The best camping mattresses and sleeping mats for every type of adventure, tested
Whether you love sleeping under the stars or only do so under duress, a decent camping mattress will at least help ensure you are well-rested and better equipped to handle the wider thrills and spills of outdoor living.
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The days when your only choice was between a foam roll mat or a leaky airbed and foot pump are long gone. From self-inflating mattresses to lightweight sleeping pads and insulated airbeds, the comfort and portability of sleeping mats have dramatically improved. But with so many types of camping mattresses available, costing from tens to hundreds of pounds, it can be difficult to know where to start.
To save you the sleepless night of an ill-informed choice, I tested 26 and shortlisted the best camping mattresses for various scenarios.
Best camping mattress overall:
Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft£212.50 at Outdoor Action
Best budget camping mattress:
Simond inflatable trekking mattress MT500 Air Insulating L£64.99 at Decathlon
Best double mattress: Big Agnes Rapide SL insulated tent floor pad£244.95 at Wildbounds
Best self-inflating mattress for luxury camping: Coleman Supercomfort self-inflating sleeping mat double£195 at AE Leisure
Best sleeping mat for expeditions: Alpkit Radiant£99.99 at Alpkit
As a keen camper and festival goer, not to mention the parent of two adventurous teens, I've done my fair share of backpacking and car-based camping trips, and had the bruised hips and backache to prove it. Particularly memorable was the night my self-inflating mat punctured while wild camping on Mont Lozère in the south of France, as well as the time we ignored the yellow weather warning at Port Eliot festival in Cornwall, and spent the night reinforcing our collapsing tent as the sleeping area gradually filled with water.
I am also a science journalist and the author of a book on circadian rhythms and sleep, so I recognise the importance of a good night's sleep for physical recovery, brain function and wellbeing.
I assessed each mattress on comfort, durability, packability, and how easy they were to inflate and deflate. Comfort was assessed by placing each mattress on a hard wooden floor on top of several sharp stones, lying on it inside a sleeping bag on my back and side, and rolling between positions for 20 minutes. As a wriggly side sleeper, I was particularly vigilant for any pressure points around my hips or shoulders, or mattresses that were overly narrow or slippery. Points were deducted if I could feel the stones, couldn't comfortably stretch out and for shiny surfaces that caused me to slither off the mattress.
I assessed durability by lightly jumping on each mattress five times (against manufacturers' instructions) in bare feet, and falling on to it from standing – as might happen if you were to stumble into your tent in the middle of the night without a torch. I also gently stabbed and scratched at the surface of each mattress with a pointy stone, and sprayed the underside with water, to see how easily it soaked through. Mattresses were left overnight with two 20kg boxes on them to check for any signs of deflation. Further points were deducted for mattresses that were excessively difficult to pack away after use or needed a large storage space.
I've also included the R value, or thermal resistance, of each mattress. This measures how well it resists heat transfer from your body to the cold ground. A lower R value means less insulation, which is better in warmer weather, but less good for winter camping (see more below, in the What you need to know section).
I tested 26 mattresses in total, and rated them for different camping scenarios, including family camping holidays, summer or winter backpacking expeditions, glamping, festivals and weekends away for two. I also enlisted my back-sleeping husband – a keen winter mountaineer – and comfort-seeking kids, aged 12 and 14, for their perspectives. Below are the best 10 from my experiments.
Mattresses were either returned to the manufacturer or donated to Kitsquad, a scheme that helps low-income people get out into the great outdoors, or the People's Republic of Stokes Croft, which supports people rough sleeping in Bristol.
£212.50 at Outdoor Action£249.95 at Amazon
If you crave the comfort of an air bed but need something compact and lightweight enough to carry in your backpack, Therm-a-Rest's NeoLoft regular wide camping mat could be the answer. With a packed size not much larger than a 1L water bottle, chambers that rise to form subtle side rails when the pad is inflated, and internal insulation, this pad isn't cheap, but it should dramatically boost your chances of a good night's sleep.
Why we love it This mattress merges comfort with packability, making it a practical option for family camping holidays and backpacking alike. It feels soft and warm to lie on; it's wide enough for back or side sleepers; and the side rails gently cradle you while you sleep.
We tested the regular wide single mat, which was fine for sleepers up to 5ft 10, but taller people may prefer the large version, which is 198cm long. We've taken this mattress on several camping trips, and it was so comfortable that my children fought over who got to sleep on it. Lumpy ground is imperceptible through its 11.7cm loft, even when sleeping on your side, and while softly springy, this mattress thankfully lacks the trampoline-like bounce of a conventional airbed.
It's a shame that … while the surface of the mattress is super-soft, it does generate some static if you roll around too much.
Weight: 850gDimensions (packed): 29 x 15cmDimensions (inflated): 185 x 66 x 12cm (LWH)R value: 4.7Self-inflating? NoPump included? Yes, pump sack (a bag that fills with air and connects to the mattress valve to inflate it)
£64.99 at Decathlon
Decathlon is a trusted source of affordable outdoor equipment, and its own-brand Simond sleeping pad doesn't disappoint. Its vertical air-filled chambers easily absorbed large stones and provided a comfortable sleeping surface, and its tiny pack size makes it suitable for campers without a car. It also comes in an XL version for taller and wider sleepers.
Why we love itThis is a comfortable and versatile mattress suitable for most camping scenarios, apart from winter trips, which might require a better-insulated sleeping surface.
As a side sleeper, prone to waking up and rolling over multiple times each night, I also appreciated the silicone patches on the mattress' surface, which helped stop my sleeping bag from sliding off. Though considerably thinner than the Therm-a-Rest, this mattress absorbed lumps and bumps well, and I was unable to feel stones when lying on my side – even when placed directly underneath my hips.
This is a lightweight and easily packable mat, which could fit inside a rucksack during expeditions.
It's a shame that … my younger family members disliked being able to feel the vertical grooves when lying on the mattress without a sleeping bag – although these were far less noticeable once wrapped inside one.
Weight: 670gDimensions (packed): 33 x 12cmDimensions (inflated): 180 x 52 x 5cm (LWH)R value: 3.3Self-inflating? NoPump included? Yes, pump sack
£244.95 at Wildbounds
A night under canvas with your partner might sound romantic, but sharing the wrong mattress can make for an uncomfortable experience, with one partner being bounced awake when the other turns over, or slumped on to the hard rocky floor when their partner goes out to pee (yes, I speak from experience). This inflatable sleeping pad is extremely comfortable, tapered to fit in most two-man tents, insulated enough to see you into the colder months, and packing down small enough to fit into a backpack.
Why we love it I've spent years grumbling about sharing a two-man tent with my husband, because we couldn't find two compatible, comfortable mattresses that would fit. This is the solution. It fitted into the two-man expedition tent that my husband is illogically attached to, despite my grumbles about the lack of storage space, but it also worked well in our family tent, where recently I enjoyed one of my best camping sleeps ever, with no hip or backache the following morning.
Like our other top mattress picks, stones and rough ground were imperceptible through its surface, and I wasn't bounced awake at any point, even when my husband crawled out to make breakfast, while I dozed on.
It's a shame that … it is relatively narrow for a double mattress. This is deliberate, as it's designed to fit inside the average two-person tent, and my husband and I are both relatively slim, so it wasn't a problem for us. However, larger couples, or those looking for more space, may find it a bit cramped. It was also relatively difficult to get the deflated mattress back inside its stuff sack.
Weight: 1.22kgDimensions (packed): 29 x 14cmDimensions (inflated): 198 x 127 x 9cm (LWH) 102cm wide at tapered endR value: 4.8Self-inflating? NoPump included? Yes, pump sack
£195 at AE Leisure
This 12cm-thick self-inflating mattress gradually fills with air when the valves are twisted open. It comes in single and double sizes and is filled with polyester foam. All this makes for a more bed-like feel than the inflatable 'air pads' we tested, and helps to insulate it from the cold ground. Although the mattress is self-inflating, its travel bag doubles as a pump sack to add further inflation and create a firmer sleeping surface, if preferred.
Why we love itIt's very wide and comfortable, and there's minimal motion transfer when two sleepers lie side by side. We tried the double, and I barely noticed when my husband deliberately rolled around and climbed off the mattress.
Any lumps and bumps are absorbed with ease, and stones were imperceptible when placed under it. Weighing 6kg, this mattress is suitable only for car-based camping trips or camper vans, but we would certainly consider packing it for a week-long camping holiday. Its high thermal resistance (R value) would make it usable in winter conditions.
It's a shame that … this mattress is too big for backpacking, and the double mattress takes a bit of effort to pack away: you need to fold it in half lengthways, and lie on its surface to squeeze out enough air to begin the process of rolling it up.
Weight: 6kgDimensions (packed): 65 x 32cmDimensions (inflated): 200 x 128 x 12cm (LWH)R value: 12.9Self-inflating? Yes
Pump included? Yes, pump-sack
£99.99 at Alpkit
This is a lightweight and compact sleeping pad with excellent insulation, making it suitable for all sorts of outdoor adventures – including winter expeditions.
Why we love itWhile there are wider and marginally more comfortable lightweight mats, Alpkit's Radiant provides superb cushioning on rocky ground, and wins extra points for its relatively low price, high thermal resistance, 100% recycled outer fabric and water-resistant surface, which I tested by spraying it with a water bottle and leaving it for 30 minutes to soak in (it didn't).
Its high R value means it should keep you warm in all weather conditions. Weighing only 600g – less than two tins of baked beans – it will easily fit inside a rucksack, making it suitable for summer and winter expeditions alike.
It's a shame that … the surface of the mat is a little shiny and slippery.
Weight: 600gDimensions (packed): 25 x 11cmDimensions (inflated): 194 x 62 x 9cm (LWH)R value: 7.2Self-inflating? NoPump included? Yes, pump sack
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£220 at Valley and Peak
Best for: expeditions
This is an excellent lightweight inflatable sleeping mat, particularly when used in combination with Sea to Summit's Aeros pillow (see below), which attaches to its surface using adhesive hook and loop patches. Measuring 64cm across and 10cm thick, the Ether Light XR is wider and slightly more comfortable than the smaller size available (larger sizes are also available). My husband also had no grumbles about warmth when he used it to sleep in a Scottish bothy in March.
It didn't make the final cut because … although this was a worthy contender for best expedition mattress, it was narrowly pipped to the post by Alpkit's Radiant on the grounds of price, eco-credentials and insulation (though it still has a four-season rating).
Weight: 665gDimensions (packed): 24 x 12cmDimensions (inflated): 183 x 64 x 10cm (LWH)R value: 4.1Self-inflating? NoPump included? Yes, pump sack
£214.95 at Wildbounds£224.95 at Valley and Peak
Best for: winter camping
Another great option for winter camping – especially if comfort is a priority. This inflatable sleeping mat is 11cm thick and 63.5cm wide, with slightly raised edges to prevent you rolling off in the night. With tough 70 denier ripstop fabric on the underside, this feels like a robust mat that's built to last. A larger 76 x 198cm version is also available.
It didn't make the final cut because … insulation is similar to Alpkit's Radiant, but with a weight of 907g, it's more than 300g heavier. Although this is unlikely to bother the average camper, serious mountaineers may prefer a lighter, smaller mat.
Weight: 907gDimensions (packed): 20 x 14cmDimensions (inflated): 183 x 64 x 11cmR value: 7Self-inflating? NoPump included? Yes, pump sack
£35.99 at Easy Camp
Best for: family camping on a budget and festivals
This 3.8cm self-inflating mat isn't the most comfortable we tested, and measuring 51cm across, it is quite narrow. Even so, rocks were barely perceptible through its surface, and my back-sleeping husband reported feeling very comfortable on it. A 5cm-thick version is also available, which should provide side sleepers with a little more cushioning. This mat is also considerably cheaper than many of our other top picks, making it a great budget option, particularly for festivals and for kids or smaller adults.
It didn't make the final cut because … adults may find it too narrow for comfort, and side sleepers a little too thin.
Weight: 945g Dimensions (packed): 28 x 16cmDimensions (inflated): 182 x 51 x 4cm (LWH)R value: 3Self-inflating? YesPump included? No, but this is unnecessary
£209.99 at Decathlon£209.99 at Mountain Warehouse
Best for: luxury glamping
This behemoth of a self-inflating mat is 20cm thick and more comfortable than many regular mattresses, let alone camping ones. But this luxury comes at a cost: bulk. Taking up more storage space than our family tent, and weighing 5.6kg, the Shangri-La II would only be suitable for those with large cars or camper vans, and even they may need to sacrifice other equipment to fit it in. But for campers who prize soft, squishy comfort above all else, this mattress is hard to beat.
It didn't make the final cut because … it is too bulky for most camping scenarios.
Weight: 5.6kg
Dimensions (packed): 80 x 32cm
Dimensions (inflated): 200 x 76 x 20cm (LWH)R value: 14Self-inflating? YesPump included? No, but this is unnecessary
£119.99 at Outwell
Best for: family camping
If you like the bouncy loft of an airbed but find them unpleasantly cold and clammy to sleep on, this insulated version is a great alternative. Although the Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft is lighter and considerably more portable, the Dreamscape is cheaper and would be fine for car-based camping trips from spring to autumn. It does require a foot-pump or a large pair of lungs to inflate it, though.
It didn't make the final cut because … it isn't as portable as some of our top picks. Weight: 1.7kgDimensions (packed): 39 x 17cmDimensions (inflated): 205 x 77 x 12cm (LWH)R value: 3.8Self-inflating? NoPump included? No
While many people sling their regular pillow into the car as a token luxury on camping trips, this doesn't work if you're backpacking, when a lumpy pile of clothes is the make-do option. The necessity of packing pillows is also a frequent flashpoint for arguments when packing for family camping trips (believe me, I know).
Thankfully, there are now inflatable pillows that are small enough to fit in your pocket, and compressible foam or microfibre pillows that take up far less space than a regular pillow. I tested eight camping pillows and would highly recommend Sea to Summit's Aeros Ultralight pillow (£25 at Decathlon) for a super-packable inflatable pillow or Vango's Deep Sleep Memory Pillow (£31.99 at Amazon) for a supremely comfortable alternative, provided you have more space.
From glamping to Alpine mountaineering, there are different types of camping trip, and different mattresses will suit some better than others.
Airbeds are large, inflatable mattresses, often high and bouncy, inflated with a foot- or electric-powered pump (some even have one built in). Although they're very comfy, they're poorly insulated, can feel cold and clammy to lie on, and tend to be susceptible to punctures. They're also relatively heavy and bulky, making them unsuitable for backpacking, while those sharing a double airbed may be bounced awake by restless partners.
Sleeping pads are ultralight inflatable mattresses designed for backpacking and mountaineering. Although they're thinner and less bouncy than air beds, they're extremely comfortable and often incorporate insulating materials, making them suitable for camping in colder conditions, including winter when it comes to high-spec versions. Most also come with air sacks to aid inflation (see below) and puncture repair kits.
Closed-cell foam roll mats aren't particularly comfortable, but virtually indestructible. They're designed to provide a basic layer of padding, waterproofing and insulation between you and the ground. Being made from foam, they also tend to retain body heat well. Because of these properties, some backpackers choose to combine them with a basic air pad. They are usually secured to the outside of a backpack with elasticated straps.
Self-inflating mattresses consist of an open-cell foam core inside an air-tight fabric shell, with a valve that allows in air to inflate the mattress when it's opened – although they often require a top-up of air from your lungs to make them firmer. Comfort ranges from moderate to high, depending on the thickness of the mattress, and the foam core tends to provide good insulation. However, they're heavier and bulkier than air pads, and still susceptible to punctures. They're deflated by opening back up the valve, and squeezing out the air, rolling as you go, and then closing the valve.
The lifespan of a camping mattress depends on its type, quality and how well it's cared for, but closed-cell foam mattresses tend to be the most durable, and air beds the least so. Both self-inflating mats and air pads can also suffer from punctures and valve or seam failures, but self-inflating mattresses are often constructed from thicker fabrics and are less likely to fully deflate if punctured.
To extend the life of your camping mattress, you could consider using a groundsheet to reduce the risk of punctures from sharp rocks, sticks and rough terrain, and avoid leaving inflatable mattresses in the sun. Care should also be taken not to over-inflate air mattresses, while foam or self-inflating mats should ideally be stored unrolled, with inflation valves left open to maintain the loft and integrity of the foam.
It depends on the mattress, but air beds tend to require a foot- or electric pump, while air pads are inflated by mouth, or using a 'pump-sack' – a lightweight, air-filled bag, that helps to keep moisture out of the pad (also important for longevity) and is more efficient than inflating by mouth.
The R value of a camping mattress measures how well it resists heat transfer from your body to the cold ground. A lower R value means less insulation, which is better in warmer weather, but less good for winter camping. Foam-based mattresses tend to have the highest R values, but some air pads incorporate other insulating materials, making them suitable for winter camping expeditions. As a general rule of thumb, R values of 1 to 2 tend to be sufficient for summer camping; R values of 2 to 4.5 are suitable for spring through to autumn, while for winter camping or other cold climates, you'll need an R value of 4 to 5 or higher.
Linda Geddes is a former Guardian science correspondent, known for inserting herself into her own mini-science experiments (like the time she spent a week with a clown, a comic and some toddlers). This extends to product testing, where she delights in devising rigorous ways to distinguish high-performance stuff from marketing puff. Outside work, she can frequently be found swimming in rivers, dangling from cliffs and trudging the dawn walk to the campsite Portaloo
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- Telegraph
Race Across the World: the final, review: emotional, thrilling and far more than just a contest
Our critic, Michael Hogan, will be joining you in the comments below just after 10pm to talk about the highlights of this year's series Globetrotting contest Race Across the World (BBC One) climaxed with thrills, spills and worthy winners. It was impossible not to cheer as mother-and-son duo Caroline and Tom triumphed in a tense dash to the finish line. It made for a fitting end to their Asian adventure and testament to the joys of multi-generational travel. After seven weeks and 13,000km (8,000 miles in old money), the four remaining teams embarked on the last leg. Travelling to the southernmost tip of India at Kanyakumari was a frenetic trek, cunningly edited for maximum jeopardy. Viewers could be forgiven for nibbling their fingernails or squealing at their screens. This final began with Caroline and Tom in pole position, having opened up a seven-hour lead. Sisters Elizabeth and Letitia were their closest rivals, a mere 54 minutes ahead of Welsh childhood sweethearts Fin and Sioned. Canny brothers Brian and Melvyn had led until a disastrous penultimate leg left them way back in last place. Could they claw back the 19-hour gap? Crunch time meant a choice between sticking to the scenic coastal route or heading inland in the hope of better transport connections. Caroline and Tom blew their advantage with an overnight delay. Brian and Melvyn gambled on expensive taxis to kickstart their comeback. Fuelled by 'beer and biryani', they were closing in. Race Across the World is far more than just a contest. It's also an immersive travelogue and intimate reality show. Viewers got a Michael Palin-esque, ground-level view of India's southern states, from the cantilevered fishing nets to the vibrant flower markets. Our cockles were warmed by the helpful, friendly locals – including the sweet young man who bought Fin and Sioned a bagful of provisions and a couple who cheerfully invited Elizabeth and Letitia to their wedding. A welcome reminder of the kindness of strangers. Cynics might scoff at 'sob stories'. I'd call it reflectiveness at the end of an epic journey. Producers ramp up the emotional stakes, of course, but such are the ebbs and flows of human relationships. Brian and Melvyn had drifted apart but bonded again in their 60s. Naturally, the wry Northerners refused to say they loved each other. Tom helped Caroline rediscover her sense of purpose. Elizabeth and Letitia's strained relationship was now repaired. Teenage couple Fin and Sioned, the youngest ever contestants, had gone from bickering to buying matching flower garlands, maturing before our very eyes. You don't get such a variety of human stories on Love Island. Especially when Tom admitted he was 'too hot' to propose. The show's magic formula has seen it grow from a BBC Two experiment to a primetime BBC One hit with a celebrity spin-off and multiple Bafta wins. In six years, Race Across the World has become a flagship format and staple of the schedules. It not only provides escapism but makes a persuasive advertisement for smartphone-free, slower-paced travel. An exhortation to venture out of one's comfort zone and embrace new experiences. As the land mass of India narrowed towards its tip, so did the race. All four pairs were in close proximity and blew their remaining budget on taxis. They sped in fishing boats across a sapphire blue bay, then abandoned their backpacks and sprinted to sign their names in the hallowed checkpoint book. After 51 days, incredibly, there was just 19 minutes in it. Caroline and Tom pipped the sisters to the post, with the lovebirds in third and the 'pale old codgers' three hours behind. They'd caught up, but not enough. 'Beer?' asked Melvyn, true to form. 'Desperately and definitely,' gasped Brian. When everyone sportingly toasted the winners, it made for a typically wholesome sign-off. As always, this was more about the journey than the destination. Like Tom told his tearful mother, the experience they'd shared meant they'd already won. 'While I'm standing here sweaty, smelly and exhausted, I feel on top of the world,' beamed Caroline. 'I felt like such a failure to begin with. We must never doubt ourselves again.' A lesson for us all. Ever-competitive Caroline wanted to race home again. The rest preferred to travel in comfort. They'd earned it.
