Before we look in more detail about what's available it's important to know that a sleeping mat is the single most important part of your sleeping system to keep you warm. Tests have shown that you lose 3 times as much heat to the ground (conduction) as you do to the air (convection), so it is more important than your sleeping bag. Also, your sleeping bag insulation is compressed under you and is less effective than when it is properly lofted. This will further reduce the insulating properties of your sleeping bag against conduction. The second thing a mat does is make you comfortable enough to sleep. It's no good being warm and having a stone in your shoulder blade.

The warmth of all our mats are measured by a universal measurement, the R Value, so we'll look at this before going into more detail about the mats available. The higher the R Value number the warmer the mat is. The reason we give an R Value, rather than a temperature rating, is because a temperature rating is very subjective to both the person and the conditions. The table below gives a rough indication of what you can expect from a mat in terms of insulation. Please be aware that this should only be used as a rough guide as there are a huge number of influencing factors which cannot be accounted for.

Where mats have an R Value higher than about 7 it is usually because the thickness and construction of the mat is there for comfort, this has the side effect of excellent insulating properties. Unlike if you were to use a sleeping bag designed for extreme cold in summer, a mat with a high R Value won't make you too hot at night in warm weather, it just means less heat will be lost to the ground. There's no disadvantage to having a high R Value to your mat.

Our Sleeping mats can be broadly divided into 3 categories; Self inflating, non self inflating & Closed cell foam.

Self inflating mats are filled with a foam layer that will expand when the valve is open. They are very easy to use and usually warm due to the insulating property of the foam, their downside is that they are usually heavier and have a larger pack size. They are great for weekend campsite camping

Non self inflating mats will require inflation, either by blowing into the mat yourself, using a pump bag or an electric pump. They are the lightest mats we stock and have the smallest packsize making them the best choice for backpackers and other users who will have to carry the mat around all day. They come with a range of insulation options from heat reflective foil to jacket type insulation.

Closed cell foam mats are the traditional roll mat type. They are cheap and pretty much indestructible but they are not as warm or comfortable as the other options. They can be used on their own, or used under an air mat to protect it from sharp objects.

One of the most important considerations when purchasing a camping mat for back packing is weight. If you are going to be carrying your mat all day from one camp to another then you want the lightest mat you can get. However as you go down the weight range you will have to start compromising on comfort and warmth.

We have divided our mats into 4 weight categories; 1500g Plus, 1000g to 1500g, 500g to 1000g & 500g and under.

Sleeping mats weighting 1500g and up are for car camping use only. There's no way you want to be lugging one of these around for long periods of time! They are however our most comfortable and usually warmest mats. They may even be more comfortable than your bed at home!

Mats in the 1000g to 1500g range are often self inflating mats that may be a little too large to carry around and may not be as comfortable as heavier mats, but they are usually good value. If you are looking for a comfortable mat for weekend camping but don't want to break the bank then this is a good place to start.

500g to 1000g mats are ideal for backpacking, a manageable weight and usually good pack size. Here you will also find lightweight but heavily insulated mats for winter, polar exploration and mountain bivis.

Sub 500g mats are usually pretty specialist bits of kit. Here you will find the ultralight mats for mountain marathoners and mountaineers. Or if you are just looking to get your kit down to the lowest weight possible then here is a good place to start.

When selecting your mat you want to find the right balance between weight, warmth and comfort. You may have to compromise one aspect for improvements in another depending on your intended activity, and your own experience.

If you have a multiday backpacking trip planned this summer then a 2 season mat will be ideal, however if you know that you tend to feel the cold then upgrading to a 3 season mat will be better, but will be slightly heavier.

If you need further help narrowing down your choice they we are always happy to help by phone or over email.