10 of the Best Camping Mats 2024 - The Camping and Caravanning Club
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10+ of the Best Camping Mats for 2024

A well-made sleeping mat can be the difference between a good night’s sleep and a night full of tossing and turning. As a tent camper, your camping mat is the only thing between you and the cold, hard floor, so it's worth investing in a mattress that will have you fast asleep and refreshed for the morning ahead.

With so many options in the market, choosing the right mat can be challenging. We’ve not only put together a list of some of the best camping mattresses you can buy in 2023, but we’ve also highlighted what you should look for when finding your perfect camping mattress.

What to consider when choosing a camping mattress

Before selecting a camping mattress that’s right for you, you’ll need to consider two things.

  • Will you be camping in the summer, winter or all year round?
  • Will you be backpack camping and need a lightweight mattress that can be tightly packed and fit into your backpack? Or will you take a car and have more space and weight to spare?

Once you have a rough idea of your camping style, you can find the perfect mattress that caters to your needs.

There are three things to look at when searching for your camping mattress. These include:

  • Type of mattress
  • Warmth
  • Size
  1. Type
  2. When choosing your new camping mat, consider what type is best for you. Generally, the most common types are self-inflating, non-self-inflating and closed-cell foam mats.

    • Self-inflating mattresses are made up of foam inside an air-tight shell. When the valve opens, the mat will absorb air, and the foam will expand. The open-cell foam is compressible, making it more comfortable and easier to store away.
    • Non-self-inflating mattresses generally require manual inflation, such as a foot pump or using your breath to inflate it. These mats are often split into two different types of insulation:
      1. Air-only mats: these have no additional insulation so, they’re better for summer camping.
      2. Down and synthetic insulated mats: these are designed to keep you warm at night and are typically thicker with added weight.
    • Closed-cell foam mattresses are lightweight mattresses, but they typically take up a bit more space. These mats offer insulation through closed air cells within the foam that consequently trap the air and protect you from the cold ground.
  3. Warmth
  4. A chilly night's sleep is not for everyone. Aside from your sleeping bag, your sleeping mat is the only thing separating you from the cold ground; therefore, you need to consider purchasing one that’s comfortable and stops your body heat from being lost to the ground. For more tips on staying warm while camping, read our winter camping tips.

  5. Size
  6. If you're camping with the car, and space isn't an issue, an inflatable mat might be the most comfortable option. However, if you’re backpacking and need to minimise weight, the lightweight construction of a self-inflating mat might be invaluable.

Camping mats banner

10 of our favourite camping mats in 2024

  1. Berghaus Single Self-Inflating Camping Mat
  2. Ideal for quick and easy comfort, the Berghaus Single Self-Inflating Mat is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a well-made camping mat. This model boasts an innovative self-inflating valve, as well as a soft-flocked finish to prevent your sleeping bag from slipping.

    Find the Berghaus Single Self-Inflating Camping Mat here from £119.

    Club members can get an additional 10% off Go Outdoors.

  3. Eurohike Camper Double Self-Inflating Camping Mat
  4. Offering a hassle-free set-up, the Eurohike Camper Double Self-Inflating Mat is easy to inflate and deflate. Stay comfortable for longer with the robust polyester shell and base, which adds protection against punctures. The mat’s size is ideal for two people but can be used by solo campers. This model also includes a stuff sack and an emergency repair kit.

    Find the Eurohike Camper Double Self-Inflating Camping Mat here from £36.

    Club members can get an additional 10% off Go Outdoors.

  5. Mountain Equipment Aerostat Down 7.0 Camping Mat
  6. Suitable for seriously cold weather use, the Aerostat Down 7.0 Mat provides exceptional insulation and comfort in a small pack size. This down-filled sleeping mat is constructed with innovative, durable technology, making it ideal for long-term expeditions. The custom valve is used for both inflation and deflation, and the supplied stuff sack doubles as a handy pump.

    Find the Mountain Equipment Aerostat Down 7.0 Camping Mat here from £90.00.

  7. Multimat Camper 8 Camping Mat
  8. On the market at fantastic value for money, the Multimat Camper 8 Mat is a closed-cell foam roll mat providing additional warmth and cushioning. Protecting you from the hard ground, this mat is ideal for your summer camping trip. Weighing just 180g and rolling up to six inches, this model can easily be packed up and carried, making it perfect for backpackers.

    Find the Multimat Camper 8 Camping Mat here from £14.99.

    Club members can get an additional 15% off Cotswold Outdoor.

  9. Outwell Dreamboat Single 16cm Camping Mat
  10. Outwell camping mats

    If you’re looking for premium comfort, Outwell’s Dreamboat Single Mat is a top-of-the-range self-inflating camping mat. The Dreamboat features an FHF (Flat High-Flow) valve with enhanced airflow for inflation and deflation. The vertical side fabric panels do not bend under pressure, meaning less air needs to be pumped for fast, easy inflation.

    Find the Outwell Dreamboat Single 16cm Camping Mat here from £262.

  11. Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Camping Mat
  12. Sea to Summit

    Combining lightweight fabric and sound insulation, Sea to Summit's Ether Light Insulated Mat is a 10cm thick mat with an impressively low weight. Large air pockets are created by looped TFU baffles, connected by the Air Sprung Cell dot weld pattern, making for a night of extra comfortable sleep. This mat's extra height allows you to sink deeper into the mat without touching the cold ground.

    Find the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Camping Mat here from £170.00.

  13. Therm-a-rest NeoAir Venture Sleeping Camping Mat
  14. Turning the cold hard ground into a warm, soft bed, the Therm-a-rest NeoAir Venture Sleeping Mat is one of the best self-inflating mats on the market. Packing up small enough to fit in your pack, this mat is remarkably light. The mat’s construction uses thermal foam to isolate you from the cold ground, boasting an impressive warmth to weight ratio.

    Find the Therm-a-rest NeoAir Venture Sleeping Camping Mat here from £120.00.

    Club members can get an additional 15% off Cotswold Outdoor.

  15. Vango Shangri-La II 10 Double Camping Mat
  16. Vango camping mat

    The most luxurious of their self-inflating mat range, Vango’s Shangri-La II 10 Double has recently been updated to reduce the pack size without compromising comfort. The carry bag is designed for easy packing and transportation. With a flat and level top to the bed, the vertical walls of the mattress display super-soft stretch fabric, providing a perfect sleep surface.

    Find the Vango Shangri-La II 10 Double Camping Mat here from £250.00.

  17. NEMO Tensor Ultralight Camping Mat
  18. The perfect choice for backpackers is the NEMO Tensor Ultralight Mat. It’s a great lightweight inflatable mattress that comes with a pump for fast and easy inflation. The mat has a quilted construction, mixing both horizontal and vertical baffles. This results in a very comfortable 3-inch platform that doesn’t collapse when you move and evenly distributes weight. To keep you extra warm, there are two layers of an ‘aluminised’ film to reflect body heat back to you. These are designed to be rustle free.

    Find the NEMO Tensor Ultralight Camping Mat here from £179.99.

  19. Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D Camping Mat
  20. For the highest level of comfort and support, the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D mat is made of premium foam and keeps you warm in any season. The extra-comfy self-inflating pad features an easy-to-use TwinLock valve. This allows the pad to inflate three times faster and deflate five times faster.

    Find the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D Camping Mat here from £216.75.

Once you’ve found a camping mat that’s perfect for your trip, book one of our many Club Sites across the UK.

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