When it comes to camping in the great outdoors, short of bringing in a four poster, there really is no better way to kip than on a camp bed. Runners up would go to an inflatable mattress, and failing that, a camping mat.
Yet, while they may be at the bottom of a normal pile, there are plenty of pros to opting for a camping mat above all others.
For one, they’re incredibly compact and light, making them ideal for solo campers and festival-goers for whom space is a premium.
Secondly they don’t require an electric pump to inflate - one less thing to carry or remember batteries for. And, while foam mats offer barely any cushioning or insulation against the cold ground, inflatable camping mats rise to typically 10cm, giving adequate squish on which to snooze.
If you’re worried about being so close to the floor, add a foil layer between your mat and your tent’s groundsheet to help retain heat.
We’ve rounded up the lightest, most compact options to below to help you get decent shut-eye when you’re camping out.
One of the most respected names in the business, regular campers adore Trekology, an outdoors company based in Portland, Oregon USA.
One of its standout products is this self-inflating camping mat, which offers a glorious 12.5cm of height when fully inflated - more than any other on our list. This does mean it’s slightly heavier though, at just over 1kg packed.
However, the curved sides to stop you rolling off mid-snooze and the integrated pillow (20cm high) justifies the extra weight. When it’s time to go, the mat folds down into a compact carrying bag measuring 27.5cm x 12.5cm.
Tapered to fit your body shape, this mat goes from 17cm x 28cm rolled to 180cm x 50cm when inflated, making it ideal for festivals and short camping adventures. You won’t break a sweat when inflating it either - it’s simply a case of opening the valve and letting the design do the hard work while you get on with the rest of your set up.
The robust fabric features heavy duty ripstop technology, isolating tears and cuts so that they don’t run riot over the rest of the design. It’s available in one size only, so it’s best for campers who are 5”8 or less.
Say goodbye to annoying pebbles and uneven ground: you won’t feel a thing laying upon this plush mat, which inflates to 10cm high to keep you off the ground. There’s even an integrated inflatable pillow (all plumped up with a foot pump), meaning there’s even less things to remember to pack on your outdoors adventure.
Three see-through patches are included to see off any tears and there are poppers on the side so you can attach two mattresses together and create one large sleeping area. Durable and waterproof, it’s comfortable for sleepers weighing up to 200kg.
Inflates to 196 × 69 × 10cm, from a folded size of 30 × 14 × 8cm, and weighs 830g.
Brushing the scales at a dinky 530g, you’ll barely feel the weight of this sleeping mat. Housed in a matching carry bag, it unfurls to 185cm x 57cm x 5cm and is fitted with a double valve for easy peasy inflation. Air fills small and medium-sized pockets to keep you propped off the floor, and also offers a cushioning effect.
Bank a great night’s kip on Berghaus’ self-inflating mat, made with hard-wearing ripstop fabric to keep it in use for many camping trips to come. The wide design makes it one for side-sleepers but at 119cm in length, it’s suitable for shorter sleepers more than tall. It comes with a matching green carry bag and rolls up to 29 x 11cm when packed.
Fit more in your camping backpack without sacrificing comfort thanks to this mat, which features an integrated foot pump. Just a few pumps will get your bed ready for your sleeping bag and pillow. If you’re camping over a few nights and can feel the buoyancy flagging, a couple more pumps will get you back on an even keel.
Great news if you happen to be sharing a tent: it means you can split a ton of essentials, like your sleeping mat. This extra-large self-inflating design can sleep two campers and is fitted with an expanding foam core which not only offers additional support but adds a layer of insulation between you and the ground too. Fully inflated, it measures around L186cm x W110cm x D2.5cm but packs up to H55cm x W16cm x D16cm (approx.) in its carry bag.
Buy now £24.99, Trail Outdoor Leisure
Measuring 201 x 132 x 10cm when inflated, this camping mat is perfect for those who like extra wiggle room when snoozing under the stars. Open the self-inflating valve to get the bed at full tilt and ready to lay on. A flocked finish on the top helps to stop your sleeping bag sliding about.
Not a mat but a lightweight sleeping option nonetheless, this lounger makes a great temporary bed for a few nights in the great outdoors. Essentially it’s one giant windsock that becomes inflated using air-catching technology - you’ll need to find a hill or a clearing and run with it open to ‘catch’ air inside it. Once netted, tie and secure the straps, et voila! A comfy bed for the night.
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