choosing a sleeping pad.

Pad types

The sleeping pad market can be roughly divided into foam mats, self-inflating sleeping pads, and air mattresses.

Foam mats

The most basic sleeping pads are made of polyethene (PE) foam. Their durability and insulation largely depend on the quality of foam used; lower-quality foam sleeping pads tend to become compressed with prolonged use, diminishing insulation. Higher-grade models are made of closed-cell PE foam, making them more elastic and, thus, more durable. The two most significant advantages of foam mats are their low production cost and high reliability since they are not susceptible to becoming punctured.

Sleeping pad deals onlineFoam mats are available in different sizes and thicknesses (typically 5-20 mm), depending on how much comfort and insulation one looks for. The mat’s top is sometimes coated with aluminium foil or manufactured with a waffle-like profile for extra warmth. Air trapped between a sleeping bag and the hollow spaces in the waffle profile provides additional insulation.

Self-inflating sleeping pads

Self-inflating sleeping pads are a more advanced version of simple foam mats. One of the leading manufacturers of self-inflating sleeping pads today is Exped

Practical: self-inflating insulating mats | Photo: Therm-a-Rest
Practical: self-inflating insulating mats | Photo: Therm-a-Rest

 

How does a self-inflating sleeping mat work?

When not in use, this type of sleeping pad is tightly rolled to remove the Air and make it more compact. To inflate the pad, one has to open the valve(s) and wait for the foam to expand back to its original size, drawing the Air through the open valves and filling the foam’s pores and hollow spaces. Once the valve is closed, the pad retains its volume, just like an air mattress.

Specialized outdoor air mattresses

air mattressExtremely light air-tight membranes are used for air mattresses with an insulating filling, setting them apart from conventional air mattresses (e.g. for floating lakes/rivers or for home use). The air compartments are partially filled with down or microfibre to improve insulation. The filling makes this sleeping pad much warmer than foam mats or self-inflating sleeping pads. Such pads are also highly compact when deflated, as well as lightweight. A pump is integrated into a pad or case to reduce pack weight.

The Swiss brand Exped is one of the leading manufacturers of expedition air mattresses, offering high-end models such as the Exped DownMat XP 7 and SynMat XP 9 (with down and synthetic fillings, respectively).

TIP: Repair on the go
Sleeping pad repairEven if you take great care, a thorn or other sharp object may puncture your sleeping pad – a vast and (potentially dangerous) nuisance while in the backcountry. For this reason, one should always carry an emergency repair kit while on tour.

Usage

Having the right gear can make or break a trip. Though it is ultimately a matter of personal preference, the following guidelines should help you set your priorities when choosing a sleeping pad for a specific use.

Car camping

  • comfort comes first
  • weight is largely irrelevant
  • a lot of insulation is usually not necessary
If you don't intend to give up your chair while on a camping or trekking holiday, there are some great seating options available. | Photo: Them-a-rest
If you don’t intend to give up your chair while on a camping or trekking holiday, some great seating options are available. | Photo: Them-a-rest

Recommended pad: A thick – 8cm or even 10cm – self-inflating sleeping pad to ensure your camping vacation is as relaxing as possible.

Backpacking

  • weight is paramount since you will be carrying every gram
  • size is also an essential factor (your backpack is most likely somewhat smaller than your trunk)
  • high insulation is not always necessary; it depends on the region and season
  • comfort can be neglected according to personal preference

Recommended pad: A self-inflating sleeping pad, 3.8cm to 5cm thick,  or a 7cm-pad filled with additional insulating material for colder conditions.

Which insulation mat for expeditions & co?

Expedition means: There are no guarantees on what to expect. Often it’s the little things that are crucial.

  • reliability is paramount
  • pack size is necessary but not a deciding factor
  • insulation is essential
  • weight is highly relevant
  • comfort is the lowest priority
  • Our recommendation: High-quality foam mats with waffle structure, possibly for a better thermal performance twice. Alternatively: air mattresses are filled with insulation material.
Inflatable sleeping pads are complex constructions. A cross section into the Comfort Light from Sea to Summit makes it clear why. | Photo: Sea to Summit
Inflatable sleeping pads are complex constructions. A cross-section of the Comfort Light from Sea to Summit clarifies why. | Photo: Sea to Summit

Summary: Buying a sleeping pad

Those who sleep outside, in a camping tent or a hut, need a mattress that insulates against the cold and provides cushioning and sleeping comfort. The R-value indicates how well-protected a mat is. As a rule of thumb, the thicker the mat, the higher the R-value is, and the superiority of the comfort – an increase in weight is also a price increase.

There are differences in the construction of the mats: foam mats are less expensive yet less comfortable. Self-inflating sleeping pads offer good insulation, are versatile, lightweight and relatively small in pack size. Air chamber mats provide the best insulation with the lowest weight and the smallest packing size – but also have a higher price tag. The critical question before selecting an insulation mat is, for what purpose will the mat be mainly in use? This will help your decision-making a lot easier. Happy outdoors!

Rubriken und Themen

Comments are closed.


Unsere Top Outdoor Kategorien


Bergzeit Journal - Your Blog for Mountain Sports & The Great Outdoors

Welcome to the Bergzeit Journal! Enjoy our product reviews, buyers' guides, care instructions, packing lists and general tips & tricks for the great outdoors. The Bergzeit Journal editorial team, together with many external authors and mountaineering experts, provide insightful articles on all important mountain and outdoor topics, as well as current industry and background knowledge.