The 10 Best Self-Inflating Camping Mats
This wiki has been updated 16 times since it was first published in July of 2020. If you're planning a camping trip or hiking expedition, a good night's rest can make all the difference between a carefree connection with nature and a longing for the comforts of home. Self-inflating mats help to provide better sleep, and the best are well-insulated, eminently portable and, above all, comfortable enough to provide a welcome respite after a long day in the great outdoors. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Exped Megamat 10
2. Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D
3. Therm-a-Rest Prolite Plus
Editor's Notes
July 24, 2020:
Anyone who likes to spend time camping will appreciate the benefit of a layer of insulation between you and the earth after sunset. Not only do self-inflating camping mats provide just that, but they also cushion you against the discomfort of uneven ground and help ensure a sound night's sleep, preparing you for another day in the wilderness.
Choosing your ideal camping mat depends on how you wish to use it. Some, such as the Venture 4th Ultra Light, Coleman Camping Pad, Ryno Tuff Sleeping Mat, Powerlix Sleeping Pad, Iforrest Sleeping Pad, and the Therm-a-Rest Prolite Plus, are well-suited to hiking and trekking, as they are all lightweight, and pack down into very compact sizes. They all fit into roll-top or drawstring bags, or are secured with compression straps, as is the case with the Coleman Camping Pad.
Alternatively, you may like to combine camping with a road trip, in which case size and weight aren't such an issue. In this instance, the Lightspeed Outdoors XL, Youkada Sleeping Pad, Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D, or the Exped Megamat 10 might be more suitable, as, while they are heavier, they are considerably more comfortable options. These are also good choices if you wish to use your mat to accommodate guests in your home overnight.
Each of the mats in this ranking is assigned an R-value, which denotes the efficacy of their insulation. The models with especially high insulating properties include the Therm-a-Rest Prolite Plus, Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D, and the Exped Megamat 10, which are all tested in extreme temperatures, with the latter having a four-season rating and being effective to -54 degrees Fahrenheit.
Special Honors
Alpkit Sleeping Mats. With a wide range of products for professional and recreational use, Alpkit has a sleeping mat to suit everyone, from mountaineers, to backcountry hikers, to casual campers. In particular, their Double Dozer luxury self-inflating mat is a simple, affordable, and well-designed (albeit quite heavy at 11 pounds) solution that is ideal for taking on road trips. alpkit.com
4. Youkada Sleeping Pad
5. Lightspeed Outdoors XL
6. Iforrest Sleeping Pad
7. Powerlix Sleeping Pad
8. Ryno Tuff Sleeping Mat
9. Coleman Camping Pad
10. Venture 4th Ultra Light
Having grown weary of working in office environments, music graduate Luke decided to trade the dismal skies of southern England for the far more agreeable climate of south Asia. Prior to writing for Ezvid Wiki, he established a small agency providing websites for clients all over the world. This enabled him to travel extensively, living for prolonged periods in a number of interesting countries and experiencing several different cultures along the way. When not playing or writing music, Luke likes to ride his motorcycle in far-flung regions where the air is thin and the roads are dusty. His areas of expertise are largely gleaned from his nomadic lifestyle and include travel, computers, automotive goods and accessories, musical instruments and gear, and boats.