Self-Inflating Mattresses

What is a self-inflating mattress?

These mattresses are made out of a layer of compressible (open cell) foam sandwiched between two airtight fabric envelopes with a sealable valve. The foam expands when the valve is opened, air going into the mat.

The History Behind the Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

In terms of outdoor recreation, the 1970s and 1980s saw a substantial increase in participation, the intensity of pursuit, and scale of achievement. More coming-of-age baby boomers are going further into the backcountry than any previous generation, both to technological advances and cultural factors.

Choosing an inflatable camping mat can be a difficult task.

since the various materials and construction have a significant effect on the cost of insulation they provide – even between two mats that appear to be similar. As is usual, the less costly the mat, the less insulation it will likely provide, and be sure to check the R-value.

Simple foam camping mats, on the other hand, should not be dismissed completely. They are less costly and more durable than their inflated counterparts, but they’re less comfortable,  they also are practically durable, making them great for gatherings or trekking through difficult terrain that would rip an inflatable to shreds. They’re bulky but also quite light and don’t mind getting wet. There’s also the issue of people simply not being comfortable. Is everything clear now? Let’s have a look at the best camping mats for your trips in 2022.

Best Self-Inflating Mattresses for Camping and Backpacking

LostHorizon AirSoft 4.5” Thick Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

A unique wave-like surface is included in the self-inflating mattress’ design to create a more stable and comfortable sleeping space. When you lie on the self-inflating pads, you won’t have back pain and your body will be better supported, keeping you stable and warm the entire night!

Double Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

This camping mattress pad works well as both an inflated and foam sleeping pad. There are no air pumps on it. Our sleeping pad for camping works on the idea that air is pulled into the foam by the inflatable pad. The foam that has been expanded inflates it. It takes a minute to fully inflate a foam camping mattress.

KingCamp Luxury Self-Inflating Camping Mattress

The 3D cutting process gives the mattress a lovely wave-like shape in addition to enhanced support and a high level of comfort. Strong rebound and thick foam provide great back support while providing insulation from the chilly floor. You’ll experience the same level of comfort as using your water bed at home.

YAWN Air Bed Self-inflating Airbed

This raised double airbed has a real bed-like appearance and feel. For increased comfort and stability, it has a headboard and a variety of other features.

Blackace Artesol Air Bed Inflatable Bed

Arteesol air beds are comprised of premium laminated PVC that is waterproof, tear-resistant, and puncture-resistant. This sturdy material guarantees that the air mattress retains all of its air, and the bed is incredibly durable for long-term use.

KingCamp Self-Inflating Double Camping Mattress

The sleeping pad has a wave pattern on the surface and a unique three-dimensional cutting technique. not only enhance the sleeping pad’s appearance but also offer superior support and a high level of comfort. You will have a nice and lovely night thanks to the 7.5 cm thick construction, which prevents you from feeling any serrated stones or the uneven ground underneath.

What should I look for in a self-inflating mattress?

You now know what you’ll use it for (family camping) and who will use it.

Check the length –

it should be long enough to fit your legs. You should also insulate your legs and feet, especially in cold weather. Hikers will benefit from the 3/4-length mats more than family campers.

Wide is nice, especially if you like to toss and turn. You don’t want to roll off in the middle of the night and you’re on a thin mat!

R-value —

this is the insulation shown used by the manufacturer. Everyone responds to the cold differently, however, if you’re like me and get cold quickly, a higher R-value is suggested.

Cold sleepers will benefit from this product.

The basecamp mattress from Therm-A-Rest is a core foam mattress with great self-inflating capabilities. With an R-value of 5.8, it’s perfect for cold nights and cold sleepers.

1.14 kgs

Are self-inflating mats any good?

Self-inflating mats are not only very compact but also very pleasant. Self-inflating sleeping mats weigh only rather than regular ones. Also, they are a little more beneficial than their competitors who don’t expand.

How Do Self-Inflating Sleeping Mats Work?

A self-inflating mat consists of a layer of compressible (open cell) foam placed between an airtight fabric envelope and a sealable valve.  The mat will be mid after a few minutes, but you may need to add a few breaths of air to make it firm enough to sleep on.
The foam works as a built-in pump, trapping still air within the mat and providing insulation. The sealed fabric, along with the foam, creates a comfortable, springy sleeping base. Because the foam is compressible, the whole mat may be rolled up into a small package by squeezing out all of the air.

If the world were a one-mat world, life would be simple (one mat to rule them all one mat to find them…). However, as with all outdoor gear, there are times when you have to start trading between warmth, weight, pack size, or comfort.

What Does Die-Cut Foam Mean?

Die-cutting is a method that can reduce the overall weight of a mat by up to 30%.
The downside is that it reduces the insulation of the mat, resulting in wider chambers that enable air to circulate. To balance weight reduction with insulation, we use a range of die-cut profiles in our mat line:
Matrix — This diamond-shaped pattern removes as much foam as possible while yet leaving enough material for the mat to self-inflate and provide enough insulation.

DOT-MATRIX

The circular pattern reduces the weight of the foam by around 20%. We use this in our thicker pads as it retains enough foam to provide support when the mat is partially inflated.
Only die-cut the foam in low-load areas, such as the feet, when insulation and support are crucial to maintaining the mat’s comfort.

FOAM CORING

To create air inflation tubes, the foam core of a self-inflating sleeping mat has tiny circular cores of foam removed along the entire length (and sometimes the width). This helps the recovery of the foam and the inflating of the mattress to its full thickness.

VALVE

The air inside a mat is sealed by the valve, making it more difficult to sleep on without touching the ground beneath. Our Double Dozer has two valves that make it easier to inflate and deflate. Because of the shape of our valves, you may keep blowing into them while turning them to seal them, ensuring that you have the proper level of firmness.

STUFF BAG

As standard, all of our sleeping mats come with a storage sack. The bag is tapered to make putting the rolled mat inside easier, but we’ve included elastic compression straps to keep it from unrolling on you before you can get it in! Should the worst happen while you’re away, all Alpkit sleeping mats come with a puncture repair kit… accidents happen! And sharp rocks do get stuck in the backs of one’s head…

Why Would I Wait for Self-Inflation When I Could Do it Faster Myself?

The 5-15 minutes it takes to self-inflate may or not be regarded as waiting time, depending on your camp routine. You can filter water, start boiling water for a meal, or do any number of other camp tasks while your pad inflates.

What is Open-Cell Foam?

The term “open-cell foam” relates to foams with open-cell walls. We use flexible polyurethane foams for our self-inflating sleeping pads as they have more properties.

Polyurethane flexible foams, except microcellular class foams, are open-cell foams. in addition to outdoor sleeping pads. They make up about 30% of the polyurethane market in North America.

Why Does Open-Cell Foam Self-Inflate?

Each cell has open cell walls, that allow air to pass in and out. A vacuum, according to its name, does not “suck” air in; The MythBusters are back with a fun vacuum demonstration.
When we say self-inflating, we’re discussing this vacuum process.

How Long Should it Take for My Pad to Self-Inflate?

Our self-inflating pads will take 5-15 minutes to inflate on their own. Core construction, training compression, elevation, and temperature are all likely factors in the 10-minute range variance.

CORE CONSTRUTION

Our foam cores aren’t all the same, and depending on the pad, we use different construction methods.
In terms of self-inflation times, foam volume is the most important factor. The MondoKingTM is 4-inches thick and has the same StrataCore construction as the ProLite Apex, except that the ProLite Apex is 2 inches thick. The Mondo, of course, takes longer to self-inflate.

TRAINED COMPRESSION

The state of your pad’s foam core also affects self-inflation times. It will take longer for a pad that has been securely rolled and stored for several months to self-inflate than a pad that has only been rolled for a day in between campsites.

It’s helpful to prime the pad with a few breaths of air to overcome the long-compressed foam’s slow self-inflation; it’s like giving a push-start to get the momentum going. The open cells will become more pliable as atmospheric pressure rises, and they will self-inflate as designed.

ELEVATION

The length of time it takes for the pad to self-inflate is determined by the height at which you are camping. The atmospheric pressure is lower at higher elevations, which means there is less “force” pushing air into the empty cells of your pad’s foam core.

TEMPERATURES

The effect of heat — and the lack of it — on the properties of polyurethane are influenced by temperature. As colder temperatures make the material less pliable, air pressure has to work harder to fill the empty spaces in the foam, taking longer for a cold pad to self-inflate.

Why Would I Wait for Self-Inflation When I Could Do it Faster Myself?

You can filter water, start boiling water for a dinner, or do any number of other camp duties while your pad inflates.
Ironically (though not really, because physics can’t be ironic), your pad will self-inflate slower and your water will boil faster at higher elevations.

Why Doesn’t My Self-Inflating Pad Inflate All the Way?

Self-inflating sleeping pads were never designed to fully self-inflate. Providing for manual air input—whether from your lungs, a pump sack, or a battery-powered pump—allows for customizing of a pad.
One of the main advantages of self-inflating sleeping pads is that they are more easier to inflate than air pads.

How do I choose a self-inflating mattress?

Self-inflating mats come in a variety of thicknesses. The thicker it is, the more insulated it will be, but the pack size will be larger as well. Thicknesses range from 2.5cm to 16cm, so you have a lot of choices depending on your storage/transport space and budget.

How thick should a self-inflating mattress be?

Many backpackers and campers, though, like a thickness of at least 2.5 inches / 6.3 cm. This thickness provides a great deal of insulation and comfort. Even those who sleep on their sides will benefit from a 3-inch self-inflating sleeping pad. Thicker pads, on either hand, are usually heavier and bulkier.

Is a self-inflating mattress worth it?

Pros of self-inflating mats:

They are quite comfortable, especially for larger sizes. They will also keep you warm by protecting you from the ground.

Are self-inflating pads more comfortable?

Self-inflating pads provide a broad range of warmth, size, and price options. . They’re more durable than air pads in general.

What is a SIM mattress?

They can be rolled up tight for easy transport and are ideal for a variety of camping activities.

How long does Thermarest last?

My orange Thermarests lasted around 26 seasons of regular use, and they were always stored curled and inflated by mouth. I’d patched them up a couple of times with the kit that came with it. The rubberized bladder coating finally breaks, and they are unable to hold air. Our REI Thermarest knock-offs have lasted four seasons and are still running great.

Are self-inflating mattresses warm?

Camping Self-Inflating Mattress

Inside, there is rebound foam,’ which is breathable, comfortable, and warm. The primary goal is to create a sleeping identical experience to that of a bed.
Over the last ten years or so, self-inflating mattresses, or SIMs, have come a long way. I’d usually wake up stiff as a board, but that’s a different story!