Self-inflating sleeping mats
How to Choose the Ideal Self-Inflating Mattress for Your Outdoor Adventures?
When it comes to comfort and practicality during a backpacking trip, among all types of trekking or hiking mattresses, the self-inflating mattress is a must-have. However, several factors must be considered to find the model that will perfectly meet your expectations. Besides size and weight, it's essential to consider the type of terrain and the frequency of your outdoor outings. Are you an occasional adventurer or an experienced hiker? Do you prioritise lightness and compactness over comfort, or vice versa? Think about these questions to determine the thermal insulation level, thickness, and shape of your ideal self-inflating sleeping pad. Remember that each sleeper has different comfort preferences. Explore our selection of self-inflating mattresses offered by renowned brands such as Sea to Summit, Nemo, or Ferrino, and choose the night model that will transform your nights on a trek into peaceful and restorative sleep.
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Recommended price
£87.91
-30%
From £61.51
The Sea to Summit Camp Mat Self Inflating Olive is a year-round mattress with a great comfort-to-weight ratio.
- Regular
-
Recommended price
£96.71
-20%
From £77.35
The Ultralight Self Inflating Orange Airbed from Sea to Summit is compact, lightweight and comfortable. Ideal for minimalist treks.
- Large (198)
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Recommended price
£92.31
-35%
£59.75
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Recommended price
£79.11
-27%
From £57.11
- Large (198 x 64)
- Regular (183 x 56)
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Recommended price
£87.91
-30%
From £61.51
The Sea To Summit Camp+ Mat S.I Olive offers excellent comfort thanks to its self-inflating structure and optimized support.
- Large
- Regular
-
Recommended price
£131.91
-25%
From £98.47
The Sea To Summit Pursuit S.I Mat is a self-inflating, non-slip outdoor mat offering optimal comfort, quick inflation/deflation, effective thermal insulation, and easy portability.
- Large (198 x 64)
- Regular (183 x 56)
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Recommended price
£219.91
-24%
From £165.35
- Large (198)
- Regular (183)
INCLUDED
DAY RETURNS
Fixed costs
New colour
-
Recommended price
£30.71
-20%
£24.55
-
Recommended price
£114.31
-35%
£73.83
The Ferrino Couple Dream Green is an all-season, self-inflating double sleeping pad, offering optimal comfort and insulation with a robust polyester exterior and expanded foam interior.
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Recommended price
£149.51
-20%
From £119.59
- Regular Wide
New colour
-
Recommended price
£39.51
-20%
£31.59
-
Recommended price
£96.71
-30%
£67.67
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How a self-inflating sleeping mat works
The operating principle of a self-inflating mat is extremely simple. This type of mat is actually made up of an inflatable outer shell fitted with a valve and an internal open-cell foam filling. When you open the valve, air automatically enters the mat and the perforated foam that had been compressed inside begins to return to its nominal volume. It then reinflates, pushing the mat’s walls outwards and creating a vacuum. In the end, the mat draws in air on its own. Once it has finished self-inflating, you can top it up by mouth to achieve the desired firmness.
The advantages: comfortable and easy to set up
The self-inflating mat mainly offers a stable, comfortable sleeping surface thanks to its internal foam. Its inflation is straightforward: the foam regains its shape by drawing in air, although you often need to add a little more manually to adjust the firmness.
Its insulation depends above all on its R-value and design, not just its thickness. Slim models are lighter and more compact, while thicker ones prioritise comfort.
The drawbacks
Of course, that level of comfort comes at a weight penalty. If a self-inflating mat packs down very well, it is nevertheless much heavier than its rival, the inflatable mat, and far heavier than minimalist foam mats. It is not necessarily the type of mat to prioritise for long treks, but it is perfect for one- or two-night bivouacs. .
Thermarest, Sea to Summit: the best brands are at Glisshop
At Glisshop, we offer you a choice of leading self-inflating mat brands that have proven themselves over many years. Thermarest, Sea To Summit, Nemo and Ferrino, among others, all offer robust, hardwearing products. The materials used on the outer layer are designed to cope with the most abrasive terrain and reduce the risk of punctures. The valves used are also premium-quality valves to prevent any risk of leakage during the night.
The thickness and R-value of a self-inflating mat
Self-inflating mats are available in different thicknesses depending on the comfort and thermal insulation required.
Here is a table showing the difference between the various thicknesses available, bearing in mind that the insulation and weight of the mat can vary significantly depending on the brand, the model length and the technology of the internal foam.
| Thickness (cm) | Season | Thermal resistance (R-Value) | Weight (g) |
| 2.5 | mid-season / 3-season | 1.7-3.1 | 550-650 |
| 3.8 | 3-season / 4-season | 2.4-4.5 | 650-880 |
| 5 | 3-season / 4-season | 3.1-6 | 620-1820 |
| 7.6 | 4-season | 4.4 | 820 |
2.5 cm-thick models are ideal for bivouacs in mild weather. 3.8 cm models are extremely versatile and, for some users, can be used as a 4-season self-inflating mat, while 5 and 7.6 cm-thick models are better suited to bivouacs in cold weather and in winter.
All that’s left is to choose the mat that suits your needs and complete your kit with a suitable sleeping bag for comfortable nights under the stars.