A good night’s sleep is the best way to start the day relaxed and enjoy nature to the full. A sleeping mat is therefore an essential piece of basic equipment, especially for hiking or trekking tours. In this buying guide, I will explain what is important when choosing the right bed-to-go and what else you should know about sleeping mats.
The most important things first
- There are two types of sleeping mat: the classic mat and the self-inflating sleeping mat.
- A classic sleeping pad is sufficient for occasional overnight stays, while a self-inflating pad is an advantage for long tours.
- The decisive factor for thermal insulation is mainly the R-value. At low temperatures, this should be as high as possible.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
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Solid design: The editors’ recommendation
- bequeme und strapazierfähige Isomatte mit 2 cm Dicke
- Maße: 183 x 51 x 2 cm
The low weight and the soft surface with accordion structure speak for this sleeping pad.
Good & affordable: The price-performance winner
- Matte mit Oberseite aus Schaumstoff und Unterseite aluminiumbeschichtet, besonders leicht mit nur…
- Größe ca. 50 x 180 cm, mit 7 mm Dicke für eine angenehme Polsterung
The classic sleeping mat, which is equally suitable for camping, beach and sports and is available for little money.
Insulating mat: What is important when choosing one
A sleeping mat is simply part of good camping equipment. Especially if you mainly sleep in a tent or tarp, you need a suitable base to recharge your batteries at night for the next day. It should be comfortable on the one hand and protect you from the cold and uneven ground on the other.
What types of sleeping mats are there?
We can roughly divide the sleeping mats into two categories – on the one hand there are the normal sleeping mats with partial aluminum coating as insulation and self-inflating sleeping mats. Both models are suitable for camping, but there are certain differences between them.
The classic sleeping pad
The best-known version is probably the foam sleeping pad that can be rolled up or folded. They are made of foam with small cavities that have an insulating effect. To reinforce this effect, some models are additionally equipped with grooves or small studs, which also provide thermal insulation. You can use it as a sleeping mat as well as for sitting on or even as a sports mat. You can also use them in a variety of ways when camping. Some campers use them as a sleeping pad, as additional insulation under the inflatable mat or as protection against stones and other bumps under the tent.
Classic sleeping pad with aluminum coating
Sleeping mats with an aluminum coating on the underside are also popular. This provides additional thermal insulation and is therefore also suitable for lower temperatures. The aluminum coating also prevents moisture from penetrating. With a foam mat with an aluminum coating, you are doubly protected from the cold floor.
Advantages and disadvantages of classic sleeping mats
The great advantage of classic foam sleeping mats (with or without aluminum coating) is their low weight. They can be rolled up to save space and can be easily attached to your rucksack. As they do not need to be inflated, they are ready for immediate use. Even small stones and sharp objects cannot harm it and the insulation remains intact even with small holes. Another practical feature is that you can use them in a variety of ways for sleeping, sitting and exercising.
In contrast to self-inflating sleeping mats, the classic version has significantly less padding and is therefore somewhat less comfortable. The thicker the mat, the bulkier it is and therefore has a fairly large pack size.
At a glance
- + low dead weight
- + space-saving roll-up
- + immediately ready for use
- + more robust than self-inflating mats
- + versatile for sleeping, sitting & sports
- – less padding
- – Large pack size depending on thickness and width
Self-inflating sleeping pad
This type of sleeping pad is considered particularly comfortable. The way it works is actually quite simple. From the outside, the pad is enclosed in an airtight cover, while the inside of the sleeping pad is made of foam with many small cavities. When the mat is rolled up, it is compressed. The material only expands when it is unrolled and the chambers fill with air. Now the valve comes into play. As soon as you open this, a vacuum is created, which sucks additional air from outside into the many cavities. This makes the sleeping pad significantly thicker and stronger. To ensure that the sleeping pad remains in this state, the valve must be closed again after inflation.
A particularly practical feature is that you can set the degree of firmness individually. Some prefer to sleep on a firm surface and others prefer soft mattresses. Depending on the manufacturer and product, you can add air or let some out again via the valve or an additional mouthpiece.
Advantages and disadvantages of self-inflating sleeping mats
In contrast to the classic sleeping mat, self-inflating sleeping mats are therefore somewhat more comfortable and are particularly suitable for camping or trekking tours where you will be sleeping in the great outdoors. They are particularly well insulated and therefore offer you increased sleeping comfort. The individual adjustment of the firmness level is particularly practical for trips lasting several days. As the self-inflating sleeping mats can be rolled up compactly, they are easy to store.
However, you should bear in mind that these models are somewhat more susceptible to sharp objects and small stones on the ground. Once you have a hole in the cover, it must be patched, otherwise the air can escape. They are also somewhat heavier than the classic foam sleeping pad.
At a glance
- + comfortable
- + suitable for trekking and camping tours
- + well insulated
- + Adjustable degree of hardness
- + small pack size
- – slightly heavier than classic sleeping mats
- – more sensitive to sharp objects
The R-value for sleeping mats
You may have come across the so-called R-value during your research and wondered what it is all about. This is the heat transfer resistance or heat transfer coefficient, which indicates the heat transfer through a certain material. The higher the R-value of the sleeping pad, the more resistant it is to the cold.
A mat with a value of over 6.5 is even suitable for temperatures around -22 degrees, while a sleeping mat with an R-value of 1 is ideal for summer excursions. As you can see, the value is not entirely unimportant. Before making your choice, it’s best to think about the time of year and the temperatures in which you will use the sleeping pad most often.
Table R-value
- R-value 1 = up to + 7 °C
- R-value 2 = up to + 2 °C
- R-value 3 = up to – 5 °C
- R-value 4 = down to – 11 °C
- R-value 5 = down to – 17 °C
- R-value 6 = down to – 24 °C
The material of a sleeping pad
Most sleeping mats, whether inflatable or classic, are made of foam. Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene (PE) and polyurethane (PUR) are used particularly frequently. They all have the property that the foam has many small cavities so that there is no air movement and the insulating effect can take effect. Let’s take a closer look at the individual materials.
Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)
This is a foam material that has many small air chambers and therefore insulates well. It is closed-cell and therefore does not absorb moisture. Sleeping mats made of EVA are considered to be particularly light and dimensionally stable. The material is very durable, but somewhat harder than other foams. This means that EVA sleeping mats have a slightly larger pack size. Small irregularities such as stones or branches cannot harm the material.
Polyethylene (PE)
PE sleeping mats give more than firmer EVA mats, but offer slightly less insulation as a result. The longer your body lies on the mat, the faster the sleeping pad will flatten. PE is lighter than EVA and can therefore be folded and stowed away more compactly. Just like EVA, this material is also closed-cell and does not absorb moisture.
Polyurethane (PUR)
In contrast to the other two foams, this one is open-cell. It is used in the manufacture of self-inflating sleeping mats. The material can be rolled up very compactly. A particularly practical feature is that the foam fills with air when rolled out, making it thicker and more comfortable.
Polyester or polyamide
This is the material of the cover of your self-inflating sleeping pad. Both are extremely hard-wearing, water-repellent and quick-drying.
At a glance: The selection criteria
Choosing the right sleeping mat for you should be carefully considered, as it should last as long as possible and offer you sufficient comfort. I would like to briefly explain the special features you should bear in mind.
Kind
The first thing you could consider is what type of sleeping pad you want. If you are looking for a comfortable base that you can also use for sports, then a classic sleeping pad should suffice. If you want to use them occasionally when camping, it is best to make sure they have an additional aluminum coating. For regular trekking tours, I recommend investing in a self-inflating sleeping mat as it offers you increased sleeping comfort.
Material
The material used is also crucial. While most self-inflating sleeping mats are made with polyurethane, you can choose between EVA foam and PE foam for classic sleeping mats. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. It’s best to think about which characteristics are particularly important to you.
Size
For longer tours and excursions, your sleeping pad should be large and comfortable. If you only want to use the mat irregularly, it may not need to be quite as wide.
R-value
As already explained, the R-value also plays an important role in choosing the right sleeping pad. It indicates the heat transfer through a certain material. The higher the value, the more insulation is guaranteed.
Thickness
In addition to the R-value, the thickness of the carpet pad also has an influence on how well the thermal insulation works. The thicker a classic sleeping pad is, the more comfortable you will sleep.
Pack size
Pack size is particularly important for hiking and trekking tours. After all, your sleeping mat should ideally be stowed in your rucksack. Some models can also be easily attached to the outside. For optimum carrying comfort, it should therefore not have too large a pack size.
Weight
Just like the pack size, the weight should not be underestimated. Your equipment should be as light as possible, especially on long tours. For this reason, your chosen sleeping pad should not have a high dead weight.
We compared these sleeping mats
Frequently asked questions about the sleeping pad
How does a sleeping pad work?
Stagnant air has an insulating effect as it is a poor conductor of heat. The sleeping pad makes use of precisely this property. Both self-inflating and conventional sleeping mats are made of foams that have many small cavities. There is no air movement in these, which is why no heat or cold is transferred and the insulating effect occurs.
How do I clean and care for a sleeping pad?
Depending on the model and manufacturer, there are different recommendations for the care of your mat. In general, almost all models can simply be wiped clean with a cloth. If the dirt is more stubborn, you can use a gentle cleaning agent depending on the product and then wipe the mat with a damp cloth. In order to achieve the longest possible service life, the sleeping pad should not lie on uneven ground for longer than necessary and should be stowed away again when not in use.
What does a sleeping pad cost?
Depending on the type, you need to budget from EUR 15. A good trekking sleeping pad is available from around 40 EUR.
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