How to choose your sleeping pad for camping, bivouac or hiking?

Go on an adventure in the great outdoors, yes, but provided you are well equipped! For restful nights that will allow you to fully enjoy your days outdoors, here is everything you need to know to choose your sleeping pad for camping.

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What is a bivouac sleeping pad for?

When sleeping under the stars, it is essential to choose your camping sleeping pad in order to ensure perfect comfort and foolproof insulation. Indeed, you may have to set up your camp on uneven ground and your mattress will then have to compensate for any holes and any stones standing on your way. For camping, you can afford to take a larger bedding (and often more comfortable) than for bivouac or hiking. For these last two disciplines, you will first have to choose a camping sleeping pad that is easily transportable and therefore rather a thin and compact design. The second function of your bivouac sleeping pad will be to protect you from the cold and to insulate you thanks to the air it contains inside or in the alveoli of it's material.

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The different types of camping mattresses

The inflatable camping mat

If you have the breath you will love the inflatable hiking pad. Lightweight, compact and comfortable (5 to 10 centimeters thick), it is also very efficient in terms of insulation. The weight of some models can drop as low as 400 grams, but be careful, the budget is then much higher. In addition, inflatable mats have a major drawback: they are very fragile, especially when featherweight.

The self-inflating camping mats

It is made from insulating foam and has a valve that allows automatic inflation as soon as it is opened. You can then modulate the firmness of your sleeping pad by inflating it by mouth. Do not expect to have a very thick bed (4 centimeters maximum) and be sure to place the reinforced side against the ground for better resistance to rough terrain, even if this type of model is still quite fragile. However, it represents a good compromise between comfort, insulation and size.

The "foam" mattress

This is the most basic model, but thanks to it's insulating properties, it still has a bright future ahead of it. It is also inexpensive and it's lack of comfort can be anecdotal if used occasionally. However, even if it's easy to roll or to fold, it is still quite bulky.

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Choose your sleeping pad for camping according to your activity

Camping, bivouac, hiking: the mattress you choose must meet specific characteristics depending on your practice.

• The right sleeping pad for camping: You can afford anything because once installed, your camping mattress won't have to move and you won't have to carry it around. Perfect insulation and comfort is yours.
• The right sleeping mattress for hiking: The choice of your equipment will depend on the regularity of your outings and the distance covered. The more you have to walk, the more you will choose a light and compact model.
• The right sleeping mat for the bivouac: If you intend to venture out on an outdoor expedition in the heart of winter, insulation will be your main concern. For example, you can combine a foam mattress with an inflatable bivouac mattress. If your budget allows it, you can also make the choice of a latest technology inflatable camping mat with reinforced insulation. In the summer, you can afford less insulation and a bit more comfort. However, throughout the year, remember to take into account the resistance of your mattress to avoid any misadventure during your stay outdoors.

You cannot enjoy an excursion if you do not have a comfortable and insulating bed. So to sleep soundly even in the open air, take the time to choose a camping sleeping pad that will meet all your expectations, regardless of the weather conditions or the type of terrain on which you will set up your camp.

Since 2020, the main manufacturers of hiking mats have displayed a standardized R-Value. This is a new standard that allows users to compare the thermal insulation of sleeping pads.