This article gives a detailed review of all the best sleeping pads and air mattresses.

It is based on 17 years’ experience and has been used by tens of thousands of people.

There is a detailed buyer’s guide, a series of comparison tables and further reading for the enthusiastic. However, if you’re in a hurry, go straight to the Top 6.

The first version of this article was published in 2014 and has been regularly updated since then. I have completely overhauled it over the last month and have thus reposted it at the top of my blog today.

Quick links:

Best camping mats | Buyer’s guide | Comparison tables | Further reading

Updated February 2020



BEST CAMPING MATS 2020

Top 6 camping mats

1. Thermarest NeoAir



Best all-rounder If you’re in a hurry then buy a Thermarest NeoAir and you won’t be disappointed. Well insulated, comfortable and absurdly light.

Models X Lite: lighter weight

X Therm: better insulated

better insulated SV: ‘speed valve’, easy inflation

‘speed valve’, easy inflation Short and regular lengths available

2. Exped DownMat HL Winter



Warmest camping mat If you want warmth then you want an Exped DownMat. The warmest available is the DownMat XP9. However, the DownMat HL Winter (previously: DownMat WinterLite) has almost the same insulation but at a fraction of the weight. In fact, the WinterLite has the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any camping mat. Plus, it’s cheaper.

DownMat models DownMat 7: Exped’s standard down mat

Exped’s standard down mat DownMat Lite 5: cheaper, lighter, cooler

cheaper, lighter, cooler WinterLite: best warmth-to-weight ratio

best warmth-to-weight ratio DownMat XP 9: warmest mat available

3. Thermarest Prolite

Safe bet If you don’t like the idea of an inflatable air mattress then get a Thermarest Prolite. The ProLite range is the industry standard for self-inflating sleeping pads. They are lighter than the competition and, unlike the cheaper alternatives, will last for years. (Mine is five years and counting).

Models ProLite Plus: thicker, warmer, heavier version

thicker, warmer, heavier version Men and women’s

Full length and 3/4

4. Thermarest Z-Lite & RidgeRest



Best foam camping mats Foam pads are pretty much all the same. The exceptions are the Thermarest Z-Lite and RidgeRest. They use clever patterns to increase their warmth and comfort without adding weight. They are almost identical other than their packed shape: the RidgeRest rolls into a cylinder, the Z-Lite folds into a block. They cost more but they are better than any other foam mat.

Models: Ridgerest SOLite: rolls like other foam mats

rolls like other foam mats Z-Lite SOL: folds into a sqare shape

5. Exped SynMat HyperLite



Super comfortable Exped’s SynMat range uses a synthetic filling instead of goose/duck down. They are not quite as warm but the advantage is that it doesn’t matter if they get damp. The HyperLite (sometimes called the Exped SynMat HL HyperLite) is slightly thicker, warmer and lighter than the excellent Thermarest NeoAir. Its only down-side is that it requires a little more effort to inflate.

Models: SynMat 7: standard Exped SynMat

standard Exped SynMat SynMat Lite 5: cheaper, lighter, less insulated

cheaper, lighter, less insulated SynMat HyperLite: ultralight option

ultralight option SynMat WinterLite: very light but still warm

6. Therm-a-Rest EvoLite

Best of both worlds The Thermarest EvoLite is a new type of camping mat: half air mattress, half self-inflating. It has the solid, firmness of a self-inflating mat and will self-inflate, if left long enough. It takes a lot more air than other self-inflating mats though so is much thicker and more comfortable. The disadvantages are that it’s bulkier pack size and not as insulated.

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Buying online? If you decide to buy a camping mat after reading this article, please do consider using one of my links. If you do, at no cost to you, I will get a small percentage of whatever you buy. Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Alpine Trek | Blacks | Cotswold | eBay | GO Outdoors | REI | Wiggle | AllOutdoor (10% discount code: thenextchallenge10)

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BUYER’S GUIDE



What to look for

Thickness The thicker the mat, the more comfortable. Inflatable air mattresses tend to be thickest and softest. Foam roll mats the thinnest and firmest.

Warmth Sleeping pad insulation is measured with an R-Value. The higher the better. The warmest mat has an R-value of 8.0, the thinnest mats are closer to 1.0. Most are around 3 or 4.

Weight If you have to carry it then you will want it to be light. You can easily get a warm, thick, comfortable mat that weighs less than a pound (450g).

Warmth-to-weight ratio There is no point having an ultralight mat with no insulation or a super-warm one that weighs a ton. I have performed my own calculation of insulation per pound. Look out for the ‘T’ value.

Types of camping mat

a) Foam pads, b) Self-inflating mats, c) Inflatable air mattresses

a. Foam pads



Foam pads, often called ‘roll mats’, are just large rectangular pieces of closed-cell foam (CCF). You unfurl them to sleep on and roll them up to carry. They are cheap, tough and reliable bits of camping equipment. It’s hard to go wrong with a roll mat.

They are not quite as warm as the alternatives but it’s their pack size that really lets them down. They typically need to be strapped to the outside of a rucksack.

Foam roll mats Weight: Low-Medium

Low-Medium Pack Size: Very Large

Very Large Warmth: Low – Medium

Low – Medium Comfort: Low

Low Cost: Low

Advantages Very cheap

Indestructable

Can protect inflatable mats

Disadvantages Massive pack size

Limited warmth

Not the most comfortable

Best foam mats

Thermarest RidgeRest

Thermarest Z-Rest



b. Self-inflating mats

The most common alternative to foam mats are self-inflating mats. These have a tough nylon outer with a thin layer of open-cell foam inside. Thiscan be inflated with a couple of breaths of air. If you leave the unfurled with the valve open for a few minutes, they should partially “self-inflate”.

They are generally warmer and more comfortable than foam mats. They are much smaller to carry too. They run the risk of puncture, however, and cost significantly more than foam mats.

The more expensive, thinner and 3/4 length models can be really light. If you buy a super thick, comfortable version then they can, of course, weigh a lot more (and I’d generally recommended getting an inflatable mat instead, see below).

Self-inflating mats Weight: Low – Medium

Low – Medium Pack Size: Small

Small Warmth: Medium

Medium Comfort: Medium

Medium Cost: Medium – High

Advantages Small pack size

Low weight

Good warmth

Disadvantages Expensive (cheap ones don’t last)

Can puncture

Best self-inflating mats

Thermarest ProLite

Thermarest EvoLite

c. Inflatable air mattresses



Inflatable camping mats, often called ‘air mattresses’, are like airbeds or lilos: large baffled mattresses that you inflate.

They are much thicker than foam or self-inflating pads. They are by far the most comfortable type of camping mat. They are usually filled with down or or a synthetic equivalent so tend to be very warm too.

The downsides of these mats are their susceptibility to puncture and the effort required to inflate them. When punctured, they are useless: no padding and little insulation. In contrast, self-inflating mats still offer some warmth and comfort, even when punctured. Inflating an air mattress takes a bit more time and effort than a self-inflating pad (as the name implies).

Inflatable mats Weight: Low – Medium

Low – Medium Pack Size: Small – Medium

Small – Medium Warmth: Medium – High

Medium – High Comfort: High

High Cost: Medium – High

Advantages Thickest / most comfortable

Warmest



Small pack size

Disadvantages Expensive

Big puncture risk

Take time/effort to inflate

Best inflatable mattresses Exped SynMats



Exped DownMats

Thermarest NeoAir

COMPARISON TABLES

a) Foam pads, b) Self-inflating mats, c) Inflatable air mattresses

Table sorting The tables below are all sortable (e.g. by price, weight or warmth). Click the arrows in the headers (may not work on phones).

‘R’ and ‘T’ R value is a measure of insulation (higher = warmer). T is my own measure of warmth-to-weight (higher = more insulation per ounce).

Inches / ounces? For Imperial measurements, click the ‘source spreadsheet’ links. You’ll be sent to a detailed spreadsheet with more data.

Want to buy one? Please consider using the links below. At no cost to you, I get a small percentage. Click the price (£50 or $80) or ‘Check price’ before buying.

a. Foam pads

Foam pad buyer’s guide

View the foam pads source spreadsheet ➜

b. Self-inflating mats

Self-inflating mat buyer’s guide

View the self-inflating mat source spreadsheet ➜

c. Inflatable air mattress

Inflatable air mattres buyer’s guide

View the inflatable air mattress source spreadsheet ➜

FURTHER READING



Background

There is a bewildering array of sleeping pads and camping mats out there, and it can be hard to know where to start. I wrote this article to help explain the options and make the decision as easy as possible. I am also a massive nerd who likes camping mats and spreadsheets so secretly enjoyed compiling the big comparison tables above.

I’ve used a huge range of different sleeping pads over the last 18 years: ski touring in the high arctic, bivouacing on unclimbed Kyrgyz mountains, trekking in the Arabian desert, cycling around the world. And I have spent an inordinate amount of time researching the various types of camping mats.

This article has been used by thousands and thousands of people since I published it in 2013 and I do my best to update it regularly. If you find it useful, please do tell a friend, click the Facebook ‘Like’ button at the bottom or share it on Twitter. Also, if you actually buy a camping mat then please do consider clicking one of the links before you do. It won’t cost you any extra but I will get a small percentage.

The T-Value

The T-Value is my own calculation: Tim’s Thermal Rating. It measures insulation per ounce.

It is calculated by dividing the R-Value by the weight in ounces, then multiplying by 100 to give a nicer number.

For comparative purposes, I’ve given the same ratio for full length and 3/4 length mats. Otherwise, you could just cut your mat in half and the T-value would double.

What is the lightest sleeping pad?

Lightest foam sleeping pad

Gossamer Gear ThinLight: 68g/2.4oz Regular. Check Price USA ➜



Multimat Superlite XS: 100g/3.5oz Short. Check Price UK ➜

Lightest self-inflating sleeping pad

Lightest inflatable mats

What is the best sleeping pad?

There isn’t any real answer to this question. Different mats will work for different situations. However, here are my personal rules of thumb:

Best basic camping pad

Generic foam roll mats: Cost a few quid and are bombproof. Check Price UK ➜ / USA ➜

Best cheap camping pads

REI AirRail 1.5: cheapest self-inflating at REI. Check Price USA ➜

Best ultralight camping mats

Thermarest XLite NeoAir: A few grams more than Klymit Inertias but more substantial. Check Price UK ➜ / USA ➜



Best cycle touring camping mats

Combine a lightweight inflatable (e.g. NeoAir or Exped HyperLite/Basic UL) with an ultralight foam pad underneath for protection (e.g. Gossamer Gear or Multi Mat SuperLite).

Best warmth-to-weight ratios

MultiMat SuperLite 8: Ratio 34 (R-value 2.3, weight 6.7oz). Best ratio for a foam mat. Check Price UK ➜

Best all-round camping pad

Thermarest XLite NeoAir: A bit more fragile than the ProLite but much more comfortable. Check Price UK ➜ / USA ➜

Want some advice? Got a question? Add your comment below.

You might like my other comparison articles too including Bivvy Bags, Base Layer Materials, Multi Fuel Stoves, Gas Canister Camping Stoves and Lightweight Sleeping Bags. Browse all comparison articles…

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Buying online? If you decide to buy a camping mat after reading this article, please do consider using one of my links. If you do, at no cost to you, I will get a small percentage of whatever you buy. Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Alpine Trek | Blacks | Cotswold | eBay | GO Outdoors | REI | Wiggle | AllOutdoor (10% discount code: thenextchallenge10)

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