Insulated insulating mattress according to their name, they protect especially in camping from excessive heat loss. It basically applies: the thicker one sleeping padis, the better their heat insulation, which leads to the occasional designation as „Thermal Mat“.

Types of sleeping pads

The simplest, classic sleeping pad does not inflate itself, it is thin, light, easy to transport and consists only of simple plastic foam. Despite the design advantages, the pack size of these inexpensive classics is relatively large, which is why the self-inflating sleeping pads have prevailed in a slightly higher price category. There are also models that need to inflate their users. The self-inflating mattress insulates well and cushions better than simple models, but are also a bit heavier, but smaller in pack size – and it depends on many.

Mattress benefits

Sleeping mats, above all, keep up the heat loss, but of course they also cushion against stones and sticks. According to various studies, it has been found that the bedding of a sleeper during camping accounts for around 75% of the total heat loss. The sleeping pad should therefore be insulated about four times as well as one Sleeping bag, But why choose campers a mattress and no air mattress? Well, already the heat insulation is at the air mattressnot so well given, it was finally invented either for sleeping in rooms or for water fun. That would also be the biggest difference between a self-inflating mattress and an air mattress – the mattress is made of directly heat-insulating materials. Although there are modern high end air mattresses, which are also warm and light, but their handling is more complicated, their pack size larger, the heat insulation but a little worse than self-inflating mattresses.

Functional principle of self-inflating sleeping pads

The principle is similar to that of a sleeping bag or a down jacket. The material of the sleeping pad is fine-pored, it creates air chambers whose air is heated by body heat and thus forms the insulating layer to the cold floor. An aluminum coating additionally supports the insulation. Self-inflating sleeping pads can be up to 12 mm thick, in many cases they are much thinner. It was invented by the market leader Therm-a-Rest, the mats consist of an airtight shell, open-cell polyurethane foam (PU) inside and a valve. The principle of operation is impressive: The soft, open-celled foam contains air that is forced into compressed air as it is rolled up into a tiny container. When the mat is unrolled again and the user opens the valve, the air flows back into the foam pores, the mattress contains air. In principle, this works as long as the foam remains tight, for which its water- and air-tight outer skin serves. Self-inflating sleeping pads provide excellent thermal protection and also great comfort. The air can also be blown, creating a slight overpressure. This gives the upholstery a little less weight.