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Getting a great night’s sleep on the trail is key to ensuring you can recover and gather enough energy for the next leg of your adventure. A sleeping mat is one of the most important elements of your overnight hiking setup, providing essential warmth and cushioning so you can get some shut-eye wherever you decide to pitch your tent. With decades of overnight hiking experience, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you select the best sleeping mat for your needs. This article covers the main types of hiking sleeping mat, the most important factors to consider when choosing a sleeping mat for your adventure, and more!
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What is a Hiking Sleeping Mat?
A hiking sleeping mat, or sleeping pad, is essentially your trail mattress. A good quality sleeping mat will help you get a good night’s rest, which is especially important after clocking up miles on the trail. Not only will it provide a comfortable cushion to sleep on, but, crucially, a sleeping mat offers a significant level of insulation that cannot be achieved from a sleeping bag alone. Differing from standard camping sleeping mats, a hiking sleeping mat will usually be much lighter and smaller in size to minimise precious space and weight in your pack. They’ll typically offer more warmth-for-weight than a standard camping mat, which is reflected in the higher price point.
Key Factors to Consider
When selecting a sleeping mat for your adventure, you’ll need to consider a number of different factors, such as weight, packability, comfort, warmth, and durability. It’s worth noting that achieving a perfect balance of all these factors is virtually impossible, and you’ll almost certainly have to prioritise one (e.g. weight) over another (e.g.comfort). So have a think about what is most important for your specific needs.
Weight and Packability
Weight is usually the primary concern for many multiday hikers, especially those who are hiking for more than a few days. For shorter overnight hikes, weight is less of a concern, but do keep in mind that minimising the overall weight of your pack will make the hike easier (and more enjoyable). Hiking sleeping mats can range in weight from under 400 grams for high-end ultralight mats, to over a kilo for warmer, more comfortable mats.
You’ll also want to look at the packed dimensions to assess how much room it’s going to take up in your pack. Again, this will depend on the length of your hike, your pack size, and the conditions you are hiking in. The smaller the packed size, the smaller your pack will need to be – which is always a bonus when you’re carrying a heavy load across long distances. Increased insulation generally means increased packed dimensions (and weight), so the size of your mat will have to increase depending on how cold the conditions are. Closed-cell foam pads can be a great option if you don’t want to worry about the packed size of your mat. Although they can be bulky, closed-cell foam pads can be folded up and easily be strapped to the outside of your pack to help save on internal space.
Comfort and Thickness
No one wants to lie on the cold hard ground all night long. Comfort is a key consideration when setting up camp on the trail, and it’s probably the main reason that you are buying a sleeping mat in the first place. Generally, the thicker the pad, the more comfortable it will be, but this also comes at the expense of weight and size.
It can take a bit of trial and error to figure out what your other preferences are. Everything from the materials to the construction can make a difference to the comfort level of a mat. Generally, we find that insulated mats made with a smooth nylon fabric are the most comfortable, however self-inflating mats and closed-foam cell mats tend to provide more stability. Self-inflating mats typically have a smoother surface than baffled air mats, which many people find provides a more comfortable base to sleep on.
Luckily, your local Paddy’s store will have a full range of inflated mats ready to try. Head in-store to test them out and figure out your preferences!
R-Value and Insulation
If you’re heading to cold or snowy climates, then warmth is going to be your number one priority in a sleeping mat. Enter: the R-Value. Sleeping mats from most (if not all) reputable outdoor brands will feature an R-Value, which measures the capacity of the mat to resist the transfer of heat. The higher the R-Value, the more resistant the mat is to heat loss, and thus the more insulating (or warm) the mat will be on cold surfaces. R-Values can range from anything below 2 for minimal insulation and warmer conditions, to over 6 for maximum insulation and extreme conditions (some brands have even started to release mats with R-Values above 8!).
Up until 2020, there was no standardised method for testing the temperature rating for sleeping mats. This changed with the introduction of ASTM F3340-18, which means that we can now compare R-Values across brands and models. The scale is linear and simple to understand: for example, a pad with an R-Value of 4.0 is twice as warm as a pad with a rating of 2.0.
The R-Value you select will depend on the outside conditions, your full sleep system (including sleeping bag and tent), and the type of sleeper you are (cold or warm). As a general guide, we’d recommend that for milder conditions of 10°C or warmer, opt for an R-Value of under 2. For cooler conditions down to freezing, we’d suggest anything between 3 and 5 depending on what type of sleeper you are. For anything below freezing, look at mats with an R-Value of over 5.5.
It’s likely that you will use your mat in varying temperatures and conditions, and there are some easy ways to tweak the R-Value of your mat. For one, the more air you have in your mat, the warmer it will be. But conversely, if you need to cool things down a bit, you can always let some air out of the mat. R-Value is additive, so you can combine a closed-cell foam pad with an inflatable pad for extra versatility. Simply add the R-Values of both pads to calculate the total insulation. Use both pads for colder adventures, and on their own during the warmer months.
Durability and Material
The biggest concern with inflatable sleeping mats is of course their durability. Luckily, a lot of inflatable sleeping pads come with repair kits so that you can patch them up quickly on-trail. They’re also surprisingly durable, with most quality hiking sleeping mats manufactured with high-denier ripstop nylon, which is specifically designed to resist tears. Material thickness is measured in denier (D). Most mats in our collection range from 20D to 70D, and many pads feature a thicker denier on the base to add a further barrier against punctures. However, if you really don’t want to worry about getting a puncture on-trail, it’s worth considering a trusty closed-cell foam mat.
What are the Types of Hiking Mats Available?
When it comes to choosing a sleeping mat, you’ll have a choice of three main types: air mats, self-inflating mats, and closed-cell foam mats . Each has their respective pros and cons, and will be optimal for different outdoor activities. Ultimately though, whichever sleeping mat you choose will come down to personal preference. You can easily browse our full range of camping mats and pillows to compare, and filter by sleeping mat type.
Foam Camping Mats
Closed-cell foam pads are the most basic type of camping mats, constructed with a dense foam layer filled with tiny closed air cells, and sometimes a heat-reflective material for insulation in cold conditions. They’re great value for money, and are guaranteed to last the test of time since they can’t puncture like an inflated camping mat. Foam mats also save space inside your pack, because you can safely secure it to the outside, and they are usually incredibly lightweight. They require minimal set up time at camp – simply unroll and you’re good to go. Foam mats are, however, not as comfortable as an inflatable mat since they have minimal cushioning (but you can layer a foam camping mat underneath your air pad for additional insulation in colder conditions). This type of mat is a great option for thru-hikers who require a lightweight and reliable option that will last many weeks or months of continuous use.
Air Camping Mats
Inflatable or air sleeping mats are the most popular option for backpacking. This is because air pads pack up incredibly small, are super lightweight, and provide a much more comfortable base to sleep on compared with a classic closed-cell foam pad. Air pads are typically constructed using a thin and laminated nylon with baffles that are inflated with air, giving you a variety of options for firmness. They’re easy to inflate using a compact sack pump for rapid inflation (or simply your breath), but they can be prone to punctures, so make sure that you opt for an air mat with an included repair kit. It’s common for air pads to make a crinkly sound as you move around on them, so it can be useful to pop in-store to try out a few different options. There are so many air pad options on the market, with different levels of insulation and cushioning available. To determine the right air pad for your trip, you’ll need to look at the R-Value insulation rating. Lower R-Value air pads are great for summer backpacking trips, whilst higher R-Values will be more suitable for alpine expeditions and winter conditions.
Self-Inflating Camping Mats
Self-inflating mats feature open-celled foam which expands and sucks air into the mat when the valve is opened. This means that the mat will inflate easily (you may need to give it a few breaths) and also roll down reasonably compact. Self-inflating mats provide an incredibly comfortable and stable base, and excellent insulation due to the foam which traps air and heat. They also tend to be more durable than air mats. However, self-inflating pads will not roll up as small as an air pad and are typically heavier in weight, so many people find that this type of mat is best used for car camping.
Shop Sleeping Mats for Camping and Hiking at Paddy Pallin
When choosing a sleeping mat for your adventure, you’ll need to consider a range of factors including weight, warmth, comfort and durability. Whether you land on inflatable, self-inflating, or foam, we have a wide range of camping and hiking sleeping mats available to complete your sleep system. Browse them online today or head into your local Paddy’s store for some expert advice.
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