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Best Camping Mattress 2022

Andrea

Written by Andrea

Last Updated: 10th January, 2022
Contents

Going camping can be a fun and relaxing pastime if you have the right gear for the occasion. Getting a good camping mattress, sleeping bag, walking shoes etc. is fundamental to have a positive experience. With the growing popularity of going camping over the past few years, partly thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a lot of new campers out there and the business is booming.

But how do we know which camping mattress is the right one for the occasion with so incredibly many different ones to choose from? In this article, we're going through the basics of what to look for to find the best camping mattress, the different available types, what the R-value is and other good things to keep in mind.

Keep reading to see which our favourite camping mattresses are and maybe you'll find one that will join your next adventure.

(Important Facts, Studies, Advice, Considerations & FAQs In Conclusion)

MATTRESSWEIGHTR-VALUEMEASUREMENTS (PACKED)PRICE
Gear Doctors Self Inflating Sleeping Pad0,99 kg4.330,5cm x 20,3cm£56,87
Trekology UL80 Camping Mat0,75 kg1.618,5cm x 12cm£39,99
Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad0,53 kg1.320,3cm x 7,6cm £67,95
Deeplee Camping Mat0,54 kgNA25cm x 10cm£28,99
Clostnature Self Inflating Sleeping Pad1,5 kgUp to 434cm x 17.5cm £69,13
Active Era Air Bed Premium4,6 kgNA50cm x 34cm£79,99
Prices are referring to the smallest size. Information may be subject to change, please check with the brand/manufacturer before purchasing.

1. Gear Doctors Self Inflating Sleeping Pad

Gear Doctors Self Inflating Sleeping Pad
(Image credit: Gear Doctors)
HIGHLIGHTSSUITABILITY
• UV, mildew and water-resistant
• Thermoinsulating foam
• Self-inflating camping mattress
• People prone to allergies
• Side and back-sleepers
• All seasons

If you're on the hunt for a camping mattress with minimum hassle, this one could be interesting to you. The Gear Doctors Self Inflating Sleeping Pad is a convenient ally for your camping trips thanks to its compact size and easy maintenance. Rolled up and packed in its bag it measures 30,5cm x 20,3cm and weight just below 1kg.

Featuring micro coated 75D polyester which is a durable material that is also hypoallergenic as well as mildew and water-resistant. It is also UV-resistant and easy to clean. Inside it has a thermo-insulating foam compound, making it suitable for all four seasons. In order to inflate it, all you need to do is to unroll the pad and open the air valve and it will automatically inflate. If you want to you can also give it a few extra puffs of air with your mouth to top it up.

Once you close the non-leak vent, the air can stay inside the camping mattress for several days. To deflate it, simply open the vent, fold it as per the instructions that come with it and start rolling it together to press the air out before closing the vent again. This sleeping pad can hold up to 136 pounds, making it suitable for most body types and weights. Inflated it measures 182,8cm x 55,8cm.

2. Trekology UL80 Camping Mat

Trekology UL80 camping mattress
(Image credit: Trekology)
HIGHLIGHTSSUITABILITY
• 8cm elevation off the ground
• Water and tear-resistant material
• Compact and lightweight
• Side-sleepers
• Temperatures over 10ºC
• Sleepers needing added support

The Trekology UL80 is an inflatable sleeping pad that has been designed to add comfort and support to your outdoor adventures while being compact and easy to carry with you. It has a curvated design, meant to better embrace your body for improved sleep without the feeling of rolling off the pad.

This camping mattress is lightweight and compact, measuring 18,5cm x 12cm when rolled up and packed in its bag and weighs 750g. It measures 191cm x 57cm inflated and can elevate you around 8cm off the ground, but you can adjust the height and firmness depending on how much you inflate it. Its height makes it a suitable option for side-sleepers who need some extra elevation in order to not put too much pressure on their hips and shoulders.

It is made of durable 40D Nylon and has a water-resistant coating, making it suitable for most weather although it's recommended for 3-seasons and temperatures above 10 degrees Celcius. It has an enlarged air valve for easy inflation either by mouth or with an electronic air pump which is sold separately.

3. Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad

Klymit Static V camping mattress
(Image credit: Klymit)
HIGHLIGHTSSUITABILITY
• Features body mapping chambers
• Very lightweight and compact design
• Side-rails for added stability
• Most sleeping positions
• Sleepers in need of additional support
• Campers with limited packing space

The brand Klymit offers a wide range of camping products, including various sleeping pads, and the most popular one is by far the Static V. It has a specially designed V-shaped surface and uses body mapping chambers to provide extra support at key pressure points for added comfort for the sleeper, regardless of their sleeping position. It also has rails on the sides to maintain the sleeper in the middle and to prevent air movement for restless sleepers.

The brand states that it only takes about 10-15 breaths to fully inflate the camping mattress and once inflated the pad measures 182,9cm x 58,4cm. It packs up very compact at 7,6cm x 20,3cm and weighs 530g, making it convenient and easy to bring, even with limited packing space.

The sleeping pad is made of 75D polyester material which is lightweight, water-resistant and very durable, which is important in an all-season sleeping mat. Klymit also offers an array of extras such as pillows and sheets that fit this camping mattress in case you want to sleep even more comfortable.

4. Deeplee Camping Mat

Deeplee camping mattress
(Image credit: Deeplee)
HIGHLIGHTSSUITABILITY
• Very lightweight and compact design
• Built-in pillow
• Dual-valve design
• Campers with limited packing space
• Back and side-sleepers
• Heavy-weight sleepers

This inflatable sleeping pad is impressively compact and easy to carry with you whenever you go camping. Measuring only 25cm x 10cm and weighing 545g, about the weight of a water bottle, it can easily fit in the side pocket of your backpack. Once inflated it reaches 190cm long x 58cm wide and measures 5cm thick. It also comes with a built-in pillow which is 15cm thick and has a curved design to take pressure off your neck.

The Deeplee camping mattress comes in a honeycomb structured surface which is designed to offer breathability and great support in different sleeping positions. Made with 40D nylon fabric, it offers a soft sleeping surface that is also waterproof and resistant thanks to its TPU coating. This sleeping mat is designed to support up to 205 kg which makes it suitable for heavy-weight campers.

It features a dual-valve design, meaning that it has two air valves. Open the first one to inflate the mattress by blowing air into it for approximately one minute, or by using a pump. To deflate the mattress, open the second valve and the air will flow out of the mattress within seconds.

5. Clostnature Self Inflating Sleeping Pad

Clostnature self inflating camping mattress
(Image credit: Clostnature)
HIGHLIGHTSSUITABILITY
• Comfortable and insulating memory foam
• Inflatable pillow which can be used separately
• Snap two sleeping pads together easily
• Couples
• Sleepers who weigh up to 180kg
• All seasons

This sleeping pad could be the perfect option for all foam-lovers who wish they could bring their memory foam mattress with them while camping. It's self-inflating by unrolling it and opening the valve to allow air to enter and inflate the mattress, without needing to blow it up yourself. To deflate, just open the valve and roll the camping mattress together, pushing the air out before closing the valve again.

The inside is entirely made of foam for added comfort and the cover is made of polyester, making it waterproof. The 3,8cm thick memory foam is designed to provide good insulation, even in cold weather. It includes an inflatable pillow which can also be used separately. You can adjust the height of the pillow through its own valve to make sure it fits your preferences.

You can roll up your Clostnature sleeping pad two ways and it can be as compact as 34cm x 17.5cm and weighs about 1,5kg. It also features 3 compression straps to pack it up more tightly and you can easily connect two single sleeping pads next to each other, creating a double, through snap buttons on the sides.

6. Active Era Air Bed Premium

Active Era Air Bed Premium
(Image credit: Active Era)
HIGHLIGHTSSUITABILITY
• 21 structured air coils for added support
• Waterproof flocked top
• Built-in electrical pump
• Glamping (glamorous camping)
• Guest rooms
• Campers in need of higher elevation off the ground

This camping mattress is definitely more of a "glamping" option given its size and weight, but nevertheless, it is incredibly popular with a ton of five-star reviews. It features 21 structured air coils inside the mattress to provide correct spinal alignment and its ergonomic design is meant to comfortably support your body at its pressure points.

A waterproof flocked top makes for a soft sleeping surface that is also 15-gauge puncture resistant, making it durable. A 7,6 cm integrated pillow on the surface of the mattress can help your head to rest more comfortably while sleeping. This luxurious camping mattress comes with a built-in electrical pump that can inflate the entire mattress in 90 seconds and it also has a compartment to store the cables and valve for manual inflation or deflation.

Inflated, the mattress measure 187cm x 99cm and is 53cm thick and deflated it fits in a box of approximately 50cm x 34cm x 22cm. It weighs 4,6kg, making it a bit bulky and heavy for longer hikes but perfect for when you want to add a little extra flair to those camping trips that don't require too much carrying of packing.

The Growing Trend Of Going Camping

Going on a camping trip can be the perfect way to disconnect from the buzz of the bigger cities, the stress of our daily lives and to connect with nature for a few days. With the COVID-19 pandemic, camping has become even more popular. According to a survey made by Campsites UK, 61,8% were planning on holiday closer to home in 2020 (some even in their own garden) and 62,8% said found it likely that they would holiday within the UK during the following years.

And the popularity of camping has continued to grow in the UK, even after the heavier restrictions were lifted. While many other sectors of the accommodation industry kept falling, camping turnover continues to grow according to statistics✓ presented by the ONS (Office for National Statistics).

Statistics show that camping is very popular

How To Find The Best Camping Mattress

With the growing popularity of camping comes an increasing demand for camping gear and there are tons of great brands available on the market. But for newbie campers, it can be a confusing task to navigate through the jungle of different camping mattresses, which is why we are going to break it down into parts in order to find the best camping mattress for you.

Different Types Of Camping Mattresses

Long gone are the days of only carrying voluminous, rolled-up foam mats, strapped to your backpack so tightly that they end up rolling themselves back up when you try to flatten them on the ground. They do still exist but there are so many more options available, from self-inflating hybrid options that occupy the space of a water bottle to entire beds that can be inflated within minutes. These are the three most common types of camping mattresses:

  1. SIMs - SIM stands for Self Inflating Mat. These are usually made of polyester and sometimes they contain a thin foam layer for additional comfort. They self-inflate by opening a valve and letting air into the mat, making it expand. These can in some cases pack together very neatly and weigh very little, while others are a bit more bulky and inconvenient.
  2. Regular sleeping mats - This category covers a lot of different types of mats from the old, classic foam rolls to modern, inflatable mats with different features such as pressure relief or supportive body mapping chambers.
  3. Air beds and mattresses - Some are traditional, inflatable mattresses, often made of durable PVC material which doesn't necessarily provide a very cosy sleeping surface. Others are practically the size of a bed and come with a soft flocked top for added comfort. The downside to these is that they take up a lot of space, even when deflated and can weigh quite a lot.
Inflatable camping mattress

What Type Of Camping Trip Are You Planning?

In order to find out which is the best camping mattress for you, you should consider several things. First and foremost - what kind of camping trip you're going on. Are you planning to hike up a mountain in the middle of the winter or are you planning on driving down to a lake during summer and sleep in a tent for a few nights?

If you are planning on walking a lot, consider how much you want to pack as you'll have to carry it with you. Bulky and heavy camping mattresses are a big no when it comes to longer hikes. Maybe check out some self-inflating mats that can be packed together very small and that doesn't require bringing a pump to blow it up each night.

Maybe you're one of those who very much enjoy spending some time in nature, but doesn't necessarily enjoy having to walk or carry too much, so you will drive to a scenic spot and just stay there overnight? Try "glamping" it up with a big airbed that comfortably fits in the boot of your car and makes you sleep like royalty.

Lightweight camping mattresses are good for hiking

Temperature

Something we already mentioned in the previous point is during what season of the year you're going camping and in what type of climate. If you'll be going to sleep in a very humid spot you'll want to get as high off the ground as possible as the higher up you are, the warmer you'll be.

Camping mattresses that include a layer of foam are usually good for colder environments as the foam tends to retain some body heat inside of the mattress, while a thinner nylon pad could be suitable for warmer summer nights. Have a look at what the weather is expected to be like during your trip to make sure you're getting a camping mattress that has an R-value that is suitable for the occasion.

What's The R-Value In Camping Pads/Mattresses?

Most sleeping pads and camping mattresses have something called an R-value which indicates how well it insulates. Sleeping close to the ground can be quite cold, even in the summer months, and heat can be conducted away from your body if you have a poorly insulated mattress. R-values below 2 are more suitable for warmer climates while values between 2 and 4 tend to be good for spring, summer and autumn. R-values of 4 and above are suitable for cold winter climates

Camping in cold weather requires a higher R value

Length Of The Trip

Another very important thing to keep in mind when choosing your camping mattress is how long you'll be sleeping on it. Camping is meant to be a bit minimalistic and, in some cases spartan, but let's face it, it's not very comfortable to sleep on a 3cm inflatable pad for too many nights in a row. Consider spending a bit more if you will be gone for a considerable amount of nights to make sure you get your well-deserved sleep. Your camping trip is not going to be relaxing at all if your mattress doesn't allow you to sleep.

Personal Needs And Preferences

Once again, when going camping we often can't afford to be too picky when it comes to our sleeping surface, but that being said, some people do need their camping mattresses to have certain features in order to not wake up feeling run over by a train. If you suffer from back problems you might want to make sure that your mattress has the necessary support for your spine to be correctly aligned and that it provides proper pressure relief.

For how long will you sleep on your camping mattress

Ideal Camping Mattress Checklist

Well done, you have made it this far through the jungle and hopefully it's all a bit more clear now. But just in case, let's summarise it a bit more visual:

Type of campingSleeping mat typeBenefitsConsiderations
Hiking/Trekking/BikingLightweight SIM or inflatable mat that packs small.Easy to carry with you and to inflate.Make sure it's thick enough to elevate you at least a few cm off the ground.
Car-campingAir mattress or bed.High elevation, added comfort and easy to bring despite its size and weight.Can be uncomfortable if two people are meant to sleep on it together.
Cold weather campingThicker pad with a high R-value.Will make you sleep warmer.Can be more bulky or heavy.

Finally, make sure to look at the customer reviews of the camping mattress you're considering. They will give you the most knowledge about whether or not it is suitable for your next adventure. Pay close attention to comments regarding smaller details such as leaking air valves or ripping seams which can turn your good nights sleep into a nightmare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best air mattress for camping?

That depends on a few different factors, such as what type of camping trip you're planning, in what climate you're going camping and for how long you're going. The best air mattress for camping is one that has a high enough R-value to keep you warm and on which you sleep comfortably for the duration of your trip.

How to blow up air mattress camping?

If your camping mattress isn't self-inflatable you can bring a pump with you if you have enough space for it. If you need to blow it up yourself you should do it slowly in calm puffs and take a break if you start feeling any dizziness.

How to keep an air mattress warm when camping?

You should ideally get a thick enough mattress to elevate you a few cm off the ground and make sure it has the correct R-value (insulation) for the climate you're camping in. For colder climates, you should look for an R-value above 4.

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