A woman lays on an inflatable sleeping mattress in front of the mountains

How To Choose A Sleeping Mat Or Camping Mattress

Comfort, insulation and weight: a good sleeping mat will deliver on all three. Get a cosy night's rest with our guide below.

Our sleeping mats and camping mattresses help ensure you get a good night's sleep by providing comfort and insulation. They come in three forms: air, self-inflating, and closed-cell foam. They vary in level of insulation, weight, comfort and size. Depending on the activity — whether hiking, car camping or winter camping — you'll want to ensure you choose the right one.

HOW TO GET A GOOD NIGHT'S REST WHILE BACKPACKING, CAMPING AND TREKKING

When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors, adventure and relaxation may be the aim, but comfort is always key. That’s why paying attention to your sleeping equipment is just as important as your choice of tents and camping equipment. Specifically speaking, your sleeping arrangement and choice of camping mattress, sleeping mat and sleeping bag can really affect your time out in nature; we all know a good night’s sleep sets the tone for the rest of your day, and that's why we're to help you make the right choice to make sure you enjoy your time away.

CHOOSING BETWEEN A SLEEPING MAT AND CAMPING MATTRESS

Why Choose a Sleeping Mat?

Sleeping mats typically tend to be smaller and more compact than mattresses, so they would best suit long treks and camping trips where you plan on moving locations often; this makes setting up camp and packing up that bit easier and quicker as opposed to deflating your camping mattress or packing it away every time, camping mats tend to easily fold away with ease. Check out our self-inflating camping mats, no need for a pump, helping you pack even lighter.

Sleeping Mat
Why Choose a Camping Mattress?

If you’re planning a long camping trip away where you know you’ll be pitched at your location(s) for a long period of time,, then a camping mattress would be best. They tend to be thicker and often require a pum,p, so probably not the ideal choice for a long trek, but if you’re looking for ultimate comfort with a bed-like feeling,, then our camping mattresses would do the trick.

Camping Mattress

CHOOSING THE BEST CAMPING MATTRESS FOR KIDS

When it comes to little campers, the mattress size doesn't matter too much, what you really need to pay attention to is the choosing the right size sleeping bag. You want to choose a sleeping bag that has a snug fit if it's going to get particularly cold at night. The greater the volume of air to heat, the more energy the body will use to keep warm and cause you to get cold during the night. So the more room there is inside the sleeping bag, the harder it will be for your child to keep warm. That being said, the size of your mattress is not as important. If you go camping once a year, you may as well go and buy a 1-person mattress, which your child will then be able to use for many years to come.

Three different types of sleeping mattresses

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A CAMPING MATTRESS OR SLEEPING MAT

Weight

One of the first things you should take into consideration when choosing your sleeping equipment (aside from the comfort level) is the weight. In fact, if you're planning on trekking with your mattress in your backpack, choosing a model that is as light and compact as possible is essential. Choosing a light trekking mat will help minimise the weight of your backpack, and its compactibility will reduce the amount of space taken up by the mattress.

If you’re travelling by car, then you’ll have little worries about weight. However, those travelling by bicycle or hiking will almost certainly want to consider weight. For those who must reduce weight, mummy or tapered mats will save you some precious grams. Another weight-saving option for couples backpacking together is to share a lightweight 2-person mat.

Different coloured inflatable mattresses

Type of Mattress

You may not think it’s a big deal, but the way you put up your mattress can also play a huge factor in your overall experience. Depending on what you have planned for your trip, it may not be practical to spend time pumping an inflatable mattress, so a self-inflating camping mattress may be a better choice. There are several different kinds of mattresses for camping or bivouacking. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of bulk and comfort but also installation time (to inflate or not to inflate...that usually ends up being the main question).

- Inflatable:
Usually inflated with a manual pump.

- Self-inflatable:
Usually, an airtight envelope is glued to an open cell foam where the air circulates.

- Foldable:
Usually a foam mattress will be ultralight, easy to fold or unfold, and carry in your backpack.

Man sleeping soundly on a camp bed inside a tent

Mattress Insulation

The level of insulation a mattress has is also known as the ‘R-value’. This is the measure of thermal resistance; the R-value can range from 1.0 to 11.0. It measures the capacity of a mattress to retain body heat or prevent heat transfer to a cold floor. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation provided by the mattress.

To find out the R-value of a Decathlon mattress, scroll down to the ‘Product Benefits’ section on the product page, where you’ll find the ‘Thermal Insulation’ details.

For the warm nights of the summer, the suggested rating for sleeping pads is three or above. However, those with circulation issues or needing extra warmth to stay comfortable should always go with a pad with a higher rating.

It’s also worth noting that the ratings for sleeping bags and mats are incomparable. Choosing a highly-rated sleeping bag for summer use will result in you overheating. However, this is not the case with mats.

Man and woman carrying a foam sleeping mattress in to a tent

MORE INFORMATION ON MATTRESS INSULATION

WHAT IS THE R-VALUE?

The "R-value" is the measure of thermal resistance. It measures the capacity of a mattress to retain body heat or prevent heat transfer to a cold floor. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation provided by the mattress.

It's important to note that your sleeping bag has no effect whatsoever on the R-value. Keep in mind that R-Values can be combined; this means that you can use two mattresses and add their R-Values.

All our mattresses are tested in accordance with the ASTM F3340-18 testing standard. This standard allows you to measure the r-value and, therefore, the insulation performance of the mattress. It's used by all manufacturers, giving you the option to compare different brands of mattresses.
What is the R-value used for?
• R-value from 0 to 1.9: Hot season (summer) only
• R-value from 2 to 3: 2 or 3-seasons (spring-summer-autumn)
• R-value from 3 to 4: 4-seasons
• R-value of 4.5 +: 4 seasons and extreme conditions (glaciers, Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, and high altitude).
Did you know? Camping mattresses often have a higher R-value than an equivalently priced trekking mattress.

Additional advice to increase the R-value
Place a survival blanket under your mattress to optimize the thermal insulation of your camping or trekking mattress.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAMPING MATS AND MATTRESSES

Air Pads

Air pads need to be inflated. While some advanced models have a built-in pump, they can be inflated in a few minutes. Air pads are surprisingly light and provide a comfortable bed and insulation from cold ground.

Many air pads come in different ratings. Some are 3-season, others 4-season, with the latter providing better insulation for the colder conditions. They are often the ideal sleeping mat in that the firmness can be easily adjusted by releasing some air for customisable comfort.
Self-Inflating Pads

A combination of open-cell foam insulation and air, self-inflating pads are a convenient sleeping mat. The air chamber fills automatically for quick and straightforward inflation by simply opening the nozzle. They can be conveniently rolled up when not in use and take up minimal space in your pack.

They offer excellent insulation with a layer of air between you and the ground. And their firmness can be easily adjusted for maximum comfort by releasing air as required.
Closed-Cell Foam Pads

The most basic form of sleeping mat, the closed-cell foam pad, is an ultra-lightweight and inexpensive solution.

With tiny air pockets inside the fabric, they offer surprisingly good insulation. And as there’s no inflation necessary, there’s no risk of puncturing.

The pads can be rolled up for easy carrying outside your pack. However, they often come at the price of decreased comfort.

man looks on as a woman packs up a sleeping bag

CHOOSING THE BEST CAMPING MATTRESS FOR YOUR TRIP

Which sleeping mat suits which activity?

Are you wondering if you need to invest in two different mattresses because you're going camping with your family as well as going bivouacking on your own or with friends (or vice versa) and torn between choices? Then you’ve come to the right place.

To prevent your garage or storage room from resembling the stockrooms of our Decathlon stores, we’ve put together a list of things you should consider to help you make the best choices for your needs. Whether you're sleeping on the floor or on a camp bed, we have a fantastic selection of sleeping equipment to help you prepare for all your outdoor adventures.

Now that we've gone through everything you need to consider before choosing the best camping mattress or mat to suit your needs, there's only one thing you need to think about to make your final decision and that's the activity you plan on using your mat or mattress for. We've put together a few camping scenarios and suggested the best option for that activity but as always, everyone's experience is different so go with what you feel would be best for you.

a couple sat outside in front of their car with a rooftop tent set up on top

Car Camping

If you’re car camping, size and weight are generally a non-issue. Larger air pads which allow for more room between you and the ground, will be your best bet in this case.

Four backpackers walking towards the mountains

Backpacking

For backpackers, weight is often an important consideration. It all comes down to how much comfort you require versus how much extra weight you can carry. Most touring cyclists will pack a lightweight self-inflating pad for the best compromise between both.

Hiking

A closed-cell foam pad is often the best option for those hikers spending days on end in the mountains. No one wants to haul unnecessary weight up and down the hills, so every gram you save is crucial. For those who want to minimise the weight on their backs, pads of reduced length also exist. They support your upper body and core, while the lower legs can be rested on clothing for extra insulation.

Two tents set up in a light snowy wooded area

Winter Camping

The winter campers who brave the harsh temperatures may require a more elegant solution. To begin with, if you'll be sleeping on frozen ground, an air pad with a high R-value is essential. In addition, if weight is not an issue, some campers like to place a closed-cell foam pad under the air pad for increased insulation.

Whatever your chosen activity, rest assured that at Decathlon, we've got the right fit for you. We stock a wide range of camping mats of differing types, and no matter the conditions, a good night's sleep is guaranteed!