Whether you’re keen on sleeping below the celebrities or solely accomplish that below duress, a good tenting mattress will at the least assist guarantee you’re well-rested and higher outfitted to deal with the broader thrills and spills of outside residing.
The times when your solely selection was between a foam roll mat or a leaky airbed and foot pump are lengthy gone. From self-inflating mattresses to light-weight sleeping pads and insulated airbeds, the consolation and portability of sleeping mats have dramatically improved. However with so many kinds of tenting mattresses obtainable, costing from tens to a whole bunch of kilos, it may be tough to know the place to start out.
To avoid wasting you the sleepless night time of an ill-informed selection, I examined 26 and shortlisted the perfect tenting mattresses for numerous situations.
At a look
Why you need to belief me
As a eager camper and pageant goer, to not point out the dad or mum of two adventurous teenagers, I’ve carried out my justifiable share of backpacking and car-based tenting journeys, and had the bruised hips and backache to show it. Significantly memorable was the night time my self-inflating mat punctured whereas wild tenting on Mont Lozère within the south of France, in addition to the time we ignored the yellow climate warning at Port Eliot pageant in Cornwall, and spent the night time reinforcing our collapsing tent because the sleeping space steadily crammed with water.
I’m additionally a science journalist and the creator of a book on circadian rhythms and sleep, so I recognise the significance of a very good night time’s sleep for bodily restoration, mind operate and wellbeing.
How I examined
I assessed every mattress on consolation, sturdiness, packability, and the way straightforward they had been to inflate and deflate. Consolation was assessed by putting every mattress on a tough picket ground on prime of a number of sharp stones, mendacity on it inside a sleeping bag on my again and facet, and rolling between positions for 20 minutes. As a wriggly facet sleeper, I used to be significantly vigilant for any stress factors round my hips or shoulders, or mattresses that had been overly slender or slippery. Factors had been deducted if I might really feel the stones, couldn’t comfortably stretch out and for shiny surfaces that brought on me to slither off the mattress.
I assessed sturdiness by calmly leaping on every mattress 5 occasions (in opposition to producers’ directions) in naked toes, and falling on to it from standing – as would possibly occur if you happen to had been to stumble into your tent in the course of the night time with out a torch. I additionally gently stabbed and scratched on the floor of every mattress with a sharp stone, and sprayed the underside with water, to see how simply it soaked by means of. Mattresses had been left in a single day with two 20kg containers on them to verify for any indicators of deflation. Additional factors had been deducted for mattresses that had been excessively tough to pack away after use or wanted a big space for storing.
I’ve additionally included the R worth, or thermal resistance, of every mattress. This measures how nicely it resists warmth switch out of your physique to the chilly floor. A decrease R worth means much less insulation, which is healthier in hotter climate, however much less good for winter tenting (see extra under, within the What it’s essential to know part).
I examined 26 mattresses in complete, and rated them for various tenting situations, together with household tenting holidays, summer time or winter backpacking expeditions, glamping, festivals and weekends away for 2. I additionally enlisted my back-sleeping husband – a eager winter mountaineer – and comfort-seeking youngsters, aged 12 and 14, for his or her views. Under are the perfect 10 from my experiments.
Mattresses had been both returned to the producer or donated to Kitsquad, a scheme that helps low-income folks get out into the good outside, or the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft, which helps folks tough sleeping in Bristol.
One of the best tenting mattresses and sleeping mats in 2025
Finest tenting mattress total:
Therm-a-Relaxation NeoLoft
£212.50 at Outdoor Action
£212.50 at Amazon
Should you crave the consolation of an air mattress however want one thing compact and light-weight sufficient to hold in your backpack, Therm-a-Relaxation’s NeoLoft common huge tenting mat could possibly be the reply. With a packed measurement not a lot bigger than a 1L water bottle, chambers that rise to type refined facet rails when the pad is inflated, and inside insulation, this pad isn’t low cost, nevertheless it ought to dramatically enhance your probabilities of a very good night time’s sleep.
Why we adore it
This mattress merges consolation with packability, making it a sensible possibility for household tenting holidays and backpacking alike. It feels delicate and heat to lie on; it’s huge sufficient for again or facet sleepers; and the facet rails gently cradle you whilst you sleep.
We examined the common huge single mat, which was fantastic for sleepers as much as 5ft 10, however taller folks could desire the large version, which is 198cm lengthy. We’ve taken this mattress on a number of tenting journeys, and it was so snug that my kids fought over who acquired to sleep on it. Lumpy floor is imperceptible by means of its 11.7cm loft, even when sleeping in your facet, and whereas softly springy, this mattress fortunately lacks the trampoline-like bounce of a standard airbed.
It’s a disgrace that … whereas the floor of the mattress is super-soft, it does generate some static if you happen to roll round an excessive amount of.
Weight: 850g
Dimensions (packed): 29 x 15cm
Dimensions (inflated): 185 x 66 x 12cm (LWH)
R worth: 4.7
Self-inflating? No
Pump included? Sure, pump sack (a bag that fills with air and connects to the mattress valve to inflate it)
Finest funds tenting mattress:
Simond inflatable trekking mattress MT500 Air Insulating L
Decathlon is a trusted supply of reasonably priced out of doors gear, and its own-brand Simond sleeping pad doesn’t disappoint. Its vertical air-filled chambers simply absorbed massive stones and supplied a snug sleeping floor, and its tiny pack measurement makes it appropriate for campers with out a automotive. It additionally is available in an XL version for taller and wider sleepers.
Why we adore it
This can be a snug and versatile mattress appropriate for many tenting situations, aside from winter journeys, which could require a better-insulated sleeping floor.
As a facet sleeper, susceptible to waking up and rolling over a number of occasions every night time, I additionally appreciated the silicone patches on the mattress’ floor, which helped cease my sleeping bag from sliding off. Although significantly thinner than the Therm-a-Relaxation, this mattress absorbed lumps and bumps nicely, and I used to be unable to really feel stones when mendacity on my facet – even when positioned straight beneath my hips.
This can be a light-weight and simply packable mat, which might match inside a rucksack throughout expeditions.
It’s a disgrace that … my youthful relations disliked with the ability to really feel the vertical grooves when mendacity on the mattress with out a sleeping bag – though these had been far much less noticeable as soon as wrapped inside one.
Weight: 670g
Dimensions (packed): 33 x 12cm
Dimensions (inflated): 180 x 52 x 5cm (LWH)
R worth: 3.3
Self-inflating? No
Pump included? Sure, pump sack
Finest double mattress:
Large Agnes Rapide SL insulated tent ground pad
An evening below canvas together with your associate would possibly sound romantic, however sharing the fallacious mattress could make for an uncomfortable expertise, with one associate being bounced awake when the opposite turns over, or slumped on to the exhausting rocky ground when their associate goes out to pee (sure, I converse from expertise). This inflatable sleeping pad is extraordinarily snug, tapered to slot in most two-man tents, insulated sufficient to see you into the colder months, and packing down sufficiently small to suit right into a backpack.
Why we adore it
I’ve spent years grumbling about sharing a two-man tent with my husband, as a result of we couldn’t discover two appropriate, snug mattresses that will match. That is the answer. It fitted into the two-man expedition tent that my husband is illogically hooked up to, regardless of my grumbles in regards to the lack of space for storing, nevertheless it additionally labored nicely in our household tent, the place just lately I loved certainly one of my finest tenting sleeps ever, with no hip or backache the next morning.
Like our different prime mattress picks, stones and tough floor had been imperceptible by means of its floor, and I wasn’t bounced awake at any level, even when my husband crawled out to make breakfast, whereas I dozed on.
It’s a disgrace that … it’s comparatively slender for a double mattress. That is deliberate, because it’s designed to suit inside the typical two-person tent, and my husband and I are each comparatively slim, so it wasn’t an issue for us. Nevertheless, bigger {couples}, or these searching for extra space, could discover it a bit cramped. It was additionally comparatively tough to get the deflated mattress again inside its stuff sack.
Weight: 1.22kg
Dimensions (packed): 29 x 14cm
Dimensions (inflated): 198 x 127 x 9cm (LWH) 102cm huge at tapered finish
R worth: 4.8
Self-inflating? No
Pump included? Sure, pump sack
Finest self-inflating mattress for luxurious tenting:
Coleman Supercomfort double self-inflating sleeping mat
This 12cm-thick self-inflating mattress steadily fills with air when the valves are twisted open. It is available in single and double sizes and is crammed with polyester foam. All this makes for a extra bed-like really feel than the inflatable “air pads” we examined, and helps to insulate it from the chilly floor. Though the mattress is self-inflating, its journey bag doubles as a pump sack so as to add additional inflation and create a firmer sleeping floor, if most well-liked.
Why we adore it
It’s very huge and cozy, and there’s minimal movement switch when two sleepers lie facet by facet. We tried the double, and I barely observed when my husband intentionally rolled round and climbed off the mattress.
Any lumps and bumps are absorbed with ease, and stones had been imperceptible when positioned below it. Weighing 6kg, this mattress is appropriate just for car-based tenting journeys or camper vans, however we would definitely think about packing it for a week-long tenting vacation. Its excessive thermal resistance (R worth) would make it usable in winter circumstances.
It’s a disgrace that … this mattress is simply too massive for backpacking, and the double mattress takes a little bit of effort to pack away: it’s essential to fold it in half lengthways, and lie on its floor to squeeze out sufficient air to start the method of rolling it up.
Weight: 6kg
Dimensions (packed): 65 x 32cm
Dimensions (inflated): 200 x 128 x 12cm (LWH)
R worth: 12.9
Self-inflating? Sure
Pump included? Sure, pump-sack
Finest sleeping mat for expeditions:
Alpkit Radiant
This can be a light-weight and compact sleeping pad with wonderful insulation, making it appropriate for all types of outside adventures – together with winter expeditions.
Why we adore it
Whereas there are wider and marginally extra snug light-weight mats, Alpkit’s Radiant offers very good cushioning on rocky floor, and wins further factors for its comparatively low value, excessive thermal resistance, 100% recycled outer material and water resistant floor, which I examined by spraying it with a water bottle and leaving it for half-hour to soak in (it didn’t).
Its excessive R worth means it ought to preserve you heat in all climate circumstances. Weighing solely 600g – lower than two tins of baked beans – it’ll simply match inside a rucksack, making it appropriate for summer time and winter expeditions alike.
It’s a disgrace that … the floor of the mat is just a little shiny and slippery.
Weight: 600g
Dimensions (packed): 25 x 11cm
Dimensions (inflated): 194 x 62 x 9cm (LWH)
R worth: 7.2
Self-inflating? No
Pump included? Sure, pump sack
after publication promotion
The better of the remainder
Sea To Summit Ether Mild XR (huge)
Finest for: expeditions
This is a wonderful light-weight inflatable sleeping mat, significantly when utilized in mixture with Sea to Summit’s Aeros pillow (see under), which attaches to its floor utilizing adhesive hook and loop patches. Measuring 64cm throughout and 10cm thick, the Ether Mild XR is wider and barely extra snug than the smaller measurement obtainable (larger sizes are also available). My husband additionally had no grumbles about heat when he used it to sleep in a Scottish bothy in March.
It didn’t make the ultimate reduce as a result of … though this was a worthy contender for finest expedition mattress, it was narrowly pipped to the put up by Alpkit’s Radiant on the grounds of value, eco-credentials and insulation (although it nonetheless has a four-season score).
Weight: 665g
Dimensions (packed): 24 x 12cm
Dimensions (inflated): 183 x 64 x 10cm (LWH)
R worth: 4.1
Self-inflating? No
Pump included? Sure, pump sack
Large Agnes Campmeister Deluxe Insulated
£214.95 at Wildbounds
£224.95 at Valley and Peak
Finest for: winter tenting
One other nice possibility for winter tenting – particularly if consolation is a precedence. This inflatable sleeping mat is 11cm thick and 63.5cm huge, with barely raised edges to stop you rolling off within the night time. With robust 70 denier ripstop material on the underside, this seems like a strong mat that’s constructed to final. A bigger 76 x 198cm model can also be obtainable.
It didn’t make the ultimate reduce as a result of … insulation is much like Alpkit’s Radiant, however with a weight of 907g, it’s greater than 300g heavier. Though that is unlikely to trouble the typical camper, critical mountaineers could desire a lighter, smaller mat.
Weight: 907g
Dimensions (packed): 20 x 14cm
Dimensions (inflated): 183 x 64 x 11cm
R worth: 7
Self-inflating? No
Pump included? Sure, pump sack
Straightforward Camp Kestrel mat single
Finest for: household tenting on a funds and festivals
This 3.8cm self-inflating mat isn’t essentially the most snug we examined, and measuring 51cm throughout, it’s fairly slender. Even so, rocks had been barely perceptible by means of its floor, and my back-sleeping husband reported feeling very snug on it. A 5cm-thick version can also be obtainable, which ought to present facet sleepers with just a little extra cushioning. This mat can also be significantly cheaper than a lot of our different prime picks, making it an excellent funds possibility, significantly for festivals and for youths or smaller adults.
It didn’t make the ultimate reduce as a result of … adults could discover it too slender for consolation, and facet sleepers just a little too skinny.
Weight: 945g
Dimensions (packed): 28 x 16cm
Dimensions (inflated): 182 x 51 x 4cm (LWH)
R worth: 3
Self-inflating? Sure
Pump included? No, however that is pointless
Vango Shangri-La II 20 Grande self-inflating mat
£209.99 at Decathlon
£209.99 at Mountain Warehouse
Finest for: luxurious glamping
This behemoth of a self-inflating mat is 20cm thick and extra snug than many common mattresses, not to mention tenting ones. However this luxurious comes at a value: bulk. Taking over extra space for storing than our household tent, and weighing 5.6kg, the Shangri-La II would solely be appropriate for these with massive vehicles or camper vans, and even they might have to sacrifice different gear to suit it in. However for campers who prize delicate, squishy consolation above all else, this mattress is tough to beat.
It didn’t make the ultimate reduce as a result of … it’s too cumbersome for many tenting situations.
Weight: 5.6kg
Dimensions (packed): 80 x 32cm
Dimensions (inflated): 200 x 76 x 20cm (LWH)
R worth: 14
Self-inflating? Sure
Pump included? No, however that is pointless
Outwell Dreamscape Insulated
Finest for: household tenting
Should you just like the bouncy loft of an airbed however discover them unpleasantly chilly and clammy to sleep on, this insulated model is a good different. Though the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoLoft is lighter and significantly extra transportable, the Dreamscape is cheaper and could be fantastic for car-based tenting journeys from spring to autumn. It does require a foot-pump or a big pair of lungs to inflate it, although.
It didn’t make the ultimate reduce as a result of … it isn’t as transportable as a few of our prime picks.
Weight: 1.7kg
Dimensions (packed): 39 x 17cm
Dimensions (inflated): 205 x 77 x 12cm (LWH)
R worth: 3.8
Self-inflating? No
Pump included? No
Additionally think about
Tenting pillow
Whereas many individuals sling their common pillow into the automotive as a token luxurious on tenting journeys, this doesn’t work if you happen to’re backpacking, when a lumpy pile of garments is the make-do possibility. The need of packing pillows can also be a frequent flashpoint for arguments when packing for household tenting journeys (imagine me, I do know).
Fortunately, there are actually inflatable pillows which can be sufficiently small to slot in your pocket, and compressible foam or microfibre pillows that take up far much less house than an everyday pillow. I examined eight tenting pillows and would extremely advocate Sea to Summit’s Aeros Ultralight pillow (£25 at Decathlon) for a super-packable inflatable pillow or Vango’s Deep Sleep Reminiscence Pillow (£31.99 at Amazon) for a supremely snug different, supplied you’ve got extra space.
What it’s essential to know
What’s the distinction between an airbed, sleeping pad, foam roll mat and self-inflating mattress?
From glamping to Alpine mountaineering, there are several types of tenting journey, and completely different mattresses will go well with some higher than others.
Airbeds are massive, inflatable mattresses, typically excessive and bouncy, inflated with a foot- or electric-powered pump (some even have one in-built). Though they’re very comfortable, they’re poorly insulated, can really feel chilly and clammy to lie on, and are typically vulnerable to punctures. They’re additionally comparatively heavy and hulking, making them unsuitable for backpacking, whereas these sharing a double airbed could also be bounced awake by stressed companions.
Sleeping pads are ultralight inflatable mattresses designed for backpacking and mountaineering. Though they’re thinner and fewer bouncy than air beds, they’re extraordinarily snug and infrequently incorporate insulating supplies, making them appropriate for tenting in colder circumstances, together with winter in the case of high-spec variations. Most additionally include air sacks to assist inflation (see under) and puncture restore kits.
Closed-cell foam roll mats aren’t significantly snug, however just about indestructible. They’re designed to supply a fundamental layer of padding, waterproofing and insulation between you and the bottom. Being constituted of foam, in addition they are likely to retain physique warmth nicely. Due to these properties, some backpackers select to mix them with a fundamental air pad. They’re often secured to the skin of a backpack with elasticated straps.
Self-inflating mattresses include an open-cell foam core inside an air-tight material shell, with a valve that enables in air to inflate the mattress when it’s opened – though they typically require a top-up of air out of your lungs to make them firmer. Consolation ranges from reasonable to excessive, relying on the thickness of the mattress, and the froth core tends to supply good insulation. Nevertheless, they’re heavier and bulkier than air pads, and nonetheless vulnerable to punctures. They’re deflated by opening again up the valve, and squeezing out the air, rolling as you go, after which closing the valve.
How lengthy do tenting mattresses final, and are they repairable?
The lifespan of a tenting mattress depends upon its kind, high quality and the way nicely it’s cared for, however closed-cell foam mattresses are typically essentially the most sturdy, and air beds the least so. Each self-inflating mats and air pads also can endure from punctures and valve or seam failures, however self-inflating mattresses are sometimes constructed from thicker materials and are much less prone to absolutely deflate if punctured.
To increase the lifetime of your tenting mattress, you would think about using a groundsheet to cut back the chance of punctures from sharp rocks, sticks and tough terrain, and keep away from leaving inflatable mattresses within the solar. Care also needs to be taken to not over-inflate air mattresses, whereas foam or self-inflating mats ought to ideally be saved unrolled, with inflation valves left open to keep up the loft and integrity of the froth.
How do I inflate my tenting mattress?
It depends upon the mattress, however air beds are likely to require a foot- or electrical pump, whereas air pads are inflated by mouth, or utilizing a “pump-sack” – a light-weight, air-filled bag, that helps to maintain moisture out of the pad (additionally vital for longevity) and is extra environment friendly than inflating by mouth.
What’s an R worth, and why is it vital?
The R worth of a tenting mattress measures how nicely it resists warmth switch out of your physique to the chilly floor. A decrease R worth means much less insulation, which is healthier in hotter climate, however much less good for winter tenting. Foam-based mattresses are likely to have the best R values, however some air pads incorporate different insulating supplies, making them appropriate for winter tenting expeditions. As a normal rule of thumb, R values of 1 to 2 are typically enough for summer time tenting; R values of two to 4.5 are appropriate for spring by means of to autumn, whereas for winter tenting or different chilly climates, you’ll want an R worth of 4 to five or greater.
Linda Geddes is a former Guardian science correspondent, recognized for inserting herself into her personal mini-science experiments (just like the time she spent a week with a clown, a comic and some toddlers). This extends to product testing, the place she delights in devising rigorous methods to tell apart excessive-performance stuff from advertising puff. Exterior work, she will be able to incessantly be discovered swimming in rivers, dangling from cliffs and trudging the daybreak stroll to the campsite Portaloo