Walking Equipment and Accessories

Best Backpacking Sleeping Mats For 2025

Options from Therm-a-rest, Exped, NEMO Equipment and more, plus our advice on what to look for when buying

It is the sleeping mat that you should be looking to first if you’re after a good night’s sleep when camping. Sleeping mats define your comfort by providing protection from the ground below, whilst also working as the most crucial element for warmth.

The nuances of sleeping mats are almost as diverse as sleeping bags. You’ll find varying degrees of weight, durability, value, thickness and, most importantly, warmth. All sleeping mats (or pads, as they’re sometimes known) for backpacking will have temperature ratings similar to sleeping bags. We’ve tested a handful that roughly fall into the three-season range, and that are suited to a variety of activities.

Some of the main types of backpacking sleeping pad

The Best Sleeping Mats For Backpacking 2025

Here’s our pick of the best lightweight sleeping mats out there. We’ve picked a variety of different types and constructions here, but all of them are lightweight and packable enough for life on the trail. The majority of these, with only a couple of exceptions, made it into the current or previous editions of our Outdoor 100 product guide and all of them have been fully tested and reviewed by our team.

Best Overall Sleeping Mat: Bach Relay 3R Split
The Runner Up: Exped Ultra 5R
Best Ultralight Sleeping Mat: Therm-a-rest NeoAir Uberlite
Best Sleeping Mat for Colder Weather: Nemo Tensor All-Season
Best Foam Sleeping Mat: Big Agnes TwisterCane BioFoam
Best Value Sleeping Mat: Vango Aotrom Sleeping Mat

1. Bach Relay 3R Split

Best overall sleeping mat: This came out top in our tests, being recognised by our reviewers as the best sleeping mat tested.

Price: £178
Weight: 580g
R-value: 2.9
What we liked: Unique design, comfortable
What we didn’t like: There are lighter, warmer mats

We’ve been hugely impressed by this mat from Swiss brand Bach because it offers something that’s genuinely different to anything else on the market.

As you can see in the picture above, which shows OM editor Will using the mat in the Welsh hills, this sleeping pad comes with a detachable sit pad. Not only is the sit pad very comfortable to sit on and also easy to detach and re-attach, but the sleeping mat itself offers an equally comfortable night’s sleep.

The warmth-to-weight ratio is very good with the mat weighing just 571g but also offering an R-value of 2.9 which makes it suitable for use down to 0C. Using the Relay 3R during some chilly early spring testing in the mountains we found it to be warm, stable, very easy to use and pretty packable too. The sit mat actually proved to be more durable than we’d expected but we’re not confident that it’d be able to withstand things like thorns, corn stubs or sharp stones.

All packed up – and with the pump sack that’s included with it – it’s a touch bigger than a Nalgene bottle.

There are lighter and more packable mats out there, but they don’t also come with a handy sit pad. Therefore, for all the reasons above, this gets our pick as the best sleeping mat overall for 2024.

Selected for our Outdoor 100 for 2024. Read our full Bach Relay 3R Split review.

Buy the Bach Relay 3R Split: £203 at Amazon.co.uk

2. Exped Ultra 5R

Runner up: A close second in our tests

Price: £190
Weight: 585g (regular)
R-value: 4.8
What we liked: Comfortable and stable, very warm, air pump doubles as waterproof stuff sack
What we didn’t like: Quite expensive

This is a winter-rated sleeping mat that provides an impressive amount of insulation and without the burden of a heavy weight or packed size. In fact, we found that it boasts one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios out there.

It’s a comfortable sleep too, keeping you a good few inches from the ground and providing a nice bit of stability thanks to its longitudinal baffles.

It’s inflated via airflow through a one-way valve. You can either blow into it, which takes some time and effort, or you can use the pump sack that comes with it. Handily, the pump sack is waterproof and is designed to double as the sleeping mat’s stuff sack. To deflate it, you simply open up the ‘out’ valve and it’ll quickly be ready to be rolled up.

This, by the way, comes in numerous different sizes, styles and lengths. We tested the rectangular M size and really liked what we saw.

Featured in our 2023/24 Outdoor 100. Read our full Exped Ultra 5R review.

Buy the Exped Ultra 5R: £190 at Wildbounds.com

3. Vango Aotrom

Best value sleeping mat: On a budget? This was our top pick for value

Price: £70
Weight: 410g
R-value: 1
What we liked: Quick and easy to inflate, small packed size
What we didn’t like: comfort and warmth levels are quite basic

This mat is excellent value for money. We’ve found it to be light and packable, comfortable enough for backcountry use and, perhaps best of all, it’s super quick and easy to inflate and deflate. We found that just blowing into it was effortless enough but you can attach a pump or pump sack if you want to inflate it without blowing in moist air – and to save your breath.

It’s made from a 20-denier ripstop nylon which feels quite tough. You obviously wouldn’t want to plonk it on top of a gorse bush but, from our experience with it, it’s tough enough to withstand the sharp claws of a border terrier that’s trying to make itself cosy for the night.

Unlike the usual transverse or longitudinal baffles that you see on most sleeping mats, the Aotrom has air-filled welded channels. These mould to the contours of the ground and to your body, ultimately making for a more comfortable night’s sleep. It’s not the thickest mat, and though we could lie on it without ‘bottoming out’, we’d still say it’s better suited for people who tend to sleep on their back or front rather than their sides.

We found this mat was perfect for mild spring, summer and autumn conditions. You’ll want the Aotrom Thermo if you’re planning any winter stuff.

Featured in our Outdoor 100. Read our full Vango Aotrom Sleeping Mat review.

Buy the Vango Aotrom: £70 at Vango.co.uk

4. Nemo Tensor All-Season Sleeping Mat

Best mat for colder nights: This was recognised as the best lightweight backpacking option that can also be used in sub zero conditions.

An image taken from our editor’s camp-out with the Tensor All-season.

Price: £180
Weight: 445g
R-value: 5.4
What we liked: Excellent warmth-to-weight, very comfortable
What we didn’t like: Does collapse a bit at the very edges

Following our testing period with this mat, we decided it’s not only worthy of earning a place in this round up of the best sleeping mats, but it also packs enough of a punch to knock Therm-a-rest off the podium in our category for the best mat for colder nights.

This mat’s R-value of 5.4 makes it a solid winter performer but it’s also remarkably light and packable, so it’s ideal for any ultralight adventures either side of the warmer seasons. The insulation comes in the form of two layers of metalised film that radiates your body heat back to you while reflecting away any coldness from the ground. The good news is that these layers are also carefully designed so that they don’t make any crinkling or rustling when you move about in your sleep.

It comes with a pump sack which makes inflation very quick and easy. We found it takes about 6 or so squeezes to have the thing ready to go – and less than two minutes. The durability impressed us too. It comes across as a sleeping mat that is built to withstand a bit of abrasion and the normal kinds of demands of the trail.

As well as the regular size, which we tested, you can also find this in long and tapered shapes.

Buy the Nemo Tensor All-Season: £170 at Ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk

5. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Uberlite

Best ultralight sleeping mat: This gets our pick as the best for ultralight hikers

Price: £190
Weight: 250g
R-value: 2.0
What we liked: Unrivalled packability
What we didn’t like: Material is very thin

This has been dubbed the lightest inflatable air mat ever made, and we’re not going to argue with that. At 250g this is super, super light. Much lighter than any of the other mats featured in this round up.

When something comes in that low on the scales, we’re obviously all going to immediately question how durable it is, and with this the answer is that it’s, well, not that durable – the fabric is just 15D.

The thing is, if you look after it and be careful with what you’re laying it out on top of, there’s no reason why this won’t last a good amount of time without breaking, and if keeping your pack weight as low as possible is hugely important, perhaps it’s worth taking the risk.

When this thing is packed up in its stuff sack, it’s about the size of a Coke can. It’s quite remarkable really, and a potential game changer for any fastpackers or ultralight hikers out there.

It’s comfy – as comfy as any of the other mats in this round-up – and it creates plenty of space between your body and the ground, but there isn’t too much space to move around here as it’s tapered to the shape of someone lying on their back. It’s also not insulated, so look elsewhere if you want something for winter use.

Read our full Therm-a-rest NeoAir Uberlite review.

Buy the Therm-a-rest NeoAir Uberlite: £142 at Amazon.co.uk

6. Big Agnes TwisterCane BioFoam

Best foam sleeping mat: If you prefer an open cell mat, this is the option we rate highest

Price: £50
Weight: 397g
R-value: 1.7
What we liked: Durable, eco-friendly
What we didn’t like: bulky

Big Agnes’ TwisterCane BioFoam Sleeping Pad is a great bit of simple and relatively inexpensive kit that will do the job for climbers, backpackers and Cub Scouts alike. Unlike most other foam mats, however, these mats are made from sustainably-sourced sugarcane biomass (over 60%), in a process that is not just carbon-neutral, but actually removes carbon from the atmosphere.

Admittedly, this isn’t the thickest or the warmest sleeping pad around, nor the most packable. Unrolled, it has a depth of about half an inch, or 13mm, with an R-value of 1.7. The roll mat design means it is reasonably compact and still straps to the outside of a pack, but isn’t quite as space efficient as a concertina or Z-folding closed-cell foam mat. We’d love to see Big Agnes come out with a BioFoam mat of that design, with thicker dimensions and a higher R-value.

Still, in its current form, the TwisterCane would work well for warmer-weather adventures, especially if you’re a hardy wild camper or seasoned trail hiker accustomed to relatively spartan levels of comfort. And as the brand suggests, it could also be combined with an insulated air mat for additional warmth and comfort, creating a robust four-season system for year-round use, even on frozen ground or snow.

Selected for our Green Gear Guide 2021/22 – Read our full Big Agnes TwisterCane BioFoam sleeping mat review.

Buy the Big Agnes Twistercane BioFoam : £40 at Ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk

7. Therm-a-rest XLite NXT

Price: £210
Weight: 350g
R-value: 4.5
What we liked: excellent warmth-to-weight ratio
What we didn’t like: tapered shape makes it quite narrow, expensive.

This has an r-value thermal rating of 4.5 which makes it suitable for four season use in conditions down to 0°F or -18°C. It also weighs just 350g, so the warmth-to-weight ratio this offers is impressive. The secret is in its dual layer of chambers and an internal lining that radiates your body heat back to you.

In our tests, we found it very quick and easy to assemble, mainly thanks to the convenient pump sack that it comes with, and we also found it comfortable to sleep on. As you can see, it has a tapered shape, which suits back sleepers best, but we still found that side and front sleeping was also comfortable on this. If you do move around a lot at night, you might find this a little on the narrow side.

We liked the fact it has Therm-a-rest’s WingLock valve on it. It’s very convenient to use, allowing you to make minor adjustments to the air pressure in the middle of the night with ease and supporting fast inflation and deflation.

All packed up, this is a very compact mat, especially for one that’s made for cold weather use. It’s about the size of a Nalgene bottle.

Selected for our Outdoor 100. Read our full Therm-a-rest NeoAir Xlite NXT review.

Buy the Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite NXT: £210 at Ellis-brigham.co.uk

7. Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated

Our tester Nicola using the Big Agnes Rapide SL in the Highlands. Photo: Dave Macfarlane

Price: £140 (Petite)
Weight: 521g
R-value: 4.8
What we liked: Very thick and comfy, stable, excellent warmth-to-weight balance
What we didn’t like: Petite version we tested is very narrow

This is available in a number of different lengths and widths, so you can choose the right mat for your size and also your preferences when it comes to weight. If you’re an ultralighter, for instance, you might want to opt for its shortest and lightest version, which is the 20” by 66” version, or there’s a two-person option if you’re after a bit of luxury.

With a 9cm thickness and an extra 2cm at the sides, the Rapide is one of the thickest mats we’ve tested. But it’s still firmly in the lightweight category – the 20” x 72” model we trialled weighs just 521g. And it’s warm too, bringing an R-value of 4.8. That makes it suitable for most three-season conditions and even some milder winter camping conditions. We used it on a chilly camp in the Scottish Highlands where the temperature dipped below freezing and it kept us snug – paired with a winter sleeping bag too, of course. The secret is in its internal heat reflective layer that has insulating PrimaLoft fibres laminated to it.

We also liked that this has a clever mix of vertical and horizontal baffles. It’s a design that creates a kind of ‘goldilocks’ mix where you get the best of both worlds: stability, good heat distribution and a nice cradling effect. And it comes with a huge pump bag (huge but still very light) that makes inflation very quick and easy.

Selected for our Outdoor 100. Read our full Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated review.

Buy the Big Agnes Rapide SL: £120 at Wildbounds.com

8. Sea-To-Summit Comfort Light Insulated

Price: £165
Weight: 620g
R-value: 3.7
What we liked: Comfortable, lightweight, quick and easy inflation
What we didn’t like: Quite heavy for an inflatable mat

The immediate thing that’s noticeable about this is the intriguing looking air cells. It’s what Sea-to-Summit call ‘Hybrid Layer Air Sprung Cell technology’. The idea is that small pockets of air are more stable than a few big ones, offering you much more comfort and support than large lilo-like tubes.

The Exkin Platinum fabric used here reflects radiant heat back to the camper, while Thermolite insulation prevents heat loss between the user and the ground, and this combination of tech makes the mat warm enough to be used in cold weather.

We tested this on a week long trek through Lapland where the temperature hovered around zero degrees celsius at night. It was perfectly comfortable to sleep on – both in terms of how warm it kept us and how it felt. In fact, after a while we stopped worrying about pitching our tent over smaller rocks because we knew we just wouldn’t feel them through the mat.

As for the inflation method, it comes with a lightweight bag that you scoop air into and then force it into the mat through the valve by pressure. It’s remarkably easy and quick and most importantly, it saves your breath!

Check out our full Sea-to-Summit Comfort Light Insulated review.

Buy the Sea to Summit Comfort Light Insulated: £129 at Amazon.co.uk

9. Nemo Quasar 3D

Price: £150
Weight: 774g
R-value: 3.3
What we liked: sustainably-produced, very durable
What we didn’t like: Quite heavy and bulky

Packable, durable, weight conscious and sustainably produced, it’s difficult to find a box that the Nemo Quasar 3D sleeping mat doesn’t wholeheartedly tick.

We recommend inflating and deflating using the Vortex pump sack (included), although the Nemo Quasar can be inflated using lung power alone. When fully inflated you get 3 ½ inches of cushioning. One end has a slightly elevated head baffle to keep your camp pillow in place, with the rest of the mat using curved body mapped baffles, making for an extremely comfortable night’s sleep.

There are two versions, insulated and non-insulated. Unless you’re strictly a summer camper, we recommend that UK campers opt for the insulated version, which bumps the R-value of the mat from 1.8 to 3.3, making it suitable for three-season camping.

The best bit? You can sleep easy knowing that your purchase has had no negative impact on the planet, it’s made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials.

Selected for the Outdoor 100 2021/22 – Here’s our full Nemo Quasar 3D Sleeping Mat review.

Buy the Nemo Quasar 3D: £128 at Alpinetrek.co.uk

10. Snugpak Air Mat

Price: £62
Weight: 630g
R-value: Unknown
What we liked: Comfortable, great value, innovative design
What we didn’t like: Not much insulation

The clever thing about this sleeping mat by British brand Snugpak is that you don’t need to waste your breath on it or even carry some form of pump either. That’s because there’s a pump built into it.

To inflate it you open up a little valve in one of the corners and then you either stamp down on this repeatedly or pump it with the palm of your hand. Do this for about a minute, and maybe give a puff or two at the end for a little extra pressure, and then viola, you have a very comfortable mattress to sleep on – one that’s actually rather large as well.

There isn’t any insulation (as far as we can tell) in this, so it’s not one for winter use, but for spring through to autumn this will serve you well.

At 630g there are much lighter mats out there, but there are also heavier and much more expensive ones as well. £59 for a mat like this is a great deal in our books.

Check out our full Snugpak Air Mat review.

Buy the Snugpak Airmat: £70 at Snugpak.com

Choosing The Best Sleeping Mat For You

Most sleeping mats are very lightweight with backpacking in mind, while others are the ones you’d want if you were camping in the same place for a few days – the kind you wouldn’t want to lug across somewhere extremely wild.

Best Three Season Sleeping Bags

And that’s the first decision to make: What will you be using the mat for? Sleeping mats all sit on a scale between weight and comfort, but always bear in mind the temperature you’re expecting. If you’re going to be using it almost exclusively for long-distance backpacking, then you want to consider weight over comfort.

If you’re just going to be camping in a car or staying in one place for a few nights, then comfort wins, but it will be at the expense of weight. The old school roll away mats can still be bought (also known as closed-cell foam), take for example the Therm-a-Rest option in the list below. The main focus of this group test, however, will be on inflatable mats.

Bear in mind also that we’re testing one mattress from each of the relatively few companies that make sleeping mats. Within their ranges, you will find you’ll find something that suits your needs. Take a look at our Sleeping Mats Buyer’s Guide for an in depth look into the different features of sleeping mats.

Warmth

When buying a sleeping mat, be sure to check out the warmth rating. Mats are usually rated for warmth by using the R-Value. This is the same value you may recognise to measure the insulation efficiency at home. Unlike a sleeping bag which can be ventilated, you should always buy the sleeping mat with an R-Value that is the lowest temperature you’ll encounter. Plus if you’re a cold sleeper, always boost the R-Value. For winter, aim for 4-4.5 or greater, and for extreme cold look for higher than 5.7. For three-season use in the UK spring, summer and autumn, then 2.1-4.5 is fine. Less than 2 should suffice for ultra-lightweight summer camping.

There are various ways designers increase the warmth of a sleeping mat. Firstly, is thickness. You’ll be higher off the ground and with more air between you and the cold earth; that’s more air to heat up and keep you warm. Another way to increase warmth is through the materials that are used. A thicker material will generally keep the cold out a little bit more. And finally, a layer of down or synthetic insulation can be used to add warmth. Even a very thin layer can make a huge difference when you’re sleeping on top of snow.

Construction

Hybrid Layer Air Sprung Cell technology provides extra comfort and support. Photo: Chris Johnson.

Durability has always been an issue with sleeping mats. In the constant push to make these mats lighter, the materials used tend to get thinner and thinner and sometimes at the expense of durability. Over the years, we’ve noticed that mats tend to be the item of camping gear that fails the most with heavy use. Three main things can happen: the valve can go, which is a hard fix; and the interior baffle walls can disfigure and balloon.

Any punctures, however, can usually be fixed quickly on the go. Most mats come with a puncture repair kit and can be fixed pretty much like a bike inner tube.

Inflation

There have been a few changes in inflation systems over the last couple of years, in an attempt to eliminate getting dizzy blowing up the mattress. Some use a pump, perhaps fashioned out of a piece of fabric supplied. That said, for most of the lightweight mattresses, because they are quite small and thin, you should be able to fill them in 20-30 breaths or so. Thermarest makes a battery powered pump that works well, and Exped and Sea to Summit favour pump bags to fill them. Larger mats, such as the Quechua, are self-inflating, requiring only minimal topping up.