Sleeping Mats

The classic sleeping mat is the workhorse of outdoor sleeping kit. A foam sleeping mat unrolls in seconds and works when everything else fails.

A closed-cell foam pad has nothing to puncture or leak. Sharp branches, sparks and frozen ground do not bother it. That makes it the default choice for exercises. Self-inflating mats add thickness and warmth while staying compact. R-value 1 to 2 is enough for summer. Pick at least R 3 for colder nights. Strapped to the outside of a rucksack, a mat adds almost no weight. When comfort outranks durability, look at air mattresses. The wider range sits under mats and mattresses.

Our reservist team sleeps on these same mats in the woods. The advice here is based on nights slept, not catalogue copy.