Moving to the present day and there’s now an extremely wide variety of camping mats and camping mattresses on the market – some of them self inflate (the topic of this article) whereas others require pumping – either via a hand pump, pump bag (a simple way of filling a bag with dry air which can then be squeezed into the SIM via a valve) or electric pump. Camping Mat vs Camping Mattress There are two valves on the mattress. The second valve can be manually blown up which elevates the head area for a make-shift pillow, but that’s completely optional and up to you so feel free to experiment! Warm and comfortable– self inflating air mats provide a cushioned barrier between you and the ground for a happier night’s sleep Use a 50:50 white vinegar and water mix to safely disinfect your self inflating sleeping mattress. Then sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda and leave for a few days to remove the smell. A self inflating mat or mattress, also known as a SIM in camping, is a lightweight and easily compressed foam mat. They can be rolled up tightly for easy transportation and are perfect for a range of camping activities, whether it’s for a good night’s sleep at a festival or taking on an expedition. You can lie on in with your sleeping bag in a tent, or even in a camper van.

There’s no denying that the SIM was comfortable for my wife though who is a much more svelte 11 stone. OK, 10.5 stone – she’s watching me type!

Simply open up the valve to deflate the mat. Once deflated, roll it up, kneeling on it as you go to squeeze any excess air out. Straps allow you to secure the mat and stop it from unrolling.

The Shangri-La is exceptionally easy to inflate and deflate, and this is one of its major strengths. The Cyclone ‘flip-valve’ as seen on the Comfort 10 Double is a joy to use. Simply flip it around to the correct airflow direction required. Inflation happens automatically, and deflation can be achieved in a couple of minutes by the old “roll and kneel” manoeuvre. If you have space, it’s best to store your mat unrolled with the valve open. This lets the foam breathe and prevents it getting overly compressed. Store it out of direct sunlight. Good places to keep the mat are out the way under the bed or in the loft. Luxurious comfort for two. You need a double 12cm or 10cm self inflating sleep mat. Great for family holidays, romantic getaways, touring holidays. R-Value for the KingCamp is ~6.5 which is pretty decent for cold weather camping, but not quite on a par with the Outwell Dreamcatcher. For typical UK winter conditions though, this is ample. Just make sure you bring along a decent sleeping bag or use electric hookup for an overnight heater. So it it comfortable? We can give this a resounding thumbs up – it is by far the comfiest double SIM we’ve tested for the money, and while it may seem expensive, this is up there with the best air mattresses but without the stress of punctures or requiring pumps.

Camping Roll Mats

When looking for the best self inflating camping mat, there are a few features to look out for. To find the most comfortable and best performing sleeping mat, you could choose one with the following: Wait for the mattress to inflate: The mattress will begin to inflate on its own as air enters through the valve. The time it takes for the mattress to fully inflate can vary depending on the model, but it typically takes between 5 and 15 minutes.