- How to choose a self-inflating mat
- Rating of the best firms that make self-inflating mats
- Talberg
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- inguin
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Therm-A-Rest
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Tramp
- Advantages of
- Disadvantages
- Trek Planet
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Alexika
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Robens
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- High Peak
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Alloy
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- King Camp
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Outwell
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- He os
*Review of the best according to the editorial board. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective, not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to purchase. Consultation with a specialist is necessary before buying.
On a hike, every pound of weight of gear takes a toll if there’s a long route ahead. But once you get there, you want to rest on a soft mattress, not just a thin bed. This is what self-inflating mats were invented for. This is a foam material in an airtight shell, which draws air inside itself when the valve is opened. Its height and structure perfectly smooth out irregularities in the ground and insulate from the cold. But when folded, when the air is vented and the valve is closed, the bed does not take up much space and is easily rolled up. Products of what firms are considered the best among buyers, you will learn from our review.
How to choose a self-inflating mat
Before examining the top 12 best companies, let’s briefly review the parameters of choosing a self-inflatable mat. When buying pay attention to the following characteristics:
- Size. Some models are designed for children and teenagers, so their length does not exceed 1.7 m, and the width – 0.6 m. Mattresses are available for people with average height 1.8-1.9 m in length and 0.6-0.7 m wide. Older campers should look for mats with parameters 1.98-2.0 m. For family camping enthusiasts, there are double mats with a width of 127-157 cm. But the larger the size of the mat, the heavier it is and will take more space when folded.
- Height. Foam height can be from 25 to 100 mm. The higher, the more comfortable to sleep. The thickest mats feel like an ordinary bed. But again, the thickness affects the weight and size.
- Polyurethane density.Can be 15-20 kg/m3. The denser the foam, the better it holds its shape under the user and will last more than a year without warping. Less dense mattresses get dented faster and “inflating” them doesn’t help.
- Seasonality. Some mats are made for summer use, others for spring, summer, fall, and others for winter or all-season use. Take this into account depending on your preferences.
- Weight.The mass of the self-inflating mat is important for hiking when you have to carry everything on your back. The weight of the mats varies from 500 g to 4 kg. The lighter it is, the thinner, narrower and shorter the sleeping space will be.
Rating of the best firms that make self-inflating mats
The list of the best companies, whose products topped the ratings of sales in stores. The experts also took into account product reviews and opinions of professionals who use self-inflating devices for long-distance hikes, mountain climbing, fishing or hunting.
| Nomination | Location | Name | Rating |
| Rating of the best manufacturers of self-inflating mats | 1 | Talberg | 5.0 |
| 2 | inguin | 4.9 | |
| 3 | Therm-A-Rest | 4.8 | |
| 4 | Tramp | 4.7 | |
| 5 | Trek Planet | 4.6 | |
| 6 | Alexika | 4.5 | |
| 7 | Robens | 4.4 | |
| 8 | High Peak | 4.3 | |
| 9 | Alloy | 4.2 | |
| 10 | King Camp | 4.1 | |
| 11 | Outwell | 4.0 | |
| 12 | He | 4.0 |
Talberg
Rating: 5.0
Talberg – is a German company that specializes in products for outdoor activities, which include: tents, underwear, blankets, self-insulating and thin mats, travel bags and backpacks, camping furniture. The manufacturer has been around since 1996 and is quite famous in Europe. In Russia you can buy self-inflating outfit for trekking from this company since 2010, when the company expanded its market. The mats come in the common size of 190×77 cm, but there are other versions, such as 183×63 or 183×51 cm, which are smaller and lighter, which is convenient for teens and girls. By seasonality, the company’s catalog presents products for winter use and universal, designed for use in spring, summer and fall. Laminated 75D polyester is used as a sealed shell. The colors of the mats come in beige, blue, green, and camouflage. Self-inflating products are divided into ranges
Among the comfort series, the Forest. It has a height of 90 mm and perfectly protects from the cold, and allows you to sleep well in nature. To make the huge self-inflating mat to gain air faster, the developers have provided two valves at once, and this reduces the time of unfolding and winding up the outfit.
Advantages
- variety of colors;
- thickness from 3 to 9 cm
- Many sizes;
- excellent covers with a laminated coating;
- some mats have two flaps.
Disadvantages
- high cost;
- on a thin mat 3 cm excellent feel unevenness.
inguin
Rating: 4.9
The company produces self-inflating mats with a thickness of 39 to 89 mm, which can be rectangular or cocoon-shaped. The outer shell of the mat is available in one of the following colors: green, blue, orange, gray or light green. In terms of width tourist self-inflating mattresses come in 50-70 cm and are designed for one user, but the mat Nomad 50 Double has a width of 1300 mm and is designed for two, which is relevant to traveling couples with a double tent. The surface of the mat is made of polyester, which prevents the sleeping bag from slipping. Two nylon flaps are found only in this model and speed up the process of self-inflating. The firm puts a repair kit in each product to fix the mat while hiking if it gets snagged on sharp objects.
The company is singled out for its production of some self-inflating mats with a length of 199 cm. Not all competitors have this size, relevant to very tall people. For example, this company’s limit is 190 cm.
Advantages
- five color options;
- there are rectangular models and cocoons;
- thickness from 4 to 9 cm
- Some mats are designed for tall people.
Disadvantages
- the width of the maximum 70 cm.
Therm-A-Rest
Rating: 4.8
This company was founded in 1971 in Ireland and is the world leader in outdoor gear. The American magazine Backpacker three times singled out the company’s products as the best for mountaineering and tourism. And the self-inflating mats, mats and pillows category even received a gold medal from the publisher. Some of the company’s products are used for the U.S. Army, which also indicates their practicality and durability. The manufacturer’s catalog also includes sleeping bags, hammocks, tents, covers and hermetic packs. Self-inflating mats are available in the following sizes: 183×51, 183×63 and 196×63 cm. But there are also exclusive versions with lengths up to 203 cm for very tall people. In this case, the width of the self-inflating mat is 760 mm. Products in the catalog are divided into a series of Dream,
Experts singled out the company as the best for its thick MondoKing mat, which has a height of 100 mm. It is a very soft self-inflating mat that provides the comfort of a tent. It can be used at the campsite in any weather, as the material is designed to operate in temperatures down to -40 degrees.
Advantages
- Are made directly in Ireland or the USA;
- a variety of sizes in width and length;
- Tough polyester on both sides;
- there are very high 100 mm versions.
Disadvantages
- very high cost.
Tramp
Rating: 4.7
The company sells tents, camping equipment, gas burners, seats and other accessories. Self-inflating versions are available in orange, green, blue, camouflage and other colors. Nonremovable flap that can only be slightly opened by twisting. It helps not to lose the element in the grass and prevents insects from crawling inside. Products of this company are most common in Russia and you can buy a self-inflatable mat in almost any city.
Products feature a perforated contour self-inflating matting, which is designed to fasten mats to each other. This protects against the separation of mats folded together. And in the model
Advantages of
- some mats have loops for attaching the mats to each other;
- a variety of colors;
- Compact when folded;
- You can strap a pillow.
Disadvantages
- unfolds not 30 seconds as stated, but up to 2 minutes.
Trek Planet
Rating: 4.6
Products in the medium price range are mats of the company
Unlike other manufacturers, the company uses an outer coating PVC Antis
Advantages
- high-quality anti-slip silicone coating;
- there are single and double mats;
- Low weight from 1.5 to 3 kg;
- bedding length 198 cm.
Disadvantages
- Some instead of the claimed width of 63.5 was 62 cm.
Alexika
Rating: 4.5
The company is well known to fans of camping and tourism, because it produces a wide range of tents for 1, 2, 3, and 4 seats, as well as sleeping bags, blankets, cocoons and mats. Both extreme athletes and beginners use the company’s products actively. All self-inflating mattresses are 198 cm long. Products in the catalog are divided into series Alpine Plus, Comfort, Grand Comfort and Comfort Plus. As can be seen from the names of lines, most products are designed to provide excellent rest in a sleeping bag due to the thickness of the bedding 50-75 mm, but the cost of self-inflating mattresses. Grand Comfort series has a mattress height of up to 100 cm. Many versions have two flaps, which speeds up the unfolding of the sleeping bag and the stacking of the equipment. Reviews show that the dense polyurethane 20 kg/m3 reliably protects against rocks and uneven ground. This foam also holds its shape perfectly when inflated and will last longer than others.
In our opinion, the company is the best in terms of double comfort mats, the width of which reaches 152 cm (most competitors have 130 cm). This represents room for two adults, as on an ordinary double sofa. If you do not like to push on the sleeping place, choose self-inflating mats of larger size from this manufacturer.
Advantages
- there are versions with two flaps;
- Height from 50 to 100 mm;
- double mats of larger size;
- polyurethane density 20 kg/m3.
Disadvantages
- high cost.
Robens
Rating: 4.4
The company produces mats for outdoor use in the spring, summer and fall. Most mats are rated for minimum temperatures down to -4 degrees, and the Campground series is rated down to -12º C. Self-inflating versions are made of polyester and polyester. The outer material has a square ripstop that protects it from breaking under excessive pressure. TPU coating prevents the sleeping bag from slipping and facilitates easy cleaning. In terms of shape the mats are more dominated by cocoon models, which take up less space in the tent or can be placed inside the sleeping bag. The largest size self-inflating mat is 1950x620x38 mm. Reviews show that the mats are pleasant to the touch and very easy to fold.
The company’s products are among the most compact in folded form. For example, a PrimaCore mat with the unfolded size of 1850x510x60 mm takes only 270×90 mm in a case. Competitors’ folded self-inflating mats can be up to 200 mm in diameter. Reduced size allows you to carry equipment in the backpack, not outside. Weight of 580 g also makes the model optimal for trekking.
Advantages
- are suitable for temperatures of -4…-12 degrees;
- the material is tear-resistant
- easy to deflate and fold;
- Compact size when folded;
- Low weight 500-1500g.
Disadvantages
- Inferior to others in the range.
High Peak
Rating: 4.3
German travel gear brand High Peak belongs to Simex. Under this brand sells tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, utensils and other accessories that come in handy when camping and in the country. The Denver series is represented in the catalog,
The mats of this company are the most durable. They have an upper layer made of 210D polyester with Diamond Rip Stop technology, where the weave of fibres prevents the material from stretching. The bottom side is made of 150D polyester and is non-slip (non-s technology)
Advantages
- There are single and double mats;
- durable exterior coating;
- a variety of colors and styles.
Disadvantages
- high cost.
Alloy
Rating: 4.2
The company offers mats for children and adults, so that the whole family can do tourism. There are self-inflatable mats from 122 to 198 cm in length in the company’s catalog. The thickness of the mats varies from 25 to 64 mm, but thinner versions prevail. All models are equipped with a single valve, but it does a good job to quickly release air. The surface of the mat is either smooth or textured to prevent slipping. Inside the company uses the same polyurethane foam as the foreign manufacturers. It perfectly insulates the body from the cold and smooths out bumps. All mats come in carrying cases and the largest 1980x640mm version weighs only 2kg.
Experts drew attention to the company because of the availability of rare types of mats, demanded among climbers and other fans of extreme tourism. For example, a model called Extreme
Advantages
- a wide choice of form factors;
- convenient flap;
- quality exterior materials;
- more affordable.
Disadvantages
- few versions are thicker than 60mm.
King Camp
Rating: 4.1
The manufacturer produces products for picnics and tourism. Among mats there is a wide range of both self-inflating and inflatable mats, as well as conventional folding mattresses. Air absorbing foam products are divided into categories: Classic, Comfort,
The products of this company are worth attention of those, who like high comfort in the open air. Among the self-inflating bedding is the 1903 Comfort
Advantages
- There is always a carrying bag;
- reliable valves;
- many size options;
- There are versions with imitation pillow.
Disadvantages
- Individual models are very expensive;
- few variants with lengths over 1.9 m.
Outwell
Rating: 4.0
The company produces mats for professional campers who can not imagine their life without a knife and a mug, as well as for fans of family camping. The outer coating of self-inflating bedding has a high resistance to heat transfer and does not absorb moisture. In the catalog there are single and double models. The manufacturer gives preference to the green and gray color of the outfit. Items are divided into the Dreamcatcher, Deepsleep, Nirvana series. The last line differs by its increased comfort with the length of 198 cm and the height of the mattress of 75 mm. For beginners who are not used to sleeping on solids, there is a self-inflating version with a height of 100 mm, but its length is limited to 1.95 m.
The self-inflating models by Outwell have a patented valve Air Flow Valve Control, which provides faster deflation and inflation of the sleeping canvas, and is equipped with a fine adjustment of density. It will make it easy for you to create the desired softness of your sleeping mat.
Advantages
- There are mats with a height of 100 mm;
- patented system of air flow through the valve;
- Ability to fine-tune the softness of the sleeping area.
Disadvantages
- Only green and gray color mats.
He
Rating: 4.0
