Self-inflating air mattresses & sleeping mats – sleep well on the go

In the following chapters I will briefly discuss the most important differences between different sleeping pads for on the go.

This knowledge is important in order to find the right variant for your needs.

By the way, my own mat is an Exped SynMat 7 UL in extra wide. I have definitely spent over 100 nights on it.

After my first model fell victim to a cat’s claws, I bought the same mat again the same day.

However, if you have some time, then I advise you to read my guide first before buying:

Air mattress, sleeping mat or air bed

There are countless variants (and qualities) of sleeping pads for on the go.

Whether it is a thin foam mat made of resistant hard foam, a comfortable self-inflating sleeping mat or a thick air mattress.

• A wide variety of technologies are represented. It is therefore important to know your intended use in advance as far as possible.
• This allows you to optimize weight, pack size and convenience according to your needs.

First of all: Many manufacturers describe their large, heavy air beds as self-inflating.

Many of these models have built-in electric pumps and often weigh over five kilograms. These beds are indeed suitable – like sofa beds –  ideal as inflatable guest bed but very limited as road solution.

If you are driving and know that you have access to the electricity necessary to run the pump, it may make sense to bring an air bed with you.

However, as soon as you are on foot and pack size or weight play a role, you should use a sleeping mat or a light air mattress.

What does a sleeping mat do

In the broadest sense, a sleeping mat is a sleeping mat that ensures that you lie comfortably on the one hand and that you are shielded from the cold on the ground on the other.

Even the best sleeping bag will not do you any good if you are not insulated from the floor.

How well insulates a sleeping pad – The R value

The R value basically describes the performance class of your sleeping pad. How well does the mat insulate you from the cold of the ground.

The higher the R value, the higher the insulation performance

The colder it is where you sleep, the higher the R-value of your mat should be.

Advantages and disadvantages of different sleeping mats

Air mattresses and sleeping mats are similar in structure, but have different advantages and disadvantages when it comes to comfort, pack size and weight.

Construction of self-inflating sleeping mattresses

These sleeping pads consist of open-cell foam which is inserted into a fabric cover.

As soon as you open the valve, the foam expands and automatically sucks air into the interior of the mat.

The foam insulates your body from the coldness of the ground while retaining your body heat.

• Your new mat can take less than ten minutes to fully expand.
• The older the mat, the longer it takes for the sponge inside to fully unfold.

The label “self-inflating” is a bit misleading here, because all sleeping mats need a few extra breaths to be completely filled.

The shell of these mats is usually made of polyester or polyamide (nylon). Both fabrics are abrasion-resistant and easy to clean.

Advantages: Less work – easy to inflate, comfortable, medium pack size and weight

Disadvantages: often less comfortable than air mattresses, cheap models can be heavy and bulky.

How do modern air mattresses work?

These sleeping pads most closely resemble your old red and blue cotton air mattress.

The construction is similar to that of inflatable pool toys, however, they are not made of PVC plastic film, but rather a very thin nylon fabric. That makes them much warmer, lighter and more durable.

The disadvantage of these mats is that they take longer to inflate than self-inflating sleeping mats. Cheap models in particular do not insulate as well as the foam-filled sleeping mats.

• Due to the thin fabric, you can also be a bit more prone to damage, especially ultra-light models.
• The biggest advantage, however, is that these air mattresses are the lightest and most compact of all mattresses.

Advantages: extremely comfortable, very thick, high sleeping comfort, light and small pack size

Cons: Not as durable as foam, longer inflation time, a bit wobbly

Bulky lightweight: foam pads

The simplest mats are made from hard, often closed-cell foam.

They are little more than a piece of foam between you and the cold floor.

Usually they are less than 2 cm thick and not particularly comfortable.

Tiny air pockets in the foam protect you from the cold of the floor. Some of these mats are additionally vaporized with a reflective layer, which increases the insulation performance.

Of course, this cannot be compared with a real gel mattress or visco foam mattress , but they are good enough for a few nights on the go.

Many ultralight backpackers swear by these pads. In my opinion, they are only suitable for adding an extra layer of insulation for a more comfortable mat.

Advantages: Durable – practically indestructible, inexpensive, good insulation with low weight

Disadvantages: Bulky, inconvenient, dirt often difficult to remove

Which air mattress is the best?

Of course, it depends entirely on your personal requirements which sleeping mat is best for you.

• If you are traveling by car, the weight and pack size of the mat are less important.
• The same applies if you want to accommodate guests at home.

The most comfortable option (if weight and pack size are not important) is of course the right air bed, but these are hardly suitable for sleeping on the go.

The best compromise: self-inflating sleeping mat

If you pack your rucksack and want to carry it longer, however, the weight plays the central role.

Self-inflating mats offer a good compromise between comfort, good warmth and small pack size with medium weight.

Flyweight air mattress

If you want to reduce the weight of your luggage to a minimum, light air mattresses offer the highest level of comfort with a minimal pack size.

Child-safe alternative: foam pad

Children are a little more rabid with their beds. For the summer camp, the simple foam mats are often the best choice.

They forgive slip-ups with the pocket knife, sharp stones and sticks or evenings around the campfire without becoming a holey cream puff.

How big should a sleeping pad be?

No matter if air mattress or sleeping mat:

For maximum sleeping comfort, your pad should be a few centimeters longer than you. Otherwise, you wake up with your head or feet in the cold at night.

How wide the mat should be depends primarily on how you sleep. The more you move around at night, the wider the mattress should be.

Of course, wider mats also have a larger pack size and are a little heavier.

What shape should the air mattress be?

Sleeping mats are generally available in two different forms. Mummy (sometimes also called egg) or rectangular.

Mummy-shaped mats are narrower towards the foot end and are therefore a bit lighter and smaller. However, you also have less space for night movements.

• Rectangular shapes are wider and more comfortable, but also a little heavier and larger.
• However, we are talking about differences in the hundred grams range.

Personally, I prefer a less minimalist mat with a larger surface area, simply to be more comfortable.

What accessories should a mat bring?

Practically every mattress comes with a pack sack.

This should be sturdy and, above all, large enough so that you can stow your mat without much ado.

In the best case, the mat brings a useful repair kit. Unfortunately, this is often only the rule with the rather high-quality mats.

There are now many mats that have built-in cushions. At first glance this may seem very practical, but for most of us the one size fits all. In addition, you cannot simply position the mat as you wish.

I have been using a (also self-inflating) pillow with filling for years. I can position it as it suits me and also use it anywhere else.

Which is better: air mattress or sleeping mat?

Basically, of course, the following applies: The best mat is the one that optimally adapts to your needs.

The recommendations are as varied as the demands.

• Sleeping mat and air mattress have different advantages and disadvantages. Air mattresses and air beds are a little thicker and usually offer you greater sleeping comfort.
• Especially if you sleep on your side, it is often worthwhile at least to try an air mattress. In the meantime, however, self-inflating sleeping mats are also available in much thicker versions.

In terms of thermal insulation and comfort, higher quality models in particular are almost on par. Cheap air mattresses, however, always offer poorer or non-existent insulation than sleeping mats.

In terms of pack size and weight, the air mattresses are in many cases unbeatable.

The range of products is huge and there are both air beds and sleeping mats in smaller and lighter versions as well as in voluminous and comfortable versions.

If you can cope with the bulky pack size and the relatively hard lying surface, you are very well served with the compact foam mats.

Their function cannot be impaired by temperature fluctuations or by holes.

The best self-inflating air mattresses in comparison

The range of air mattresses, sleeping mats and sleeping pads in general has exploded in recent years.

Ten years ago you could simply rely on having bought the best available model with the purchase of a Therm-A-Rest, this is no longer so easy.

Price vs. performance

Do you plan to hike or camp regularly with your mat?

In this case, the following applies very clearly: Sleeping mats and air mattresses are products for which it is worthwhile to use the higher-quality alternative.

In my opinion, the processing quality is higher, the weight is lower and comfort is guaranteed in the long term.

However, if you only sleep on the mat once or twice a year, you can confidently choose a cheaper model and you will hardly notice the compromises in terms of quality and features.

In the following I give you my product recommendations for the categories self-inflating sleeping mat, air mattress with integrated pump and foam sleeping mat.

I will introduce you to two products each: my test winner and a cheaper alternative.

The best self-inflating sleeping mats

Therm-a-Rest is a household name for many people, and for good reason.

The manufacturer established itself on the market decades ago with innovative products and was able to maintain this position through continuous improvement.

The current flagship model is the Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro.

It combines all the advantages of a self-inflating sleeping mat and is a full 5 cm thick. These are almost air mattress dimensions! The sleeping comfort is excellent, regardless of whether you sleep on your back or on your side.

With a weight of well under a kilogram and a pack size like a large water bottle, it is light and compact.

My price tip is the Kamui sleeping mat.

Thanks to the robustly processed foam core, it reliably does its job and ensures restful nights.

In addition, several mats can be connected with the help of snaps. A great solution so that the beds do not slip in the tent and you can be nice and close to your camping partner.

Almost twice as heavy as the Pro Trail, but if you don’t have to be ultra-light, that’s fine.

The best air mattresses with an integrated pump

When it was introduced a few years ago, this air mattress revolutionized the market: light but still very good insulation and robust.

The integrated pump was an innovation that is copied by countless manufacturers today.

Super sleeping comfort and inflated in less than two minutes.

Thanks to the insulation inside, the mat will keep you warm even in sub-zero temperatures.

The Overmont air mattress is a robust alternative: Although almost twice as heavy as the SynMat, it is also much cheaper.

When inflated, it is a full 12 cm high and offers a nice distance from the cold floor.

The best foam mats

The Therm-a-Rest is a combination of a sleeping mat and a rescue blanket. The relatively hard foam provides good protection against uneven floors and stones.

The silver layer reflects body heat and helps you stay warm at night.

The mat is practically indestructible and is the perfect addition to an air mattress.

The ROBENS Zigzag copies the Z-Lite and despite the missing reflector layer and the slightly softer foam, it is a good alternative.

How do I use a self-inflating sleep aid?

As the name suggests, self-inflating sleeping mats are self-inflating.

That means you only have to open the valve and the mat starts to suck in air.

• This happens because the highly compressed, open-cell foam inside the mat expands like a sponge and the resulting negative pressure draws air into the inner mat.
• Whole new mats soak up within a few minutes. The older the model, the softer the foam inside and the longer it takes to change its shape.

Regardless of whether you are old or new: you always have to take one or two more breaths to completely fill the mat.

To release the pressure, open the valve and push the air out of the mat by rolling it up from the foot end.

When you have rolled up the mat tightly, close the valve to prevent new air from being drawn inside.

Fill air beds and air mattresses

Air beds, on the other hand, are inflated by integrated pumps, externally mounted pumps or simply with the help of a powerful lung.

Basically, however, you should use a pump whenever possible.

If you inflate your mat with your mouth, a lot of moisture will inevitably move with it. This can hardly be removed from the inside and causes mold growth in the medium term.

Can I go into the water with my sleeping mat?

Basically nothing speaks against taking sleeping mats or air mattresses into the water with you.

As long as you keep the valves closed and you clean the mat with clear water afterwards, nothing stands in the way of using it as a water toy.

• Nonetheless, keep in mind that the mats are primarily built to sleep on.
• In particular, high-quality models with thin outer walls can only withstand brutal use to a limited extent.

This may not be a problem with a cheap mattress, but if you notice that your 150 Euro high-tech air mattress has tens of small holes or sand in the valve, the fun is over quickly.

Air beds as a bathing island

The same applies, of course, to large air beds.

Due to the thicker outer skin, they are more comparable to pool toys and can usually withstand a little more.

However, sun exposure, contact with chlorine, salt water and sun cream are more stressful for most materials in the long run than the design allows.

Be careful with electric pumps

Air beds with an integrated electric pump should of course always keep away from the water.

Regardless of whether battery-operated or with cable:

Electrical devices have the unpleasant property of breaking very quickly in high humidity.

In the best case, you can still inflate the air bed manually, but that is somehow not in the sense of the original investment.

Can you wash sleeping mats?

You can easily wash sleeping mats of any kind by hand.

Ideally, place the half-filled or at least unrolled mat with the valves closed in the bathtub. Water never belongs inside the sleeping mat or air mattress.

In most cases, all of the dirt can be cleaned up with water and a rag or brush. If there are stubborn stains, a mild detergent will help.

If you don’t have a bathtub or if the mat simply doesn’t fit in it, just lay it out on a clean, waterproof surface.

It is very important that the mat – like a real roll mattress – dry thoroughly before it is stowed away again.

• Nothing is more annoying than finding out before the next trip that your camping bed is contaminated with mold.
• You can either let the mat dry upright or place it on the drying rack with the valve open.

Please do not try to accelerate the drying process with additional heat such as a hair dryer, heater or similar. In the worst case, you will irreparably damage the tissue within a few seconds.

How are sleeping mats best stored?

It is best not to store self-inflating sleeping mats rolled up.

Otherwise the foam inside is permanently compressed and loses volume over time. This significantly reduces insulation and comfort.

Instead, store the mat lying down (for example under your bed) or standing (for example next to or behind your wardrobe) with the valve open.

It is also important to keep the valve open when you are out and about when you are not sleeping on the mat.

Due to the warm temperatures in summer – especially in the tent – the air inside the mat expands. In the worst case, when the valve is closed, this causes the upper material to detach from the foam core.

This is also known as delamination and, unfortunately, is irreparable damage.

Simple foam mats, on the other hand, can also be safely stored rolled up. The only downside is that after a long period of storage, they will retain the curvature for some time.

• It helps to put weights on the ends when spreading out the mat so that it does not curl up again.
• Air beds and air mattresses can usually be stored rolled up or packaged without any problems – provided they are completely dry inside.

It looks a little different with high-quality air mattresses with an insulating layer. Most manufacturers recommend storing them horizontally with the valve open.

If this is not possible or practical for you, you can also store the mat loosely rolled up but also with the valve open.

For all mats, it is best to keep them in a dry place at room temperature.

Conclusion

The market for sleeping mats and air mattresses is highly competitive. Numerous manufacturers compete for your favor with a huge number of products.

• With the knowledge from this guide you can get a better picture and choose a sleeping mat that suits your needs.
• I did a lot of research and tried a lot for each of my own sleeping mats. You can now benefit from this and receive verified recommendations.

Sleeping on the go can be relaxing and fun, you just need to prepare properly. With the right mattress and a good sleeping bag , your outdoor adventure is sure to be a success and you don’t need a break from vacation.