Tourist Mats
An important part of any journey is rest and sleep. Without restoring strength, it is difficult to overcome a challenging route; moreover, in certain conditions, the lack of appropriate gear for sleep and rest can have serious consequences for the health or even life of a tourist. Typically, a whole system of gear is used in hiking, designed to provide the necessary comfort during rest. Depending on specific conditions, individual elements of this system can be excluded or replaced with surrogates (which do not provide the full range of protective functions), but are more compact and lightweight (and cheaper).
What do we need for comfortable sleep while hiking?
• Tent. Protects from wind, precipitation, cold, insects, and small animals. Possible surrogates: tarp (or poncho-tarp), bivy sack, shelter made from improvised materials.
• Sleeping bag. Protects from cold, partially from air movement (wind), and small animals. Possible surrogates: “elephant foot” (shortened bag), blanket, clothing, bivy sack, large backpack (you can put your legs inside), improvised means.
• Tourist mat (foam pad, sleeping pad). Protects from cold coming from below – from the substrate (snow, ice, ground, grass), should also protect from moisture and help smooth out the terrain during rest.
Possible surrogates: hay mat, spruce branches, folded fabric, oilcloth, personal belongings (backpack, rope, clothing).
Among the three items necessary for full rest during travel, the last two points (sleeping bag and mat) are much more closely related to each other than the first (tent), as they have a broader field of application. We use the mat and sleeping bag to sleep in a shepherd's hut or somewhere under a canopy. In good weather, many prefer to sleep without a tent, but still in a bag and on a mat. Additionally, many tourists and travelers use the mat + sleeping bag system for overnight stays in hostels, cheap trains, airports, and train stations.
It is worth noting that not only beginners but also quite experienced tourists often tend to overestimate the role of the sleeping bag and underestimate the role of the mat in ensuring good, full rest.
It is important to know that only in the correctly selected tandem of mat + sleeping bag can you
• minimize the weight and volume of carried gear;
• achieve thermal comfort during sleep/rest;
• have at your disposal the most versatile and reliable system for personal comfort in travel/hiking.
Not long ago, domestic tourists were not very spoiled by the assortment of available gear, but now those harsh times are far behind. The main regulating factor when purchasing various tourism accessories is not so much the limited options, but the amount of resources that the consumer is willing to spend on them – whether it be money or time needed for selection and purchase.
CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING A SLEEPING PAD
Perhaps the most important characteristic is the indicator of how warm it will be to sleep on the mat. After all, no matter how warm your sleeping bag is, it will be compressed under your body and will not be able to retain the heat from the ground. Especially if you are using a quilt.
1. Thermal insulation. R-Value
The thermal insulation of a mat is a multifactorial quantity, so it is quite difficult to measure and derive a universally acceptable formula for warmth. Test measurements in laboratory conditions, unfortunately, do not completely solve the problem. Nevertheless, this is the best we have. Currently, a commonly accepted compromise is a certain objective value, known as the R-Value. It is measured in units, and the more units there are, the warmer the mat is. Initially, this factor was taken from construction and has a number of aspects that do not allow it to be considered a panacea in measuring the thermal comfort of mats. Still, using this characteristic, we can at least compare mats with each other. There are formulas that allow for an approximate conversion of units into a temperature equivalent, but manufacturers rarely do this, as this conversion is not entirely objective.
Conditionally speaking, an R-Value of less than 2 means the mat can be considered “cold,” suitable for use mainly in summer, late spring, and early autumn (this category includes the Izhevsk mat). If the factor is 2-3, then the mat is confidently three-season, limitedly suitable for winter use. Four-season mats have a factor of 3.5 or higher. If you need to sleep in a tent at temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius, you need a mat with a value of 5 or higher.
2. Weight
For most tourists carrying their luggage, the weight of their gear is important. The main trend in recent years in tourism is to reduce the weight of gear, even at the expense of its durability and reliability. Typically, weight reduction occurs due to two main factors: firstly, due to new materials and technologies, often quite expensive; secondly, due to a decrease in the thickness (density) of the materials used (strength and durability are sacrificed). Often, manufacturers pursue both of these directions simultaneously, achieving, at first glance, impressive results, which, however, upon closer examination may not be so astonishing.
3. Packed size
This factor is often no less important than the weight of the product. Reducing the packed size of the mat allows you to avoid the need to carry it outside the backpack, thus making the entire load compact and much more convenient for transport and movement over difficult terrain.
Many tourists choosing a trekking backpack often wonder – why are the compression straps on most models of these expensive imported backpacks so short?! After all, it is impossible to fit a rolled-up “tube” mat under them. How could this be?! What were the designers thinking?! Many “critics” do not realize that in Europe and America, mats that can be packed inside have been the standard for decades.
4. Comfort of use
For many tourists, this point is even more important than thermal insulation, as only a limited number of people go hiking in cold conditions. This point can include a whole range of factors that will encompass overall comfort in use. First and foremost, it is how comfortable (soft) it is to sleep on the mat – its ability to smooth out the unevenness of the terrain. After all, everyone knows that it is rare to find a perfectly flat spot for sleeping.
Additionally, for inflatable mats, this includes the convenience of inflating and deflating, and for all, the convenience of unfolding, folding, and packing.
It is important how much the mat prevents “slipping” on a slightly sloped tent floor and how much the tourist will slide on the mat while in the sleeping bag.
You can also consider the possibilities for additional uses of the mat (for example, as a flotation device, windbreak for cooking, for splinting and transporting an injured person).
5. Reliability and ease of use
For a tourist, it is important how resistant the mat is to punctures and damage, its strength, vulnerability to external factors (temperature, UV radiation, uneven surfaces), and how repairable it is in field conditions.
You may also want to add other criteria for your selection. Now let's look at the main types of mats, briefly discussing their advantages and disadvantages.
POLYURETHANE MATS
This name is quite conditional, as manufacturers use several types of basic materials. I used the name that is most often used by gear sellers on their store websites – for your convenience.
First and foremost, we are talking about tourist mats that require no additional preparation for use, except for unrolling – they do not need to be inflated, they have no valves or compartments.
Most modern non-inflatable mats are made from closed-cell polyethylene foam (for example, modern Therm-a-Rest models), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and other polymers. In this article, I do not see the point in going into detail about the materials.
Let's consider the main advantages of non-inflatable mats.
• The cost of a mat from even the most renowned manufacturer is usually less than that of a budget self-inflating mat.
• Reliability is immeasurably higher. A non-inflatable mat is practically one of the most low-maintenance elements of a tourist's gear, while an inflatable one is the opposite. A non-inflatable mat is not afraid of punctures, sharp protrusions, and does not necessarily require a cover for transportation.
You can confidently lie on such a mat at the beach, in a meadow, and in urban conditions, it is suitable for yoga or other activities.
• Low weight. Most representatives of this class weigh around half a kilogram. Only the most expensive inflatable counterparts can boast such weight.
• Versatility. If necessary, most mats can be used “off-label” – as a frame in a soft backpack, a splint for fractures, a windbreak for cooking on a camp stove, a flotation device for crossing, or you can cut out insoles from it (referring to mats without ridges, like the Izhevsk one). There are many other possible uses, including in the city.
Now let's note the disadvantages.
• The thermal insulation of most models is not very high; only a few products reach four-season standards. However, in Ukraine, I have not encountered mats for sale with an R-Value greater than 4.
• Comfort, even for models with strong ridges, is inferior to inflatable mats.
• Compactness is also not top-notch. Typically, the dimensions of the mat when folded do not allow it to be carried inside the backpack, except in cases where it is used as an internal frame or you have excess free space inside. Most mats roll up “like a tube,” but there are models that fold “accordion-style.” Carrying them inside the backpack is especially inconvenient.
SELF-INFLATING AND INFLATABLE MATS
This is a broad group of tourist mats that has long captured the market in many countries. In the post-Soviet space, however, it is still perceived by many as exotic. In these mats, the main insulator – air – is allowed to “work” without hiding, as in some models, there is nothing but air and the shell. Structurally, these are improved inflatable mattresses.
However, currently, another type is more common. These are the so-called self-inflating mats. Inside, they are filled with special open-cell foam, and the outside is covered with a fabric shell. Once you open the valve, air starts to flow in and fill the sponge-like space. Then you screw the valve shut, and that's it! But this is in theory.
In practice, such a mat fills with air only 60-70% on its own; the rest needs to be inflated manually.
This design has been produced since the 1970s, and such mats, when properly used, can last for many years and even decades, effectively performing their cushioning and thermal insulation functions. Let's list their main advantages:
• A sufficiently reliable, time-tested design;
• Adequate thermal insulation properties; in case of puncture, they still provide minimal protection;
• Increased comfort compared to other models – they smooth out unevenness, do not slide easily, and do not make unpleasant noises;
• A huge assortment – you can choose literally anything you want – models from expensive and “fancy” to quite budget-friendly, any sizes and thicknesses.
Disadvantages:
• Significant weight of most models;
• Even budget models are not accessible to everyone; top models can cost over $200;
• Packing size is larger than that of inflatable mats;
• They are susceptible to punctures and require careful handling;
• They require more time to prepare for sleep and to set up compared to non-inflatable models;
Inflatable Mats
Many tourists, fishermen, and spelunkers have tried sleeping on regular inflatable mattresses. In cold weather, it becomes clear that despite the significant thickness of the product, it provides only mediocre protection from the cold. Sleep comfort is often also questionable. This occurs due to the large air chambers inside, where convection happens, leading to rapid cooling. Additionally, the use of large-volume compartments contributes to the rolling of air and reduces the comfort of the person lying on the mattress.
Inflatable mats use a large number of compartments to minimize convection and the rolling effect. The more expensive the model, the more sophisticated technologies the manufacturer employs. Nevertheless, such inflatable constructions still remain quite cold for winter use. To enhance thermal insulation, reflective layers, usually made of aluminized material, are actively used today. A significant number of these layers allows for impressive R-Value without a significant weight increase. For example, one of the market leaders in inflatable mats – the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm model in standard size Regular (183 x 51 cm with a thickness of 6.3 cm) has a factor of 5.7 at a weight of 430 g. At the same time, the mat folds down to a size of 23 x 10 cm.
What is the secret? In the large number of heat-reflecting screens and ultra-light materials, which, of course, leads to a considerable cost, comparable to that of a good sleeping bag. Another way to increase thermal insulation is to fill the internal space with down or its synthetic substitutes. Such models are somewhat heavier, but also very warm and expensive.
Main advantages of inflatable mats:
• The design allows for models with the best consumer properties available today;
• Low weight;
• Unmatched compactness when folded;
• Due to significant thickness, they handle uneven terrain well;
• Good thermal insulation in top models;
Disadvantages:
• High cost of models with good characteristics (budget models are starting to appear);
• Models with aluminized screens have become notorious for their loud rustling, which interferes with comfortable sleep;
• The need to fully inflate and deflate; many models are not recommended to be inflated by mouth, special pumps or pump bags are required;
• Accordingly, the greatest labor intensity in folding and unfolding;
• Most sensitive to damage, overheating, and overinflation;
• Shortest lifespan of all types of mats considered in this article;
• It is advisable to use special protection – a transport bag, a groundsheet.
Foil Coating of Mats
Research on the thermal insulation properties of mats has shown that a reflective heat layer significantly increases the thermal protection indicators of the mat. Therefore, many manufacturers have released modifications of their well-known models with a foil version in recent years. This primarily concerns non-inflatable mat models. It is important to know that the reflective coating should face the person, not the ground! Otherwise, the effect approaches zero.
Choosing a Tourist Mat
Most tourists continue to “not overthink” and choose the Izhevsk mat or its more renowned counterpart from well-known manufacturers. The motives here vary – the most common is saving money, but a significant portion also includes conservatism and reluctance to inflate-deflate the mat and repair it after a puncture (especially on some cold night).
Nevertheless, statistics show that most tourists who have tried sleeping on an inflatable/self-inflating mat no longer return to the classic version. Moreover, in most Western countries and the USA, the self-inflating mat has been the classic for about thirty years! So, perhaps it makes sense to give it a try?
If you occasionally use a mat in very cold conditions (high-altitude climbs, winter hikes), but nevertheless, the majority of your “adventures” occur in warm weather, it may not be worth rushing to the store to buy the “warmest of the warm.”
Combination of Mats. Combining two not-so-warm mats is a very interesting idea. After all, two mats with an average R-Value of 2.5-3 will be quite sufficient for overnight stays at -20, and separately, you will have two mats. It makes sense for one of them to be a bit warmer, and the other a bit lighter. Then you will have:
• models for three temperature regimes;
• a spare mat that can be lent to a friend.
It should be noted that a combination of two mats may be cheaper and lighter than one super-warm mat. Especially if one of them is non-inflatable. In this case, serving as the bottom part of the “sandwich” of mats, it will protect the inflatable mat from damage.
Shortened mat length. For minimalist lightweight hikers, it is also worth considering the option of a second mat of reduced length, usually self-inflating. Many companies produce models that are 119 cm long.
When laid on a regular-length mat, it will prevent heat loss and provide comfort to the most vulnerable parts of the body. At the same time, you will significantly save on weight and volume.
Myths about Using Inflatable Mats
Many believe that such a mat will get damaged as soon as you place it on the ground. The experience of many users shows that with careful handling, it can last an entire season without a puncture, and sometimes even more than one. The chances of not getting a puncture also increase when using a special cover or groundsheet/mat.
Repairing a mat is also not as complicated as many think. For temporary repairs of some mats, reinforced tape can be used.
An increasing number of travelers even take inflatable mats as their only option on serious and extreme multi-day hikes.
Of course, when using inflatable mats, one should always practice vigilance and maintain order at the sleeping site (in the tent).
The information provided in this article will allow you to make a more informed and conscious choice of your tourist mat and make your travels more comfortable and safe.
For tourists