Comparison Review: Thinking about sleeping in the mountains. I tried out some interesting sleeping pads (mats)

There is no doubt that the quality of sleep in the field is determined by three things: tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad (mat). I have recently been spending more time on family camping than hiking

Under the starry sky, you can chat with your family and friends around a campfire before settling into your tent and going to bed. However, if the quality of your bed is poor, it can be difficult to get a good night's sleep. The next day, you may end up with pain somewhere in your body, which can affect your enjoyment of the activities you're enjoying

There was a time when I thought that as long as I had a high-spec sleeping bag, I could get by with a silver mat sold at a home improvement store as my sleeping pad. However, I learned that the padding on the back side of a sleeping bag collapses under its own weight, making it almost useless as an insulator, and since then I've become more conscious of the insulating properties of my sleeping pad

Of course, the quality of a sleeping pad cannot be measured by its insulation (heat retention) alone. That's why it's important to thoroughly research the various models offered by each manufacturer, each with its own unique features, and choose wisely the model that best suits your needs and purposes. So, for those of you struggling to choose a pad, we've compared and evaluated a variety of unique sleeping pads, including this season's latest models, so please take a look now

About the sleeping pads we compared this time

The sleeping pads compared this time are the following eight models

• Klymit Insulated Static V Light
• NEMO TENSOR™ 20 (tested in size M)
• NEMO ZOR™ 20 (tested in size M)
• Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat
• Sea To Summit Ultralight SI Mat
• Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm
• Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL
• Evernew FPmat 125

I am amazed at how high-spec modern sleeping pads have become, but there is still no mat that is perfect in every respect. No matter how expensive a sleeping pad is, it will always have its pros and cons. Also, the way you choose and the points you prioritize will vary depending on the field and environment in which you will be using it, and your preferences for comfort will also differ

For this reason, in this comparative review, rather than the usual rough ranking, I used each mat and evaluated them from various angles in six categories: insulation, storage, weight, comfort, ease of use, and durability. The overall rating is merely a recommendation index based on the author's own experience

1. Comfort: Not just good cushioning, but also the overall comfort of sleeping, including the ability for the body to stay in place
2. Insulation: How well it blocks the cold air from the ground
3. Weight and storage... People tend to focus on tents and sleeping bags, but the pad can also be a burden.
4. Usability: How stress-free it is to use, such as how easy it is to set up and fold
5. Durability: How little risk there is of it becoming unusable (particularly with inflatable types)

Test Results & Spec Comparison Table

Overall Review - Recommended Models by Type -

First of all, the one I fell most in love with overall in this comparison was the NEMO TENSOR 20 (the medium size was used for the test) . It had very high specs in terms of insulation, comfort, and storage. There was nothing particularly impressive about the comfort. There were some concerns about its durability, so I wouldn't recommend using it too hard, but even with that in mind, it was a sleeping pad I'd recommend. This series also includes an insulated type with PrimaLoft® laminated inside for dramatically improved warmth, so you can choose the model that's best suited to your situation.

The Evernew FPmat 125 also boasts excellent storage, weight, ease of use, and durability, making it a great value for the price. If you have the storage space in your backpack, this is one item you should definitely bring along. It can be used for short breaks on day hikes, as a pad under your main sleeping pad, when spreading out your gear inside your backpack, or, of course, as your main pad. Its versatility makes it a great choice for activities other than mountain climbing, too.

For the cold seasons from fall to winter, I recommend the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm . It not only insulates against cold air, but also provides a unique warmth that gradually builds up from your back. It might even be more accurate to say that it's more about heat retention than insulation. While it's the most expensive of the eight sleeping pads, I think you'll get a performance that's worth the price.

If comfort is a priority, we recommend an air-inflatable pad. The NEMO TENSOR 20M , as mentioned above. The klymit Insulated Static V Lite and Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mattresses have separate air chambers, so the entire mattress won't move when you turn over, providing stability. These two models also come in summer and winter versions, each with a different level of insulation, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

If you want to travel with as compact equipment as possible, we recommend the NEMO TENSOR 20(M) and the EVERNEW FPmat125 . Both are lightweight and highly packable. The NEMO TENSOR 20M is compact enough to fit in a large pocket such as a hard shell.

By the way, regarding the vertical size of the pad, if you are going to use it in the cold winter months, it is safer to have it exactly the same size as your height. The cold coming from the lower body can be quite a big deal. On the other hand, in other seasons, even if it is not the same size as your height, you can use spare gear for the lower body and still get by to some extent, which is what I found after comparing them this time. Another major benefit is that it can be made lighter and more compact. It is also a good idea to choose a short size mat with high specifications to keep the price down

Next page: Detailed review of each item

On the previous page, we introduced the ratings and specs of each sleeping pad we compared, and recommended models based on that. From here, we will explain the criteria used in the ratings and why we came to those ratings

Detailed review of each item

Comfort

Sleeping comfort is probably the most divisive aspect of sleep. I personally prefer a firmer mattress over a soft one. However, the NEMO TENSOR 20 .

It's neither too soft nor too hard, and it remains stable even when you toss and turn. It doesn't feel fluffy or unstable, but it feels like you're floating in the air. Everything is just right. I definitely recommend you try it for yourself. The key point is that the baffles on both sides are slightly higher, which increases the sense of stability. Also, because it's about 8cm thick, I didn't feel any pressure from below, and there was no rustling noise when I tossed and turned. Overall, it provided a comfortable sleep

In terms of stability when lying down, the Klymit Insulated Static V Lite and the Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mattress were also excellent. While the air-inflated design provides thickness, the independent air chambers minimize unevenness, preventing the entire mattress from moving when you sit or turn over, providing a natural, stable sleeping experience similar to that of sleeping on a bed. The Sea To Summit Ultralight SI Mattress 's sufficiently thick, flat surface is also not bad.

Thermal insulation

As the test was conducted in August, a summer month, it was not possible to test it on snow, and after much deliberation, we decided to test the insulation performance by placing ice packs used in coolers side by side and then placing a mat on top of them.The writer slept in just his underwear and tested the time when he first began to feel cold air coming from his back

the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm recorded outstanding insulation performance . Not only did it not transmit any cold air, but my body heat was reflected back and gradually warmed my back. The mattress is designed with four heat-reflecting plates sandwiched inside, which create a layer of warm air within the separated tubes, so you can use it with confidence even in the middle of winter. The advertised R-value of 5.7 is no surprise.

the NEMO TENSOR 20 , which doesn't have an R-value published, provided better insulation than I expected. Naturally, it the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm , but perhaps because it's about 8cm thick, I didn't feel any cold air. It's the Klymit Insulated Static V Lite (4.4), which does have an R-value published. While this is purely my own judgment, I felt it might have an R-value of 4.0.

Conversely, the closed-cell Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL and FPmat125 were The FPmat125 , in particular, started to feel the chill immediately after the test began (about two minutes). While this may be a natural result, given its packability, weight, and ease of use, it's best not to expect much insulated insulation. Perhaps my the Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat , too, as I began to feel the chill sooner than I expected. About 20 minutes into the test, I felt the chill on my back, and it didn't improve much after that, so I felt that the R-value of 3.3 was a little unreliable for safe use in the bitter cold.

weight

This time, we tried a few different sizes, so we compared the weights based on "weight per cm." The lightest was the Evernew FPmat 125. 's said to weigh 200g for 125cm, but when you actually hold it in your hand, it feels even lighter. With such lightness and packability, I think it's perfectly suitable not only for use as your main sleeping pad, but also as a support for insulation and durability when placed under your main sleeping pad.

On the other hand, self-inflating types are difficult to make lightweight, but the NEMO ZOR 20 , which didn't stand out much in the other categories, suddenly made its presence known here. The key to this is that it has been made as lightweight as possible by removing weight in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

On the other hand, the heaviest mattresses the Klymit Insulated Static V Lite and the Sea To Summit Ultralight SI Mat . The Klymit is heavy (even though it's getting lighter every year) due to the padding and the increased surface area of ​​the V-tube structure. It's a shame, as the sleeping comfort is appealing.

Storage capacity

Regarding compactness when stored, both the closed-cell Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL and the Evernew FPmat125 can be folded, but the Z Lite SOL cannot be compressed at all, so honestly, it's not particularly easy to store. On the other hand, the FPmat125 is an extremely thin mat to begin with, folding up to just 5mm. the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL to their backpacks, but many of you may have experienced it hitting a branch or rock when attached. In contrast, the FPmat125 can be easily stored inside the backpack. What's more, if your backpack doesn't have a back pad, it can even serve as a back pad, which is quite impressive.

Additionally, since inflatable packs are filled with air, they all offer excellent packability. The NEMO TENSOR 20(M) hits all three boxes: compact, lightweight, and hassle-free to store. It's very thin when deflated, so all you have to do is roll it up. The built-in compression straps are also useful. Other items that received the Klymit Insulated Static V Lite , Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm , and the Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat .

Ease of use

The advantages of closed-cell mattresses are that they are generally hassle-free and can be used immediately, and you can use them as much as you like without worrying about durability. The FPmat 125 is also extremely versatile, and can be used as a pad under your bottom when you're taking a short break or sitting on the field, although not enough to sleep on. It can be used in a variety of ways, such as as a back pad or cut to your desired size. The price is also reasonable.

Furthermore, among the air-inflatable and self-inflating pads, the two Sea To Summit models were the easiest to inflate and deflate. The Sea To Summit valve is equipped with a backflow prevention valve, preventing backflow when inflating (especially towards the end of the ride). The large valve diameter also made deflation easy, allowing air to escape all at once. Other models require you to hold the valve with your finger or temporarily lock it when taking a breath, so this eliminates the need for that effort, which is another attractive feature. What's more, the Sea To Summit Ultralight SI Mat has a very convenient feature: when deflating, you can prevent air from re-entering the mat by flipping and replacing part of the valve. This made deflation extremely easy.

As for the inflatable type, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xthermd and the Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat both come standard with an Airstream Pump Sack, which is convenient for inflation. Having this makes a huge difference in the amount of effort required for setup, so it's best to choose one that comes standard, or get it if it's an option.

Another item that was particularly difficult to store the Sea To Summit Ultralight SI Mat . Self-inflating mattresses often have a hard time storing them because the urethane foam inside is difficult to compress, but even after deflation and rolling it up, it still barely fit in the storage bag. You can make more space by rolling it up with a lot of force, but the effort is still stressful. The Klymit Insulated Static V Lite was also difficult to store because it was difficult to deflate. While the divided box increases comfort, it also increases stress when storing it.

durability

Being able to use your gear without worrying about it getting ripped or torn on the field is stress-free and gives you peace of mind. The mat itself is not cheap gear, so it's something you should consider when choosing one

It's clear at a glance that the two closed-cell pads are extremely durable. The Evernew Fpmat 125, in particular, is more than strong enough despite being only 5mm thick. Also, comparing the fabric denier (D) of each mat, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm and Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat are both extremely durable. The NeoAir Xtherm, in particular, has a 70D nylon backing, which helps reduce weight while maintaining durability.

the NEMO TENSOR 20 and NEMO ZOR 20 are of concern . While both are lightweight, the 20D polyester is not resistant to abrasion and should be handled with care.

summary

As mentioned at the beginning, there is no one perfect sleeping pad. It would be best if you could choose a sleeping pad that is right for you, based on your environment and purpose. Prices vary widely, so it can be difficult to decide, but if you clarify the points you absolutely cannot compromise on and look for the model that best suits your climbing style, you will naturally narrow down the mattress that is right for you

We also recommend this article about sleeping pads

• What to throw away and what to keep? How to choose the best sleeping pad (mat) and our three recommendations

TAC

I live in Hokkaido. On my days off, I can't stay still at home and am always doing some kind of activity. In the summer, I enjoy mountain climbing, fishing, and camping, and in the winter, I enjoy snowboarding and smelt fishing. I'm a fan of this site, and I joined because I was excited to share the appeal of the gear. I hope to review not only mountain climbing, but also a variety of other activities

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