A sleeping mat is a vital component of our kit list for a night in the hills with a tent. which is why we have picked some of the best sleeping mats out right now for you to compare and look at.

The most important function of a sleeping mat is to insulate us from the ground. Sitting on a rock on the summit to enjoy the view on a chilly day, one can feel the warmth draining away – now imagine that same effect along the length of one’s entire body, all night. And our sleeping bag is only half the story. As insulating as it may be, our body weight flattens out the insulation below us and minimises its effectiveness. The right sleeping mat will prevent downwards heat loss from your body. This should make your night safer and more comfortable.

A smaller pack size and weight are welcome when carrying something to a high camp, and it’s worth experimenting to get the best fit. Mats are usually sold as solid, rolled-up cylinders, but you can flatten them and fold them into your pack. Careful pitching is important. It’s easy to tear and deflate mats by catching a sharp rock under the tent, or accidentally rolling over onto crampons or stove parts in your sleep. Make sure you can repair a puncture, either with the manufacturer’s kit or your own.

Practising inflation and deflation is also worthwhile – wrestling with new kit in a cramped tent in the rain is no fun at all!

To achieve a consistent testing environment and accurate comparison, the mats were used in the same bothy with the same 3-season down sleeping bag, in similar damp and cool weather conditions. All the mats were weighed by Peter on his own digital scales.

This article will provide you with knowledge on some of the best sleeping mats around and help you make a judgement on your next purchase. We’ve tested all types of mats from mummy mats which are more suited to one person tents to wide rectangular mats which offer an improved comfort. This guide covers sleeping mats from brands such as Rab, Alpkit, Exped and many more.

R-value

The R-value is a standardised measure of resistance to heat loss. When applied to sleep mats the R-value indicates how well the mat will insulate us from the ground temperature. A low value around 1 might be adequate on summer camps, whilst a value of 4 or above will help to insulate against frozen ground.

Shape

Typically, mats come in two shapes. Rectangular mats offer improved comfort and allow us to move around in our sleep with less chance of touching the ground, but they take up more floor space and will weigh more. Mummy mats taper towards our feet and work well in smaller one-person tents, but feet can slip off more easily whilst asleep.

Weight

If we’re based at a low-level campsite and walking the hills with a return to camp for bed, a larger and heavier mat will likely be fine. If we’re carrying our overnight gear across the hills, a lighter mat will be very welcome. There is always a balance to be struck between weight and performance, depending on our plans.

Inflation

Self-inflating mats have compressed foam inside that expands when the air valve is opened. All the mats in this review must be inflated manually. All can be inflated by blowing into an air valve on the mat itself, but some models come with extra sacks that can be used as bellows to inflate the mat.

These can prolong the life of the mat by reducing moisture inside (from one’s breath), but can be fiddly and time-consuming, especially in restricted tent space. It’s worth noting that mats don’t have to be fully inflated, and that you can adjust for your own comfort level.

Fabric

The fabric used must be supple and durable enough for multiple inflation and storage cycles. It must be puncture-resistant to prevent a night on cold or stony ground. Look for puncture repairs kits included with your mat, or take your own on camps.

Construction

Construction types vary greatly from simple sheets of foam to down-filled mats for sleeping on snow. Here we’ve concentrated on a middle range, useable in varied conditions (outside the true depths of winter). Fabric and manufacturing technology have advanced greatly, meaning that modern mats can achieve a relatively high R-value without incurring a weight penalty.

Variety

Some products can still be found in a women’s-specific format, with differing levels of insulation and different sizing. Current models come in different lengths and widths so you can pick one that best suits your body shape.

Below are a selection of sleeping mats that we think are worth taking a look at and will let you get a good night’s sleep.