Self-inflating tent mat – how to sleep comfortably outdoors?

If you make your bed, you will sleep well. This saying also applies outdoors. Therefore, the purchase of a self-inflating mat for use under a tent or outdoors must be conscious and carefully considered. Modern technological solutions allow manufacturers to offer increasingly lighter, warmer and more intuitive self-inflating tourist mats , which affect the comfort of sleep in outdoor conditions. Find out what the difference is between a self-inflating mattress and an inflatable mattress , what are the advantages of self-inflating products and what to consider when choosing.

Self-inflating mat or inflatable mattress - what is the difference?

The key element that distinguishes these two products is their design. Ultra-light self-inflating mats have a layer of elastic foam inside, most often polyurethane, with a chamber structure. This synthetic filling supports thermal insulation from the ground. And it is this additional warming layer that is missing in inflatable mattresses. Going further, a self-inflating mat does not require you to take a pump with you on the go, so it is a much lighter and more compact solution, perfect for trips to the mountains. However, it is worth remembering that inflatable mats, thanks to advanced technologies, can offer better thermal comfort - an example is the Therm-a-rest NeoAir Xtherm NXT mattress.

Self-inflating mat – the basis of operation

Are you wondering how the ultralight self-inflating mat works? How to inflate and fold the mat? It's very simple. It can be said that the mat practically fills with air itself. When you open the valve, the foam inside expands, sucking air inside. It only takes a few moments to be ready for use. Often you don't even have to use the power of your own lungs to fill it with air. Then all you have to do is close the valve and indulge in blissful relaxation. And folding? After opening the valve, you can roll the self-inflating mat to a small size and store it in the transport bag. And that's it.

Self-inflating mats - comfort and functionality, or a few words about their advantages

High-quality self-inflating mats offer many benefits. In addition to the mentioned intuitive operation, you should pay attention to their low weight and compactness. The weight of the mat and its dimensions will not matter to you when you go on a multi-day hike in the mountains with a trekking backpack, when every gram you take on the road and every centimeter occupied in your luggage is of enormous importance. In addition, ultra-light self-inflating mats offer greater sleeping comfort than, for example, sleeping pads - they are soft enough, insulate against cold and eliminate the feeling of unevenness of the ground. Self-inflating camping mats are made of mechanically durable materials. Outer fabrics usually have anti-slip coatings that prevent the sleeping bag from slipping on the mat.

Even the best mat will require some care to serve you for a really long time and to your satisfaction. How to care for your favorite mat? After returning home, the mat should be thoroughly cleaned and aired to remove the moisture accumulating inside, which is a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. It is worth storing it in the unfolded position, with the valve open. Thanks to this, the foam will maintain its elasticity longer, which will allow it to expand well and suck in air.

Which self-inflating mat should you choose and what should you pay attention to when buying?

The wide selection of self-inflating mats can be dizzying. Single-person mats, double mats, tapered downwards or rectangular, for taller people or adapted to a slim female figure - all these factors can directly affect your comfort of using the mat. An important aspect that you must remember when shopping is the thickness of the self-inflating mat, which translates into thermal insulation. Check the R-Value of your self-inflating mattress . The higher the value of this parameter, the warmer the mat is. The coefficient determines the intended use of the product. For example, for summer camping, you can choose ultra-light self-inflating mats with a lower R-Value of about 2. Three-season self-inflating mats will have a value of around 3, four-season ones - about 4. A trip to the glacier will require you to take a thicker, better insulating mat. – a model with an R-Value insulation coefficient of around 5-6 will work best. The packing size of the self-inflating mat will be important if you're taking it backpacking.

Where to buy self-inflating mats?

Ultralight self-inflating mats are available in many online and stationary stores. However, it is worth making conscious consumer decisions and using reliable platforms offering outdoor equipment from world-class brands. Such a place is the Alpin store with over thirty years of tradition. In the Alpina product catalog you will find, among others, high-quality Therm-a-Rest self-inflating mats. You can ask for advice at any time to get the best mat tailored to your needs. The Alpina team makes every effort to ship the self-inflating mat as quickly as possible. Professional in every detail.