How to choose a sleeping mat
The variety of sleeping mats (or pads, as they’re called in North America) can be overwhelming. Here, I’ll break down the different options, explain the new rating system, and highlight the key factors to consider when choosing a sleeping mat.
History of sleeping mats
Here’s a bit of personal history that reflects the evolution of sleeping mats. When I started backpacking at the age of 11 in the 1970s, or as we called it in the Scouts, hiking trips, sleeping mats were virtually nonexistent—or at least no one I knew used them. We’d camp even in winter, sleeping directly on cold groundsheets, and summer wasn’t much warmer. Being young, I didn’t miss what I didn’t have. At Scout camp, where we slept in Patrol tents rather than hiking tents, some of us used old newspapers as insulation—a trick we were told was used by tramps to keep the cold ground at bay.
By the late 1970s, things began to change. People started using Closed Cell Foam (CCF) mats. Back then, if you were camping, you likely had a bright yellow Karrimor mat, famously known as the Karrimat.
Here's a relic from the past: this mat is probably 40 years old, but it served me well during my early camping days.
The Karrimat was bulky, and you always had to find a place to strap it onto your already overstuffed backpack. Despite its size, it was the first mat that gave us a comfortable and warm night’s sleep. Moving forward a few more years, Therm-a-Rest, a US-based company, invented the first self-inflating mat in the 1970s. However, these mats didn't appear in the UK until much later. My first self-inflating mat was a large green one from Therm-a-Rest. Although it was quite big compared to today's compact mats, it could be rolled up and packed inside my backpack.
As backpackers often do, I sought smaller and lighter gear. This led me from the original Therm-a-Rest to the ProLite, then the Pacific Outdoor Equipment Peak Elite mat, which unfortunately had seam leaks for many people (including me). My search continued with the X-Lite, X-Therm, and Exped Down Mats, which are excellent for winter camping due to their warmth and comfort.
What Sleeping Mat Options are Available?
CCF (Closed Foam)
These mats are relatively inexpensive and come in either a roll format (like my Karrimat from 40 years ago) or a concertina style. They are nearly indestructible—resistant to punctures, moisture, and wear, making them ultra-reliable. However, they are not as comfortable as many of the mats available today. Despite this, they are a favorite among ultralight long-distance hikers for their durability and reliability.
I carry a thin 3 mm CCF mat (weighing just 67 grams) as a backup. It serves as a reliable option in case my inflatable mat gets a puncture or loses its shape, making it difficult to sleep on.
I often carry a thin piece of 3mm CCF just in case my mat fails.
The R value is around 2.2 (2 degrees C) for the Exped Flexmat Plus or for minimum weight, the Exped Flexmat XS with an R value of 1.5 ( 6°C) and weight of 225g will give the 'gram- saver' a very lightweight summer option. The length of 120cm means that you will probably need to place your empty backpack under your feet, but for light and fast trips, its difficult to find a lighter, more comfortable option out there, other than the 3mm CCF I mentioned above, but that is for hard core campers only.
Self - inflating Mats
These mats are made from open-cell foam, which is sandwiched between two layers of material, like ripstop nylon or polyester. When you unpack and lay out the mat, the foam expands and draws in air on its own. Typically, you’ll need to add a few puffs of air to fully inflate it, but this is much less effort compared to inflating an air mat.
Advantages include lower cost and greater comfort than CCF mats, as well as better durability than inflatable mats. However, they are heavier and less comfortable than air mats.
Ultralight Inflatable Mats
Often referred to as airbeds, these mats contain air trapped in pockets and may include additional insulation, such as synthetic material or down. They tend to be quieter to move around on compared to mats with heat-reflective layers that reflect your body heat back to you.
These mats are known for their comfort and lightweight nature, and many can be packed down to a small size compared to other types of mats. The comfort comes from their greater thickness, which is generally about twice as thick as other mat types.
However, they require careful handling; they aren’t the kind of mat you can just throw on the ground without risk of puncture. Fortunately, they all come with a field repair kit to address any damage.
Left to Right Top to Bottom Klymit Static V2 | Sea too Summit Ether Lite XT | Exped Synmats | Klymit Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe SL
Horizontal, Vertical, V-Shaped Chambers or Pocketed Springs?
Inflatable air mats come in various designs, and choosing the best one can be challenging since comfort is subjective. I’ve found all four common types to be comfortable, but some people have strong preferences for one design over another. From my experience, after using horizontal-chambered mats and then switching back to vertical chambers, I prefer vertical chambers. However, the best way to determine what works for you is to try different designs if you’re not comfortable with your current mat.
Recently, pocketed springs have been introduced in some mats, and I’ve found the Sea to Summit range to be particularly comfortable. These mats are especially good for side sleepers due to their extra thickness, which helps prevent “bottoming out” and feeling the ground beneath you.
Mats come in several different designs.
Size
A standard-length mat is usually 183 cm (6 feet) long, while long versions typically measure 197 cm (6.5 feet). The widths of these mats vary between 51 and 61 cm, and they come in both mummy and rectangular shapes. Personally, I prefer a wide rectangular mat in winter to prevent my arms from touching the cold groundsheet.
What do R-Values mean?
The R-value is a measure used to indicate the temperature range a sleeping mat can handle. It quantifies the mat's resistance to heat loss: the higher the R-value, the better the mat insulates and the colder the temperature you can sleep comfortably in.
Sleeping mats are designed to minimise heat loss. When using a highly insulated mat, you’ll notice warmth quickly due to the reduced heat loss.
The table below from Sea to Summit illustrates how the R-value correlates with temperature, as well as its impact on both cold and warm sleepers.
Some people naturally sleep colder than others and may need a warmer mat compared to someone else. For example, most women tend to sleep colder. Choosing the right mat for the season and conditions is as crucial as selecting the right sleeping bag or quilt. We often receive questions about why people feel cold in sleeping bags that should theoretically keep them warm. In many cases, the issue is that the sleeping mat is inadequate for the conditions.
This is especially important with sleeping quilts, which function as backless sleeping bags. Therefore, having a suitable mat for the temperature and conditions is essential. By "conditions," I also mean the type of shelter and the expected temperatures. For instance, sleeping in an open tarp in windy conditions will require a warmer mat than sleeping in a fully enclosed tent in a sheltered valley.
New R-value measurement
Since 2020, manufacturers have been using the new industry standard ASTM F3340-18 to measure the R-value of sleeping mats. This standardizes the measurement process, ensuring consistent and reliable R-value readings while keeping the metric itself the same. Just as with the EN rating for sleeping bags, this standardization allows for direct comparisons between different sleeping mats.
Mat Stacking - extending your main mat's seasons of use.
To extend the range of your summer mat, you can place a CCF mat underneath an inflatable mat, which will increase the overall R-value. The R-values of the two mats are additive, so if your inflatable mat has an R-value of 3 and your CCF mat has an R-value of 2.2, the combined R-value will be 5.2. This combination is suitable for all but the coldest winter conditions in the UK.
Winter sleeping mats
In winter, you'll likely spend a significant amount of time in your tent. During December and early January, you might find yourself getting into your sleeping bag or quilt as early as 3:30 in the afternoon and staying there until 8:00 the next morning. This means you need a comfortable and warm sleeping mat, ideally as wide as possible.
It's important not to skimp on your mat during this season. Avoid using a three-season mat thinking it will suffice to save weight, unless you plan to stack it with a CCF mat underneath to boost the R-value as mentioned earlier. Cold will seep up from the ground, especially if you're camping on snow.
I recommend the Exped winter down and Synmat mats, which I have used for years and find very comfortable. Look for a mat with at least an R-value of 4, and if you tend to sleep cold, aim for at least an R-value of 4.5. If you have the space and can manage the weight, adding a sufficient layer of CCF foam near your sleeping area will prevent you from touching a cold groundsheet when you get out of your bag. These small details can make a significant difference in winter conditions.
A decent winter sleeping bag is essential in wintertime!
Choosing a Sleeping Mat checklist
- Comfort: What level of comfort am I seeking?
- Mat Type: Choose between inflatable, self-inflating, or CCF mats.
- R-Value: Determine the appropriate R-value for the seasons you’ll be using the mat (e.g., Spring and Summer or all year round).
- Size and Shape: Decide on the shape that suits you best—mummy, rectangular, etc.
- Weight: Balance between minimising weight and meeting your comfort needs.
- Pack Size: Consider how compact the mat is when packed.
- Field Repair: Check if the mat is easy to repair in the field, which is important for extended trips, not just overnight stays.