Best sleeping mats of 2025 | Tested and reviewed for a warm and comfortable night’s sleep

We've been using this sleeping mat for nearly a year and it's been tremendous. Near Zero is a reasonably small American outdoor brand that produces excellent value, high-performance kit that is designed to make wild camping and backpacking more accessible to more people.

Its insulated sleeping mat strikes a great balance between comfort and weight. It insulates well and is a good size (186cm is slightly longer than other regular-sized mats).

We liked how compact it is too, despite not being the lightest mat we've tested. So far for us it's held up well and is showing no signs of wear or tear.

Read our full Near Zero backpacking bundle review

As a first inflatable sleeping mat this is our pick. It's a sleeping mat we've used several times and have been perfetly comfortable using.

At 650g and packing down to 27 x 14cm it's reasonably compact for a self-inflating sleeping mat, and despite being low cost, is pretty durable too.

That said, it's not the warmest mat for its size (the Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus below is noticeably warmer) and is best used for late spring through to early autumn.

The lightweight and packable Exped Ultra 3-season inflatable mat has impressed us for its performance and eco-credentials. It's become our go-to mat for most hiking trips. It uses Bluesign-certified synthetic insulation and recycled 20D ripstop polyester fabric; the mat is even certified carbon neutral by myclimate.org. 

The Ultra 3R is comprised of head-to-toe air chambers that provide a pliable, cushioned sleeping surface and – more importantly – excellent insulation from the ground. This is thanks to Exped's proprietary Symnat Texpedloft technology. Is that a silly name? Perhaps. But this sleeping mat is seriously good at keeping you at a safe and comfortable temperature throughout chilly nights.

The Vango Thermocore XPD is a belter of a winter sleeping mat, coming in at a very reasonable RRP of £140 but found in retail outlets around £120.

At 10cm deep, it offers impressive comfort, especially for side sleepers - and it prevented my hips from sinking too close to the ground which happened a lot with my old roll mat. The addition of a crinkly, silver thermal layer helps to reflect heat, making it an excellent option for colder conditions - it has an impressive R value of 5.6, make it a true 4 season trekking mat.

The generous 195 cm length and 58 cm width (for the regular size) offer plenty of space to stretch out, so this would suit the vast majority of users.

However, it’s worth noting that the small size of the inflation bag means blowing the thing up takes a while, so those who suffer from patience deficit might find it a bit tedious. Additionally, the valve can be a little sticky when trying to detach the inflate bag, which led to a few frustrating attempts before I was successful. Once you've got the knack, however, it becomes easy enough.

In terms of comfort, the dimple texture, along with the aforementioned thickness, is great. It helps prevent you from sliding off the mat in your sleeping bag, ensuring you don't end up on the cold, hard ground. While generally quiet, the mat's internal layers can make a slight crinkling sound, which may be noticeable for more restless sleepers. A pair of earplugs should be in your camping kit anyway! Overall, though, I had a great couple of night's sleep.

Deflation and packing down are quick and easy, with the mat compressing down to a compact 22 x 13 cm (packed size), making it a great choice for backpackers looking to save space. The mat is also relatively lightweight, weighing 740 grams for the regular size, which for 10 cm depth makes it lighter than many competitors in the same category.

A great combination of weight, pack size and warmth, and at a good price. The Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus self-inflating might require some manual assistance, but the comfort provided is good for this kind of mat. 

The highlight of this mat is the WingLock valve, a high-performance valve with an increased airflow for rapid inflation or deflation. Although, with the ProLite Plus' expanding foam core, you'll only need to access the valve if you want to top off the self-inflation for your ideal level of firmness.

This little bit of wiggle room for personal taste is what makes Therm-a-Rest a go-to choice for experienced campers.

We put this pricey but technical sleeping mat to the test in the Cairngorms during winter. The Tensor Extreme Conditions boasts an impressive R-value of 8.5, making it one of the warmest backpacking mats available. This warmth is achieved with four layers of Thermal Mirror metallised film within Nemo’s Apex baffle design, adhering to the ASTM F3340 standard for accuracy.

Comfort is impressive too with its 9cm deep cushioning, which offers a relatively luxurious sleeping experience uncommon in lightweight mats. Despite its high R-value and thick cushioning, the Tensor EC weighs under half a kilogram, thanks to the lightweight Thermal Mirror film.

The mat is easy to inflate with the Vortex pump sack, taking fewer than four inflations, and deflates quickly with the updated Laylow valve. Its 40D nylon underside is puncture-resistant, while the 20D nylon top provides a soft, quiet sleep surface.

Read our full NEMO Tensor Extreme Conditions Mummy Sleeping Mat review

Astoundingly lightweight and packable, albeit not the warmest, the Inertia Ozone relies on your sleeping bag to provide most of the insulation, leaving gaps in the frame of the mat in which the bag can loft. 

The combination of air and foam makes this a superb regulator for summer camp trips and a fine all-rounder for those who like to keep it ultralight. You won't find a mat that's easier to carry with you, though this does come with a small compromise on comfort.

You may not get the lush padding of the Polarshield, but we think the trade-off is worthwhile on a hot day or a light trek.

Light, tough and exceptionally budget-friendly, this Multimat Camper 8 mat is suited to warmer conditions and predictably comfortable pitching locations where its lack of cushioning and insulation won't be missed. 

Not everyone is pitching up on the north face of Snowdon. In our experience, the majority of pitched tents reside in flat, grassy valleys and meadows. Festivals too. If this sounds like your camping context, then the Multimat Camper 8 is an ideal choice.