Feb 24 2022
Sleeping mat guide
Which sleeping pad is recommended?
Dhis guide to choosing a sleeping pad is designed to help you find the sleeping pad that will give you the best possible comfort when sleeping outdoors.
If you have a specific plan and know the expected climatic conditions on your trip, you can choose the most suitable model and design of sleeping pad for you.
- Why a sleeping pad?
- What is the R-value of a sleeping pad?
- Which R value for which temperature?
- Which sleeping mats are available?
A. Foam sleeping mats
B. Self-inflating sleeping mat
C. Inflatable sleeping mat
D. Air mats or air chamber mats
with down or microfiber filling - What is the best way to store my sleeping mat?
- What is important for a sleeping pad?
- How big does a sleeping pad need to be?
- Are sleeping mats waterproof?
- Which sleeping pad for side sleepers?
- Which sleeping mat for camping or what is the best way to sleep in a tent?
- Camping for two: The double sleeping pad
- What is the weight of a lightweight sleeping pad?
- What thickness should a sleeping pad have?
- What do you put under an air mattress?
1. why a sleeping pad?
It's simple: the sleeping mat replaces your mattress from home. There you usually sleep in a bed and not on the hard ground. If you spend the night outdoors in the mountains or on other trekking tours, you should start the next day refreshed and fit. A good sleeping mat that suits you will give you a good night's sleep.
A comfortable sleeping mat is at least as important as a good sleeping bag so that your back doesn't ache and you are protected from wet ground and cold.
2. what is the R-value of a sleeping pad?
Technically speaking, the R-value is a measure of thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the warmer the carpet pad. This value is not only used to measure sleeping pads, engineers and scientists also use the R-value to measure everything from windows to fiberglass.
3. which R-value for which temperature?
Note that the R-value is not the same as the temperature values used to rate the warmth of sleeping bags. The thermal performance of a sleeping pad is specified in two ways: R-value or a recommended number of degrees.
So what's the difference?
Protection from the cold is crucial for a good night's sleep. The insulation provided by your sleeping pad is very different from the warmth generated by your sleeping bag. A sleeping bag keeps the cold air out with its filling and allows the air to circulate while warming your body. However, the sleeping pad works differently. Your sleeping pad has the task of creating thermal resistance against the cold, hard ground.
Factors such as moisture, surface area and your own comfort needs make it almost impossible to determine an outdoor mattress for all applicable temperature classes. Sleeping bags use an EN rating system that uses certain constants to suggest a comfort and risk range that helps users compare sleeping bags from different brands. However, sleeping pads are rated according to their R-value. It is the standard value, so to speak, for comparing the warmth of different sleeping pads.
Graphical representation of the R-value.
4. which sleeping mats are available?
A. Foam sleeping mats
The quality of the foam determines how reliable and durable the sleeping mat is. The parameters for this are the pressure resistance and resilience of the material.
Inexpensive foam mats are usually made of PE (polyethylene) and more expensive sleeping mats are made of EVA.
Ethylene-vinyl acetate foam (EVA) is a fine-pored, closed-cell foam made from the copolymer ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). EVA foams are characterized by their low weight, durability, high flexibility and elasticity. It is highly thermally insulating and does not absorb water.
PE mats are commercially available from as little as 10 euros. Nameless EVA mats are commercially available from around 25 euros.
These sleeping mats are either smooth or have a dimpled or waffle structure that increases their thermal performance.
Foam mats are very light, but take up a lot of space.
B. Self-inflating sleeping mat
As the name suggests, no additional tool is required to fill these sleeping mats with air. You open the valve and the sleeping mat fills with air. To let the air out again, open the valve and press the air out. The air cushions and insulates at the same time.
The advantage: Self-inflating sleeping mats are easy to handle and have a small pack size. Disadvantage: It is not possible to readjust the air pressure from the outside. In other words, you cannot adjust the firmness of the mattress yourself.
C. Inflatable sleeping mat
Inflatable sleeping mats combine minimal packing volume with excellent lying properties. These sleeping mats work on an air chamber principle, similar to an air mattress. Here, airtight, extremely lightweight laminates are processed into a chamber construction.
The degree of firmness of the mattress can be individually adjusted by inflating it with air. You should have a suitable repair kit with you so that you can quickly repair any damage to the cover during a trekking tour. Repair material is already included with many inflatable sleeping mats.
A small pump or pump bag makes inflation easier. They also prevent the ingress of moist air. To prevent mold growth, the sleeping pad should be stored with the valve open for as long as possible after a trekking tour.
You can regulate inflatable sleeping mats yourself.
D. Air mats or air chamber mats with down or microfiber filling
Some air chamber mats are equipped with down or microfiber filling to increase the thermal performance. This construction is significantly warmer than foam mats or self-inflating sleeping mats. They are also extremely light and compressible.
Insulating mats with filling should only be inflated using a pump or the integrated pack sack, which serves as a pump. Otherwise, moist air can get inside and destroy the filling material in the long term.
A sleeping mat with microfiber or down filling is only necessary from approx. -10°C.
5. what is the best way to store my sleeping pad?
Almost all sleeping mats can be stored compressed.
EXCEPT sleeping mats with down filling! It is best to store them unrolled and with the valve open.
6 What is important for a sleeping pad?
The sleeping pad should suit your plans, your needs and your physique.
For long tours and trekking, you should choose a lightweight sleeping pad that can be compressed into a small package. Is the area damp? Then you should choose a microfiber filling instead of a down filling, or do without a filling altogether if the temperatures allow it. Bear in mind that a microfiber or down filling is only necessary from around -10°C. Your air mat should also be 'uncomplicated' to inflate or fill with air. It is best to try out different variants in the store and choose the one that is best suited to you.
Camping vacation: You don't have to lug your equipment? Then you're spoiled for choice. However, foam mats are the easiest because you don't have to inflate or pump them up. They are slightly larger in terms of pack size but just as comfortable as the smaller versions. If comfort is your top priority, you can also opt for thicker mattresses with a thickness of up to 10 cm.
Foam mats are ideal for Mediterranean floors. They are robust and ideal for the pine and cypress needles lying on the ground.
For women, for example, there are sleeping mats that are wider at the hips but less wide at the shoulders.
Large and heavy: If you are large and heavy, you should avoid cheap PE foam mats. This is because the mat will become compressed and you will no longer have an insulating function. You will literally be lying on the floor.
Pack size and weight are the top priorities for expeditions. The thermal performance must match the external conditions. High-quality EVA foam mats with a waffle structure have been developed for this purpose, as well as insulation mats with down filling that keep you warm at a temperature of -40°C. However, the latter are considerably heavier than foam mats. However, the latter are considerably heavier than foam mats.
On long, arduous journeys, weight and space are the most important factors.
Manufacturers in this segment usually have an R-value table that you can use as a guide. It is important to know whether you will be using your sleeping pad all year round or only for certain seasons. Climatic conditions such as humidity and dryness also play a major role.
7. how big should a sleeping pad be?
The sleeping pad should match your body size. If you are between two sizes, it is advisable to take the longer sleeping pad. If you need to save weight and every gram counts on your tour, then you can also use a shorter sleeping pad.
8. are sleeping mats waterproof?
Yes, sleeping mats are waterproof. Otherwise the sleeping pad concept would make no sense. The mattress should keep you warm and dry and protect you from damp ground.
9. which sleeping pad for side sleepers?
If you are a side sleeper, it is advisable to use a thicker sleeping mat so that you have adequate insulation and can also sleep comfortably on your side. Of course, it also depends on your weight as to what thickness is right for you.
If you sleep on your side, it is advisable to use an inflatable and thicker sleeping mat.
10. which sleeping pad for camping? or what is the best way to sleep
in a tent?
Measure your tent and test your equipment before every tour! Make sure that your sleeping pad fits in the tent. If you don't want to do without a pillow, use an inflatable and compressible pillow, especially for outdoor use. This can relieve pressure on the cervical vertebrae in particular.
Will the mattress fit in the tent?
11. camping for two: the double sleeping pad
Are you on tour as a couple and sleeping together in a tent? Have you ever thought about a sleeping mat for 2 people? This can be much more comfortable and have a big warmth advantage. You can slide over to your partner without slipping off the sleeping mat. Especially when it's very cold, you'll be glad if you can keep each other warm. This has already saved lives!
It is worth considering buying a sleeping mat for two people,
if you often travel as a couple.
12. what is the weight of a lightweight sleeping pad?
The range of use determines the weight of the sleeping mat. Here is a rough classification:
Ultralight = under 500 grams
Normal = 500 to 1,000 grams
Comfort = over 1,000 grams
13. what thickness should a sleeping pad have?
"How thick should a sleeping pad be?" Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer here. As with everything else, it depends on the area of use of the sleeping mat. There are very thin sleeping mats that start at 1.8 cm and thicker air mattresses, around 5 cm. The average value is around 3.8 cm.
5 cm thick sleeping mats have a significantly higher comfort range than 1.8 cm thin sleeping mats. However, they are also considerably heavier. Some people like to sleep harder than others.
14 What do you put under an air mattress?
If you are using an ultralight sleeping pad, it is sometimes advisable to use a carpet pad. This is because the material is prone to damage from sharp stones and edges.
First and foremost, always use the equipment that you are already carrying in your rucksack. For example, you can use your bivy sack/bivy blanket as a base for your sleeping mat. Double up. You can use anything from aluminum foil to a cotton blanket. If you want it light and a little more professional, there is a foam mat made of EVA from the Exped brand, for example, which is 0.4 cm thick and weighs around 260 g. There are also cheaper models made of PE. Inflatable sleeping mats can be combined well with foam mats.
Improvise: Do you have a yoga mat? You can just as easily use it as a sleeping mat in summer.
Those who get a good night's sleep are fitter and more alert the next day.
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