When sleeping while camping, I put a mat under my sleeping bag.
Without a mat, the cold and hardness from the ground will be directly transmitted to your back, and a sleeping bag alone won't be enough to mitigate it.
The materials used include foam (urethane), air-filled types, and inflatable types that combine both.
Each option has its pros and cons, and the choice depends on the environment and budget, but this time we'll introduce an air mattress with excellent insulation for winter camping.
Key points to consider when choosing an air mattress for winter camping.
Sleeping comfort
It's not a cushion, but rather it supports your body with the rebound of air, so it feels fluffier than sleeping at home.
However, once you get used to it, you'll experience less jarring from the ground, allowing you to maintain a comfortable sleeping experience even on rough, hard surfaces.
Heat retention ability
Compared to foam or inflatable mattresses, air mattresses offer superior heat retention.
Insulation depends on how well it creates layers of air and how effectively it heats that air.
Air mattresses, with their significantly higher air content, have a distinct advantage in this respect.
durability
Air mattresses require air to be inflated for use, so they cannot be used if they get a hole in them.
Repair kits are available, but they are only for temporary fixes, so you need to make sure there are no protruding objects underneath before using them.
price
The price range is mainly between 3,000 and 4,000 yen. (It will be a little more expensive if you consider use in winter camping.)
Considering its heat retention and compact size, it offers great value for money.
While it's more expensive than the foam materials sold at home improvement stores, the same foam material from outdoor brands is significantly more expensive, so it can be considered reasonably priced.
This is my recommended air mattress.
THERMAREST NeoAir XTherm Outdoor Mattress, R-value 6.9, Vapor
Size: 63 x 196 cm, Storage size: 28 x 11 cm
Weight: 570g
Thickness when in use: 6.4 cm
This is the most insulated mat in the NeoAir series.
We employ a manufacturing method called the "triangular core matrix," which involves overlapping triangular tubes in an alternating pattern to eliminate cold spots—layers that do not retain air.
Furthermore, the mat incorporates Thermal Capture Technology (a heat reflector) inside.
The heat reflector prevents cold air from rising from the ground and simultaneously reflects body heat, efficiently trapping warm air.
THERMAREST NeoAir XTherm Max Outdoor Camping Mattress (R-value 6.9, Vapor)
Size: 63 x 196 cm, Storage size: 28 x 11 cm
Weight: 640g
Thickness when in use: 6.4 cm
The difference between this product and the NeoAir XTherm mentioned above is its shape.
While the NeoAir XTherm has been made lighter by removing material from areas that don't come into contact with the body while sleeping, this Max model is a square-shaped air mattress that provides peace of mind even for those who toss and turn in their sleep.
Similar to the NeoAir XTherm, it uses four reflective panels for warmth, the mat surface is soft and comfortable against the skin, and the fabric is quiet when it rubs together.
