Hiking and camping mattresses and pillows from Paddy Pallin

A sleeping mat and pillow is your bed away from home, and a good night’s sleep is guaranteed to make your adventure much more enjoyable. Whether you’re looking for an ultralight hiking mattress and compact pillow to lighten your kit, or if luxury and comfort are your priority, we have a wide range of camping mattresses and pillow designs for everything from snow camping to summer nights sleeping under the inner alone. 

Our range includes cutting edge innovative baffle designs from award-winning brands like Sea to Summit, to tried-and-true foam roll mats from reliable brands like Alton, and everything in between. From self-inflating mats to down-filled pillows, we have a range of convenient and comfortable sleeping options to fit your needs.

Camping mats and mattresses for a great night’s sleep

It can be tough to get a good night’s sleep when you’re camping. An uncomfortable mat and no pillow to speak of can leave you feeling pretty sore in the morning. This is why we offer a wide range of incredibly comfortable, supportive, and breathable sleeping mats for camping and hiking. 

Finding the perfect combination of compact yet supportive is easier than ever at Paddy Pallin. Discover mats from the best brands in the business, at exceptional prices and enjoy a range of great features and quality materials. We’ve handpicked camping mattresses that are ideal for both big family camping trips, as well as hikes off the beaten path.

Supportive, compact camping pillows

A camping pillow may sound like a luxury, and for the hardcore ultralighters it can be a no-no. But for many of us, a pillow makes all the difference between being full of energy the next day, and waking up bleary eyed with a stiff neck. The good news is that our collection includes a range of camping pillows to suit every kind of camping trip. Explore our camping collection to find the perfect camp pillow for you, and don’t forget to check our range of sleeping bags to complete your sleep system.

Lightweight sleeping gear for hiking and treks

Packing light is critical when you’re setting off on a multi-night hike or trek. Every gram matters, and even a pillow can often not make the cut. However, at Paddy Pallin we’ve handpicked a range of ultralight sleeping mats and pillows so you don’t have to sacrifice any gear in order to meet your target weight. Our collection includes mats and pillows that pack down to an incredibly compact size, and are absolutely worth their (small) weight in gold.

Explore our full range today!

FAQ's about sleeping mats and camp pillows

Do you really need a sleeping mat for camping?

While not as important as food or cooking utensils, for example, a sleeping mat is an important part of every camper's kit. A good night’s sleep is critical, and can make or break your camping trip. Therefore, finding the perfect sleeping mat and camping pillow will make all the difference. Camping mattresses will provide insulation from the cold earth, a comfortable base to support your body, and prevent soreness and stiffness. 

How does the temperature rating system work?

Up until 2019, there was no industry standard for the temperature rating of sleeping mats. Some sleeping mats would come with an R-value (that is, a measurement of a material’s resistance to heat transfer) but the vast majority simply featured a temperature estimate or range.

Recently, the largest industry-leading brands got together to tweak the R-value testing method. This method established a new consistent industry standard of temperature rating for sleeping mats – ASTM F3340-18. Put simply, this rating means that it is now simple to compare mats and decide which one best suits your needs and environment.

Do I need insulation in my sleeping mat?

Insulation in a camping sleeping mat isn’t all that noticeable in warmer climates or during summer nights. However, if you’re sleeping on cold or damp ground in the shoulder season months, and certainly if the ground will be icy or snowy, your mat will make as much difference to your comfort and safety as your sleeping bag. In colder climates, our bodies are not able to produce heat as fast as we lose it to the ground, and the colder the ground, the faster this will happen. Insulation from your mat will help to prevent this rapid loss of body heat. When the outer limit of your mat’s temperature rating is reached, it will keep you alive in cold conditions, but your body will have to work extremely hard to keep producing heat which will almost certainly keep you awake through the night.

Would baffles or foam suit my trip?

Baffle hiking mats and foam hiking mats both have their benefits, and are suited to different kind

Baffle hiking mats require inflation either by breath or with a compact sack pump. The air is distributed throughout the baffle compartments, raising you off the ground for comfort. Baffle hiking mats include varying degrees of insulation depending on the temperature rating of the mat. The majority of the fill will be air, however, which allows baffle mats to pack down compactly for storage. The packed size of a baffle mat will differ depending on the amount of insulation your trip requires.

Self inflating mats have foam inside, which expands and sucks air into the mat when opened. This allows the mat to inflate and also rolls up to pack down tightly. Solid foam mats simply need to be unrolled for use - some are flat, some are porous, and others have an egg-carton effect to help create little pockets of heat. Solid foam is naturally insulating, however some foam mats come with an extra insulation coating for cold weather use. Solid foam sleeping mats do not inflate, they simply pack down as small as you can roll them.

What makes a women’s-specific sleeping mat different to a unisex mat?

There are a few key differences when comparing women’s-specific mats with unisex mats. The female body tends to run 3-5 degrees cooler than the male body, largely due to muscle density. Women’s-specific sleeping mats therefore have a little more insulation to accommodate this lower core body temperature. Additionally, the Regular length of a women’s mat tends to be shorter (168cm) than the Regular length of a unisex mat (183cm). This provides a lightweight alternative for anyone under 168cm who wants to save on weight.

What kinds of sleeping mats does Paddy Pallin stock?

Our range is quite large and varied from a selection of industry-leading brands here at Paddy Pallin. We have very lightweight hiking mats from brands like Nemo which are ideal for ultralight campers. Thermarest and Sea to Summit make some of the warmest hiking mats for winter camping, either in Australia or in colder climates. Keep in mind that the additional materials and insulation will increase the weight to keep you warm in snowy conditions. Most models are available in a wide, long and short option to best fit your individual needs. We also stock a range of larger and thicker pump inflatable sleeping mats – ideal for car camping setups when you’ll be bringing more than just a pack.

Do I need a pillow?

A pillow may seem like an extra accessory to carry, but it really comes down to weight versus comfort. Your quality of sleep will greatly impact your energy for adventuring the next day. Do you sleep without a pillow at home? Give it a try for a night. The average human head weighs 5.5kgs when standing upright and looking forwards. That’s a lot to lift when we wake and re-engage our neck muscles.

But do you need a “pillow”? Hikers and ultralight campers are very good at repurposing everything in the pack. You could use a down jacket as a pillow, or in winter you could pop a couple pairs of spare thick socks into your camping mat stuff sack.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you what you rest your head on. But whatever your choice, make sure that you support a good night’s sleep where you can.

What brands of camping mats and pillows does Paddy Pallin sell?

We stock a wide range of models from brands like Thermarest, Sea To Summit, Nemo Equipment and Rab.

How should I store my self-inflating sleeping pad?

The way that you store a self-inflating sleeping mat will significantly impact its longevity. The ideal storage method is flat and with the valve open – not rolled into the stuff sack. The foam inside a self-inflating sleeping pad has a configuration of hollow pockets throughout for the air to fill to inflate the hiking mattress. When the hiking mat is rolled tightly in its stuff sack the foam is compressed, preventing air from moving through it. When foam is static for a period of time, or not in use, it begins to harden a little in its position. If your sleeping mat is stored compressed in the off-season, it will be a challenge to re-inflate when you’re ready to use it again. It will not self inflate to the same capacity that it should, and you will need to assist inflation. Storing your sleeping pad under your bed is a great option, but if you really do not have the space to store it flat and open, make sure to inflate your camping sleeping mat regularly to keep it working as it should.

What about storing other sleeping mat types?

Storage depends on what type of sleeping pad you have. In all cases, your camping mat should be stored in a dry place and away from UV light. Although many people use their garage to store outdoor gear, they tend to retain humidity and dampness – so inside your home is recommended.

Inflatable trekking mattresses (without foam) can be stored rolled into their stuff sack. Just remember to keep the valve open, as temperature changes over the off-season can put pressure on the valve while closed.

Solid foam hiking mats can be stored in the space you have available. If stored rolled, they will want to roll closed again when you’re ready to use them, so simply flip it over and sleep on the opposite side. Easy!