When sleeping during camping, you should place a mat under your sleeping bag.
This is because without a mat, the coldness and hardness of the ground will directly transfer to your back, and a sleeping bag alone cannot sufficiently alleviate this.
Materials include foam (urethane), air-inflatable, and a combination of the two, known as an inflatable mat.
Each type has its pros and cons, and your choice will depend on your usage environment and budget. This time, we will introduce air mats with excellent insulation for winter camping.
Key Points for Choosing an Air Mat for Winter Camping
Comfort
Since it supports your body with air rebound rather than cushioning, it has a softer feel than sleeping at home.
However, once you get used to it, there will be less pressure from the ground, allowing you to maintain good comfort even on bumpy, hard ground.
Insulation
Air mats offer superior insulation compared to foam and self-inflating mats.
This is because insulation depends on creating air layers and warming that air.
Air mats, with their significantly higher air volume, have an advantage in this regard.
Durability
Air mats require air to be inflated, so they become unusable if a hole appears.
Repair kits are available, but they are only for emergency fixes, so it's essential to thoroughly check for any sharp objects underneath before use.
Price
Prices generally range from 3,000 to 4,000 yen. (They will be a bit higher if you consider using them for winter camping.)
Considering their insulation and compact size, they offer good value for money.
While they are more expensive than foam mats sold at hardware stores, they can be considered affordable compared to foam mats from outdoor brands, which tend to be much pricier.
Recommended Air Mats
THERMAREST NeoAir XTherm Outdoor Mattress, R-Value 6.9, Vapor
Size: 63×196cm, Packed size: 28✕11cm
Weight: 570g
Thickness when in use: 6.4cm
This is the most insulating mat in the NeoAir series.
It features the [Triangular Core Matrix] construction, which layers triangular tubes to eliminate "cold spots" where air is not held.
Additionally, it has [ThermaCapture Technology] (heat reflective layers) built into the mat.
The heat reflective layers prevent cold from the ground and simultaneously reflect body heat, efficiently trapping warm air.
THERMAREST NeoAir XTherm Max Outdoor Camping Mattress, R-Value 6.9, Vapor
Size: 63×196cm, Packed size: 28✕11cm
Weight: 640g
Thickness when in use: 6.4cm
The difference from the NeoAir XTherm product above is its shape.
While the NeoAir XTherm is designed to be lightweight by removing material from areas not in contact with the body during sleep, this "Max" version is a rectangular air mat, perfect for those who tend to move around a lot in their sleep.
Like the NeoAir XTherm, it uses four reflective layers for warmth, and the mat's surface is soft, comfortable to the touch, and quiet when rubbed.
