5 of the best sleeping mats on the market
We test the best sleeping mats on the market, searching for the the most comfortable, lightweight and compactable camping pads on offer. We’ve tested five of the best, ranging in price from £30 to £105…
From camping in tents to bedding down in far-off mountain huts, a good sleeping mat will ensure you have the best night’s kip, so you wake ready for the next adventure…
How we did the test
From the 10 mats we were sent, our gear expert Phoebe Smith picked the best for travellers and took them out on the road in search of a good night’s sleep. The ‘Value Buy’ and ‘Best in Test’ are indicated where applicable.
1. Exped, Synmat HL M, from £105
Yes, it’s expensive – but great value for the tiny weight and size. Mummy-shaped, this mat offers a fat 7cm of thickness, has an R-value of 3.3 (at -6ºC) and tips the scales at 365g – by far the lightest.
Yet is made from durable polyester that’s anti-slip. Internal microfibres keep the weight down and heat in, and it’s easily inflated – a ‘pumpbag’ (60g) slips on to the valve and, using the air around you, inflates it in seconds. Incredible.
Verdict: Light, packable, durable and easy to inflate – one for Christmas.
2. Therm-A-Rest, from £65
It’s not the cheapest, but this rugged polyester mat gets the ‘Value Buy’ accolade because it has a good mix of weight and comfort.
It’s inflatable – it weighs just 560g (second lightest here). It’s thick (5cm), packs down small and has a decent R-value of 1.8.
Verdict: Light, small, a decent price – if you have the lung power.
3. Regatta, Napa Ultralite, from £30
At £30, you can’t go far wrong if you need a mat that requires only light use. It’s self-inflating (but will need topping up, as most here do), 2.5cm thick and has a slightly tapered shape.
It claims to have a non-slip base (though not as grippy as some) and is made from a durable rip-stop fabric with diamond cut foam insulation. It doesn’t have an R-value or temperature rating, and at 750g it’s the second heaviest here.
Verdict: Light on your wallet, not so light on your back…
4. Sea to Summit, Comfort Light S, from £90
If you need warmth at a good weight, you will pay more. This polyester self-inflating mat (you’ll have to top up) has a re-sealable valve that helps stop accidental inflations, plus its foam core is great at keeping warm air close to you (R-value: 2.7).
At 5cm-thick, it’s slightly tapered (with anti-slip patterns), weighs 650g – third lightest – and packs down to the size of a small coat.
Verdict: Great weight and warmth for a self-inflating mat – but you pay for it.
5. Vango, F10 Aero 3 Compact, from £50
Throw in an extra £20 and you get a 3cm-thick mat with a good shape. It’s self-inflating (needs less of a top than others) and has open-cell foam inside for warmth and patterned non-slip grips.
Despite a durable polyester layer, it’s a good weight for a self-inflatable, and is the fourth lightest (660g) here.
Verdict: An OK weight for a self-inflating mat; though, for a tad more, you can find lighter.
Important things to consider before you purchase…
Your sleeping mat has to be the right size, shape and weight for you (Shutterstock)
Weight
As with any piece of kit, this is always the area where there has to be compromise. Naturally, the more insulation you pack into a sleeping mat, the heavier it’s going to be.
It has to be a balance between what’s comfortable for a good night’s sleep and what’s comfortable for carrying around with you in your bag. It’s always a personal choice.
Packability
Basically, this is how small the mat rolls down. Some are little more than the size of a beer can – ideal for squeezing into your luggage or rucksack. Others take up more room and are akin to taking an extra jacket or two.
Be aware that the self-inflating variety is rarely as easy to repack to the size they were when you first got them!
Inflatables
Gone are the days when the only choice was a thin, closed-cell foam mat. Though still a budget option, the technology for inflatable mats has come far.
You can get a good insulated one that’s only a tad heavier (sometimes lighter) than the non-inflatable variety, but much warmer and more packable.
There are usually three choices: self-inflating, which blows up by itself (usually has foam inside for warmth but is heavier); inflatable, where you do all the work yourself (lighter, smaller, often more expensive); and assisted inflatable, where valves and specially shaped openings and ‘pumpbags’ help fill the mat without the need to puff air into it yourself.
Insulation
Look for materials within the mat that reflect or capture the heat that your body will generate – this is key to keeping you warm.
Some have down or synthetic microfibres inside to help with this, others have foam that is shaped to trap hot air and keep you toasty. Many (though not all) have an ‘R-value’ to indicate how warm it will keep you.
The higher the number (between 3 and 5 would be at the upper end of the scale), the warmer it will be. Others simply have a minimum temperature rating or their own sliding scale.
Durability
Clearly, wherever inflatables are concerned, durability is key – you certainly don’t want it to burst in the night. Look for strong, durable fabric such as tough polyester. Most come with repair kits, which are easy to use.
Also look for anti-slip coating, which helps to stop you slipping off the mat, or it from slipping down the tent (especially useful if camping on a slope).
Sizes
Mats will come in many different shapes and sizes. Typically these range from regular/standard to long (for the taller among us), with a choice of mummy (tapered), rectangular (non-tapered) and even women-specific (usually shorter and wider around the hips rather than the shoulders) designs. It’s a case of picking what’s right for you.
