Choosing a Sleeping Mat / Airbed

Having chosen the sleeping bag that will give you a warm nights sleep, it is important to give some thought to what you will sleep on. When you lie down your weight compresses the fill of your sleeping bag dramatically reducing the insulation. Down compresses the most with fibre fill bags compressing the least. All bags will let the cold through and so some form of insulation is needed underneath.

Air Mattress

These are comfortable to sleep on and suitable for warm weather use. In colder weather they are not so warm as air circulating can conduct heat away.

Insulating Mats

These are more suitable for colder weather or when bedding has to be carried. The material used for these is foam and come in two types.

Closed cell foam

These are made from chemically blown or pressure blown foam. Both sorts have thousands of air bubbles sealed into the foam to create lightweight, durable, warm and inexpensive mats. Closed cell foam mats come in different weights and thickness. The thinnest and lightest foams are suitable for summer but a thicker heavier one will be required for winter. These mats do not provide much cushioning, their prime purpose being for insulation.

Open Cell Foam/Self Inflating Mats

In open cell foam the air bubbles are linked and go through to the outside so air is squeezed out under body weight reducing the insulation. Open cell foam also soaks up water like a sponge and so to be of use it must be contained in a waterproof, airtight shell. These mats have valves so that the air can be squeezed out to make them less bulky to be carried. Open the valve and the foam sucks in air and expands.

A few puffs of breaths can help this process. The valve can then be closed preventing the air escaping. Deflating the mat is done by releasing the valve and kneeling or lying on the mat to expel the air, then rolling up the mat before closing the valve. The lightest mat can be folded in half or in quarters while the larger ones are better packed rolled. Carrying a repair kit with these mats is advisable as they can be punctured. These mats are far more comfortable to sleep on and generally offer more insulation than the closed cell foam mats.